UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to learn

How can you make a difference? 

TASKS/DELIVERABLES/MILESTONES

1. Education Sector Coordination and Transition to Government Leadership

• Lead the education sector coordination mechanism, in liaison with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE), ensuring alignment and information sharing among education partners, stakeholders and donors. (Monthly meetings are conducted with the participation of the MoNE; participation at the Friendly School coordination meeting are ensured; Back-to-learning is coordinated)
• Lead planning, documentation, and follow up for the transition and handover of education sector coordination from UNICEF to government leadership. (Comprehensive plan is in place before September 2026 with one review conducted as needed)
• Technically support the development of a comprehensive evidence synthesis study examining existing research on Polish as a foreign language instruction from multi-stakeholder perspectives (students, teachers, education system), incorporating best practices and comparative analysis from European educational systems, in partnership with governmental institutions, academic bodies, and NGOs.  (Comprehensive evidence synthesis drafted with at least two reviews conducted as needed, and validated by May 2026; 6 monthly meetings with the coalition of volunteers with actions acted upon).
• Spearhead the formulation of strategic policy recommendations for developing and implementing a comprehensive, high-quality national framework for Polish language instruction, leveraging multi-sectoral collaboration with governmental institutions, academia, and civil society organizations (Policy recommendations with at least two reviews conducted as needed, and validated by September 2026) 

2. Volunteering, Youth Engagement, and Participation in Education

• Design and coordinate volunteering initiatives linked to education, inclusion, and community support. (Techincal support in the implementation of UNICEF initiatives on volunteering in Poland as per signed agreements with partners)
• Strengthen youth engagement and participation mechanisms, including consultations and participatory processes with adolescents and young people including in the back-to-learning youth led interventions (BTL youth engagement initiatives are developed in cooperation with education partners)
• Develop guidance and tools and coordinate with partners to support volunteering and youth engagement initiatives. (guidance and tools are in place by August 2026)

3. Coordination with Local Government Counterparts and Scaling of Education Models implemented

• Liaison and coordination with the cities of Wroclaw and Krakow (monthly coordination meetings, reporting and financial assurance activities, Field monitor as required by the HACT processes by August 2026) 
• Promoting the scalable models and good practices as per TSI results and the Sun Centers model established (support to scaling, replication, and national level dialogue with at least 2 workshops facilitated by October 2026)

4. Coordination and support of the pre-service teacher training partnership with the University of Silesia

• Prepare and submit progress reports, financial reports, and updates on project activities to both internal and external stakeholders, including MoNE, UNICEF, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UNICEF Procedures.
• Develop and oversee detailed work plans, timelines, and project schedules, ensuring alignment with MoNE and UNICEF guidelines and objectives;
• Track progress and ensure timely completion of project deliverables

(Work plans developed; progress on project deliverables tracked; Reports regularly submitted; Technical guidance provided as per HACT/partnerships requirements)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Minimum Masters degree in Project Management, Psychology, Pedagogy, or other related field including Education.
  
  
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in project management/coordination.
  
  
• Skills:
  -Proven experience collaborating with central public education bodies and contributing to national education policy processes
  -Proven experience in working with multiple partners and coordinating complex initiatives
  -Experience in programmes related to teacher training.
  -Previous experience with UNICEF or UN organization will be an asset
  
  
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Polish and English. Excellent language skills in both oral and written. Knowledge of Ukrainian will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.