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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, an advocate

Since 1950, UNICEF has supported the most important transformation for children and adolescents in Brazil. UNICEF Brazil with its main office in Brasília and nine field offices UNICEF works in close partnership with national and sub-national government, corporate partners, youth, and civil society organizations. For information of the work of our organization in Brazil, please visit our website: UNICEF Brazil.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the guidance of the Chief Local Governance, the Chief Field Office (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of a field office within a country programme. The CFO represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads, and oversees the various program sectors and operational services, engages in technical dialogue with State and municipal governments and provides capacity strengthening in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

This includes:

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff, and assets: Represent UNICEF in the region, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children. Facilitate, take, and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets. Effectively lead the Field Office team and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results for children, while promoting effective teambuilding, wellbeing of staff and creating channels of communication that lead to an inclusive and respectful working environment that reflects UNICEF values. Ensure the office has the right type of technical expertise to deliver annual work plans (AWPS) and manage the office budget for the delivery of AWP results.
2. Knowledge Management for Programmes: Ensure that area/country programmes are supported by knowledge management  and develop a sound institutional knowledge base and understanding of the field office through data collection and situation analysis of children’s needs, political and socioeconomic dynamics, rapid assessment of potential humanitarian scenarios, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.
3. Programme Development and Management: Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyze local level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects in the field. Maintains a close dialogue and coordination with the Programme section in CO. Review and evaluate the technical, institutional, and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners.
4. Optimum Use of Programme Funds: Develop and lead the implementation of   field officework plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation disbursement and effectiveness of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly utilized, and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds, through regular monitoring of partner grants and project delivery rates. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. In close collaboration with the Programme and PFP teams, develop project proposals for resource mobilization that contribute to the delivery of AWP results.
5. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability: Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability. Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.
6. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration: Establish and maintain the highest level of contact with local government decision-makers and influential stakeholders in the field to advocate and promote children’s rights as a priority in development efforts. Develop partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN, the media, private sector and academia, multi- and bilateral cooperation agencies, NGOs, CSOs and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in any of the following: social sciences, international relations, public administration, government, and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: i) At least 5 years of of professional work experience in programme management, planning monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required. ii) Proven leadership with a track record of partnering with partners is government, civil society, and community-based organizations.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Portuguese

Desirables:

• iii) Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. iv) experience in other UN Agencies is an asset.              v) Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as 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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable afro-descendants, indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and other minorities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are 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.

This job opportunity is presential and for Brazilians only or candidates who have the legal right to work in Brazil. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.