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, A Future

The war in Ukraine has triggered the fastest growing refugee crisis in recent times.  UNICEF has been involved in the education emergency response from the onset of the war by supporting the national government and local partners in ensuring continuity of learning and integration of refugee children in the education system in host countries.

Two and half years into the war, education continues to be a priority in the Ukraine refugee response. In the light of reduced education staff capacities in Refugee Response Offices and refugee hosting COs, the Regional Office is expected to provide strong guidance, technical assistance and coordination including with Ukraine for enhanced cross-broader programming. Specific technical support to RROs/COs on adolescents’ learning and skills, as part of Pathways implementation, will also be needed to complement the Regional Programme Coordinator's function. The region is also witness to other latent/periodic escalations in tensions, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Western Balkans as well as natural disasters, such as the earthquake in Türkiye or climate change related disasters in Central Asia

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Regional Education Adviser P5, the Education Specialist (Inclusion and Learning in Emergencies and Recovery) provides dedicated technical support and coordination of the education response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis covering both Ukraine and surrounding refugee host countries. Focusing on the key results, the Education Specialist:

• Provides technical support and assistance in the Ukraine refugee education response planning, monitoring and implementation, information sharing, data management, knowledge management.
• Provides technical guidance on inclusive education and multiple learning pathways approaches for refugees and other marginalised children.
• Provides technical support to the implementation of the sub-regional initative on education, skilling and job transition, PATHWAYS, in coordination the Regional Pathways manager and ADAP section in RO.
• Supports partnership development and coordination with UNHCR, UNESCO, EU and other partners, as well as UNICEF advocacy on refugee education concerns.  
• Supports RO and COs in preparation of Refugee Response Plans, Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeals etc., and follows up with reporting processes.
• Provides inputs into RO programme planning and review processes (CPD, SMR, COAR, etc.) to ensure risk-informed and conflict sensitive approaches are reflected in country level education strategies and programmes, particularly in fragile and conflict affected settings.
• Supports any other Education in Emergencies (EIE) related work at the RO level. Contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework

IV. Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of the refuges response and education in emergencies programme s/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to the achievement of goals and objectives to improve learning outcomes and universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education in the country. Achievements in education programmes and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

If you’d like more details about this opportunity, please review the  ECARO Education Specialist IE Learning in Emergenices P4 Final.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: At least eight [8] years of relevant work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Experience in Education in Emergencies and/or Refugee response and coordination is required.
• Experience working in upper middle and high-income country is required.
• Experience in education system strengthening work is required.
• Language Requirements: [Insert the primary UN language you need for the fluency requirement]]

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 is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

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.

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.