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 direct supervision and guidance of the Deputy Representative, Programmes the incumbent will be responsible for the  effective management of local governance programme delivery, partnerships, and advocacy. You will oversee, support, and coordinate programming in the Amazon and Northeast regions of Brazil to achieve country programme results. Additionally, the role includes establishing and maintaining institutional relations with State and Municipal authorities across 18 states, coordinating advocacy and representation functions, and supporting resources mobilization strategies to meet funding needs.

The post holder will be expected to:

1. Provide strategic leadership in Local Governance: Develop UNICEF Brazil's local governance strategy to advance the rights of children by working together with the Deputy Representative and Chief of Zonal Offices to set Annual Work Plans, aligning with sector technical teams, and ensuring that targets and priorities are met. Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice and to contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to ensure that local governance perspectives, issues and realities are integrated in sectoral work and whole of office documents.
2. Coordinate the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF policy and programme strategies at State and Municipal level: Oversee and support the development of annual work plans with zone offices and with the UNICEF Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Team, setting priorities and targets in coordination with sector technical teams. Monitor progress to ensure results are achieved on schedule. The role includes deploying technical staff, identifying strategic objectives and challenges, and coordinating work planning, target setting, and reporting. Establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators, coordinate program delivery, support knowledge management, participate in emergency preparedness, and keep abreast of socio-economic and political trends to inform UNICEF’s sub-national work.
3. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building: Oversee and support ZO Chiefs in building effective partnerships at state and municipal levels with government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia, ensuring UNICEF's integrity. Maintain a robust network with various authorities to facilitate communication and establish local governance relationships. Through networking, advocacy, and communication, they will build capacity and exchange knowledge to achieve programme goals on child rights, social justice, and equity. Additionally, develop communication materials for advocacy and fundraising, and represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions to ensure organizational priorities are integrated into development planning.
4. Programme Management and Strategic Oversight: Provide strategic oversight on government affairs to advance UNICEF's mission with elected officials. Ensure effective programme delivery at the field level, optimizing the use of resources and ensuring compliance with organizational rules and donor commitments. Support resource mobilization by including zone office needs in project proposals and funding appeals. The role includes acting as a focal point for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), monitoring implementation, and supporting staff development. Participate in evaluations and reviews to assess progress, identify gaps, and recommend actions. Ensure risk-informed approaches, oversee staff safety and security, and prepare reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
5. Innovation, knowledge, management, and capacity building: Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and best practices for sustainable programme initiatives. Keep abreast of research, benchmark, and implement cutting-edge practices in local governance management and information systems, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and knowledge. Contribute to policy and procedure development, introducing innovations to enhance programme efficiency and efficacy. Additionally, lead, plan, and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance stakeholder competencies, promoting sustainable results in local governance-related programs and projects.

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

• Education - An advanced university degree (Master's) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.  
• Experience – i) A minimum of eight years of professional experience in planning and administration of social development programmes, at the national and/or international level, including experience in management of human, financial and material resources. ii) Experience and/or solid knowledge of social policies processes and implementation, iii) Demonstrated experience working with large scale social programmes, poverty reduction initiatives and strategies to reduce inequities, iv) Experience working in a developing country is required. v) Experience working at sub-national (state or municipal) levels is an asset vi) Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Language - Fluency in English and Fluency in Portuguese is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

This job opportunity is presential and for Brazilians only or internal candidates with a work permit for Brazil.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.