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, commitment

How can you make a difference? 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the Job: Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Representative, the incumbent is responsible for providing high quality support to the Representative to provide coordinated management and oversight of the India Country Office (ICO) composed of a main office based in New Delhi and 13 large-size Field Offices as well as outposts. This includes enabling effective coordination and planning across ICO of strategic actions/activities, supporting the development and implementation of internal guidelines and operating procedures, that support the Representative, Senior Management and the ICO to implement a coordinated, consistent quality Country Programme. The incumbent will also play a critical role in promoting organizational culture and innovation in process improvement across the office.

The incumbent will analyze the political, social and economic trends in India and keep the Representative abreast of these on a regular basis, in order to help inform strategic and sound decision making. The role will enhance the Representative’s engagement in policy advocacy and external partnerships, contributing to strategic foresight and the alignment of UNICEF’s goals with national and global priorities.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Advise the Representative, Deputy Representative Programmes, Deputy Representative Operations and the Chief of Field Services on strategic and management issues and priorities for ICO, with in-depth engagement on specific projects/activities, as needed, in coordination with relevant Chiefs of Section and Field Office.
• Support overall Front Office Team in coordination of periodic meetings such as Front Office, All Staff and Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meetings. Lead on planning and execution of the Country Management Team meetings and coordinating the minutes and follow up. Support overall Front Office in maintenance of correspondence, meetings, action items for senior management.
• Support policy advocacy efforts and strengthen the Representative’s external engagement by coordinating and supporting sections and offices in preparation of high-quality briefing notes, policy documents and advocacy strategies, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s goals, national priorities, partnerships and donor objectives.
• Coordinate and lead the processes enabling Section Chiefs, field offices and Front Office management to prepare, finalize quality speeches/remarks, briefing notes, overarching communication and reports. Support and coordinate across ICO and with the communications team to ensure common, consistent quality messaging is reflected across Representative’s, management’s and India CO’s engagements such as pan-India events such as SOWC release, World Children’s Day event. , At the request of the Representative or designated official, participate in meetings, missions, or events to represent India Country Office;

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Programme Specialist, NOC

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in a professional capacity in external relations, programme management, public affairs, general office administration, or international development cooperation, preferably within the United Nations or similar international organization.
• Fluency in English and the local working language of the duty station is required. Mastery of another UN language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Strong background in public affairs, including the preparation of high-quality briefing notes, policy documents and advocacy strategies to support senior leaders in their engagements with government and partners.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on strategic and management issues, ensuring that decision-making is informed by relevant data and aligned with relevant priorities.
• Expertise in managing front office operations, coordinating meetings and overseeing the timely completion of tasks and deliverables while managing correspondence and action items.
• Experience in fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace culture, enhance staff engagement and motivation.
• Demonstrated capacity to identify and implement process improvements, driving efficiency and innovation within an organizational environment.

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. We strongly encourage applications from women, trans* and gender non-conforming people and persons with disabilities. 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:

• This position is based in New Delhi.
• The vacancy is open to internal and external candidates. Internal staff include those with permanent, continuing, and fixed-term appointments.
• When applying for the vacancy, candidates must possess a valid work permit for India.
• 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. 
• For the purpose of this vacancy, internal candidates who have working experience with the UNICEF, India Country Office will be given first consideration.
• The selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance. 
• 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.   
• UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. 

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.