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 champion

In Burundi, UNICEF has a very diverse portfolio of responsibilities but all with the same objective which is to assist the Government and other stakeholders to fulfill children’s economic, social, cultural, political, and civil rights. The UNICEF country program in Burundi aims to improve the lives of children and women in the following key areas: Child and maternal health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Social Policy and Advocacy, Adolescent empowerment and community resilience, and Humanitarian response. https://youtu.be/ZS713LNR9TU

How can you make a difference? 

Social and Behaviour Change & Gender in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of social change in both development and humanitarian contexts.

Burundi faces multiple converging emergencies, including the Mpox outbreak since July 2025, as well as threats posed by Marburg, Ebola, and other humanitarian crises. SBC and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) are essential in preparing for and responding to public health and other humanitarian emergencies through applied behavioral sciences, strategic emergency communication, and strengthening systems for emergency preparedness and response.

The SBC Emergency Specialist will support the UNICEF Burundi Country Office to work with government and implementing partners to strengthen national emergency preparedness and response systems and oversee the execution of high quality and timely SBC and RCCE interventions in response to Mpox, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and other potential emergencies.

1. Coordination of RCCE in Emergency Preparedness and Response.
2. Advisory and technical support on RCCE.
3. Capacity building on RCCE.
4. Partnership and Representation. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TDR SBC Emergency Specialist TA P3.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree (Master's degree or higher) in public health, communication, applied anthropology or sociology or another relevant degree in a social science discipline;
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian sector and public health emergencies, with significant experience in risk communication, community engagement, and accountability;
• Skills : 

1. Demonstrable experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups and developing community engagement strategies;
2. Ability to manage operational research in humanitarian and development contexts;
3. Proven experience in delivering capacity building and training sessions in emergency preparedness and response;
4. Strong coordination and negotiation skills, building partnerships between organizations, and collaboration on approaches and activities;
5. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team;
6. Understanding and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, gender, child safety, and staff health and well-being;

• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and proficiency in English is required.

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.

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 Female candidates and People with disability 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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.