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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to Education

How can you make a difference?

The UNICEF country programme 2026-2030 supports the Government’s efforts to ensure that, by 2030, the most vulnerable children, adolescents and young people in South Africa will live in a safer and more equitable environment, get a fair chance in life and realize their rights to survive, thrive and reach their full capacity.

The theory of change states that children and adolescents will progressively realize their rights if they can more fully utilize social assistance and basic social services supported by: (i) Government implementation of legislation with greater accountability, more strategic use of evidence, better interdepartmental coordination and more effective public finance management; (ii) a “whole-of-society” approach to leveraging investments in children, mobilizing support from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society; (iii) parents, caregivers and front-line service providers that deliver integrated programmes to reduce harmful practices and promote optimal behaviours for children’s and adolescent’s development and well-being; and (iv) empowerment to participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities.

The country programme has four programme outcomes aligned with the national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. These outcomes focus on investing in children; child survival and adolescent well-being; education; and child protection. The programme will maximize opportunities to advance child rights, presented by the global stature of South Africa, rooted in the legacy of Nelson Mandela and its leadership in development and human rights.

Purpose for the job:

The Chief of Education (Economist) provides strategic leadership, technical guidance, and oversight for UNICEF’s education programme with a strong focus on education economics, public finance, equity analysis, and systems strengthening. The role ensures that evidence‑based policy, financing reforms, and innovations drive improved learning outcomes for all children—especially the most marginalized.

The Chief is responsible for leading, managing and establishing the plans of action to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme/project results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

As Chief of Education, the summary of your ley functions and accountabilities are:

1. Managerial leadership
2. Programme development and planning
3. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results
4. Advisory services and technical support
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  P-5 Chief Education (Education Economist).pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

1. Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Economics, Education Economics, Public Policy, or Education Planning is required.
2. Work Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Education Policy, Education Economics, Sector Planning, or Public Finance. Proven experience leading large, complex programmes at national or international level. Demonstrated track record of influencing senior government officials and development partners. Experience in low- and middle-income country contexts is essential.
3. Skills: Public finance analysis and budgeting, Costing and economic modelling, Education system analysis and planning, Monitoring and evaluation, Learning assessments and foundational learning, Excellent analytical, advocacy and communication skills.
4. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
2. A PhD in Economics, Econometrics, Development Economics, or Education Management, with a strong focus on Education Economics, is highly desirable.
3. Emergency or humanitarian experience is an asset.
4. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.