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 health

Mexico is at a pivotal moment for advancing the health and nutrition of school-age children and adolescents. Despite important progress, children and adolescents continue to face significant and interconnected challenges, including micronutrient deficiencies, high and increasing levels of overweight and obesity and associated risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), growing mental health concerns and adolescent suicide, unhealthy food environments, and unequal access to quality, age-responsive health and nutrition services. At the same time, Mexico has created an ambitious policy environment through initiatives such as the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food, stronger regulation of school food environments and the national Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz strategy, creating a unique opportunity to translate policy commitments and evidence into sustainable results at national scale. 

Under the 2026–2031 Country Programme, UNICEF Mexico is building on years of advocacy, evidence generation, partnerships and innovative programming to accelerate systems transformation for school-age children and adolescents. Output 2 brings together stronger health and nutrition governance, school feeding programmes, healthier school and public environments, and integrated health, nutrition and mental health services. Working at the intersection of health, nutrition, education and food systems, UNICEF will increasingly focus on high-level technical assistance, policy implementation, intersectoral coordination, public financing, evidence generation and the institutionalization and scale-up of sustainable national and subnational programmes. 

For more information related to the work of our office in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico, our commitments for a six‑year term for children: A good six-year term for children: Un buen sexenio para la niñez or read our Annual Report 2025 - UNICEF México.  

To learn more about UNICEF Mexico’s Health, Nutrition & WASH Programme and its strategic priorities, explore our  Health & Nutrition Programme Brief CPD 2026-2031.pdf

The Health and Nutrition Specialist (NO-3), under the direct supervision of the Chief Health and Nutrition (P-4), will lead Output 2 and contribute to advancing UNICEF Mexico’s Health and Nutrition agenda, with a strong focus on systems strengthening, public policy, strategic partnerships, and integrated Health, Nutrition and WASH programming. The Specialist will supervise a senior team, provide high-level technical and programme guidance, collaborate with government and partners to translate strategies into results and coordinate complex cross-sectoral priorities. The incumbent may also serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Health and Nutrition Section, requiring strong leadership, decision-making and institutional representation skills.

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent will be accountable for the following responsabilities:

1. Timely sectoral analysis, inputs and technical support contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic updates for effective project planning, development and management.
2. Quality technical contributions support the development and implementation of integrated Health and Nutrition strategies and approaches through collaboration with internal and external partners.
3. Work plans and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively provided, and planned results are delivered on time through the application of technical expertise.
4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated to adjust, accelerate and improve programme delivery and sustainability.
5.  Technical support is provided to government and NGOs throughout project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building for government personnel and beneficiaries.
6.  Country Office staff capacities are strengthened through effective capacity-building support for the development, implementation and management of the Health and Nutrition programme.
7.  UNICEF and government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and the disbursement of Health and Nutrition programme funds.
8. Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
9. Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
10. Required programme/project reports are prepared on time in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
11.  Emergency preparedness is maintained and, in emergencies, effectively coordinated responses are provided.
12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToR - H&N Specialist (NO-3) - TA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completed Advanced university degree (Master´s Degree) is required, preferably in Public Health, Nutrition, Child Development, Water Sanitation, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Work Experience: Five (5) years of professional work experience at the national level in planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Health and Nutrition is required. Two years of additional relevant work experience that was gained after obtaining a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree (master's degree).
• Skills: Experience managing people is required, preferably the supervision of highly specialized personnel and senior technical professionals.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in Spanish and English is required.
  

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an asset.
• Experience in WASH related programmes and/or projects is highly desirable.
• Field work experience is desirable.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency is an asset.
• Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and/or nutrition care is desirable.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks.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 from indigenous communities 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.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.