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For every child, equal opportunity...
The UNICEF Namibia Country Office (NCO) Programme 2025-2029 aims to support the Government to meet its commitments to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights, in line with the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the 2024 recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It is aligned with the Government’s priorities, as identified in the National Development Plans (NDP5 and NDP 6 White Paper), Harambee Prosperity Plan II (2021-2025), and Namibia Vision 2030, as well as with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022– 2025 and is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025-2029. The 2025-2029 Country Programme results for children contribute to four strategic priorities areas of the UNSDCF, namely: 1. Effective Governance & Public Service Delivery, 2. Economic Recovery, Transformation & Resilience, 3. Sustainable Development & Green Growth Opportunities, and 4. Human Development & Community Resilience.
How can you make a difference
The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of holistic ECD programmes/projects and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results from ECD programmes contributes to the achievement of UNICEF goals for early and essential protection of children from the early stages of their life and promotes/protects their rights to survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.
Purpose for the job:
The ECD Specialist reports to the Education Specialist, NO-3 for guidance and general supervision, closely ensuring multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration with all other Programmes (health and nutrition, water and sanitation, protection, data and programme effectiveness) and supports the coordinated development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes/projects within the Country Programme as well as grant management and reporting for the ECD related programmes.
The ECD Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on ECD related programmes/projects and contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Support to ECD programmes/projects development and planning.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
131206 (NAM25003) ECD Specialist NO-3 Namibia.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, public administration, public health, nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in early childhood development related areas is required.
- Demonstrated experience in integrated multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder programming.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset.
Desirables: Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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 (1)
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)
(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)
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. 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. 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:
- Internal candidates with residence permit to work in Namibia can apply. For National Officer (NO) positions, only nationals of the country are eligible, except internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in the country independently of UNICEF appointment, who are eligible to apply (Annex 2, Para 5, Procedure).
- 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 marginalized 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.
- Visa residence requirements: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at National Officer level.
- 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.
