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.
You can watch our video to learn more about UNICEF Türkiye Country Office and a glance of our work life.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, inclusion
For background information please see ToR 
1- NoA (TA) based in MoLSS.pdf
How can you make a difference?
In recent decades, Türkiye has shown significant social and economic development, achieving substantial results in reducing poverty and improving access to basic services for the most vulnerable population.[1] Nevertheless, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) This ratio of individuals at risk of poverty and social exclusion is 38.9% (2024) for children in 0-17 age group, whereas the relative poverty rate is 13.6%[2] (2024).[3] Although laws and regulations in Türkiye are fully aligned with ILO Conventions (138 and 182) and do prohibit child labour, the gaps in monitoring, reporting and following-up, and the shortcomings in enforcement of laws hinder a complete elimination of child labour across the country[4]. According to TURKSTAT’s Child Labour Force Survey (2019), 720,000 Turkish children are engaged in or at risk of child labour. 70% of these children are boys and 30% are girls. The proportion of working children in the 5-17 age group is 4.4%. 45.5% of these children work in the service sector; 30.8% work in agriculture; and 23.7% in industrial manufacturing. A significant number of these children have limited access to education. Despite the lack of comprehensive data, child labour is reported to be prevalent among refugee children as well[5]. UNICEF Türkiye Office (TCO) studies show that a significant number of refugee children of all ages in Türkiye are involved in child labour[6].
For detailed information please see ToR.
The Project aims to achieve 2 main outcomes: (between 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2028):
- - Strengthen the national system in combatting child labour
- Development of a new national policy and programme framework on combatting child labour informed by sectoral child labour prevalence analyses and impact assessment of the previous national programme
- Development of standard operational procedures for provincial units combatting child labour
- Development and implementation action plans at local level
- - Strengthen the capacity of non-governmental stakeholders in combatting child labour in all forms and sectors
- Monitoring, prevention, reporting and responding capacity of CSOs, business stakeholders, professional organizations and universities
- Developing and disseminating guiding documents for different stakeholders on how to contribute to the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and combating all forms
- Providing technical and financial support to CSOs and social partners’ programmes on combatting child labour
Job organizational context: The Social Policy Officer GJP is to be used in UNICEF Türkiye Country Office.
Purpose for the job:
In line with the strategic context, UNICEF Türkiye Country Office is looking for a Social Policy Officer (NO-1) to join our team (to be seconded in MoLSS) on one-year temporary assignment, with a possibility of extension for additional years. This job will be instrumental in supporting the effective coordination and implementation of the project “Elimination of Child Labour Through the Development of Joint Cooperation”.
The Social Policy Officer will work as the Project Coordinator of the Project, and support timely completion of planned activities.
This post will provide direct support to the MoLSS in the planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring and reporting of the programme under the supervision of UNICEF social policy staff. S/he will be responsible for maintaining coordination among project partners and stakeholders. S/he will follow programme, administrative and financial tasks at MoLSS for their timely achievements. S/he will be working as a full time UNICEF Social Policy Officer (Project Coordinator) seconded in MoLSS.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Support to National System Strengthening
- Support for the development of a new National Policy and Programme Framework on Combatting Child Labour, informed by sectoral analyses and previous programme’s evaluation.
- Support the preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for provincial units combatting child labour (PUCCL)
- Support design and implementation of local-level action plans to operationalize national strategies and ensure alignment across sectors and local needs to combat child labour.
- Support Strengthening Public Institutions Capacity
- Support assessing and improving the monitoring, prevention, reporting, and response capacity of public institutions
- Support design, planning and delivery of training sessions, workshops, and stakeholder meetings to build the capacity of government institutions
- Support coordination among line ministries, and social partners
- Support Strengthening Non-Governmental Stakeholder Capacity
- Contribute to the assessment and strengthening of monitoring, prevention, reporting, and response capacities of CSOs, private sector actors, professional bodies, and academic institutions involved in combatting child labour efforts.
- Support development and dissemination of practical guidance and tools for stakeholders to support the elimination of child labour, including its worst forms.
- Support management of Programme Cooperation Aggrements with CSOs and social partners under the project, ensuring alignment with project objectives and compliance with reporting requirements.
- Support design, planning and implementation of monitoring activities required for quality assurance of technical and financial support planned to be provided to CSOs and social partners.
- Project Coordination and Reporting
- Support day-to-day coordination and tracking of project implementation in collaboration with UNICEF teams, the MoLSS, and stakeholders
- Contribute to risk monitoring, progress reporting, and documentation of lessons learned to inform programme improvements.
Liaise with the MoLSS to support preparations of inputs for internal and external reporting, knowledge products, and communication materials related to project achievements.
Impact of Results: The efficient and effective technical, administrative and operational support provided to the implementation of “Elimination of Child Labour Through the Development of Joint Cooperation” Project contributes to create a protective environment for children and thus ensure their survival, development and wellbeing. Achievements in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to programme for children and contribute to greater social equality in the country.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
- A university degree in one of the following fields is required:
- Economics, Public Policy, Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, Law, or another relevant field.
Experience:
- A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
- A minimum of one year of working experience in projects/programmes in combatting child labour is considered as a strong asset.
- A minimum of one year of experience working in or in collaboration with a UN agency is considered a strong asset.
- Experience in coordination with implementing partners including ministries in Türkiye is considered as an asset.
- Experience in supporting management of any IPA project is considered as a strong asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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
Core Values
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
Core Competencies
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Functional Competencies
- Analyzing (2)
- Applying technical expertise (2)
- Planning and organizing (2)
- Following Instructions and Procedures (2)
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 people with disabilities 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.
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.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
For footnotes please see ToR
