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, for every child, the right to information
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, ineverything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equitystrategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates thiscommitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have anopportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias orfavoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political,economic, civic and cultural dimensions — their rights are violated. There is growing evidence thatinvesting in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens —addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but alsowill lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. Itaccelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universalmandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while alsosupporting the equitable development of nations.
How can you make a difference?
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
Purpose of Job:
Under the general supervision of the Chief Youth & Adolescent Development and direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Programme Specialist (Economic Opportunities) will lead the Economic Opportunities (jobs and apprenticeship) and the Youth Entrepreneurship pillar/outcome to achieve the desired results in terms of enabling employment opportunities for young people. The Programme Specialist will be required to work closely with the central/state government partners to engage in scalable models and strategic partnerships.
Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:
- Technical guidance and support
- Partnerships and Networking
- Innovation
- Advocacy & Communications and Knowledge Management
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: IND25028 - Classified - Programme Specialist (Economic Opportunities) - NO-C.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- An advanced university degree in social science or a relevant field.
- A first University Degree in social sciences or any other relevant field, combined with 2 additional years (minimum 7 years in total) of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree or any other relevant discipline.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in designing, planning, and implementing youth employment and entrepreneurship programs is mandatory
- Extensive experience in engaging with key ministries such as the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Skills, Ministry of Rural Development is mandatory
- A robust technical understanding and knowledge of job market, internship, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship schemes and programs is mandatory
- Experience working with labour market data, skill gap reports, or M&E systems for youth-centric economic programming is desired
- Experience of strategising large-scale and sustainable employment programs through multi-stakeholder partnerships is desired
- Ability to develop partnerships and to network in the areas of skills, youth employment, and entrepreneurship is an asset
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
Core Competencies - Level 1
(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
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
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. We strongly encourage applications from women, trans* and gender non-conforming people and persons with disabilities.
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. AtIn 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. 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:
- This position is based in New Delhi, India.
- This position is open for all Indian Nationals and for internal candidates possessing a valid work permit for India.
- This VA is open to internal UNICEF staff only i.e. UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing, and fixed term appointments.
- The selected applicant will have an initial one (1) or two (2) years fixed-term (As per each post) contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
- UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. Eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
- 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 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
