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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.

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

For every child, Hope

The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face complex humanitarian and development challenges, including conflict-induced displacement, disease outbreaks, and protection risks, particularly in the Eastern Province province. As part of its commitment to delivering results for children, the field offices in Lubumbashi and Mbandaka strategically positioned UNICEF to coordinate the response, development programming, and system strengthening initiatives in these regions.

The Lubumbashi office covers three provinces: Haut Katanga, Lualaba and Haut Lomami which resulted from the dismemberment of the former province of Katanga, face multiple humanitarian, social and economic challenges. The humanitarian situation remains worrying due to multiple, interconnected factors inter-community conflicts, notably linked to migration and land dynamics, affect these provinces; violence has led to an influx of internally displaced people (IDPs), as well as movements of returnee populations, often without access to basic services. This demographic instability complicates reintegration and rehabilitation efforts. Serious cases of human rights violations have been documented, including sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and, above all, the problem of child labor in the mines, as this is a mining area par excellence. It should also be noted that, despite the supposed wealth of these provinces, they suffer from recurrent epidemics of infectious diseases such as measles and cholera. The health system remains fragile, marked by a shortage of qualified human resources, equipment and health infrastructures, aggravating morbidity and mortality. A significant number of children remain outside the school system, due to a lack of infrastructure and trained teachers, but also to the fact that entire families prefer to engage in artisanal mining instead of sending their children to school. Despite their natural resource potential, the provinces face a fragile economic fabric, characterized by low foreign investment, limited access to credit and widespread poverty. Conflicts and weak governance of public services exacerbate these difficulties.

Mbandaka is the provincial capital and a port city in Equateur and covers the provinces of North Ubangi, South Ubangi, Mongala, Tshuapa and Equateur. These provinces are recognized as endemic areas for several tropical diseases and have always been specific surveillance zones for UNICEF. Following an equity analysis carried out towards the end of 2023, UNICEF planned to reorganize its presence in DR Congo. In addition, as a result of the Future Focus Initiative process, the Mbandaka field office will be closed on 31 December 2025.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Leadership and Representation

• Represent UNICEF in the three provinces and engage with government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and local stakeholders.
• Lead strategic and programmatic discussions to advance the rights and well-being of children and women.
• Ensure the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and assets in accordance with UN security protocols.

B. Programme Management and Delivery

• Lead the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNICEF programmes.
• Oversee and ensure the effective use of programme funds, human resources, and supplies.
• Provide technical guidance to programme teams and ensure alignment with UNICEF’s rights-based and results-based management approaches.

C. Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Ensure robust systems for data collection, situation analysis, and knowledge sharing.
• Prepare and supervise timely and high-quality reports for internal and external audiences, including donors.
• Promote the use of evidence and lessons learned in improving programme effectiveness.

D. Capacity Building and Partnership Development

• Strengthen national and local institutional capacities through technical support and training.
• Foster effective partnerships for programme implementation and coordination.
• Promote community engagement and advocacy on child rights and development issues.

E. Child Safeguarding and Accountability

• Uphold UNICEF’s child safeguarding policies and takes proactive steps to mitigate risks to children.
• Ensure all team members are trained and accountable to safeguarding standards.

F. Management of the closure of Mbandaka Field Office

• As a result of the Future Focus Initiative process, the Mbandaka field office will be closed on 31 December 2025. One of the CFO priorities will be to manage this closure. This role entails coordination of all activities with colleagues, partners and the provincial authorities to phase-out UNICEF presence in Mbandaka.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Temporary Appointemnt - CFO Lubumbashi & Mbandaka P4.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Sociology, or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, operations, or emergency response in international development or humanitarian settings. Prior experience in a UN system agency is an asset.
• Language: Fluency in French and English required. 
• Technical Knowledge and skills: Proficiency in programme planning, RBM, humanitarian coordination, financial and HR management, and security protocols, UNICEF programme policies and procedures, Human rights and child protection frameworks, Emergency preparedness and response strategies, UN/UNICEF operational standards for partnerships, logistics, and security.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation.
• Ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in emergency contexts preferred.

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

(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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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.  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 eligible and suitable women and persons 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.

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

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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.