Current vacancies

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 EDUCATION

How can you make a difference? 

The selected consultants will work closely with UNICEF Romania’s Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy team. When necessary, close collaboration and interaction with the Government, the Presidency, the Parliament, central authorities, and business associations will be required. The consultants may also be requested to work closely with children and youth constituencies and the diplomatic corps, and other national or international institutions and organizations.

Anticipated deliverables are described below in a generic form, and the specific deliverables will be outlined in separate ToRs for future assignments depending on the required scope of work.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in public policies, political science, communication, law, public administration, business, environmental and sustainability science or related fields.

Work Experience:

• In the area of Policy Development and Advocacy:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
    • Advocacy, lobbying, public affairs and/ or corporate affairs
    • Developing policies, strategies, and advocacy materials
    • Organizing high-level meetings and events
    • Delivering capacity building and training sessions
    • Research/studies, business intelligence, and analyses related to child rights
  • Previous experience in working for the Government, Presidential Administration, Parliament, UN, international and national organizations, public affairs, or corporate affairs companies or departments
  • Computer skills, including layout and design skills, Internet navigation, and various office applications
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives under pressure
  • Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda
  • Analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, ability to facilitate, engage, consult, and negotiate with a wide range of public, private, non-government partners and children
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills in Romanian and English

• In the area of Business for Results:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
    • business development, marketing, communication, branding, public affairs 
    • governmental/ state relations with the business sector
    • supporting businesses to develop CSR and ESG initiatives related to child rights, environment/ and sustainability
    • undertaking research/studies, data collection, and analyses related to business and governance
  • Previous experience in working for public affairs and/ or corporate affairs agencies or departments, companies, and/ or business associations, or the Government, Presidential Administration, Parliament with roles in engaging with the business sector
  • Computer skills, including design and Internet navigation and various office applications
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives under pressure
  • Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda, ESG framework
  • Analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, ability to facilitate, engage, consult, and negotiate with a wide range of public, private and non-government partners 
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills in Romanian and English

• In the area of Business for Results:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
    • supporting central and local authorities in developing and implementing policies and measures for the environment, ACE, and sustainability
    • undertaking research/studies, data collection, and analyses in the environment, sustainability and climate change areas
    • supporting environment and climate education
    • engaging in initiatives under the UNFCCC framework
    • supporting children and youth engagement in climate action
    • proven results in climate and environment advocacy
  • Previous experience in working for the Government, Presidential Administration, Parliament, UN, international and national organizations, public affairs, corporate affairs, CSR and ESG companies or departments
  • Computer skills, including design and Internet navigation and various office applications
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives under pressure
  • Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda, UNFCCC framework
  • Analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, ability to facilitate, engage, consult, and negotiate with a wide range of public, private and non-government partners, children and youth constituencies.
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills in Romanian and English

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent knowledge of the political and economic landscapes 
• Familiarity with child rights framework and UNICEF's mandate and programs
• Track record of successful advocacy initiatives, including changes in legislation, high-level events, and building strategic partnerships and alliances for child rights and/ or with the business sector, ACE projects
• Relevant experience in UN system or in an international organization or institution
• Experience in engaging with governments, high-level decision makers, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy and partnerships at national and international levels.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Romanian is required.

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 

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 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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from all religions, academic background, nationalities, etc. 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.

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.