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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 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.

How can you make a difference?  

The 1st of July 2025 UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (UNICEF ESARO) launched the Academia for Social and Behavioural Change Network, a landmark initiative bringing together 26 leading universities from across 16 countries to accelerate progress on children’s rights through evidence generation, capacity building and policy influence. From 1st February 2026, the initiative is coordinated at technical level by the GPD SBC team, through the Nairobi Centre of Excellence.

The Network includes renowned institutions such as the University of Zambia, Makerere University in Uganda, University of Nairobi in Kenya, and WITS University in South Africa. These institutions, among others, will work together under a shared vision aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Through the Network, UNICEF and academic partners will drive four key strategic priorities:

• Skills building through curriculum integration and continuous learning on social and behavioural science.

• Evidence generation and dissemination to influence policies and programmes with localized, rigorous research.

• Network and Centre of Excellence development to strengthen collaboration and capacity across countries; and

• Policy influences and practice to bridge the gap between academic insight and real-world implementation.

A dedicated digital platform - www.academia4sbc.net - will support the Network by hosting resources, connecting experts, and facilitating peer learning, co-creation, and knowledge exchange.

Over the coming months, the Network will roll out key deliverables, including managing the secretariat, coordinating an Annual Symposium, managing a dedicated digital platform and developing a flagship publication. Long-term goals include accreditation of SBC professionals, establishment of Centers of Excellence, and joint resource mobilization.

This initiative builds on more than five decades of UNICEF’s leadership in social and behavioral change and reflects its ongoing commitment to harness partnerships to ensure that every child survives, thrives, and is protected.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0002088 ToR.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in Social and Behavioral Science, Anthropology and any related field

• Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of experience working in the field of social and behavioral change evidence
• Previous experience with UNICEF and academia sectors in Africa

• Skills:

• • Proven editorial skills
  • Familiarity with digital platforms content management
  • Familiarity with the Africa Academia landscape
  • Familiarity with publishing in peer-reviewed journals
  • Experience in facilitating workshops and co-creation processes
  • Coordination and virtual facilitation skills
  • Strong ability to build and maintain effective partnerships within and outside the organization

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

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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0002088 Financial proposal template.docx

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

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.