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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.

For every child, the right to Safety

In Ecuador, advancing children’s rights requires not only strong programmes, but also effective advocacy, strategic positioning, and the ability to influence decision-making processes in a complex and evolving political and social environment.

How can you make a difference?

We are looking for an experienced professional to lead UNICEF Ecuador’s programme pillar on Climate Change, WASH and Emergency Preparedness, driving climate-resilient, risk-informed and sustainable solutions for children.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, the Specialist will provide strategic and technical leadership to strengthen national and subnational systems, advance climate-responsive policies and services, and enhance preparedness and resilience to humanitarian and climate-related risks.

The role will work closely with government, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and other key partners to strengthen systems, mobilize partnerships and financing, and ensure that children’s needs and rights are at the heart of climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable WASH services.

Key functions/accountabilities include:

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes
2. Programme Development and Management
3. Optimum Use of Programme Funds
4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
6. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability
7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels
8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration              
9. Leadership and Team Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Job description- Programme Specialist (WASH and CEED)- (NO-3), FT, #00136636, Ecuador.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A completed Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent) in Environmental, Chemical or Civil Engineering, Architect, Social or Economical sciences, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in one or more of the following areas is required: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED), social policy, planning and management or finances is required.
• Skills: Child rights-based and results-based approach is required.
  Knowledge of human rights, gender equality and diversity awareness is essential for the role.
  Climate resilience and risk-informed programming.
  Situation analysis for programme development.
  Data collection  and analysis for country level socio-political-economic trends.
  Programme funds management, monitoring and optimization.
  Demonstrated team management, supervisory skills.
•  Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is desirable.
• Prior experience in security management training and in donor relations working with international financial institutions is highly desirable.  
• Experience working in a developing country is recommended.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in an UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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 competencies required for this post are…

1. Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
3. Works Collaboratively with others (2)
4. Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) 
5. Innovates and Embraces Change (2) 
6. Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) 
7. Drive to achieve impactful results (2) 
8. Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. 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. 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.