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 survival and development.

Health | UNICEF South Africa

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.

South Africa, a upper-middle-income country, is making progress in healthcare, education access and social inclusion. However, challenges persist in child rights, poverty, health, malnutrition, HIV, quality education and access to clean water and sanitation which are compounded by humanitarian risks from climate change.

The goal for current Health and Nutrition Programme of UNICEF South Africa Country Office is that by 2025, girls and boys, including the most deprived, receive an integrated package of quality and equitable maternal newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS and nutrition care and services.

As a Programme Associate, you will be carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor the Health and Nutrition Programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

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.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief of Health and Nutrition, the Programme Associate is embedded within Programme Section. This role bridges operational delivery by liaising regularly with multiple units—Programme, Operations, Finance, Supply—and with external partners (government ministries, NGOs, donors). Depending on the programme priorities, the Incumbent may support sector‑specific teams (e.g., Child Protection or Education) or cross‑cutting portfolios (e.g., humanitarian action, M&E, emergency preparedness).

The Programme Associate provides specialised programme and administrative support to facilitate the development, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF's programmes. The role involves substantial engagement in data analysis, budget tracking, reporting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and compliance with organisational rules. The Incumbent exercises judgment, anticipates needs, and recommends actions that contribute to programme planning, implementation and reporting results.

This is a readvertisement, candidates who had previously applied need not resubmit.
This vacancy is open to internal candidates only.

To align with the Country Programme, the initial contract will be until 30 June 2026.

Summary of key functions:

1. Project Management and Implementing Partnership Coordination
• Support overall project planning, execution, and monitoring for assigned initiatives
• Assist in establishment and operationalizing implementing partnership management functions by coordinating the processes required for risk assessments (Due Diligence, PSEA and Micro-Assessment, Spot checks)
• Work with Programme Managers, Partners and relevant stakeholders in ensuring Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) requests submitted are aligned with the project workplan and processed timely
• Monitors prompt liquidation of Direct Cash Transfer (DCTs)

2. Data Management, Analysis & Reporting
• Contribute to collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative programme data to support evidence-based decision-making
• Generate regular reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators and donor reporting
• Support the application of digital and AI tools for synthesizing complex data and creating actionable insights for statutory reports, dashboards and presentations on key performance indicators

3. Grant Management, Budget Monitoring and Reporting
• Regularly track budget allocations, expenditures and monitor grant utilization for the section and individual grants using relevant systems (e.g., SAP)
• Contribute to grants management, monitor their expiry, and support reprogramming or extension processes
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc grant management reports for supervisors, programme leads and for donor reporting
• Facilitate generating funds utilization report to track expenditures and commitments
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals and the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring timely submissions

4. Digital Innovation & Operational Efficiency
• Use AI, automation tools and digital platforms to streamline repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and report generation
• Serve as a resource for digital platforms (e.g., SAP, Service Gateway, Power BI, Sharepoint) within the section
• Safeguard sensitive data and ensure adherence to UNICEF’s data privacy and digital workforce guidelines

5. Communication, Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination
• Draft clear and well-structured communication to share reports, briefs, and knowledge products for internal and external use
• Maintain effective document repository systems and Sharepoint for digital and physical programme documentation
• Contribute to knowledge generation and documentation of lessons learned and good practices
• Support onboarding of new colleagues and knowledge transfer within the team

6. Capacity Building & Event Coordination
• Support the organization of capacity development activities, workshops and field missions
• Assist in preparation and dissemination of background materials, track logistics, coordinate vendor engagement and liaise with participants

7. Flexibility & Surge Support
• Adapt to shifting programme needs and provide support during emergency responses, surge deployments or re-prioritization events
• Liaison with focal points and provide backup support to other programme sections to ensure business continuity and team support

Impact of Results

The Incumbent drives the efficiency and effectiveness of the office by expertly managing the full spectrum of administrative and project/programme support activities. This meticulous support ensures the smooth operation of key processes, directly contributing to enhanced overall performance and the successful implementation of project and programme activities. Specifically, their accurate programme monitoring and insightful recommendations provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making, while their precise data entry and compelling presentation of information ensure that critical insights are readily available to guide strategic programme adjustments.

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

Education:  Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organisation.

Experience: A minimum of six years of administrative or programme associate work experience is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language 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…

(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 internal 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.

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.