Programme Specialist, P-3, Temporary Position

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 a Future

How can you make a difference?

The Strategic Planning and Analytics Unit leads the process for UNICEF’s Strategic Plan development, reporting and analysis of performance, including analysis of the cross-cutting strategies, alignment of resources to results, as well as ensuring alignment between Office Management Plans of HQ Divisions/ Offices and Regional Offices with the Strategic Plan.The Unit helps UNICEF define, translate and assess its strategic direction so that organizational priorities lead to measurable results for children. Building on this strategic direction, the Unit helps empower Country Offices to design and deliver quality Country Programmes in differentiated contexts including humanitarian situations. The Unit provides guidance to help ensure Country Programmes are relevant, coherent and responsive to the needs of children and communities while remaining aligned with UNICEF’s global priorities and results framework.

Working with Country and Regional Offices as well as Headquarters Divisions and Offices, and external partners, the Unit strengthens the linkages between UNICEF’s global strategic direction and its work in countries. Through evidence-informed planning, reporting and analysis, the Unit supports better decision-making, stronger accountability and more effective programmes for children.

The Programme Specialist will support the Strategic Planning and Analytics Unit in strengthening the quality, coherence and timeliness of UNICEF country programming and related corporate processes. The role will contribute to effective coordination of CPD submissions, extensions and Executive Board preparations; robust quality assurance and analysis of CPDs; and the continued improvement of programming guidance, tools and learning. Through strong collaboration across Country and Regional Offices as well as Headquarters Divisions and Offices and relevant corporate functions, including the innovative and responsible use of AI, the incumbent will support evidence-informed decision-making and programme excellence across UNICEF.

• Coordination and support timely preparation and submission of CPDs and CPD extensions
• Quality assurance, analysis and innovation in country programming
• Country Office and Regional Office programming support
• Programming guidance, knowledge management and learning

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in international relations, public policy, social policy, social development, community development, or related fields.

• Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in the fields of strategic planning, performance analysis, quality assurance, results-based management, humanitarian planning, policy analysis, interagency coordination, country programming is required.
• Skills: Demonstrated expertise in Country Programme Development (CPD) and Country Programme planning, Results-Based Management (RBM), and UNSDCF development, combined with strong analytical skills, proficiency in digital and AI tools, and experience in knowledge management.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
2. Strong background in programme country contexts, emergency response operations, artificial intelligence applications, SharePoint solutions, and Executive Board processes.
3. 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) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awarenes