Organization Mission

UNICEF work in Egypt is focused on promoting sustainable development with multidimensional equity for children, embodying the fair chance for every child principle. In line with national priorities, UNICEF work in Egypt focuses on Early Childhood Development bridging the first 1000 days through the first years of formal education, as a key means by which multiple threats to children may be addressed through cross-sectoral linkages. The expected results of UNICEF’s work in Egypt will contribute to national efforts and priorities and the 2030 National Sustainable Development Strategy; as well as the United Nations Partnership for Development Framework (UNPDF 2018-2022).

UNICEF’s programme in Egypt contributes to strengthen the knowledge base for more child-sensitive social protection, and improve three fundamental elements of the early childhood years (health, nutrition and development). UNICEF’s work on learning and protection covers all children of all ages, focusing on the most vulnerable children, children with disabilities and adolescent girls.

Context

At UNICEF, we communicate and advocate to realize the rights of every child, especially the most marginalized, in every country. UNICEF Egypt Child Survival and Development section aims to ensure all young children, from conception to school entry, especially the most vulnerable, achieve their full potential through nurturing care and equitable access to quality services. Established in 1946, UNICEF is mandated to advocate for the protection of children”s rights, help meet their basic needs, and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.
The goal is to address early childhood needs in Egypt from conception to early childhood in support of national efforts to provide quality services for all. The objectives include supporting parents with positive parenting, improving health, nutrition, and protection, promoting early learning through community-based programs, and strengthening national policies and programs to support child developments. UNICEF works in close collaboration with National Committee for Children and Mothers (NCCM), Ministry of Social Solidarity and Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP).
The UNV will get the experiential learning opportunity from an experienced and expert team in an international development organization environment and contribute to delivering results for children in Egypt.

Key Responsibilities

This assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to UNICEF’s mission of improving early childhood development in Egypt. Under the supervision of the ECD Manager at UNICEF ECO, the UN Volunteer will support the implementation, monitoring, and advocacy of early childhood development initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
A)Program implementation & support
– Work in close coordination with the Child Survival and Development team and relevant sections in UNICEF to execute the Child Survival and Development Workplan 2025-2026, with a focus on ECD
– Support research and analysis of regional and national political, social and economic development trends having an impact on ECD. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate program development, design and preparation.
– Support procedures to ensure the implementation of the program runs smoothly including documentation, budgeting, minutes keeping and close follow-up with different colleagues and implementors
B)Program monitoring and delivery of results.
– Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual program reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
– Monitor and report on the use of ECD program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
– Prepare inputs for program/donor reporting.
– Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
C)Stakeholder Coordination.
– Support building and sustaining effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on ECD programs/projects.
– Participate in technical working groups and inter-agency platforms related to early childhood development (ECD).

Required Skills and Experience

in social development planning and management in early childhood preferably in a developing country
• Experience working with early childhood development interventions in community and/or nursery setting
• Prior engagement with government institutions, UN agencies, or NGOs in policy advocacy or program implementation is an asset.
Technical Skills
• Good understanding of early childhood development assessment tools and approaches.
• Knowledge of early childhood development frameworks, including policy, legislation, and stakeholder mapping.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and data visualization tools.
• Proficient computer and software skills including MS Office required.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

Cairo, Egypt is a family duty station with a wide range of services (health, education and leisure) and good living conditions. It has long been a center of the region’s political and cultural life, with high levels of tourism. Like other similar cities, Cairo offers good quality of life in terms of access to shopping centers, banks, medical services, educational facilities, cultural events, etc. The Arab Republic of Egypt has a unique geographical position in Northeast Africa, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and its connection to Sub Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley.
UN National Specialist Volunteer gets the following package:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (around EGP 63,400/Month)
• Entry Lump-Sum = USD 400(one-time payment)
• Exit Lump-Sum upon completion of contract.
• Medical and life Insurance premium/Cigna (100%) and dependents policy.
• Access to UNV E-Campus for training and learning including access to LinkedIn learning.
Further entitlements and information available at: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.