Programme Officer, NO-B, Temporary Appointment (TA-364 Days), #136805, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh #592149 (For Bangladeshi Nationals only)

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, a voice

In the Bangladesh context, this tagline underscores the unwavering commitment to improving the lives of every child in the nation. It reflects the organization’s determination to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, receives the support, opportunities, and care they need to thrive. It conveys a sense of purpose, highlighting the essential role of dedication in addressing the unique challenges faced by children in Bangladesh

How can you make a difference? 

The Programme Coordination Officer plays a central role in strengthening the coordination and management functions of Cox’s Bazar Field Office by ensuring organized, timely, and results-oriented support to the Chief of Field Office (CFO) and Deputy CFO. Supporting internal governance, the position manages and streamlines documentation, and institutional records, ensuring that leadership has access to high-quality briefs, synthesized analysis, and well-coordinated inputs from programme and operational teams. The role supports engagement with Government of Bangladesh at division and district, and sub-district levels aligned with national level long term policy work, works closely with sector coordination mechanisms, and facilitates communication key partners. The position will support smooth flow of information with Country Office and Chattogram Field Office, Programme sections and PMR units. The incumbent also contributes to oversight of the World Bank other special grants, monitors cross-cutting issues requiring leadership attention (AAP/ESS/CFRM) and supports the Field Office’s preparedness for internal and external engagements. Through these functions, the position enhances strategic coordination, strengthens decision-making processes, and ensures coherence and continuity across the Field Office’s priorities and partnerships.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Provide high-level executive coordination support to ensure timely, coherent, and strategically informed decision-making across the Field Office.
• Coordinate UNICEF’s engagement with Government, sector coordination mechanisms including RCP, and external stakeholders to ensure aligned communication, strengthened partnerships, and effective follow-up on agreed actions.
• Strategic support to partnerships and interagency collaboration efforts to enhance UNICEF’s positioning, coherence, and contribution within the wider humanitarian and development architecture.
• Support oversight of special projects—such as the World Bank, ECHO and KfW projects —and other strategic priorities by ensuring structured monitoring, timely reporting, follow-up and effective cross-sectional coordination. Will support follow-up and coordinate the sectoral meeting/calls and field visits of World Bank and key donors, and high-level govt. officials.
• Strengthening knowledge management and institutional governance through systematic documentation, information flow, and maintenance of high-quality organizational records and decision as well as follow-up actions tracking systems.
• Track and ensure that emergency incidents in the camps such as fire incidents are work-flowed as per agreed timeline and donor relation unit is informed for notification TO donors

1. EXECUTIVE COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP SUPPORT

2. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION

3. OVERSIGHT OF SPECIAL PROJECTS AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT PRIORTIES (E.G., WORLD BANK) AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

4. COORDINATE GOVERNMENT AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS

5.KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToR_Programme Officer NO-B TA Chief FO CXB.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: First University Degree (i.e Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: Development Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Anthropology, Sociology, or any other related fields.

• Work Experience: At least 2 years of professional experience in coordination, communication, and community engagement within development or humanitarian contexts is required. Prior exposure to or collaboration with sub-national government counterparts is an advantage.
• Demonstrated expertise in AAP, ESS, CFRM or similar mechanisms, is required (in at least one of them)
• Demonstrated expertise in linking/aligning routine programming with national level policy work with strong engagement with sub-national government counterparts in multiple ministries, is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF internal systems and processes, including SharePoint, InSight, RAM 3.0, eTools, eZHACT etc., is an asset.
• Demonstrated high quality analytical writing and presentation skills are required. Prior experience in information management, data visualisation, cross-sectoral integration, strategic communication and advocacy is strongly preferred.
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning. Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred.
• An advanced level of skill and expertise in MS Excel is required, and Working knowledge of Power BI will be an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Banglais required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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  (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (2)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (2)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

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 an equal-opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from female candidates, gender-diverse individuals and people with disabilities.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

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. Do not pay to submit your application. If there is a charge, then it is not a genuine UNICEF position.

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.

Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term “Internal” refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments. Internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in Bangladesh, independently of UNICEF appointment, will also be considered.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their candidate profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in the Applicant system in order to be considered.  The information submitted will be used for administrative purposes, salary/step determination and conditions of employment. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be accepted for applications that have already been submitted for this position.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.