Programme Specialist, (P-3), Maputo, Mozambique #131824 (Temporary Appointment, 364 days) – Open to non Mozambican nationals

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. 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 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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, results

The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022–2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020–2024, the National Development Strategy 2015–2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.

For more information about UNICEF Mozambique’s work please follow this link

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies via the UNICEF Mozambique website link herein.

How can you make a difference? 

The Programme Specialist (P-3) will be responsible for supporting the head of office and wider team in implementing and following up on key strategic priorities; coordinating, managing and planning activities in a systematic and organized manner; leading knowledge management and internal communications; supporting risk management; and lastly, managing an effective system for developing SOPs, key documents, decision memos and managing incoming and outgoing information.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Design and lead on knowledge management for the Country Office, ensuring effective systems for capturing, organizing, and sharing key information and lessons learned, working closely with ICTD, sections and field offices.
• Support the internal communications and change management processes for the Country Office.
• Support the risk management processes and efforts of the Country Office together with the Risk Management committee, the Representative and Deputies.
• Follow-up on policies and instructions presented by the supervisor. Keep the supervisor aware of developments in UNICEF’s major world-wide operations and of policy issues related directly to UNICEF or to humanitarian issues under the broader UN system.
• Assist the supervisor in drafting regular information notes and briefings on areas of concern to UNICEF and that propose areas where action by the Executive Office would further the objectives of the Office.
• Contribute to coordinating drafts of position papers and other documents relevant to the activities of the office.
• Assist the supervisor in the preparation of statements that represent UNICEF’s overall policies and which highlight specific areas of concern. Propose and draft substantive correspondence for the supervisor.
• Support the supervisor in efforts to raise the profile of UNICEF and the agency’s concerns within the context of the broader United Nations system.
• Manage the flow of information to and from the supervisor, identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the supervisor and propose actions; analyze supporting documentation and summarize most relevant points for the supervisor; ensure that appropriate action is taken by responsible section heads on matters brought to the attention of the supervisor.
• Confer with deputy representatives, section heads and other team members to secure timely and authoritative information relevant to matters requiring action, decisions or the approval of the Supervisor.
• Ensure that the supervisor is prepared for meetings and missions by drafting talking points, by researching relevant information; and by establishing contacts (within and outside UNICEF) on the subject matters to be discussed.
• Accompany the supervisor to meetings and on missions in order to prepare notes on the discussions, ensure follow-up in matters raised, and support the supervisor with any relevant input.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD_Programme Specialist.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field is required.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in external relations, public affairs, international development cooperation, human rights, preferably within the UN or in a government institution or NGO is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. 

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 
• Prior experience of working in coordination, planning, or in an executive office will be an asset.
• Good knowledge of Portuguese a very strong asset, intermediate Spanish, Italian or French a plus.

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 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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male and female 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.