Early Childhood Development Officer (P-2), Nutrition – ECD, # 00117942, Programme Group, NYHQ (Temporary Appointment 6months)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Note: Programme Group (PG) is currently undergoing organizational changes, therefore the exact location of the post is still under consideration.  Currently, the post is based in New York but in case the location of the post will change, s/he would be expected to work remotely as the case may be, during the contractual period.    

How can you make a difference?

You will provide technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process, with a special focus on the following issues: parenting, caregiver’s mental health, operationalization of the nurturing care framework, and children with disabilities. 

You will also support the section in the design, monitoring, implementation and documentation of global proposals/initiatives, as well as budget management issues, with strategic focus on achievement of the ECD section’s organizational priorities.

You will work in close collaboration with various teams (programs, communication and advocacy, and partnerships), country and regional offices, UN agencies, academic institutions and donors to ensure successful programme strategy implementation.

Support Scale up of parenting programs

• Support the preparation of required program documentations/materials/data for technical assistance and programme development and implementation, with focus on parenting, nurturing care, caregiver’s mental health and children with disabilities issues
• Support development of parenting toolkit, in close collaboration with relevant sections and divisions

• Organize internal and external knowledge and learning exchange sessions on parenting, caregiver’s mental health and disability issues
• Support country offices on programme design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, and capacity building efforts

Support for tracking program progress, budget and results

• Monitor/track progress of the Scaling up Playful Parenting Programme, through regular meetings and calls with focal points across UNICEF country and regional offices, HQ sections and divisions, as well as donor, and partner organizations
• Support the monitoring and reporting 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. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution
• Support the management and functioning of the ECD team through operational support, drafting of ToRs and performing other duties, as requested
• Liaise with regional and country offices as needed to support programme implementation, evaluation and monitoring functions

Resource mobilization, partnerships and grants management

• Support resource mobilization, including preparation of concept notes/proposals, and donor financial and narrative reports
• Support the launch of new grants, including assisting in the development of contracts, workplans, theories of change, timelines, and budgets as per donor requirements
• Support UNICEF participation in key partnership planning meetings and events
• Liaise with partnerships and fundraising teams on grant management issues 
• Assist in establishment of partnerships and contractual agreements with academic institutions, donors, and other civil society partners

ECD data and evidence

• Support new research initiatives, including organization of technical consultations and preparation of technical briefs/reports
• Support analysis, knowledge management and dissemination of existing and new evidence with focus on parenting, caregiver’s mental health, nurturing care, and children with disabilities

To qualify as a champion for every child, the candidate must have…

• An advanced university degree in education, public health/administration, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in early childhood development related areas at the international and/or in a developing country is required.
• Relevant experience in program/project development and grants management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

“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/