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.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child while supporting nations' equitable development.

Ethiopia has faced severe challenges due to climatic shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing conflicts, particularly in the northern regions in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray. These crises have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, significant loss of life, and massive displacement, disrupting the lives of millions. The collapse of essential services has severely impacted the physical and psychological well-being of the population, particularly young people. These youths have experienced forced labour, recruitment into armed groups, violence, exploitation, trauma, displacement, and separation from their families. Young women and persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected due to prevailing social norms and limited access to education and economic opportunities.

The conflict in Northern Ethiopia has led to the destruction of infrastructure, disruption of production, and displacement of more than 4.5 million people, resulting in considerable social trauma and economic crisis. Youths have witnessed violence and experienced mass displacement, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had profound effects on their mental health and overall well-being. More than 2.8 million children missed education in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray in 2021, and 4,600 schools in Amhara, nearly 2,000 schools in Tigray, and 545 in Afar were damaged by the conflict (UNICEF 2023)1. Youth owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in these areas have significantly reduced or shut down their operations, with limited access to finance and recovery support. To recover from these multiple shocks, it is essential to support economically disadvantaged youth, families, and communities in rebuilding their lives, restoring essential services, and reviving the economy.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to co-design and implement the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) Programme. This initiative aims to help young people pursue and sustain opportunities in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment. The program is driven by the belief that equipping young people with knowledge, positive attitudes, and relevant skills, including social-emotional, soft and technical skills through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), can enable them to rebuild social connectedness, become more resilient, and unlock their potential to create positive and sustainable change in their communities.

The program will be implemented in the conflict-affected regions of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray, targeting 50 economically disadvantaged woredas selected through an iterative prioritization process. The program will focus on youth prioritizing the most vulnerable and marginalized, including women, and persons with disabilities. Building on its human rights mandate and commitment to the "leave no one behind" principle (LNOB), the program will ensure that all youth in the affected areas have access to program-supported opportunities and can fulfil their basic needs and rights, regardless of their background, location, gender, or disability.

The purpose of this assignment is to oversee the implementation of the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) program- a multi-sectoral program designed to support youth to pursue continued education, skilling, and earning pathways in conflict-affected regions of Afar, Amhara and Tigray in Ethiopia.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Representative (Programme Section), the Programme Manager will be accountable for overall program, planning, implementation, and administration of all program priorities within the Programme Document. The Program Manager will work closely with the relevant program teams to ensure integration of key Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions as an entry point for youth learning and earning opportunities, strengthening of the education system for continued education and skilling of youth to ready them for the labour market, and financial and non-financial support through engagement of the private sector, governmental and non-governmental institutions to enable youth to pursue earning opportunities. The Program Manager will ensure synergy across sectors of education, Child Protection, nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), and social policy, coordinate with partners (including the private sector), and monitor the progress to achieve the program’s objectives.

Lead and manager the program team, providing clear direction and support.

Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities across the sectors of education, nutrition, WASH, social policy, protection/MHPSS, and SBCC.

Ensure effective integration of program components across different sectors, identifying synergies and areas of collaboration, including effective sequencing.

Develop and manage a detailed workplan and ensure timely implementation of program activities.

Lead the coordination among UNICEF teams, Mastercard Foundation (MCF), implementing partners, and various stakeholders (including the private sector) to align objectives and resources.

Organize and conduct regular project meetings to track progress and address any issues.

MHPSS, Education and Youth Skilling

Oversee and support the delivery of quality MHPSS services for youth, including psychosocial support and mental health interventions.

Oversee and support education system strengthening activities, including formal and non-formal education and skills development programs designed to enhance youth employability, including linkages to existing training programs implemented by MCF partners.

Foster partnerships with vocational training institutions, NGOs, and private sector entities to create sustainable skilling and employment opportunities for youth.

Livelihoods and Earning Opportunities

Design and implement strategies for effective earning pathways for youth, focusing on entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and job placement programs in the sectors of nutrition, WASH, education, agriculture, and digital technology.

Engage with the private sector partners to support internships, job training, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs aimed at improving youth employability.

Engage with the private sector partners, including the financial service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure effective provision of financial and non-financial support to entrepreneurship activities among youth.

Monitor the implementation of employment and self-employment interventions and adjust strategies to maximize effectiveness.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Develop and implement monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to track the progress and impact of the program.

Ensure data collection, analysis, and reporting are carried out to assess the performance of each sectoral component and program as a whole.

Prepare regular reports, highlighting achievements, challenges and lessons learned.

Ensure the program’s interventions are documented comprehensively through case studies, reports, and success stories to inform best practices and programing for subsequent years.

Partnership Building and Stakeholder Engagement

Engage key government agencies, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the program.

Foster collaboration between international and national NGOs, community-based organizations, and other development partners.

Capacity-Building and Technical Support

Provide technical support to field teams and implementing partners on program design, implementation and monitoring, ensuring adherence to UNICEF’s guidelines and standards.

Conduct capacity-building activities for the program implementing partners to ensure sustainability and knowledge transfer.

Organize and facilitate trainings, workshops and seminars to strengthen the capacity of the stakeholders involved in the program.

Donor Relationship Management

Maintain and strengthen the relationship with the donor through regular updates and engagement.

Ensure donor requirements and expectations are met and addressed promptly.

Support preparation and submission of detailed reports and documentation as required by the donor.

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, social sciences, development studies, economics, or a related field.

A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in managing multisectoral programs in education, livelihoods or similar areas, preferably focusing on youth employment. Proven experience in managing programs that integrate multiple sectors to achieve holistic outcomes. Strong leadership, organizational, and coordination skills. Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of partners, including government, NGOs, and the private sector. Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills. Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and experience in developing country contexts is an asset.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

Nurtures, Leds and Manages People (2)

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

Works Collaboratively with others (2)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

Drive to achieve impactful results (2)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 | 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.

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.

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.

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.