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 provide technical assistance in private sector development in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected regions of Afar, Amhara and Tigray, with the aim of supporting the successful transition of youth to wage employment and self-employment. Primarily, the Private Sector Development Specialist will carry out market assessment/identification of economic activities with potential for entrepreneurship and wage employment growth, identify private sector partners and liaise with the financial service providers, entrepreneurs and governmental and non-governmental stakeholders for financial and non-financial support to enable youth to pursue earning opportunities.

Under the guidance of the Program Manager, the Specialist will support the development of learning to earning pathways for youth, particularly women and persons with disabilities, including alignment of industry-specific training programs and capacity-building in line with the identified needs of the market. The Private Sector Development Specialist will contribute to the programme development and planning, programme management and monitoring, advocacy, and partnership building, as well as innovation and knowledge management.

Carry out rapid market research in the program target areas – Afar, Amhara, and Tigray – and map out/identify economic areas and industries with potential for youth job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Identify potential private sector partners across key industries in Afar, Amhara and Tigray that can contribute to youth employment and livelihood activities, including linkages to the value chain.

As representative of UNICEF, facilitate dialogue with private sector stakeholders, Government, communities, civic society organizations and groups to align objectives and define areas of collaboration.

Work closely with financial service providers (FSPs) to identify and co-design financial products that correspond with the needs of youth for livelihood and self-employment activities.

Work closely with the regional government partners to facilitate access of youth, women groups and persons with disabilities to productive assets including land and premises for entrepreneurial activities.

Foster linkage of youth with existing incubators and accelerators to support youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

Support the design and implementation of intervention programs, focusing on building pathways for youth into employment, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship, including close collaboration with non-governmental program partners (i.e., youth- and women-led organizations).

Collaborate with education and training institutions to align curricula with market needs, ensuring that youth are equipped with skills relevant to private sector demand.

Work with governmental and non-governmental partners to develop and deliver industry-relevant training and capacity-building programs aimed at improving youth employability identified economic areas/clusters in the target regions, including with providers of business development services (BDS).

Identify opportunities and provide customized support, including direct support or linkages to coaching, mentorships and business advisory services, to cultivate the development of enterprises led by youth, women, and persons with disability to enhance their job creation of potential.

Assist in the creation of mechanisms that enable individual entrepreneurs and businesses to provide mentorship, job placement, and work-based learning opportunities.

Develop and implement monitoring frameworks to assess the transition of youth into the labour market, including both wage employment and self-employment activities.

Prepare reports, case studies, and success stories to highlight the achievements and lessons learned from private sector engagement in youth programs.

Advocate for youth employment and livelihoods issues within the private sector, promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) aligned with UNICEF’s goals.

Organize workshops, roundtables, and forums to facilitate knowledge exchange and partnerships between the private sector, UNICEF, and other stakeholders.

Identify opportunities and promote alignment between UNICEF-supported entrepreneurial activities with Federal and Regional Government economic and industrial development strategies to ensure sustainability.

Contribute to the development of strategies documents and policy briefs that support UNICEF’s efforts in promoting youth employment through private sector engagement.

Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: private sector development, corporate partnerships, or livelihoods programing. Proven experience in employment initiatives in developing countries or humanitarian contexts. Strong understanding of market-based approaches to development and the role of the private sector in job creation. Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills. Ability to work in cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Experience in programme/project development in a UN system agency or development organization is an asset. Experience establishing or scaling micro, small, medium enterprises with employees is an added asset.

Fluency in English and Amharic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

Core Values:

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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.