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, the right to a Voice

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Programme Associate (G‑7) is embedded within the Programme Section, reporting to Chief of field Office, the Section Chief or a Principal Programme Specialist/Manager. Positioned at the functional categories of technical, operational, and financial areas the incumbent partners closely with other teams/sections (Program, Operations, Finance, Supply), as well as with external stakeholders (government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors), and HQ-based units to implement strategic priorities into concrete activities on the ground. Depending on programme needs of the hiring office, the role may span sectoral portfolios (e.g., WASH, Nutrition, Education) or cross‑cutting themes (e.g., emergency preparedness).

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Janakpur Field Office the Senior Programme Associate supports leading and coordinating programme support functions across the project cycle, specializing in planning, budgeting, CSO partnership management, monitoring, reporting, and closing‑out financial commitments. The role ensures that programme activities are technically robust, financially sound, and fully compliant with UNICEF policies and donor agreement. The incumbent of this position contributes to informed decisions by presenting synthesized data, flagging risks, and recommending corrective measures, to achieve results aligning with programme goals. The role ensures quality programme financial management, compliance with UNICEF policies, effective utilization of resources, and coordination with government and implementing partners. Janakpur field office engaged with Province, local government to provide technical and financial support in program implementation, capacity building and system strengthening and government and managed different sector program management and partnership (Heath, Nutrition, WASH, Child protection, SPG, Education, Planning/DRR, SBC etc.)

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD - Snr Programme Associate G7 Janakpur.pdf

To qualify as champion for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of secondary education is required.
Work Experience: Minimum seven (7) years of progressive responsible administrative and programme support, financial management and assurance activities are required. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution may replace three (3) years of relevant work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two (2) years.
Skills: Work Planning, Coordination Reporting, Policy Compliance, Financial Assurance, Partnership Management, Supply-related ERP systems. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong project management, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, along with confidence in using digital tools and adapting to new technologies.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Nepali language is required.

Desirables:

Work experience in UN system is value added.
Support to Programme planning and coordination.
Data analysis and reporting.
Knowledge of HACT, DCT, and partner management.
Strong collaboration and communication across different programme units/offices and interpersonal skills.
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as VISION/SAP is an advantage.
Experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or other local language.

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

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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable females or persons with disabilities 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Senior Programme Associate, G-7, Fixed Term Position, #00048683, Janakpur, Nepal, APR