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 protection.

UNICEF Mexico’s Child Protection Programme aims to strengthen national and subnational child protection systems so that more children and adolescents can live free from violence, abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices by 2031. Through a systems-strengthening approach, UNICEF supports the Government of Mexico in building a more resilient protection system by enhancing legal frameworks, institutional capacities, coordination mechanisms, information systems, financing, and workforce professionalization.

The Child Protection Officer (Systems Strengthening) will contribute to UNICEF Mexico’s 2026–2031 agenda by driving systemic improvements that strengthen the capacity, coordination, and sustainability of child protection institutions nationwide. The role supports the scale-up of innovative case management and child-centered justice solutions, working closely with government counterparts and strategic partners to strengthen Child Protection Authorities and expand access to quality protection services for vulnerable children and adolescents.

For more information related to the work of our office in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico, our commitments for a six‑year term for children: A good six-year term for children: Un buen sexenio para la niñez or read our Annual Report 2024 - UNICEF México.

To learn more about UNICEF Mexico’s Child Protection Programme and its strategic priorities, explore our Child Protection Programme Brief CPD 2026-2031.pdf

How can you make a difference?

In this role, your main responsibilities will include:

1. Support to programme development and planning.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation.
4. Networking and partnership building.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File ToR_CP Officer_NO2 TA.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completed first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, social work, development studies or another relevant social science field.
Work Experience: Two years of experience working in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of key interventions related to Child Protection is required.
Experience working with child protection strategies for system strengthening is required
Language Requirements: Proficiency in Spanish and English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an asset.
Experience working on specialized justice systems for children is also an asset.
Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

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. 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 candidates from indigenous communities 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Child Protection Officer (System Strengthening), NO-2, TA, 364 days, #138513, Mexico City – Mexico, LACR