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 Future

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Specialist Field Office reports to the Deputy Representative (P4) and is based in Osh. The post supports the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of UNICEF programme interventions in southern Kyrgyzstan, with a focus on Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken regions. Working closely with programme sections, government counterparts, civil society, UN agencies and development partners, the incumbent contributes to effective field-level programme delivery and results for children and adolescents.

The incumbent provides technical, operational and coordination support to ensure programme implementation is aligned with the UNICEF Country Programme 2023–2027, national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The role strengthens partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders, supports monitoring of results, identifies implementation bottlenecks and facilitates timely responses to emerging needs.

The role contributes to evidence-based planning, programme analysis, reporting and knowledge management, while promoting integrated and cross-sectoral approaches that advance child rights, equity, inclusion, resilience and meaningful participation of adolescents and young people.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Programme Specialist Field Office supports the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of UNICEF programme interventions in southern Kyrgyzstan. The incumbent contributes to programme design, management and administration in line with the Country Programme Document, Country Programme Management Plan and UNICEF’s strategic priorities.

As UNICEF’s field presence in the southern region, the Programme Specialist represents UNICEF in relevant coordination forums and supports advocacy to strengthen policies, systems and services for children and their families.

1. Programme development and management are strengthened through evidence-based planning, updated situation analysis, clear programme recommendations, effective work planning, regional representation, staff management and attention to safety and security.

2. Programme funds are planned, coordinated, monitored and liquidated efficiently, ensuring transparent resource use, improved programme delivery and compliance with UNICEF procedures.

3. Programme monitoring, field visits and evaluations are conducted effectively, corrective actions are identified, annual reviews are supported, and timely programme status reports are prepared to improve programme performance and results.

4. Knowledge management systems are strengthened through data collection, analysis, accurate reporting, lessons learned, information exchange, donor and media engagement and development of training and orientation materials.

5. Rights-based and results-based programme approaches are fully integrated across programme planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring coherence, quality and stronger results for children and women.

6. National and local partners’ commitment and institutional capacities are strengthened through strategic partnerships, technical support, guidance and capacity-building for sustainable programme results.

7. Child rights perspectives and advocacy are incorporated into policy analysis, community engagement and policy dialogue, strengthening UNICEF’s credibility and influence at national, local, community and family levels.

8. Partnerships, coordination and collaboration with government, UN organizations, civil society, operations colleagues and other partners are strengthened to support advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and achievement of agreed results for children.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Programme Specialist Level 3 Osh final.doc

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements
1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Economics, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
2. Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in programme management, field operations, monitoring and evaluation, partnership development, advocacy, capacity building, knowledge management, resource management, humanitarian response, child rights. Supervisory experience is required.
3. Skills: Programme Implementation, Coordination, Leadership, Community Development, Social Policy, Public Administration
4. Language Requirements: English - Proficient/Fluent, Russian - Proficient/Fluent.

Desirables
1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Kyrgyz language.
2. Developing-country experience, UN system experience, Emergencies context experiences, Health supply chain management experience.

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 male candidates 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.

Programme Specialist (NO-3), TA, 7 months, #138106, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Osh - ECAR