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.

The UNICEF Zonal Office in Manaus covers the states of Acre, Amazonas, and Rondônia, which together comprise 136 municipalities and a population of 572,874 inhabitants, according to data from the 2022 IBGE Census. Of this total, approximately 200,000 are children and adolescents.

According to our latest report on Multidimensional Child Poverty in Brazil (2017-2023), although poverty among children and adolescents has declined, the Northern Region, which includes Acre, Amazonas, and Rondônia, still faces considerable challenges.

The main deprivations affecting children and adolescents in these states are related to issues such as sanitation, access to education, food insecurity, and sexual violence. The report indicates that inadequate sanitation remains a critical concern, particularly in rural areas, where nearly 92% of the population lacks adequate access. In addition, access to education has been severely impacted, with learning and literacy challenges worsened by the effects of the pandemic.

How can you make a difference?

Under the close supervision and guidance of the Chief Field Office, the Programme Assistant supports the Manaus field office work by carrying out a range of procedural, administrative, and operational tasks, to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring timely and effective delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

Key functions/accountabilities include:

Programme & Project Support
Administrative & Financial Support
Operations and Travel Support
Administrative and Logistics Support and Event Coordination
Knowledge Management & Communication
Digital Dexterity

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File TOR TA Programme Assistant Manaus_G5-Brazil.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. A completed First Level University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources Management, International Business Logistics, Management, Administration, Operations and any other related fields may replace 3 years of professional experience. A completed Advanced University Degree may replace an additional 2 years.
Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative or clerical work experience is required.
Skills: Microsoft office user knowledge, Excel proficiency is required.
Strong organizational skills, planning and prioritizing are essential for the position.
Effective communication skills are fundamental.
Ability to have attention to details, good judgment and high sense of confidentiality is
essential for the position.
Language Requirements: Fluency/Proficiency in both Portuguese and English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Basic level in Spanish will be a strong asset. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an advantage.
Background either in finance or logistics is highly desirable.
Exposure or previous experience providing administrative or logistical support related to office relocation, premises management or facilities of coordination is considered an asset.
Previous experience with working in SAP systems, ERP is highly desirable.
Strong initiator and great communicator to interact with wide range of internal and external counterparts is highly desirable.
Previous experience with United Nations or an international organization is an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian context is an advantage.

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) Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) 
(2) Works Collaboratively with others (1) 
(3) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) 
(4) Innovates and Embraces Change (1) 
(5) Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) 
(6) Drive to achieve impactful results (1) 
(7) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) 

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 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 Assistant (G-5), TA, #00137301, 6 months, Manaus – Brazil, LACR