Education Specialist (NO-3), FT, #137965, Pretoria - South Africa, ESAR

How can you make a difference?

The UNICEF country programme 2026-2030 supports the Government’s efforts to ensure that, by 2030, the most vulnerable children, adolescents and young people in South Africa will live in a safer and more equitable environment, get a fair chance in life and realize their rights to survive, thrive and reach their full capacity.

The theory of change states that children and adolescents will progressively realize their rights if they can more fully utilize social assistance and basic social services supported by: (I) Government implementation of legislation with greater accountability, more strategic use of evidence, better interdepartmental coordination and more effective public finance management; (II) a “whole-of-society” approach to leveraging investments in children, mobilizing support from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society; (III) parents, caregivers and front-line service providers that deliver integrated programmes to reduce harmful practices and promote optimal behaviours for children’s and adolescent’s development and well-being; and (IV) empowerment to participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities.

The country programme has four programme outcomes aligned with the national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. These outcomes focus on investing in children; child survival and adolescent well-being; education; and child protection. The programme will maximize opportunities to advance child rights, presented by the global stature of South Africa, rooted in the legacy of Nelson Mandela and its leadership in development and human rights.

Job organizational context

The Programme is anchored in two key pillars that support the transition from learning to earning: (I) scaling evidence-based foundational literacy and numeracy, and (II) fostering twenty-first-century competencies. UNICEF will support efforts to address learning poverty, implement the Reading Literacy Strategy (2023–2030), strengthen learning assessment, data management, and evidence-based decision-making, and scale proven models. In parallel, it will enhance curriculum relevance in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and innovation; expand coding, robotics, and digital skills; and promote the development and measurement of transferable skills and leadership. Together, these efforts aim to better prepare children and adolescents—in and out of school—for higher education, life, and the labour market.

You will therefore contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Minimum requirements

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

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 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 national 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.