UNICEF Is Hiring Junior Programme Officers for Children With Disabilities – Apply Now as a Finnish National

UNICEF is currently hiring for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme Officer – Children with Disabilities role, open exclusively to Finnish nationals. This opportunity is part of UNICEF’s mission to strengthen disability-inclusive programming and is ideal for young professionals seeking to work on global child rights and development issues. If you’re passionate about inclusive education and disability advocacy, apply now for the UNICEF JPO Programme Officer position for Children with Disabilities.

UNICEF Is Hiring Junior Programme Officers for Children With Disabilities – Apply Now as a Finnish National

Background & Job Description

UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, operates in over 190 countries and territories, working to protect the rights of every child and help them reach their full potential. As a global leader in child-focused development work, UNICEF is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunity for all, especially the most marginalized.

One of the key strategic focus areas for UNICEF in recent years has been disability inclusion. The organization has developed the Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) 2022–2030, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to support meaningful inclusion of children and adolescents with disabilities. This strategy also supports implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), especially in lower-income and developing contexts.

To strengthen this mission, UNICEF’s Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) is recruiting a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) – Programme Officer (Children with Disabilities), at the P-2 level. This fixed-term position is only open to Finnish nationals and falls under the broader JPO programme supported by the Government of Finland.

The JPO will be responsible for supporting the implementation of UNICEF’s regional action plan for disability inclusion, focusing particularly on integrating the needs and rights of children with disabilities in programming, partnerships, and policy across the South Asia region. The selected candidate will work under the strategic guidance of the Regional Education Adviser and direct supervision of the Early Childhood Development Specialist, who also serves as the Disability Inclusion Regional Lead.

Tasks

As part of the Regional Office’s Education and Inclusion team, the JPO will carry out the following responsibilities:

• Support implementation of DIPAS: Provide technical assistance to ensure disability inclusion is effectively integrated into all programmes and operations in the region.

• Policy and programme monitoring: Analyze and monitor how disability is mainstreamed in UNICEF programming and propose improvements to align with UNICEF’s strategic priorities.

• Build and strengthen partnerships: Engage with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), child rights organizations, UN agencies, and donor institutions to advance the disability inclusion agenda.

• Capacity development: Identify knowledge and skill gaps at country and regional levels and help organize training opportunities related to disability-inclusive programming.

• Knowledge management and evaluation: Contribute to the documentation of promising practices, learning outcomes, and programmatic results to enhance knowledge sharing.

• Contribute to global policy: Coordinate with UNICEF Headquarters and global teams to inform organization-wide strategies and dialogues on mainstreaming disability in development efforts.

• Advocacy and resource mobilization: Assist in developing advocacy materials and funding proposals to advance the rights of children with disabilities and secure financial support from donors.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or any other relevant social science field is required.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in programme planning, management, or research related to child rights, disability inclusion, or social development.

• Previous developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency contexts is considered an asset.

• Candidates must possess fluency in English. Proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable.

Eligibility for Finnish JPO Programme

• Must be a Finnish citizen.

• Proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.

• Maximum 32 years of age at the time of application.

• Must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Additional Information

UNICEF’s Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme provides a unique entry point for young professionals to build a career in international development while making a meaningful contribution to children’s rights. The JPO programme includes structured learning elements, including:

• UNICEF Orientation Week

• JPO Training at the UN Staff College (Turin)

• E-learning on performance management, inclusion, and operational strategies

• Mentorship, coaching, and a buddy system

• Stretch assignments across divisions, sectors, or duty stations

• Career transition support in the final year of the programme

Additionally, a Duty Travel and Training Allowance (DTTA) of USD 4,000 per year is provided to support learning and development activities.

This job post emphasizes UNICEF’s dedication to diversity, inclusion, and creating an equitable workplace. The organization actively encourages applications from persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Reasonable accommodation and support are offered for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Please note that this job post is shared here for informational purposes only. This platform is not affiliated with UNICEF, and we do not represent or act on behalf of the organization. Our role is to inform prospective applicants about current opportunities.

Applicants should apply directly through UNICEF’s official career portal before the stated deadline. UNICEF does not charge any application fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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