PROGRAMME SPECIALIST AT UNICEF
Job Opportunity: Programme Specialist (P-3)
Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Number: 596620
Position Reference: #108799
Job Type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Job Category: Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Application Deadline: 10 November 2026 (West Central Africa Time)
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) operates in over 190 countries and territories to uphold children’s rights, save lives, and empower every child to reach their full potential. UNICEF is currently seeking a highly qualified and experienced Programme Specialist to drive effective coordination, strategic planning, monitoring, and management within its Nigeria Country Office.
Job Purpose
Reporting directly to the UNICEF Representative, the Programme Specialist provides high-level strategic planning, coordination, and management support to ensure the seamless functioning of the Nigeria Country Office. The successful candidate will monitor vital programme and management processes, coordinate senior management activities, strengthen liaison with regional and headquarters offices, and support the execution of UNICEF’s country programme priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Coordination & Planning: Assist the Representative in planning, coordinating, and monitoring essential programme and management activities, aligning workflows, priority actions, and executive decisions within the Representative’s office.
Process Tracking & Follow-up: Monitor key programme and management processes, ensuring prompt follow-up on executive decisions and tracking priority issues affecting the Nigeria Country Office to advise management.
Substantive Writing & Research: Conduct targeted research and consultations to draft position papers, programme documents, briefing notes, speeches, background papers, reports, and high-level correspondence.
Meeting Coordination: Coordinate meetings for the Senior Management Team and Country Office Management Team, including thorough documentation and action-item tracking.
Internal & External Liaison: Maintain robust communication channels and partnerships with UNICEF’s Regional Office, Headquarters, fellow UN agencies, government institutions, and external stakeholders.
Management Plans: Support the development, execution, and monitoring of the Country Programme Management Plan and Annual Management Plan.
Quality Assurance: Ensure rigorous quality assurance and timely preparation of essential management reports and documents.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Education: An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or a related technical field.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme management, planning, monitoring, or evaluation.
Skills: Exceptional planning, coordination, management, and prioritization abilities.
Language: Fluency in English (written and spoken).
Additional Advantages
Proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language.
Demonstrated country-level experience, particularly within development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
Core Competencies
Candidates are expected to exhibit strength in:
Strategic thinking and innovation
Partnership-building and collaboration
Ethical awareness and results orientation
The ability to manage complexity and lead teams effectively
Important Information
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: UNICEF is dedicated to inclusion, diversity, and child safeguarding. Qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
No Fee Policy: UNICEF strictly prohibits charging any application, recruitment, interview, or training fees.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNICEF Careers Portal.
Application Deadline: 10 November 2026 (West Central Africa Time)
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
