Frequently asked questions on Work with us

Q: What are the job areas UNICEF is hiring for?

A: Administration, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Supply/Procurement, Logistics, IT/Information Systems, Legal/Policy, Monitoring/Evaluation, Policy Advocacy /Partnerships, Child Protection, Education, Early Childhood Development, Health/Nutrition, HIV/AIDs, Water & Sanitation, Fund-Raising.

Q: What are the various staff categories?

A: International Professional (IP) staff are recruited internationally and serve in all duty stations globally. They hold leadership, managerial or specialist functions that require a level of technical expertise. Senior staff or Director-level positions are also part of this category. 

For details, please refer to www.unicef.org/about/employ. General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited and provide administrative and support services across all areas of the organisation and in all locations. National Officer (NO) staff are nationals of the country in which they perform functions of a technical and professional nature. National Officers are recruited locally.

Q: What are the various contract types?

A: UNICEF offers various employment contracts based on the needs of the Organisation. In India, at present, UNICEF provides the following contract types: 

Fixed-Term Appointment: 

Fixed-Term or regular appointment – typically for a period of two years, renewable subject to the needs of the Organisation. You will be a UNICEF staff member. Fixed-Term contracts can be issued in three staff categories: International Professional, National Officer, and General Service.

Temporary Appointment: 

Temporary appointments are time-limited appointments issued for less than one year to meet specific short-term requirements, including emergencies. Temporary Appointments can be issued in all three categories of UNICEF staff. Staff members recruited under a temporary appointment modality receive full salary but slightly reduced benefits.

Consultancies: 

UNICEF also hires individuals for consultancies to accomplish, within a specified period, a defined task for which the necessary expertise is not readily available within the Organisation.

Q: What are the competencies a candidate should possess for a post?

A: UNICEF requires high technical competencies in respected fields. Recognises that, assessing a person’s technical competence for a particular role is essential, but that it is equally vital to evaluate their behavioural fit for that role and their cultural fit within the organisation. NICEF’s competency model will guide staff selection. 

All UNICEF staff should hold core values. Competencies are sets of behaviours essential to delivering results for UNICEF. Core Values shared across all UNICEF staff include: Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity, and Commitment. Our core competencies are: Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. 

Expected proficiency in these areas varies by job level. Functional competencies also vary by functional area of a position. Please refer to the vacancy announcement for the position to learn about the required competencies. You can click on the following document for a detailed description of each UNICEF core value and competency.

Q: What is the salary scale for a specific post?

A: Staff members in the National Officer and General Service categories are paid a salary based on a local salary scale, which is reviewed periodically. The following link provides more information: http://www.un.org/depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salaries/india.htm

Q: What are the various benefits and entitlements for a staff member?

A: Employees benefit from family-friendly, work-life, and diversity policies, and UNICEF is committed to maintaining a balanced gender and geographical representation. 

Other Benefits and entitlements include:- Tax exemption, Salaries, grants, and allowances paid by the United Nations, which are generally exempt from income tax. Allowances and benefits. You may be entitled to other allowances and benefits, including: Family allowances if you have eligible dependent children. 

Holidays and leave:- Depending on your contract, you will be entitled to 18 to 30 days of vacation per year. In addition, UNICEF offers Benefits Such as Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and paid sick leave. UNICEF also observes 10 paid holidays per year; these vary by field office. 

Health insurance:- You will be eligible to participate in one of the UNICEF-sponsored medical insurance plans. The monthly premiums are co-shared by your organisation. 

Retirement pension:- If you have an appointment of six months or more or complete six months of service without an interruption, you become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSP). A compulsory contribution will be deducted from your monthly salary.

Q: What action should be taken if someone receives a fictitious vacancy announcement or an offer of appointment or training?

A: UNICEF is currently aware of fictitious vacancy announcements that are being circulated through the internet, the purpose of which is to get people to register for employment or training and send in a fee. If you believe that you have received such a notice, 

You are kindly requested to check the authenticity of e-mails, letters or telephone communication purportedly from, for, or on behalf of the United Nations or its officials, and if you believe the information therein is fraudulent, send a fraud alert e-mail through: www.un.org/en/aboutun/fraudalert.