Work for UNICEF
Want to help us change the world for the better?
We are passionate about our cause and committed to our mission: to promote the equal rights of children, and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. That's our vision. And it's the world we'd like to build with you.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. We encourage qualified candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
If you are a committed and creative professional and are passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to the lives of children in South Africa, the world's leading children's rights organisation would like to hear from you.
For information about careers and short-term employment at UNICEF around the world, visit the global employment site.
Important: Please note that UNICEF does not accept unsolicited CVs for employment.
Click on the links below to find the available positions for experienced professionals with UNICEF South Africa
Opportunities
Health Specialist (Adolescent Health), NO-3, Fixed Term Position, Pretoria, South Africa #00137966
As the Adolescent Health Specialist, you will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in advancing adolescent health and well-being as a core component of UNICEF’s global health agenda. You will lead efforts to strengthen systems for adolescent-responsive health services and to promote integrated, life-course approaches that address adolescents’ unique needs. This includes advancing multisectoral programming across health, nutrition, education, protection, and WASH, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health, mental health, substance use prevention, early interventions to reduce non-communicable disease risks, and HIV prevention.
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Administrative & HR Associate, G-6, Fixed Term Position, South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, #00137964
Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Administrative Associate (People and Culture) is responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized administrative and people and culture tasks requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF administrative and people and culture procedures, processes and policies.
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Partnerships Officer, NO-1, Fixed Term Position, Pretoria, South Africa, #00137970
This post is in the South Africa Country Office in Pretoria, South Africa, reporting to the Chief of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communication. The position’s purpose is to assist Partnership Specialists and senior management in supporting engagement with key stakeholders and contributing to environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment. The key result is to provide reliable research, analytical, and coordination support that contributes to greater visibility for UNICEF and the achievement of its mission. Positions at the P1/NOA level are considered entry-level professional roles, primarily focused on learning, assisting and executing tasks under the direct guidance of more senior staff. Incumbents at this level are expected to support the work of the team by carrying out assigned research, data gathering, and administrative partnership tasks, while developing foundational expertise, organisational knowledge, and professional skills for further career advancement.
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 28 August 2026
Chief Health and Nutrition (Systems Strengthening), P-5, Fixed Term Position, #00137960, Pretoria, South Africa - ESAR
The Chief Health and Nutrition (System Strengthening) reports to the Deputy Representative, and is responsible for the overall management and administration in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Health & Nutrition programme in the context of child survival and development within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical leadership, management guidance and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve programme goals and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.The Chief directs, leads, manages, develops and enables a competent team of professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Health & Nutrition programme, with a view to integrating gender equality across all aspects of the country programme.Contributes to create synergy partnerships which reinforce other organizations – including other UN Agencies – SDGs strategic directions in areas where UNICEF has primary responsibility or comparative advantage such as interrelated areas of maternal, new-born, and child health and nutrition.With a strong focus on Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Primary Health Care (PHC), the role leads UNICEF support to the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries in policy dialogue, system reforms, programme implementation, resource mobilization, innovative financing, emergency preparedness, and delivery of integrated services at national, provincial/district, and community levels. Given the ongoing health reforms, the role also leads on public private partnerships (PPP) on health, health sector financial reviews and the national health insurance and will work closely, in Humanitarian Action, with the Nutrition and Health clusters within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Programme Associate (G-6), FT, #00137969, Pretoria, South Africa
The Programme Associate (PA) at the G-6 level will operate within a pooled function consisting of two PAs who report to the Quality Assurance Specialist. The role provides support across all Programme Sections, with responsibilities and workload distributed through matrix management accordingly.The position serves as a key link in operational delivery, requiring regular coordination and collaboration with multiple units, including Programme, Operations, Finance, and Supply. It also involves engagement with external partners, particularly in relation to HACT support.
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 24 August 2026
Programme Associate, G-6, FT, #00137968, Pretoria, South Africa - ESAR
Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Programme Associate (G‑6) role provides a broad range of programme, administrative, HACT and procedural support to facilitate the delivery of the programmes. Working as a hub of two Programme Assistants, the incumbents are expected to facilitate the implementation, monitoring, and delivery of programme results by ensuring the timely and effective execution of tasks aligned with UNICEF rules and regulations. Incumbent exercises judgment, anticipates needs, and recommends actions that contribute to programme planning, implementation, and reporting results.This requires them to liaise regularly with multiple units within the office —Programme sections, Operations, Finance, Supply—and with external partners (government ministries, NGOs, donors). Given recent advances in the development and use of digital systems, including those based on AI, incumbents will also be required to promote the use of such systems to create efficiencies and streamline repetitive tasks.
Location: South Africa
Deadline: 24 August 2026
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