Programme Manager (NO-4), FT, #00133767, Asuncion – Paraguay, LACR

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to access

UNICEF Paraguay operates in a dynamic country context marked by persistent inequalities, emerging social challenges, and opportunities for systemic reform. The Country Office implements an integrated and equity-focused programme aligned with national development priorities and the UNICEF Strategic Plan. Operating through a mix of upstream policy engagement and subnational interventions, the office works in close coordination with government counterparts, civil society, and UN partners. With a strong focus on early childhood development, adolescent well-being, gender equality, and community resilience, the office structure promotes intersectoral collaboration, decentralized programme delivery, and results-based management.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Representative, the Programme Manager is accountable for programme management, ensuring that programme initiatives are effectively planned, budgeted, implemented and monitored, in accordance with the Country Programme and Country Programme Management Plan, focused on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities. The role also involves close collaboration with the programme sections—such as education, health, child protection, and water and sanitation—to ensure that social policy interventions are integrated and contribute to broader results for children.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Knowledge Management for Programmes
2. Programme Development and Management
3. Optimum Use of Programme Funds
4. Programme Monitoring
5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
6. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability
7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels
8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
9. Strengthening social protection systems and public financing for children

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD_Programme Manager_NO4 FT.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completed advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of relevant professional work experience in program management, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, social policy, public finance, social protection, partnership management, advocacy, capacity building, knowledge management, intersectoral coordination and any other related fields, particularly in children's rights, is required. Developing country work experience is required. Background/familiarity in engaging with private sector partnership, i.e. extractives industries is required. Experience in managing a field office is required.
• Skills: Demonstrated experience in supervising people is required.

Familiarity with child rights-based and results-based approach is required.

Knowledge of methodology of programme management is required.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an asset.
• Knowledge of UN/UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of UN/UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches is highly desirable.

• Experience working with social policy and within government environments is a strong advantage.
• Experience in Public Finance for Children (PF4C) is a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches is desirable.
• Awareness of gender equality and diversity is desirable.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.