Benin is a middle-income country that faces many challenges in guaranteeing the rights of every child. Ranked 158th out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2021/2022), it has significant disparities between urban and rural areas, and between girls and boys. Since 1977, UNICEF has been working closely with the government, civil society, technical and financial partners, young people and communities to improve access to education, health services, protection, water, sanitation, nutrition and social policies for children. The 2024-2026 cooperation program pays particular attention to girls' education, protection against violence, community health, and the fight against child labor. Present in the field through its offices in Cotonou, Natitingou and Parakou, UNICEF is committed to working alongside the most vulnerable communities to guarantee concrete, lasting results. The UNICEF Benin office is looking for committed, creative and motivated professionals to make a difference in the life of every Beninese child.

UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

To learn more about our country programme visit  UNICEF Bénin | UNICEF

For every child, a champion

How well do you know Benin?

Benin is a middle-income country that faces many challenges in guaranteeing the rights of every child. Ranked 158th out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2021/2022), it has significant disparities between urban and rural areas, and between girls and boys. Since 1977, UNICEF has been working closely with the government, civil society, technical and financial partners, young people and communities to improve access to education, health services, protection, water, sanitation, nutrition and social policies for children.

The 2024-2026 cooperation program pays particular attention to girls' education, protection against violence, community health, and the fight against child labor. Present in the field through its offices in Cotonou, Natitingou and Parakou, UNICEF is committed to working alongside the most vulnerable communities to guarantee concrete, lasting results.

The UNICEF Benin office is looking for committed, creative and motivated professionals to make a difference in the life of every Beninese child.

How can you make a difference? 

In alignment with the GAP and the Adolescent Development Strategy, the role of the Gender / Adolescent Programme Officer is primarily technical and programmatic, with the normative advocacy and coordination roles serving a secondary function. Under the supervision of the SBC Specialist, the Officer provides authoritative technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. S/he supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of high quality gender programming/projects across sectors in alignment with the Gender Action Plan.

1)           S/he plays a role in working with one or more of the 7 UNICEF sectors to mainstream gender by prioritizing key gender results within the sector(s) with a strong gender relevance;

2)           supports cross-sectional collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results;

3)           provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process to support the integration of adolescent development and participation in programmes/projects within the Country development and participation operational and implementation issues;

4)           works with programme colleagues and management so that gender results are effectively defined, measured, and reported, and high quality assessment, research, evidence generation and evaluation on gender programming is undertaken and utilized, including through the application of the MoRES framework and effective theories of change;

5)           Supports effective review, assessment, planning, capacity building, and knowledge management on gender & adolescent;

6)           Supports the assessment and identification of gender & adolescent needs for emergency preparedness and response, and provides gender & adolescent relevant guidance and technical input on emergency programming.

7)           Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference to capture and institutionalize lessons learned;

8)           Participates in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects on adolescent development and participation and report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.

9)           Monitores and reports on the use of adolescent development and participation programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:

 

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

  • First university degree  in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work (e.g. gender, Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Inclusion, HIV/AIDs, etc.).
  • Work Experience: 

•            A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in gender & adolescent development related areas is required.

•            Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

•            Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes/projects on gender and development or any other cross cutting programme, especially at country/field level, experience in emergency response is an asset.

  • Skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required
  • Language Requirements: Fluency in French and working knowledge in English is required

Desirables:

  • Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
  • Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
  • Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. 

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The 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 

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. 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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

Download File GJP Gender & Adolescent Programme Officer level 2_Version 16022026.doc

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.