Early Childhood Development Programme Specialist, Early Childhood Development Programme Specialist, Cairo, Egypt

General

Description of assignment title: Early ChildhoodDevelopment Programme Specialist

Assignment country: Egypt

Duty stations: Cairo

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/01/2026

Duration: 6 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health andwell-being

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF work in Egypt is focused on promoting sustainabledevelopment with multidimensional equity for children, embodyingthe fair chance for every child principle. In line with nationalpriorities, UNICEF work in Egypt focuses on Early ChildhoodDevelopment bridging the first 1000 days through the first years offormal education, as a key means by which multiple threats tochildren may be addressed through cross-sectoral linkages. Theexpected results of UNICEF's work in Egypt will contribute tonational efforts and priorities and the 2030 National SustainableDevelopment Strategy; as well as the United Nations Partnership forDevelopment Framework (UNPDF 2018-2022).

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• UNICEF's programme in Egypt contributes to strengthen theknowledge base for more child-sensitive social protection, andimprove three fundamental elements of the early childhood years(health, nutrition and development). UNICEF's work on learning andprotection covers all children of all ages, focusing on the mostvulnerable children, children with disabilities and adolescentgirls.

Context:

• This assignment is part of a UNV-funded initiative designed tobring fresh, diverse talent into UN programmes from countries thatare currently unrepresented among UN Volunteers. It offers a uniqueopportunity to help ensure that global volunteering truly reflectsthe world we serve, while giving participating UN Volunteersmeaningful, hands on experience with leading UN partners. As such,the initiative targets candidates from the following nationalities:Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, SanMarino, Slovenia.
• At UNICEF, we communicate and advocate to realize the rights ofevery child, especially the most marginalized, in every country.UNICEF Egypt Child Survival and Development section aims to ensureall young children, from conception to school entry, especially themost vulnerable, achieve their full potential through nurturingcare and equitable access to quality services. Established in 1946,UNICEF is mandated to advocate for the protection of children'srights, help meet their basic needs, and expand their opportunitiesto reach their full potential.
• The goal is to address early childhood needs in Egypt fromconception to early childhood in support of national efforts toprovide quality services for all. The objectives include supportingparents with positive parenting, improving health, nutrition, andprotection, promoting early learning through community-basedprograms, and strengthening national policies and programs tosupport child developments.
• The UN Volunteer assignment will support UNICEF Egypt's EarlyChildhood Development (ECD) programming within integrated health,parenting, education and child development initiatives. UNICEFworks in close collaboration with National Committee for Childrenand Mothers (NCCM), Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry ofHealth and Population (MOHP) and other key stakeholders tostrengthen nurturing care services for young children andcaregivers.
• The UN Volunteer will get the experiential learning opportunityfrom an experienced and expert team in an international developmentorganization environment and contribute to delivering results forchildren in Egypt.

Task description:

• This assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute toUNICEF's mission of improving early childhood development (ECD) inEgypt. Under the supervision of the Early Childhood DevelopmentManager at UNICEF Eastern and Central Office (ECO), the UnitedNations (UN ) Volunteer will support the implementation,monitoring, and advocacy of early childhood developmentinitiatives.
• Key responsibilities include:
• Program implementation & support:
• Work in close coordination with the Child Survival andDevelopment team and relevant sections in UNICEF to execute theChild Survival and Development Workplan 2025-2026, focusing onECD.
• Support research and analysis of regional and nationalpolitical, social, and economic development trends impacting ECD.Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitateprogram development, design, and preparation.
• Support procedures to ensure smooth program implementation,including documentation, budgeting, minute-taking, and closefollow-up with colleagues and implementers.
• Program monitoring and delivery of results:
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programreviews, and annual program reviews with government and othercounterparts; prepare minutes/reports on results for follow-upaction by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of ECD program resources(financial, administrative, and other assets), verify compliancewith approved allocations/goals, organizational rules,regulations/procedures, donor commitments, and standards ofaccountability and integrity. Report issues to ensure timelyresolution by management/stakeholders and follow up on unresolvedissues.
• Prepare inputs for program and donor reporting.
• Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/shareinformation with partners and stakeholders to assess progress,provide technical support, or refer issues to relevant officialsfor resolution. Report critical issues, bottlenecks, and potentialproblems for timely action to achieve results.
• Stakeholder Coordination:
• Support building and sustaining effective working partnershipswith government counterparts and national stakeholders throughactive information and knowledge sharing to facilitate programimplementation and build stakeholders' capacity to achieve andsustain results on ECD programs/projects.
• Participate in technical working groups and inter-agencyplatforms related to early childhood development.
• Other tasks may include:
• Support the coordination and implementation of UNICEF Egypt'sEarly Childhood Development activities and partnerships.
• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, trainings, andstakeholder consultations.
• Support communication and coordination with governmentcounterparts, implementing partners, consultants, and otherstakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations,briefs, and program documents.
• Support documentation of program activities, lessons learned,and good practices.
• Assist in conducting background research, literature reviews,and information gathering related to ECD initiatives.
• Support monitoring, follow-up, and reporting on programactivities and timelines.
• Contribute to knowledge management and organization of relevantprogram resources and materials.
• Participate in field visits and support follow-up on actionpoints and coordination efforts.
• Provide administrative and operational support related to ECDprogram activities as needed.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a countryother than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in education, public administration/health,nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology, human development,child development, family studies or other social sciencefield.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience:

• Experience supporting programme implementation, coordination,research, or technical assistance;
• Experience working with early childhood developmentinterventions in community and/or nursery setting
• Prior engagement with government institutions, UN agencies, orNGOs in policy advocacy or program implementation is an asset.
• Experience working with children, caregivers, healthcareproviders, or community-based interventions is an asset;
• Experience supporting trainings, facilitation, or developmentof technical materials is desirable;
• Knowledge of nurturing care, developmental screening, andintegrated ECD approaches is an asset;
• Experience with research, literature reviews, report writing,and data analysis;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Strong drafting and reporting skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and coordination skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural andmultidisciplinary teams;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel,PowerPoint);
• Familiarity with UNICEF programming and the UN system is anasset.

*Note**:

• This Description of Assignment is part of a targeted UNVinitiative and is open exclusively to candidates with the followingnationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta,Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia.
• Applicants from the above countries who do not fully meet theminimum professional experience requirements for a UN Volunteer'Specialist' assignment are still encouraged to apply; if selected,they may be recruited under the Conditions of Service applicable toUN Volunteer 'Associate' assignments.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Education, General and specialised medicine, Projectmanagement, programme development, strategy

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