Early Childhood Development Programme Specialist

UNICEF work in Egypt is focused on promoting sustainable development with multidimensional equity for children, embodying the fair chance for every child principle. In line with national priorities, UNICEF work in Egypt focuses on Early Childhood Development bridging the first 1000 days through the first years of formal education, as a key means by which multiple threats to children may be addressed through cross-sectoral linkages. The expected results of UNICEF’s work in Egypt will contribute to national efforts and priorities and the 2030 National Sustainable Development Strategy; as well as the United Nations Partnership for Development Framework (UNPDF 2018-2022). UNICEF’s programme in Egypt contributes to strengthen the knowledge base for more child-sensitive social protection, and improve three fundamental elements of the early childhood years (health, nutrition and development). UNICEF’s work on learning and protection covers all children of all ages, focusing on the most vulnerable children, children with disabilities and adolescent girls.

This assignment is part of a UNV-funded initiative designed to bring fresh, diverse talent into UN programmes from countries that are currently unrepresented among UN Volunteers. It offers a unique opportunity to help ensure that global volunteering truly reflects the world we serve, while giving participating UN Volunteers meaningful, hands on experience with leading UN partners. As such, the initiative targets candidates from the following nationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia. At UNICEF, we communicate and advocate to realize the rights of every child, especially the most marginalized, in every country. UNICEF Egypt Child Survival and Development section aims to ensure all young children, from conception to school entry, especially the most vulnerable, achieve their full potential through nurturing care and equitable access to quality services. Established in 1946, UNICEF is mandated to advocate for the protection of children's rights, help meet their basic needs, and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. The goal is to address early childhood needs in Egypt from conception to early childhood in support of national efforts to provide quality services for all. The objectives include supporting parents with positive parenting, improving health, nutrition, and protection, promoting early learning through community-based programs, and strengthening national policies and programs to support child developments. The UN Volunteer assignment will support UNICEF Egypt’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) programming within integrated health, parenting, education and child development initiatives. UNICEF works in close collaboration with National Committee for Children and Mothers (NCCM), Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and other key stakeholders to strengthen nurturing care services for young children and caregivers. The UN Volunteer will get the experiential learning opportunity from an experienced and expert team in an international development organization environment and contribute to delivering results for children in Egypt.

This assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to UNICEF's mission of improving early childhood development (ECD) in Egypt. Under the supervision of the Early Childhood Development Manager at UNICEF Eastern and Central Office (ECO), the United Nations (UN ) Volunteer will support the implementation, monitoring, and advocacy of early childhood development initiatives. Key responsibilities include: Program implementation & support: - Work in close coordination with the Child Survival and Development team and relevant sections in UNICEF to execute the Child Survival and Development Workplan 2025-2026, focusing on ECD. - Support research and analysis of regional and national political, social, and economic development trends impacting ECD. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate program development, design, and preparation. - Support procedures to ensure smooth program implementation, including documentation, budgeting, minute-taking, and close follow-up with colleagues and implementers. Program monitoring and delivery of results: - Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews, and annual program reviews with government and other counterparts; prepare minutes/reports on results for follow-up action by higher management and other stakeholders. - Monitor and report on the use of ECD program resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity. Report issues to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders and follow up on unresolved issues. - Prepare inputs for program and donor reporting. - Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress, provide technical support, or refer issues to relevant officials for resolution. Report critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems for timely action to achieve results. Stakeholder Coordination: - Support building and sustaining effective working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active information and knowledge sharing to facilitate program implementation and build stakeholders' capacity to achieve and sustain results on ECD programs/projects. - Participate in technical working groups and inter-agency platforms related to early childhood development. Other tasks may include: - Support the coordination and implementation of UNICEF Egypt's Early Childhood Development activities and partnerships. - Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, trainings, and stakeholder consultations. - Support communication and coordination with government counterparts, implementing partners, consultants, and other stakeholders. - 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 program activities and timelines. - Contribute to knowledge management and organization of relevant program resources and materials. - Participate in field visits and support follow-up on action points and coordination efforts. - Provide administrative and operational support related to ECD program activities as needed.