🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) – 2 Positions
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is recruiting to fill the following positions:
1.) National Consultancy: Safe Learning
2.) Equitable Learning (Inclusive & Non-Formal Education) Specialist
See job details and how to apply below.
1.) National Consultancy: Safe Learning
National Consultancy: Safe Learning, Freetown, Sierra Leone (Open to Sierra Leone nationals only)
Job no: 590775
Position type: Consultant
Location: Sierra Leone
Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Sierra Leone
Department/Office: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Categories: Education
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 safe learning
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?
Purpose:
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and operational support to UNICEF Sierra Leone and Government counterparts—particularly the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and relevant child protection and gender coordination structures—to accelerate implementation of priority actions to prevent and respond to School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and strengthen safe, inclusive and gender-responsive learning environments.
The consultancy will primarily support implementation of outstanding activities under:
- the GPE Safe Learning Technical Assistance Initiative (TAI) (systems strengthening for safe and enabling school environments), and
- the Spotlight Initiative (school-focused SRGBV prevention and response programming, March 2026-March 2027).
- Other cross-sectoral initiatives related to safe and enabling schools.
Objectives:
The consultant will contribute to the following objectives:
- Strengthen SRGBV prevention and response systems in the education sector, including safe and child-friendly reporting and referral mechanisms aligned with ethical standards.
- Support implementation of priority actions under the SRGBV Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy, including capacity-building, dissemination, and district-level roll-out.
- Strengthen monitoring, coordination and evidence systems for SRGBV-related interventions, including partner mapping, coordination follow-up, and school-level monitoring tools.
- Support operationalization and use of national case management and information systems relevant to SRGBV response, including consultation, refinement, training and rollout of the GBVIMS+ dashboard for education stakeholders.
- Support school-focused safe learning interventions to strengthen teachers' knowledge and practices on:
- Teachers' Code of Conduct;
- positive discipline; and
- SRGBV prevention and response, including safe reporting and referrals.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: ToR Safe Learning Consultant.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master's) in Education, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Child Protection, Public Health, Social Work, Development Studies, or a closely related field.
- A Bachelor's degree combined with an additional minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in education, child protection, school safety, SRGBV, or related areas.
- Demonstrated experience supporting school-based prevention and safeguarding interventions, including SRGBV-related initiatives.
- Proven experience working with government institutions at national and sub-national levels and engaging in multi-sectoral and inter-agency coordination, including with UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society.
- Experience supporting the operationalization of policies, guidelines, referral mechanisms, and coordination tools, as well as contributing to monitoring, reporting, and use of programme data.
Skills:
- Strong facilitation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Solid analytical and problem-solving capacity, with ability to translate policy into practice.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and uphold UNICEF values, including child safeguarding and gender equality.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Advertised: Feb 04 2026 Greenwich Standard Time
Application close: Feb 17 2026 Greenwich Standard Time
2.) Equitable Learning (Inclusive & Non-Formal Education) Specialist
Equitable Learning (Inclusive & Non-Formal Education) Specialist, Freetown, Sierra Leone
General Description of assignment
Title: Equitable Learning (Inclusive & Non-Formal Education) Specialist
Assignment country: Sierra Leone
Duty stations: Freetown
Work location: UN Premises
Expected start date: 03/01/2026
Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)
Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education
Host entity: UNICEF
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Specialist
Work arrangement: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives:
- The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations
Context:
- UNICEF Sierra Leone's Education Programme under the Country Programme 2025-2030 aims to ensure that more children and adolescents—especially the most disadvantaged—have equitable access to quality education and acquire skills for the future.
- The Education Section delivers results through three pillars: (i) systems strengthening, (ii) improved access, and (iii) quality education. This UN Volunteer assignment will be based in the Education Section in Freetown and will primarily support implementation under the Improved Access pillar, with a focus on inclusive education and Non-Formal Education (NFE) to advance equitable access for the most vulnerable and marginalized children.
- In 2025, UNICEF Sierra Leone developed an Inclusive Education Strategy and advocacy and communication plan, in line with the Government's Radical Inclusion policy and Comprehensive School Safety Policy, informed by evidence on barriers facing children with disabilities, girls, and other intersecting vulnerabilities, and outlining a Theory of Change and implementation roadmap for 2025-2030. The UNV will support implementation of priority activities under these strategy and plan, including coordination, advocacy and rollout actions related to inclusive education, such as curriculum adaptation, early identification/screening and referral strengthening, inclusive teaching and learning support through teacher education.
- In addition, the UNV will support work on NFE, including conducting a situation analysis of NFE, supporting the design of an accelerated learning/non-formal education programme for out-of-school adolescents—particularly marginalized girls—supporting curriculum development, and contributing to implementation planning and piloting.
Task description:
- Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Specialist, P-3, the UN Volunteer will actively support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of education projects, with a strong focus on system strengthening and improving the quality of education. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for the following tasks:
- 1. Inclusive education coordination and stakeholder engagement
- - Support UNICEF and MBSSE (Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education) to strengthen coordination mechanisms for inclusive education, including convening and documenting meetings, follow-up of action points, and ensuring meaningful engagement of key stakeholders, including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and relevant ministries.
- - Represent UNICEF in stakeholder coordination meetings related to inclusive education.
- - Support implementation and coordination of priority Inclusive Education Strategy activities as well as UNICEF Sierra Leone's Inclusive Education Communication and Advocacy Strategy, including planning, stakeholder coordination, follow-up, and documentation of progress (in close collaboration with Education, SBC/Communication colleagues, OPDs, civil society and media actors).
- - Support the organisation of advocacy initiatives such as stakeholder roundtables, policy dialogues and monitoring/tracking discussions to strengthen accountability for implementation of inclusive education policies.
- 2. Curriculum adaptation and inclusive learning materials
- - Support planning and coordination of curriculum adaptation of foundational learning teaching and learning materials developed under Global Partnership Education, ensuring inclusive and accessible approaches.
- - Facilitate technical consultations with OPDs, MBSSE, MTHE and TTIs (teacher training institutions) to support drafting, review, piloting/validation and quality assurance of adapted materials.
- - Support development of practical teacher guidance/briefing packs on low-cost inclusive teaching strategies linked to adapted materials, including accessibility considerations.
- 3. Teacher development (in-service and pre-service)
- - Support coordination of in-service teacher training on inclusive education, linking to curriculum adaptations above.
- - Support collaboration with MTHE/TTIs and relevant institutions to embed inclusive education
- and adapted learning materials into pre-service teacher education curricula and training packages.
- 4. Strengthening early identification, referral systems and disability data
- - Support activities related to early identification of disabilities and strengthened referral pathways, including coordination with district-level structures (e.g., SQAOs and data officers).
- - Support technical inputs to improve disability-related education data collection and use (e.g., disability questions within Annual School Census / EMIS-related processes), where relevant.
- 5. Non-formal education (NFE) and accelerated education programme (AEP) for marginalized girls
- - Support the situation analysis of NFE services, gaps and barriers affecting out-of-school children and adolescents, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable girls and in alignment with the Radical Inclusion policy.
- - Support design of an equity-focused AEP/NFE programme, including curriculum/materials development and planning for piloting, monitoring and documentation.
- - Represent UNICEF in NFE technical working group.
- 6. Documentation, reporting and knowledge management
- - Support preparation of technical briefs, presentations, success stories and lessons learned related to inclusive education and NFE to inform UNICEF planning, partner coordination and donor engagement.
- - Document communication/advocacy implementation progress, including maintaining activity trackers and drafting summary updates for UNICEF and partners.
- - Conduct programme monitoring and manage record of progress of the activities.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:
- 5 years
Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level:
- Master's degree in Education, Special Needs Education, Inclusive Education, Comparative and international Education, Education Psychology, Teacher Education or any other relevant field preferable in education.
Competencies and values:
- ☒Adaptability and Flexibility
- ☒ Building Trust
- ☒ Client Orientation
- ☒ Commitment and Motivation
- ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
- ☒ Communication
- ☒ Ethics and Values
- ☒ Integrity
- ☒ Judgement and Decision-making
- ☒ Knowledge Sharing
- ☒ Planning and Organizing
- ☒ Professionalism
- ☒ Respect for Diversity
- ☒ Self-Management
- ☒ Technological Awareness
- ☒ Working in Teams
Skills and experience:
- Minimum five years of professional experience in programme planning, implementation, and management in education, with a focus on learning and teacher quality, as well as system strengthening at both national and international levels.
- - Strong technical knowledge of inclusive education approaches, including disability inclusion, removal of barriers to access, and equity-focused programming.
- - Knowledge and some experience of inclusive pedagogy and classroom strategies, including development of teacher support packages.
- - Knowledge of alternative and accelerated learning pathways.
- - Experience supporting professional teacher development, including training materials development, design and/or coordination of in-service training.
- - Understanding pre-service of teacher education systems and experience working with teacher training institutions (TTIs) is an asset.
- - Practical experience supporting or coordinating curriculum adaptation and development of teaching and learning materials (TLMs) is an asset.
- - Familiarity with early identification/referral pathways, and disability screening and support mechanisms is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise:
- Development programmes, Education
