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. 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.
For every child, hope
Join Health Team at UNICEF Ukraine! – YouTube
How can you make a difference?
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, learn, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. 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 fulfill 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.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is an institutional priority for the UN, and for UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 identifies MHPSS as a priority area for children, young people, parents and caregivers, building upon existing programming through child protection, education and health.
UNICEF advocates for mental health as a holistic issue that is relevant to every sector of development and embraces all SDG’s as determinants of mental health and psychosocial well-being, underpinning the prevention, promotion, treatment continuum and an approach that is collaborative, multi-sectoral, and spans across health, social and child protection, education, gender, and other sectors in order to be effective in addressing the global burden of mental health conditions.
In Ukraine, the protracted conflict has intensified the demand for MHPSS services, exacerbating pre-existing conditions and expanding the need across the nation. In response, UNICEF Ukraine’s Country Programme for 2025-2029 ambitiously aims to address these pervasive needs comprehensively. To advance this cause, UNICEF Ukraine seeks to appoint a dedicated Health Specialist (MHPSS) proficient in MHPSS with robust programmatic skills. This specialist will be critical in translating strategic visions into practical, culturally tailored interventions that meet the unique socio-political challenges faced by Ukraine
Job organizational context: The Health Specialist (MHPSS) role is situated in the Ukraine Country Office and reports directly to the Health Manager (MHPSS). This position is essential for bridging health-focused MHPSS programming with broader organizational goals, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health and psychosocial support by integrating efforts across both internal sectors and external partnerships
Purpose for the job: Guided by the Health Manager (MHPSS), the Health Specialist supports MHPSS programming primarily within the health sector while coordinating with other crucial UNICEF sectors such as education, child protection, Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP), and Social and Behavior Change (SBC). This role also entails significant collaboration with external entities, including government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, to embed MHPSS into their programs, thereby fostering a unified approach to health and well-being across various sectors.
Additionally, the Specialist is instrumental in shaping and influencing national MHPSS policies. By offering expert guidance to external stakeholders such as the national MHPSS coordination center, Ministry of Health, educational leaders, and community organizations, the Specialist ensures that MHPSS initiatives are harmoniously integrated into the broader health and social systems. This effort is complemented by UNICEF’s collaboration with the “All-Ukraine Health Program”, which aims to establish a far-reaching support network impacting various societal dimensions
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Support programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Advisory services and technical support
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Impact of Results
The efficiency and effectiveness of the support provided by the Health Specialist (MHPSS) to the preparation, planning and implementation of programs informed by broad knowledge of the current context in Ukraine, in addition to the coordination with the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders for the operationalization of actions which aim to make the national MHPSS system more efficient, accessible and meaningful, promotes and facilitates the achievement of concrete and sustainable results that directly impact the improvement of the health of women and children affected by the current crisis in the country. This, in turn, contributes to maintaining and strengthening UNICEF’s credibility and capacity to continue providing programmatic services to protect children’s rights and to promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and achieve their full potential. potential in society.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
An advanced University degree is required in Psychology or Psychiatry.
Work Experience:
Language Requirements:
Desirables:
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
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.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.
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 people with disabilities 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.
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.
Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements