Programme Assistant (Protection) GS-5 TA, Montevideo, Uruguay #137215

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.

The Programme Assistant (GS-5 Temporary Appointment) is positioned in the Programme Section, reporting directly to the Programme Coordinator. This position carries cross-sectoral functions of technical assistance programme planning and operations, ensuring seamless coordination between technical teams, operations units, and external partners/service providers. The incumbent will be situated within the protection area, with a particular focus on the special protection system, deinstitutionalization processes, justice administration, migration, and the monitoring of children’s rights.

Reporting to the Head of the Protection Area, and under supervision and guidance of the Programme Assistant provides a broad range of administrative, operational, and procedural support to the section, along with technical assistance as required. The incumbent facilitates the implementation, monitoring, and delivery of programme results by ensuring the timely and effective execution of tasks in line with UNICEF rules and regulations.    

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Programme & Project Support
• Support the preparation, implementation and monitoring of annual work plans (AWPs), ensuring the achivement of planned results
• Assist in drafting projects and inputs for the Chil Protection Area.
• Assist in the proper implementation of the child protection activities
• Participate in programme and protection meetings, ensuring follow-up on key discussions and agreed actions.

2. Administrative & Financial Support
• Facilitate processing of contracts (consultants, vendors, partnerships), including TOR uploads, Service Gateway transactions, and logistical arrangements.
• Manage calendars, coordinate team meetings, draft meeting minutes/reports and ensure proper filing and dissemination of correspondence and records.

3. Administrative and Logistics Support and Event Coordination
• Provide technical. logistical and operational support for training sessions, workshops, and conferences, including vendor coordination, venue/room bookings, catering services, and communication for participant confirmation.
• Assist in preparing background materials, agendas, and attendance records.

4. Knowledge Management & Communication
• Maintain well-organized document repository, both digital and physical where needed, systems for knowledge sharing and institutional memory.
• Provide technical advice to the programme area by identifying relevant and up-to-date materials on the key thematic areas of the protection section.
• Coordinate with other office areas, such as Communications, Operations, and PFP, to ensure coherence and the coordinated implementation of the protection work plan

5. Emergency Support & Flexibility
• Support section during emergencies and/or surge assignments by reprioritizing tasks and providing accelerated administrative and logistical support.
• Ensure business continuity by providing back-up support) in the office when required.

Impact of Results:

By expertly managing the compilation and coordination of critical work products, the incumbent directly ensures the timely delivery of essential project components and strict adherence to established operational frameworks. This proactive support streamlines administrative processes, mitigates potential delays, and establishes a robust and efficient operational foundation upon which the programme activities are effectively executed. Consequently, the incumbent's meticulous contributions have a significant impact on the office's overall efficiency and directly contribute to the successful and impactful implementation of project and programme objectives, ultimately enhancing the office's ability to achieve its strategic goals.

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

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required. Educational background in human rights, child rights, justice science, social science are highly desirable.
• Work Experience: Minimum five years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience required. Experience in child protection and in international contexts is considered an asset. Previous experience with UNICEF or other United Nations entities is highly valued.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may be considered to compensate for three (3) years of experience in case the candidate lacks the required experience.
• A master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may be considered to compensate for an additional two (2) years (in addition to the three years from above, totaling 5 years).

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

(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 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

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. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from underrepresented groups 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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: 15 May 2026 Montevideo Standard Time
Applications close: 22 May 2026 Montevideo Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend