Programme Specialist (Risk & Safeguarding), P-3, Fixed Term Position, Islamabad, Pakistan, #00136528

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.

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For every child, the right to a Calling How can you make a difference? Risk and Safeguarding Unit was established in 2026 in PCO to drive integrated risk management - Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Social and Environmental Safeguarding (SES), including PSEA; Programme Implementation Risk Management (PRM/HACT) and Management of operational risks and business continuity and improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child.

The post reports to the Risk Manager (Safeguarding) in the Risk and Safeguarding Unit (RSU) of the Operations Section. The RSU was established in 2026 to drive an integrated approach to risk management in programming and safeguarding to enhance the quality of UNICEF’s programmes and operations.

The RSU is mainly structured around four pillars: i) ERP, ii) Social and Environmental Safeguarding – inclusive of SES/Safeguarding/PSEA, and Complaints and Feedback Management (CFM), and iii) Programme Implementation Risk Management (PRM) – inclusive of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), iv) Operational continuity and other institutional risks.

This includes continued development, improvement and rollout of the relevant corporate regulatory framework instruments.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Risk Manager (Safeguarding) at P-4 level, the Programme Specialist (Risk & Safeguarding) provides technical support to programme and operations teams in the implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) and broader safeguarding functions, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), partner safeguarding assessments, and risk mitigation measures.

The position supports an integrated risk management approach that aligns with the global policy framework and global architecture which consolidates SES, safeguarding, and PSEA within a unified risk portfolio. Reporting to the Risk Manager (Safeguarding), the role contributes to strengthened coordination, enhanced accountability, and improved compliance across programmes and operations, ensuring effective safeguarding standards and risk-informed decision-making

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Classified Job Descriptions - Programme Specialist.pdf To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… Minimum Requirements

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in International Development, Sociology, Gender Studies, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Human Rights, International Law and any other related fields.

• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in professional experience in programme management, including having worked with the UN and/or INGO with specific focus on coordination, programme management, risk management and community engagement in developing countries is required.

• Skills: Prior experience in analytics, capacity building, networking facilitation, stakeholder communication, workshop facilitation is required.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

• Understanding/experience of major programming tools and process, preferably with UNICEF is an asset. Working in a UN/UNICEF country office and/or experience in humanitarian settings is an asset.

• Specialized training and demonstrated experience in Safeguarding and/or PSEA is an asset. Experience working with the UN harmonized approach, familiarity with UNPP PSEA module, PSEA requirements of other agencies, donor requirements and conditionalities on PSEA is an asset.

• Ability to apply the PSEA framework/tools and risk informed approaches/ flexibilities indifferent contexts and downstream partners is an asset.

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in deve