Programme Specialist (ECD and Human Capital), NO-3, FT, #00136634, Quito - Ecuador, LACR

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. In Ecuador, UNICEF's Cooperation Programme promotes equitable opportunities for children and adolescents, addressing challenges like poverty, violence, and malnutrition through programmatic areas in Health, Education, Child Protection, WASH, and Social Inclusion.

Job Purpose

The Programme Specialist (ECD and Human Capital) will lead transformative Early Childhood Development and Human Capital programmes, driving innovative, integrated solutions across health, nutrition, education, and social protection. This role, under the Deputy Representative, focuses on strategic development, coordination, and implementation of integrated programmes with an emphasis on early childhood development and systems-strengthening. The Specialist will advance UNICEF’s contribution to national priorities by enhancing governance, public policies, financing, and service delivery systems, fostering cross-sectoral integration and partnerships. The position is critical for accelerating results for children by driving evidence-based advocacy, programme coherence, and innovation, ensuring scalable, efficient, and government-led solutions aligned with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the Country Programme.

Responsibilities

The Programme Specialist (ECD and Human Capital) is accountable for leading the programme pillar on ECD and Human Capital, driving strategic development, coordination, and implementation of integrated programmes with a strong focus on early childhood development. This includes promoting systems-strengthening approaches to improve quality, equity, and coverage across health, nutrition, education, and social protection, ensuring measurable and sustainable impact at scale. The role is instrumental in advancing UNICEF’s contribution to national priorities by strengthening governance, public policies, financing, and service delivery systems, while fostering cross-sectoral integration and partnerships across government, IFIs, private sector, and civil society. The Specialist will act as a key national-level convener and technical leader, driving evidence-based advocacy, programme coherence, and innovation to accelerate results for children, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Country Programme, and the organization’s New Business Model. Key functions include Knowledge Management for Programmes, Programme Development and Management, Optimum Use of Programme Funds, Programme Monitoring and Evaluations, Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach, National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability, Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels, Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration, and Leadership and Team Management.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in public health/nutrition, ECD, social policy, planning and management, or finances is required.

Skills

Supervising people, Programme development, Programme management, Strategic planning, Advocacy, Partnership building, Cross-sectoral integration, Systems strengthening, Evidence-based programming, Innovation, Team leadership, Capacity building

Explore related opportunities