UNICEF South Africa

UNICEF South Africa We believe in every child’s right to protection, health and education – so they can grow up strong and free, learn and succeed in life.

To learn more visit: www.unicef.org/southafrica With a strong presence in South Africa, UNICEF is a leading advocate for children. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers and the variety of partners at the grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind - to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child's path. UNICEF upholds the Convention of the Rights of the Child. We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security, and work to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children.

South Africa's medium businesses create a substantial share of the country's new jobs, yet are often overlooked when it ...
14/09/2026

South Africa's medium businesses create a substantial share of the country's new jobs, yet are often overlooked when it comes to youth employment support.

Generation Unlimited, a global partnership co-chaired by the UN Secretary-General, the UNICEF Executive Director, and private sector leaders, is working alongside South Africa's Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and the National Pathway Management Network to change that.

We're engaging directly with medium enterprises to understand your growth plans, your experience hiring young people, and where real, practical support could help you recruit better and grow further.

It takes five minutes to tell us:

☑️What's actually limiting your business's growth: talent, capital, or market access
☑️Whether you're already hiring young people, already youth-led, or interested in onboarding more youth with the right support
☑️If you lead or know a South African medium enterprise, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Express your interest here: https://forms.gle/xdiKh5gwGcxHStxX8

11/09/2026

Heroes are not only made on the biggest stages. They start with a chance to play.💙

Rugby legends and UNICEF Ambassadors Dan Carter and Tendai Beast Mtawarira put their rivalry aside and saw firsthand how sport can bring children together.

When we invest in play, we invest in children's potential.

Like Dan and Tendai, join UNICEF in inspiring the next generation of heroes: https://bit.ly/3RzJESL

From rivalry to friendship, and from the rugby field to a shared purpose. 🇿🇦🇳🇿UNICEF South Africa was honoured to co-hos...
10/09/2026

From rivalry to friendship, and from the rugby field to a shared purpose. 🇿🇦🇳🇿

UNICEF South Africa was honoured to co-host an inspiring talk with the New Zealand High Commission in South Africa in Cape Town, celebrating rugby legends Tendai Mtawarira and Dan Carter.

South Africa and New Zealand share a deep history, a fierce sporting rivalry and, above all, a spirit of respect, resilience and unity.

That shared spirit came together for something bigger than sport: standing united for every child. 💙

A special thank you to the City of Cape Town and the Mayor for being such a beautiful host city, and to everyone who came out to support and back our cause. Together, we can be champions for children.

Be on the winning team for children. Join us today: https://bit.ly/3RzJESL

Some of the greatest achievements don't happen on the field—they happen when children have the chance to grow, learn, an...
10/09/2026

Some of the greatest achievements don't happen on the field—they happen when children have the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.​

Together, we can help create more moments like these. Help every child reach their greatest potential. 💙​

Donate today: https://bit.ly/3RzJESL

Join the discussion on turning AI and green investments into youth livelihoods! On 21 September, 17h30-19h30 South Afric...
09/09/2026

Join the discussion on turning AI and green investments into youth livelihoods!

On 21 September, 17h30-19h30 South Africa time, world leaders, ministers, youth leaders, and CEOs will meet in New York to talk about AI, green investment, and jobs for young people. The Youth Dividend.

This is your chance to have a seat at the table! Join UNICEF’s Virtual Global Youth Connect.

Join the local dialogue, share your perspective, and help shape what happens next!

Register here: https://forms.gle/QwcS7deutzPSj5NS9

Senior Education Economics Leadership Opportunity | UNICEF South AfricaUNICEF South Africa is recruiting a Chief of Educ...
08/09/2026

Senior Education Economics Leadership Opportunity | UNICEF South Africa

UNICEF South Africa is recruiting a Chief of Education, based in Pretoria.

This is an education economist role, offering a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership for UNICEF’s education programme and help shape policies, financing and systems that improve learning outcomes for children across South Africa.

We are particularly interested in connecting with outstanding **education economists and senior professionals** from:

✅ UNICEF (current and former staff)

✅ Department of Basic Education

✅ National Treasury

✅ Provincial Education Departments

✅ UNESCO

✅ World Bank

✅ African Development Bank

✅ Global Partnership for Education (GPE)

✅ Education research institutions and universities

✅ Public finance and economic policy institutions

✅ Development partners and education-focused organisations

The role provides strategic leadership on:

• Education economics and education sector financing

• Public finance and education budgeting

• Innovative financing for education

• Education system analysis and planning

• Equity analysis and financing reforms

• Strengthening national education systems

• Improving learning outcomes and foundational learning

• Universal access to equitable and inclusive education

• Programme development, planning and results-based management

• Public-Private Partnerships in education

• Policy advocacy and engagement with government and development partners

We're looking for **senior education economists** with a Master's degree in Economics, Education Economics, Public Policy or Education Planning and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in education policy, education economics, sector planning or public finance.

Candidates should have experience leading large, complex programmes at national or international level, influencing senior government officials and development partners, and working in low- and middle-income country contexts.

Key technical competencies include public finance analysis and budgeting, costing and economic modelling, education system analysis and planning, monitoring and evaluation, learning assessments and foundational learning, alongside excellent analytical, advocacy and communication skills.

Key UNICEF competencies include building and maintaining partnerships, driving results for impact, innovating and embracing change, managing ambiguity and complexity, thinking and acting strategically, working collaboratively, and nurturing, leading and managing people.

🔗 Apply here: https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/work-unicef

Please share widely with education economists and senior professionals across UNICEF, Department of Basic Education, National Treasury, UNESCO, World Bank, African Development Bank, GPE, universities, research institutions, public finance organisations and the broader education economics and development community.

08/09/2026

A child who can read can change their world. 📚

Reading opens doors. It helps children learn, dream, express themselves and imagine a future filled with possibility.

On , we are reminded that literacy is more than learning to read and write; it is a foundation to reach their full potential.

In South Africa, every child should have the opportunity to grow up with the support and quality education they need to become confident readers and lifelong learners.

Because when a child can read, a world of possibilities opens up.

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Opportunity | UNICEF South AfricaUNICEF South Africa is recruiting a Planning, Monit...
07/09/2026

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Opportunity | UNICEF South Africa

UNICEF South Africa is recruiting a Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist based in Pretoria.

This is an opportunity to help ensure that UNICEF programmes are guided by high-quality evidence, robust data and measurable results for children and adolescents.

The Specialist will play a key role in strengthening monitoring, evaluation, research, results-based management and evidence-informed planning across UNICEF South Africa’s Country Programme, working closely with government, UN agencies, academia, civil society and development partners.

We are particularly interested in connecting with outstanding candidates from:

✅ UNICEF (current and former staff)

✅ Government departments and national planning institutions

✅ Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)

✅ UN agencies and development partners

✅ Universities and research institutions

✅ Civil society and development organisations

✅ Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) organisations

✅ Public policy and data analytics institutions

The role provides technical leadership and support on:

• Monitoring, evaluation and research planning

• Programme performance monitoring and results-based management

• Data analytics and performance tracking

• Situation monitoring and assessment

• Programme and policy evaluation

• Applied statistics and evidence generation

• Data governance and information systems

• Reporting and insights generation

• Evidence-informed planning and decision-making

• Knowledge management and organisational learning

• Strengthening national M&E and research capacity

• Tracking progress towards the SDGs and national development priorities

We're looking for experienced professionals with a Master's degree or equivalent in Social Science, Statistics, Planning, Development Planning or a related field, and at least five years of relevant experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation.

Key competencies include building and maintaining partnerships, driving results for impact, innovating and embracing change, managing ambiguity and complexity, thinking and acting strategically, working collaboratively, and demonstrating self-awareness and ethical awareness.

Strong expertise in programme evaluation, monitoring and performance tracking, data analytics, data governance, applied statistics, reporting and insights generation will be particularly valuable.

Experience working at country level, in development or humanitarian contexts, emergency preparedness or field settings will be an advantage.

🔗 Apply here: https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/work-unicef

Please share widely with colleagues and networks across UNICEF, government, UN agencies, Stats SA, universities, research institutions, civil society, development organisations and the broader monitoring, evaluation, research and data community.

05/09/2026

A ceasefire should mean children are safer. ​

Yet at least 300 children have reportedly been killed in Gaza in the 300 days since one was announced. ​

Three-year-old Jamalat is among the many more who have been injured. Help UNICEF continue supporting children and families in places like Gaza. ​

Donate today: https://bit.ly/4630TPZ

Address

209 Waterkloof Road
Pretoria
0002

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 13:30

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