About the Organization
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. As a global leader in child advocacy, the organization is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment. In Ethiopia, UNICEF partners with the government and regional bodies like the African Union to address systemic challenges and create lasting change for the most disadvantaged communities.
The organization is driven by its core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). Promoting the rights of every child is not just a mission for those who join the team—it is a calling. UNICEF offers a workplace where careers are built on a sense of purpose, providing staff with diverse opportunities for both professional and personal development while serving children and communities across the world.
UNICEF’s culture is defined by its passion and its celebration of diversity. The organization believes that a global workforce must reflect the diversity of the children it serves. To this end, the environment is designed to be inclusive, welcoming individuals irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, religion, or socio-economic background. It is a place where innovative ideas are encouraged and where every voice contributes to a collective impact.
Sustainability and long-term impact are at the heart of UNICEF’s operational strategies. Whether responding to immediate crises or working on long-term policy reforms, the organization focuses on building resilient systems that empower local communities. By collaborating with continental partners, UNICEF ensures that its educational and social programs are integrated into broader regional priorities for enduring success.
UNICEF explicitly encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and underrepresented groups. We are committed to a diverse workforce and offer reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including neurodivergence, throughout the recruitment process. We believe that an inclusive team is essential to fulfilling our mandate for every child, everywhere.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The Senior Education Consultant and Digital Skills Consultant roles are vital components of UNICEF’s strategy to transform education in Africa. These positions are focused on tackling “learning poverty” by improving foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) and modernizing teacher development through digital innovation. These consultants serve as strategic catalysts, ensuring that educational investments lead to improved learning outcomes for millions of students.
In these roles, you will have the opportunity to influence continental education strategies and national teacher training standards. The strategic importance lies in the ability to bridge the gap between high-level policy advocacy and practical classroom implementation. By providing technical assistance to the African Union and the Ministry of Education, you will help shape the future of African education for the next decade.
A “day-in-the-life” in these consultancies involves high-level technical coordination, content curation, and strategic planning. You might find yourself drafting policy briefs for continental advocacy one day and managing the rollout of digital learning platforms the next. These roles offer a unique platform to work at the intersection of technology, pedagogy, and international diplomacy.
The impact of this work is profound, as it directly addresses the quality of education delivered to the most vulnerable children. By strengthening digital learning systems and foundational literacy, you are providing children with the essential tools they need to break the cycle of poverty. The professional growth opportunities are immense, offering exposure to the UN system, the African Union, and major global foundations.
Ultimately, these roles are about building a sustainable educational legacy. Your contributions will help refine the Continental Education Strategy for Africa and ensure that teachers are equipped with the digital skills necessary for the 21st century. Joining UNICEF in this capacity means becoming a lead architect in the effort to ensure every child has the right to learn and thrive.
Job Positions and Requirements
Senior Education Consultant, Foundational Learning (UNICEF Office to AU & ECA)
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree with specialization in Foundational Learning, Economics, Social Sciences, or another relevant technical field to Education.
Work Experience: At least 8 years of experience in Education Policy and Program planning at a continental context. Experience in teaching and working with international organizations (AU/UN) is preferred.
Job Location: Addis Ababa (Office Based)
Salary: Negotiable/Per Scale (Consultancy Level)
No. Required: 1
Digital Skills Learning and Teacher Development Consultant
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Education, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, or related fields.
Work Experience: Minimum 8 years’ experience in Teacher’s training, digital content creation, and educational project management. Experience with Learning Management Systems (Learning Passport) is a plus.
Job Location: Addis Ababa (Office Based + Travel)
Salary: Negotiable/Per Scale (Consultancy Level)
No. Required: 1
Employment Type and Compensation
These positions are offered as professional consultancies with contract durations ranging from 10.5 to 11.5 months. While these are contract-based roles, they are integrated into UNICEF’s core strategic projects, providing a high degree of professional stability and the opportunity to work within a prestigious international framework.
The compensation and benefits package for these consultancies is designed to be attractive and reflective of the high level of expertise required. UNICEF provides a competitive financial structure that rewards impactful results and strategic thinking. As a consultant, you will benefit from working in a results-oriented environment that prioritizes excellence and professional integrity.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications through the official UNICEF online recruitment portal (Talent Management System – TMS). To ensure your application is considered, you must provide a complete and up-to-date TMS profile along with a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and a tailored cover letter.
Please be informed that scanned copies of academic certificates or physical attachments are NOT required during the initial application phase. We prioritize a digital-first approach to recruitment and encourage candidates to focus on the quality of their professional profiles within the portal.
Original documents and academic credentials will be required only for physical verification during the interview or validation stage for shortlisted candidates. This ensures a transparent and secure verification process for those advancing in the selection cycle.
Following the application deadline, the recruitment team will conduct a rigorous screening process. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to advance to the next stage of the selection process. This may include technical assessments and formal interviews.
Interested candidates must submit their application and a separate financial proposal via the specific “Apply” links provided in the official vacancy announcement. This is the primary channel for application, and no fees are charged at any stage of the recruitment process.
Application Deadline
May 18, 2026 (Senior Education Consultant) and May 19, 2026 (Digital Skills Consultant).
Official Application Link / Contact
Senior Education Consultant: Apply via UNICEF Careers
Digital Skills Consultant: Apply via UNICEF Careers