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.

For every child, the right to sustainable development and empowerment, through innovation.

UNICEF South Africa - committed to realising the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential.

South Africa faces a critical youth employment challenge, with over 3.5 million young people aged 15– 24 not in education, employment, or training (NEET). In response, the Government of South Africa has demonstrated a formidable commitment through the establishment of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), a flagship initiative representing a substantial national investment in tackling this issue.
Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a global multi-stakeholder partnership—co-chaired by the UN Secretary-General, the UNICEF Executive Director, and global private sector leaders—dedicated to ensuring that every young person is in education, learning, training, or employment by 2030. In South Africa, GenU aims to skill and connect 1.5 million young people to opportunities in training, entrepreneurship, work, and social impact by 2030, in support of national goals.

Following high-level strategic conversations between global and local leadership of UNICEF GenU and key partners, including key private sector partners and government, a clear consensus has emerged. There is a significant opportunity to strategically position GenU to serve as a complementary force to the PYEI and the National Pathway Management Network. This collaboration aims to bolster national efforts
by leveraging GenU’s global experience, innovative financing models, and unique ability to convene the private sector and amplify youth voices.

GenU in South Africa has already laid the groundwork through preliminary activities, including:

• Establishing the GenU South Africa partnership and securing high-level buy-in.
• Conducting initial stakeholder mapping of key government agencies involved in the PYEI and youth development.
• Compiling a repository of relevant national policies, PYEI frameworks, private sector initiatives, and market analyses.

To further build on the above the services of a consultant are required to transform the approach from general partnership building to targeted, evidence-driven facilitation by providing the foundational strategy and operational roadmap to achieve it. The deliverables will provide the necessary toolkit to articulate a clear value proposition to both government and private sector partners, facilitate higher impact collaborations that avoid duplication and maximize scale, and effectively measure and account for private sector contributions to youth outcomes.

For every child, the right to sustainable development and empowerment, through innovation.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Representative and direct supervision of the Innovation Specialist, the consultant will support UNICEF/GenU South Africa by:
1. Creating an integration strategy to align/embed GenU with government efforts, particularly the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention.
2. Conducting a comprehensive scoping of the private sector landscape related to youth opportunities.
3. Developing a strategy for private sector engagement around youth livelihoods, skilling, and employment.
4. Conduct comprehensive scoping on digital marketplace systems in South Africa that offer work/gig opportunities to self-employed/entrepreneurial youth.

Scope of work

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Develop an Integration Strategy with Government Initiatives
   • Conduct a desk review and consultations to map key government youth programs (e.g., Presidential Youth Employment Intervention - PYEI, National Youth Development Agency programs). Consultations will require national travel. 
   • Identify and document specific alignment and synergy opportunities between these programs and GenU's objectives.
   • Develop recommendations for structural and operational alignment (e.g., co-location of staff, shared monitoring and reporting frameworks).
   • Recommend partnership mechanisms for GenU to complement and scale government efforts using private sector resources. 
   • Develop a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan for securing buy-in from key government entities.
2. Scope Private Sector Youth Opportunities 
   • Identify and map key private sector actors (large corporates, SMEs, industry associations) within the priority sectors outlined within the PYEI 2030 strategy. This includes the digital and green economy, agriculture, platform economy, among others. 
   • Through research and consultations, catalogue existing private sector youth initiatives, identifying critical gaps and high-potential opportunities in skilling, internships, apprenticeships, and job placements. Consultations will require national travel. 
   • Examine current and future market trends to determine high-demand skills and livelihood opportunities for youth in South Africa (includes employment and self-employment opportunities).
3. Formulate a Private Sector Engagement Strategy
   • Develop actionable partnership models (e.g., corporate mentorship, scalable funding mechanisms, inclusive hiring pledges). 
   • Identify and articulate compelling incentives for private sector participation (e.g., alignment with ESG goals and B-BBEE scorecards). 
   • Design a framework for ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogue (e.g., structure for Private Sector Roundtables). 
   • Develop a clear set of metrics and a framework for monitoring and verifying private sector commitments.
4. Strategy to Roll-Out Digital Impact Marketplace Systems to support Self-Employment 
   • Conduct desktop research and consultations on existing digital marketplace systems in South Africa that provide gig/commission work opportunities to self-employed youth (covering both the informal sector, and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs)). 
   • Benchmark existing digital marketplace systems against similar systems globally, highlighting strategies that have led to successful adoption elsewhere. 
   • Undertake comprehensive scoping on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities within the sector, and advise of the opportunity/potential to roll-out a new digital marketplace (or enhance existing systems) within South Africa. 
   • Assess how best UNICEF’s Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) can fulfill gaps and integrate for greater impact. 
   • Alongside point 3 above, advise on mechanisms to incentivize the private sector to create a pipeline of work opportunities in the marketplace, co-finance rewards, recruit talent, etc.

Expected Boundaries:

• The assignment will focus on national-level programs and key economic hubs in South Africa. Deep dive sub-national analysis is out of scope unless identified as critical.
• The consultant is responsible for developing strategies and plans; the implementation and resource mobilization for these plans fall under the subsequent responsibilities of GenU/UNICEF and partners.
• The consultant will engage with a representative sample of stakeholders; it is not expected to consult every single entity. Joint consultations with multiple stakeholders, such as in-person workshops/meetings are recommended.

Responsibilities of Parties Involved:

The Consultant(s) is responsible for: Executing all tasks outlined in Section 2, providing all required deliverables on time and to the required quality standard, facilitating meetings and workshops, and maintaining clear and consistent communication with the GenU/UNICEF team.

GenU/UNICEF South Africa is responsible for: Providing all necessary background documents, facilitating introductions to key government and private sector stakeholders, reviewing and providing timely feedback on deliverables, approving reports, and managing the contract. The consultant will work closely under the direct supervision of the GenU Lead at UNICEF South Africa.

The consultant will engage in a collaborative relationship with key partners, including but not limited to: 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 
  • An advanced degree (Master's or higher) in Economics, Business Development, Development Studies, Public Policy/Administration, Public Relations, International Relations, Youth Development, Partnerships, or related field
• Work Experience: 
  • At least 10 years of professional experience
  • Proven experience in private sector engagement, partnership strategies within government, youth employment and development, in South Africa
  • Proven experience working with national government/government agencies within South Africa 
  • Demonstrates extensive network within relevant sectors (government, private sector, etc.) 
  • Proven stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills 
• Skills: 
  • Advanced degree in required disciplines 
  • Knowledge of the South African youth development landscape, including government support programs (e.g., Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, National Youth Development Agency, Youth Employment Services (YES), SA Youth Platform, etc.)
  • Systems integration expertise desired 
  • Familiarity with Generation Unlimited/UNICEF agendas is desirable
  • Experience working with the United Nations will be advantageous
• Language Requirements: 
  • Demonstrates proficiency in required languages (English, local or UN language)

Please indicate your ability and availability; and attach a technical proposal and financial proposal in ZAR to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable). Proposals submitted without a detailed financial proposal aligned to the assignment will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(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 

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.

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.

Remarks:  

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 nationals 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.