Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

To strengthen the protection and prevention of harm among children and caregivers affected by armed conflict in Mozambique from the risks posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive remnants of war (ERW), and unexploded ordnance (UXO), the Child Protection Work Stream (CPWS) initiative, led by UNICEF, will implement child-friendly Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) in 2026. This includes promoting safe behaviors in high-risk and return communities, enhancing coordination among humanitarian actors, and strengthening data-driven, evidence-based approaches to reduce exposure, prevent casualties, and improve the overall safety and resilience of affected populations. Context In Mozambique, the growing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has added a critical and increasingly lethal dimension to the conflict, disproportionately affecting children, who account for 92 per cent of explosive ordnance casualties. A marked escalation in IED use by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has been observed since 2023. According to ACLED, 21 IED incidents were recorded in 2023, compared to just one in 2022, primarily in the conflict-affected districts of Macomia and Mocímboa da Praia. This sharp rise signals a tactical shift toward the systematic use of explosive devices in areas with ongoing military operations. As displaced populations return to their areas of origin, exposure to explosive hazards has become a major protection concern. Many of these areas experienced intense fighting, leaving behind explosive remnants of war (ERW) and unexploded ordnance (UXO). These hazards are often hidden, unstable, and triggered by minimal contact, making them particularly dangerous for children, who are more likely to unknowingly handle unfamiliar objects, play in contaminated areas, or travel unsupervised over unsafe terrain. Limited risk awareness, combined with disrupted schooling and protection systems, further increases children’s exposure. The volatile security environment has also constrained humanitarian access. Insecurity has led to temporary suspensions of aid operations, relocation of humanitarian personnel, and the withdrawal of some government staff and contractors. Although some activities have resumed, access remains limited and unpredictable, reducing the availability of life-saving mine risk education and child protection services. In 2025, insecurity in northern Mozambique further intensified as NSAGs expanded their operational reach and increased the deployment of IEDs, including in areas of civilian return. The growing contamination risk continues to complicate response efforts, while limited acknowledgment of the scale of explosive hazards hampers effective mitigation. Multiple IED incidents have been reported, including two explosions in Ancuabe district that killed four civilians, three of them children, underscoring the sustained and disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.

Task Description

UNICEF seeks 2 Online Volunteers to support the development of EORE and IED related IEC materials for Mozambique. The volunteers are expected to do the following tasks: • Support the contextualization and development of EORE (including IED) IEC materials in conflict-affected areas in Mozambique based on the existing tools developed by UNICEF from other places. • Contribute to the design and dissemination of context-appropriate EORE materials, including child-friendly and gender-sensitive messaging. • Support training of CPWS members and frontline workers on EORE delivery and safe practices. • Produce the documents with English, Portuguese • Support integrating the relevant local languages (i.e. Makonde, Makuwa/Makhuwa, Swahili) together with CPWS members. The average estimated workload is expected to include roughly reviewing 5-7 documents (these can include existing documents etc.) over the course of the assignment duration. The Online Volunteer/s will have the opportunity to build connections with the Child Protection Specialist and Education Specialist and learn about child-friendly and gender sensitive messaging.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks