Professionals with experience in programme planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and knowledge management can apply for a Programme Planning and Monitoring Officer assignment with UNICEF South Africa through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme.
The National UN Volunteer opportunity is based onsite at UNICEF South Africa in Pretoria and will run for 12 months, with an expected start date of 15 October 2026. The assignment offers a Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of R23,820.16, alongside additional benefits including medical insurance, life cover and entry and exit lump-sum payments.
Applications must be submitted by 2 October 2026 at 02:00.
About the UNICEF South Africa Opportunity
UNICEF works to protect children’s rights, support their basic needs and expand opportunities for children to reach their full potential. Its work covers areas such as health, nutrition, education, child protection and adolescent well-being.
The UNICEF South Africa Country Programme for 2026–2030 supports national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Its programme outcomes focus on investing in children, child survival and adolescent well-being, education and child protection.
The Programme Planning and Monitoring Officer will strengthen UNICEF South Africa’s planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation function. The volunteer will work under the guidance of the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, while collaborating with the Deputy Representative, programme sections, management, government counterparts, UN entities and implementing partners.
Key Responsibilities
The selected UN Volunteer will provide technical and administrative support across several programme management functions.
Major responsibilities include:
- Supporting the development, revision and monitoring of annual and rolling workplans.
- Ensuring programme plans align with the Country Programme Document and UNSDCF.
- Supporting annual, mid-year, mid-term and end-year programme reviews.
- Consolidating inputs and tracking agreed actions from programme reviews.
- Supporting the preparation and quality assurance of corporate reports.
- Contributing to the Country Office Annual Report, Situation Reports and other results reporting.
- Tracking output and outcome indicators within results frameworks.
- Collecting, validating and analysing programme performance data.
- Supporting programme monitoring visits, partner reviews and verification processes.
- Identifying implementation bottlenecks and tracking corrective actions.
- Maintaining monitoring databases, dashboards, trackers and information systems.
- Supporting the use of the Data for Children Dashboard.
- Maintaining donor reporting schedules and supporting donor reports and proposals.
- Managing documents within Enterprise Content Management repositories.
- Supporting learning events, knowledge-sharing activities and capacity-building sessions.
- Participating in inter-agency monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Supporting joint UNSDCF planning and reporting.
The assignment also involves maintaining effective relationships with government, civil society, academia, UN agencies and other partners.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be nationals, legal residents or refugees in South Africa, as the assignment is classified as a National UN Volunteer position.
Candidates must have at least three years of relevant professional experience.
A bachelor’s degree is required in a relevant discipline such as:
- Social sciences
- Public policy
- Development studies
- Statistics
- Economics
- Public administration
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Research methods
- Another relevant field containing a research component
Postgraduate studies or specialized training in monitoring and evaluation are desirable.
Required Skills and Experience
UNICEF is looking for candidates with practical experience in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, reporting or knowledge management.
Relevant experience may have been gained within government, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, international development organizations or multilateral institutions.
Applicants should have experience with areas such as:
- Developing or maintaining results frameworks.
- Establishing indicators and workplans.
- Developing monitoring tools and performance trackers.
- Managing databases and dashboards.
- Analysing quantitative and qualitative programme data.
- Preparing programme, corporate or donor reports.
- Drafting proposals and professional documents.
- Facilitating reviews and learning events.
- Supporting multi-stakeholder coordination.
Strong written and oral communication, analytical, drafting, editing and organizational skills are required.
Candidates should also be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with SharePoint, Power BI or similar visualization tools would be an advantage.
Experience with the UN or international development organizations and familiarity with UNICEF planning, monitoring and reporting processes are desirable.
Language Requirements
Fluent English is required.
Knowledge of another official South African language or another official United Nations language would be an advantage.
Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and collaborate with diverse stakeholders in a multicultural environment.
UN Volunteer Benefits and Allowances
The 12-month assignment provides several entitlements for selected UN Volunteers.
These include:
- Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance: R23,820.16
- Once-off entry lump sum at the start of the assignment.
- Medical insurance.
- Life cover.
- Annual leave.
- Access to UN learning platforms.
- Once-off exit lump sum at the end of the assignment.
The allowance is intended to support the volunteer during the assignment. UNV describes volunteerism as activities undertaken freely for the public good, where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Location, Duration and Deadline
The position is based onsite in Pretoria, South Africa, at UNICEF South Africa.
Position: Programme Planning and Monitoring Officer
Organization: UNICEF South Africa
Programme: United Nations Volunteers
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Type: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Work schedule: Full-time
Duration: 12 months
Expected start: 15 October 2026
Monthly allowance: R23,820.16
Application deadline: 2 October 2026
Applicants should carefully review the assignment requirements before submitting their applications through the official UNV platform.
UNV also states that the United Nations does not charge application, processing, training, interviewing or testing fees. Candidates should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in connection with recruitment.
How to Apply
Qualified professionals interested in supporting UNICEF’s programme planning, monitoring and evidence-based decision-making work in South Africa can apply through the official UN Volunteers recruitment platform.
The assignment is particularly relevant to professionals with backgrounds in monitoring and evaluation, programme management, development studies, public policy, research, statistics, reporting and knowledge management.
Deadline: 2 October 2026.
