Junior Programme Assistant: Education for Health and Wellbeing (EHW)

Host entity: UNESCO ZAF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Education

Application deadline: 20/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to peace and sustainable development by promoting international cooperation in education, science, culture, communication and information. In South Africa, UNESCO works closely with government, development partners and civil society to strengthen education systems, promote health and well-being, advance gender equality, support youth empowerment, and foster inclusive and sustainable development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through its Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) programme, UNESCO supports evidence-based policies, capacity development, and partnerships that improve the health, well-being and educational outcomes of children and young people.

Assignment context

The Junior Programme Assistant will support the implementation of UNESCO South Africa's Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) portfolio by providing administrative, operational and project coordination support to the programme team. Working under the guidance of the Senior Programme Specialist for Education for Health and Well-being, and in close collaboration with the National Programme Officer and Associate National Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will contribute to the efficient planning, coordination and delivery of programme activities.

The assignment provides an excellent opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience within the United Nations system while strengthening competencies in project administration, programme coordination, financial and procurement processes, records management, stakeholder engagement and reporting. Through structured mentoring and workplace learning, the UN Volunteer will contribute to ensuring that programme activities are effectively coordinated, properly documented and implemented in accordance with UNESCO administrative procedures, donor requirements and approved work plans.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Specialist, Education for Health and Well-being (EHW), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support programme coordination and implementation
● Support the planning, coordination and implementation of UNESCO's Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) programme and related education initiatives.
● Assist with coordinating programme activities, meetings, workshops, consultations and field missions, ensuring effective logistical and administrative support.
● Contribute to the implementation of approved work plans and support the timely delivery of programme outputs.

2. Support UNCT internal coordination mechanisms
● Support UNESCO’s active participation in UNCT thematic and inter-agency mechanisms, particularly the Gender Theme Group and Youth Theme Group, including preparation of substantive inputs, coordination of follow-up actions and contributions to joint initiatives.
● Support digital communications and visibility for UNESCO’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), including developing online content, documenting programme results and promoting joint UN campaigns and activities.
● Contribute to the development and implementation of joint UN initiatives on gender equality, youth empowerment, digital engagement and other relevant UNESCO programme priorities.
● Identify opportunities for collaboration among UN agencies, government institutions, civil society organizations and youth networks to strengthen the reach and impact of UNESCO’s programmes.

3. Strengthen youth and learner engagement in SRGBV programming
● Coordinate UNESCO’s engagement with youth networks, learner organizations and youth-led groups working on gender equality, violence prevention, online safety and safe learning environments.
● Support meaningful participation of young people in the design, implementation and review of SRGBV programmes, campaigns and advocacy initiatives.
● Assist with organizing youth consultations, dialogues, peer-learning activities and other platforms through which learners and young people can share their experiences and propose solutions.
● Document youth perspectives and recommendations and support their integration into UNESCO programme activities, policy engagement and communication products.

4. Support advocacy, digital engagement and programme visibility
● Develop and compile accessible content on SRGBV prevention, gender equality and safe learning environments for UNESCO’s websites, social media platforms, newsletters, presentations and other communication channels.
● Support digital campaigns and online engagement addressing SRGBV, gender norms, technologically facilitated gender-based violence and the safe use of digital platforms by learners and young people.
● Document programme activities, results, good practices and human-interest stories through written summaries, photographs, short videos and other appropriate formats, in accordance with UNESCO safeguarding and consent requirements.
● Support UNESCO’s contribution to relevant national and UN advocacy campaigns, including the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and other key education, gender and youth observances.

5. Support programme monitoring, documentation and operational delivery
● Support the collection and organization of programme information, participant feedback and implementation updates to assess progress and inform improvements to SRGBV activities.
● Contribute to programme reports, briefing notes, presentations, concept notes and knowledge products by compiling technical and operational inputs.
● Document lessons learned, promising practices and programme achievements to support knowledge sharing and the future expansion of UNESCO’s SRGBV work.
● Provide operational and administrative support for programme activities, including meeting and event logistics, travel arrangements, procurement and payment documentation, correspondence, filing and records management.
● Perform other related programme support duties as assigned by the supervisor.

6. Provide general administrative support
● Provide administrative support for programme operations, including meeting logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, payment requests, records management, filing systems and correspondence.
● Assist with maintaining financial and administrative documentation in accordance with UNESCO policies and procedures.
● Perform other programme support and administrative duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest or experience in:
● Project administration, programme coordination or office administration.
● Education, youth development, health and well-being programmes, or development cooperation.
● Financial administration, procurement processes or records management.
● Working with multiple stakeholders in multicultural or development environments.

Skills in:
● Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft Teams).
● Administrative and organizational support.
● Report writing and professional communication.
● Records and document management.
● Planning and coordination of meetings, workshops and events.
● Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.  

*Mastercard Foundation Alumni and Youth with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

*Candidates must be between 18 and 34 years of age at the time of application.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams.

Living conditions

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.