Programme Specialist (Safe Environment and Opportunities)

Location: Onsite in Quito, Ecuador. The position is a National Officer role; hirify.global does not facilitate visas or work authorization for candidates under the national officer category.

Company

hirify.global is a United Nations organization working in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights, support their development, and improve their well-being.

What you will do

• Lead the strategic development, coordination, and implementation of the Safe Environments and Opportunities Programme.
• Integrate child protection and education initiatives through systems-strengthening approaches.
• Support governance, public policy, financing, and service delivery improvements aligned with national priorities.
• Coordinate partnerships with government, international financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
• Drive evidence-based advocacy, programme monitoring, evaluation, knowledge management, and innovation.
• Strengthen national and local capacities to prevent violence and promote adolescent development and participation.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, child protection, education, management, international relations, government, public administration, public policy, social policy, social development, community development, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in child protection, education, social policy, planning and management, or finance.
• Expertise in knowledge management, situation analysis, programme monitoring and evaluation, results-based programming, and partnership collaboration.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain residence and work authorization in Ecuador; visa facilitation is not available for this National Officer position.
• Compliance with hirify.global safeguarding, background-check, medical-clearance, and vaccination requirements.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or a local language.
• Experience working in developing countries, fragile settings, humanitarian contexts, or emergency environments.
• Experience with a United Nations system agency or organization.
• Relevant country-level development experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Work within a diverse and inclusive international organization focused on children’s rights and sustainable development.
• Opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Paid parental leave and breastfeeding breaks.
• Reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.
• Potential deployment to support humanitarian responses when required.

Hiring process

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced to the next stage.
• Selected candidates undergo reference, academic credential, employment history, and safeguarding background checks.
• Appointment is conditional on visa or residence authorization, medical clearance, and applicable vaccination requirements.