As part of Devex’s ongoing coverage of global development employment trends, this article takes a closer look at UNICEF’s hiring activity in 2025, including the top locations and sectors the agency recruited for, as well as the salaries offered across them.
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, is the world’s leading organization focused on child welfare, working across health, education, and protection in some of the most challenging conditions worldwide. For many development professionals, landing a role at the agency is a long-term career goal — and demand for the work it is doing has only grown in recent years as humanitarian needs have intensified. In 2024, the agency hired for more positions than any other employer in the sector, according to data from Devex's job board postings.
However, as with many multilateral organizations, UNICEF is operating in an increasingly uncertain funding climate, shaped by changing donor priorities and tighter aid budgets. These pressures have influenced where it is recruiting and deploying staff.