Driver, G-2, Fixed Term Position

About UNICEF

UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories, working to protect children’s lives, defend their rights, and support their development from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is known for its mission-driven culture, commitment to staff growth, and inclusive workplace supported by a strong compensation and benefits framework.

In Zambia, UNICEF’s cooperation programme with the Government of the Republic of Zambia is focused on reducing and responding to child poverty through interventions that address the many underlying causes affecting children.

Role overview

The Driver at the G-2 level is responsible for dependable, safe transport support. This includes moving staff, officials, and visitors efficiently, while also helping maintain assigned vehicles and supporting the smooth functioning of the office. The role calls for strong professionalism, discretion, integrity, protocol awareness, and strict compliance with local traffic rules.

Key duties

• Provide secure and timely transport for staff, officials, visitors, mail, documents, and other office items.
• Receive official personnel and guests at the airport and, where needed, help with basic visa and customs-related formalities and coordination.
• Keep the assigned vehicle in sound operating condition by arranging minor fixes, organizing major repairs, and carrying out routine checks such as oil, tyres, brakes, water levels, and cleaning.
• Maintain all vehicle-related records and supplies, including insurance, registration, logbooks, maps, a first aid kit, a tool kit, and essential spare parts.
• Track insurance renewals and other tax-related vehicle requirements.

Minimum qualifications

Candidates should have secondary education in a relevant field and at least 2 years of relevant experience in areas such as transportation, logistics, fleet management, vehicle maintenance, road safety, administrative support, customer service, courier services, travel support, or protocol work. The role requires fluency in English.

Preferred background

Additional value is given to candidates with knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language. Useful extra experience and training include defensive driving, knowledge of local geography, embassy experience, vehicle repair, and first aid. Experience at country level, especially in development settings, fragile environments, or humanitarian contexts, is also an advantage.

Competencies and working style

The successful candidate should demonstrate confidentiality, professionalism, reliability, safe driving habits, a strong sense of responsibility, and fluency. UNICEF also highlights the importance of partnership-building, ethical self-awareness, results orientation, adaptability, strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to handle ambiguity and complexity.

Equality, safeguarding, and recruitment conditions

UNICEF promotes an inclusive workplace and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including women, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent applicants. Reasonable accommodation can be provided during the recruitment process and in the workplace when required.

All selected candidates must pass reference and background checks, including verification of education and employment history. UNICEF applies zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Appointees may also need medical clearance and, where applicable, inoculation requirements such as vaccination against Covid-19. If visa or medical clearance is not secured, or inoculation conditions are not met within a reasonable timeframe, an offer may be withdrawn.

Government employees who are selected are generally expected to resign from their government posts before joining UNICEF. UNICEF does not charge any recruitment or processing fee at any stage and will never ask for bank account details from applicants.

Humanitarian response remains a core priority for UNICEF, so staff may be asked to support emergency deployment needs when required. For positions in the national officer and general service categories, UNICEF does not facilitate visa or work authorization. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Internal candidates or candidates in the relevant talent group may be selected if suitable, without further competition.

Additional notes

UNICEF’s core values are Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. The organization states that it seeks the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Female candidates who meet the requirements are especially encouraged to apply for this role.

Additional information about working with UNICEF is available through the organization’s official career resources.