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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, PROTECTION!

Eliminating child poverty and ensuring access to social protection have been recognized as critical priorities of the agenda 2030. An explicit requirement to measure and monitor multidimensional child poverty is included under SDG 1.1.2, and similarly, the need to accelerate progress around public spending for poverty reduction under SDG 1.a.2, and SDG 1.b.1 for which UNICEF has recently become a custodian. The effective scale-up of social protection, with a specific attention to children, is included as part of ensuring access to social protection, a core target of SDG 1 (Elimination of poverty), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Moreover, social protection is also an accelerator for multiple other goals. Addressing the multiple and compounding deprivations experienced by children requires an explicit commitment to understand their drivers and to scale-up comprehensive strategies to address them. The full realization of the right of children of access to social protection and adequate standard of living will not only ensure that every child lives free of poverty but also prevent those at risk or vulnerable to poverty due to exclusion and discrimination, or facing environmental and conflict-related risks, from falling into poverty.

Reducing child poverty, enhancing access to gender-transformative, and inclusive social protection, promoting efficiency, transparency and equity of financing, while strengthening capacities at subnational level, including in urban contexts, is critical. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development for every child.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Chief Social Policy and the direct supervision of the Social Policy Manager, the Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection Systems Strengthening) will support with overall project management of the CSSP programme, engaging with MoLSA, FMS, district authorities, and other partners to ensure that the child grant contributes to the broader social protection system development in country. Where applicable, the Social Protection Specialist will also contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of HCT, ensuring appropriate coordination with Government and other humanitarian actors (through the CWG) as well as informing development of the overall shock responsive SP system.

The Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection Systems Strengthening) is responsible for the following summarized functions:

1. Expansion of coverage and social protection system strengthening – strategic aspects (evidence/policy/financing)
2. Social Protection system strengthening – operational aspect (programme design/implementation)
3. Delivery of Humanitarian Cash Transfers – operational aspects (HCT design /implementation/monitoring)
4. Cross-cutting social policy areas

KEY FUNCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RELATED DUTIES/TASKS

Specifically, the Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection Systems Strengthening) performs:

1. Expansion of social protection coverage and social protection system strengthening – strategic aspects    (evidence/policy/financing)

• Promotes the strengthening and expansion of an integrated social protection system by applying evidence and conducting advocacy across the entire strategic and policy range of child-sensitive social protection interventions, including inter alia: political economy analysis; policy advocacy; analysis on financing options for expansion of coverage; system building; systems diagnostics; linkages with sectoral systems (health, education, child protection, nutrition, water and sanitation), and coordination mechanisms.
• Supports national dialogue on social protection laws/policies, and/or drafting of social protection strategies, including via coordination with different parts of the government at national and subnational level, with other sectors, with other actors e.g. civil society organizations and with the international organizations (UN, IFIs and beyond).
• As part of system strengthening at both the strategic and operational level, seek opportunities to expand coverage and adequacy of social protection for every child towards universal coverage, including contributing to UNICEF’s commitments to support the development of gender-responsive/transformative, disability-inclusive, migrant- inclusive and shock-responsive programmes and systems.

2. Social protection system strengthening – operational aspects of CSSP (programme design/implementation/monitoring)

• Designs, updates, reviews, adjusts, implements and evaluates cash transfers and other key social protection programmes which includes inter alia: size, targeting and implementation modalities, use of management information systems, coordination structures, communication strategy, accountability frameworks, monitoring frameworks, operational capacity and impact evaluations etc.
• Helps development of implementation systems and capacity that enables linkages of cash transfer programmes with other social protection interventions such as health insurance, public works and social care services, as well as complementary intervention related to nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, child protection and HIV/AIDS. Works to ensure sustainability and to avoid fragmentation through the subsequent integration of cash transfer programmes into existing systems.
• Participates in inter-agency and other relevant social protection fora and identifies opportunities for joint programming and implementation, information sharing and coordination, while strengthening UNICEF’s standing as a key social protection player nationally and sub-nationally.

3. Delivery of Humanitarian Cash Transfers – operational aspects of HCT (programme design/implementation/monitoring)

• Identifies or sets up reliable and digitalized payment systems to increase the efficiency, accountability and transparency of HCTs, while reaching more and the most vulnerable children in fragile humanitarian contexts.
• Helps build infrastructure and capacity that enables linkages of cash transfer programmes with other social protection interventions. Works to ensure sustainability and to avoid fragmentation through – where possible – the subsequent integration of cash transfer programmes into existing systems.
• Conducts operational analysis of cash transfer programmes, including registration, payment, verification exercises, etc., to identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions.
• Coordinates and supports payment verification and other elements of the HCTs programmes’ monitoring according to the established monitoring frameworks and schedules.

4. Cross-cutting social policy areas

• Establishes effective partnerships with the government, bilateral and multilateral donors, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies to support sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child, achieve global UN agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen UNICEF’s leading positioning for their implementation as they relate to inclusive, gender-transformative social protection.
• Analyzes national context, including key socio-economic trends, and their impact on social development, emerging issues and concerns. Uses evidence and data to help the country office predict, prepare for and mitigate risks and adjust programming course.
• Supports the correct and compelling use of data and evidence including on the situation of children, and coverage and impact of child-focused services, in support of the social protection programme and the country programme overall.
• Develops approaches to identify social and behavioural change needs and undertakes interventions for the meaningful accountability to affected populations and community engagement.
• Monitors current technological trends, new modalities of working applicable to social protection versus current and emerging needs to assess their role and match their potential applicability to social protection for enhanced outcomes for children.

IMPACT OF RESULTS

The effective direction and technical assistance in the area of social protection is a key enabler to the country office’s programme and direct contribution towards the results under Goal Area 5 of UNICEF’s strategic plan and also contributes to results in other areas (health, education, water and sanitation, nutrition). Effective advocacy for increased and expanded social protection will increase the credibility of UNICEF country office’s programming and partnerships for children’s rights at all levels, including subnational. The impact of results should contribute to the Strategic Plan results on social protection, including the coverage of social protection systems/floor among children, strengths of the social protection systems, disability-inclusive social protection, gender- responsive/transformative social protection, migrant-inclusive social protection and shock-responsive social protection.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

EDUCATION:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• At least a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in strategic and operational aspects of social protection systems is required.
• Experience in programme design and management and policy advocacy is required.
• Experience in cash transfer programme design and management and policy advocacy is considered a strong asset.
• Experience working in developing countries / contexts is considered as a strong asset.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergencies and humanitarian contexts is considered as a strong asset.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female applicants are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.