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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.

Candidates who have already applied do not need to submit another application, as their existing submission is currently under review.

For every child, an advocate...

The UNICEF Namibia Country Office (NCO) Programme 2025-2029 aims to support the Government to meet its commitments to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights, in line with the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the 2024 recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It is aligned with the Government’s priorities, as identified in the National Development Plans (NDP5 and NDP 6 White Paper), Harambee Prosperity Plan II (2021-2025), and Namibia Vision 2030, as well as with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022– 2025 and is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025-2029. The 2025-2029 Country Programme results for children contribute to four strategic priorities areas of the UNSDCF, namely: 1. Effective Governance & Public Service Delivery, 2. Economic Recovery, Transformation & Resilience, 3. Sustainable Development & Green Growth Opportunities, and 4. Human Development & Community Resilience.

How can you make a difference

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of social policy programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children and thus ensure their survival, development, and wellbeing in society. Achievements in social policy programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

Purpose for the job:

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, the Social Policy Specialist will support programmes aimed at improving (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services. This encompasses both direct programme work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on other thematic areas including education, health, nutrition, ECD, child protection, water and sanitation, adolescent participation, HIV, communication and advocacy, SBC and PME. 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action

2. Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children

3. Improving use of public financial resources for children

4. Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.

5. Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy

6. UNICEF Programme Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  131204 (NAM25001) Social Policy Specialist NO-3 Namibia.pdf 

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 technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in social policy and social protection, is required.
• Experience working with governments, IFIs and Parliaments is required.
• Experience in macro-economic outlook analyses, social sector budget analysis, costing and developing investment cases in key sectors for children such as health, education, water and sanitation, social protection, nutrition, child protection is an asset.
• Experience working in an Upper Middle-Income country is considered a strong asset.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered a strong asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered an asset.

Desirables: Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (I)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

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.  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:

• Internal candidates with residence permit to work in Namibia can apply. For National Officer (NO) positions, only nationals of the country are eligible, except internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in the country independently of UNICEF appointment, who are eligible to apply (Annex 2, Para 5, Procedure).
• 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 marginalized communities 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.
• 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.