Social Policy Officer (Public Finance for Children – PF4C)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to create a supportive environment for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Social Policy Officer (Public Finance for Children – PF4C) plays a crucial role in implementing UNICEF Ukraine's agenda focused on equitable, transparent, and child-centered public finance and local governance. This position involves providing technical assistance, analytical support, and coordination for national and subnational efforts aimed at enhancing budget planning, public investment management, and fiscal decision-making that benefits children and families. The incumbent will work within the context of Ukraine's ongoing fiscal and institutional transformation, particularly in light of recovery from war, decentralization, and integration with the EU. The role emphasizes the importance of ensuring that every financial investment made by the state contributes to inclusive human-capital development and the realization of child rights. The Social Policy Officer will collaborate closely with various ministries and local governments to integrate equity, gender, and child-sensitivity principles into budgeting and planning processes, thereby contributing to the overall goal of building resilient and inclusive governance in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular national and subnational budget analyses across various sectors such as education, health, and social protection to identify trends and equity gaps, supporting evidence-based prioritization of public funds for children.
• Develop practical tools for programme-based and results-based budgeting, including methodologies for tracking child- and gender-responsive expenditures.
• Collaborate with government partners to enhance institutional capacity in analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis of child-related budgets, ensuring data quality and consistency.
• Provide technical assistance to local authorities to integrate PF4C principles into local strategies and budget proposals, ensuring participatory planning processes.
• Co-design and deliver capacity-building initiatives on budgeting and public investment management.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government entities, donors, and civil society to embed PF4C priorities in sector strategies and recovery agendas.
• Monitor socio-economic trends related to public finance and social sector financing to inform UNICEF's advocacy efforts.
• Coordinate and monitor PF4C-related activities under UNICEF’s Country Programme, ensuring alignment with national priorities and effective collaboration with external partners.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance Management, International Relations, Law, or Political Science. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in public finance management, budgeting, public policy development, or governance. Demonstrated knowledge of Ukraine’s public finance context and experience in evidence-generation and advocacy for equitable public spending are essential. Strong analytical and presentation skills are also required, along with the ability to produce high-quality written outputs under tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance Management, International Relations, Law, or Political Science. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public finance and governance, particularly in the context of child rights and social equity.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is required, particularly in areas such as public finance management, budgeting, public policy development, and governance. Experience in evidence-generation and advocacy for equitable public spending is also essential, along with familiarity with Ukraine’s public finance and social sector reform context.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Ukrainian is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in international contexts and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv and requires the incumbent to work on-site, with potential relocation within Ukraine depending on security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.