Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance for Children)

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 employs a passionate workforce dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance for Children) will lead UNICEF Ukraine's work on the Public Finance for Children agenda, focusing on strengthening public financial management in social sectors, improving child rights fulfillment, and enhancing local government capacities for child-sensitive planning and budgeting. The role involves engaging with high-level budget decision-makers, advocating for increased public investment in children, and supporting the implementation of social policy programs aimed at reducing child poverty and improving social protection coverage. The incumbent will work closely with government and civil society partners to ensure that public policies reflect the needs of the most marginalized children and families, contributing to sustainable growth and social cohesion in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support data and evidence generation to advocate for greater public investment in children and inform sector reforms. This includes analyzing government socio-economic policies, conducting budget analyses on child-related public spending, and building partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Lead engagement with high-level budget decision-makers, supporting national public financial management reforms and providing technical support for parliamentary discussions on public policy impacts on children.
• Influence budget allocation decisions and improve public spending performance by building capacity among partners for monitoring public expenditure and articulating budgetary implications of child-related programs.
• Strengthen child-focused planning and budgeting at the subnational level by collaborating with local authorities and supporting community participation in budgeting processes.
• Manage and coordinate technical support around public finance and local governance, ensuring timely implementation and risk mitigation.
• Support the Chief of Social Policy in designing and implementing the Country Office PF4C Strategy and workplan at both national and local levels.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or a relevant technical field is required. A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is necessary, including at least two years in international assignments outside the home country. Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered an asset. Relevant experience in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts is desirable, along with a background in emergency situations and experience supervising staff or teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant technical disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of public finance and social policy as they relate to children's rights and welfare.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience, with at least two years spent in international assignments outside the candidate's home country. Experience in development contexts, particularly in fragile or humanitarian settings, is highly valued. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of supervising teams and enhancing their capacities, especially in international environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered advantageous, as it can facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and the incumbent is expected to work on-site. However, due to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions, relocation within Ukraine may be necessary. 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.