Social Policy Officer

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 personal and professional development to its staff. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that fosters staff growth and provides an attractive compensation and benefits package, reflecting its commitment to the well-being of its employees.

Job Overview:
The Social Policy Officer position at UNICEF is crucial for providing technical support and assistance throughout all stages of social policy programming and advocacy. This role involves strategic planning, formulation, and the delivery of sustainable results aimed at improving public policies that reduce child poverty, enhance social protection coverage, and ensure effective governance and accountability measures. The officer will work closely with government and civil society partners, as well as teams focused on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV, to ensure that the needs of vulnerable children and families are met effectively. The position requires a proactive approach to improving data on child poverty and vulnerability, strengthening social protection systems, and advocating for child-sensitive policies that promote equity and access to essential services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Social Policy Officer will be responsible for a variety of key functions, including:

• Improving data on child poverty and vulnerability to enhance policy and program actions.
• Strengthening social protection coverage and its impact on children.
• Enhancing the delivery of humanitarian cash transfers to families in need.
• Building the capacity of local actors to plan, budget, consult on, and monitor child-focused social services.
• Advocating for and establishing partnerships that promote child-sensitive social policies.
• Collaborating with various teams to ensure integrated approaches to child welfare and development.
• Monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness through data collection and analysis, ensuring that programs are responsive to the needs of children and families.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant technical areas. Additionally, a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in social protection and/or humanitarian assistance programs is required. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability, resilience, and the ability to establish productive relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, and community organizations. Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring, are essential, along with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Educational Background:
A university degree in a relevant field is mandatory for this position. This educational background should ideally include studies in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or similar disciplines that provide a strong foundation for understanding social policies and their impact on children and families.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of relevant professional experience in social protection and/or humanitarian assistance programs. Candidates with experience in designing, implementing, and managing cash transfer programs for children and families will be particularly valued. Familiarity with monitoring program delivery through field visits, beneficiary satisfaction surveys, and managing partner reporting is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment and may involve specific contract duration and seniority levels. UNICEF promotes flexible working arrangements and encourages a diverse workforce. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Candidates must meet medical clearance requirements and may need to comply with vaccination protocols. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.