Social Policy Specialist (FFP) NOC

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 inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Social Policy Specialist position at UNICEF involves providing technical support for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of social policy programming and advocacy. The role focuses on advancing Family Friendly Policies and aims to improve public policies related to child poverty, social protection, and child-focused public investments. The incumbent will work closely with government and civil society partners, contributing to various sectors including education, nutrition, child protection, and climate. The position requires a strategic approach to data collection and analysis, ensuring that policies are informed by evidence and effectively address the needs of children and families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Improve data on child poverty and vulnerability to enhance policy and programmatic action. This includes supporting data collection, analysis, and presentation to inform decision-making.
• Strengthen social protection and family friendly policies, focusing on increasing coverage and impact for marginalized children.
• Improve the use of public financial resources for children through budget analysis and advocacy for equitable allocations.
• Collaborate with local governments to enhance planning, budgeting, and monitoring of child-focused services.
• Strengthen advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy, establishing effective collaborations with various stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate technical support around family friendly policies, ensuring timely implementation and risk mitigation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required, particularly in evidence generation and implementation of family friendly policies in Malaysia. Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is mandatory, with knowledge of another UN official language considered an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of social policies and their impact on children.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience. Candidates should have experience in evidence generation, programming, or implementation of family friendly policies, particularly within the Malaysian context. Relevant experience in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English and the local language, Bahasa Malaysia, is required. Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Candidates must undergo rigorous background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF promotes an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities.