Social Policy Specialist

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, fostering a culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, and it emphasizes the importance of its core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

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 encompasses strategic planning and formulation to deliver sustainable results in areas such as reducing child poverty, enhancing social protection, and improving public investments in child-focused services. The incumbent will work closely with government and civil society partners, as well as teams focused on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV. The position requires a proactive approach to improving data on child poverty and vulnerability, strengthening social protection systems, and advocating for better public financial resources for children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Improve data on child poverty and vulnerability by supporting data collection, analysis, and presentation for policy action.
• Analyze macroeconomic contexts and their implications for children's rights and propose responses.
• Develop social protection policies and programs, focusing on marginalized children.
• Conduct budget analysis to advocate for equitable allocations for children's services.
• Collaborate with local governments to enhance planning and monitoring of child-focused services.
• Establish partnerships with various stakeholders to promote child rights and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
• Manage and coordinate technical support around child poverty and social protection initiatives, ensuring timely implementation and risk management.
• Contribute to effective planning, management, and evaluation of UNICEF's country program.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or a relevant technical field.
• A first university degree combined with two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree in fields such as journalism or public relations.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required, with experience in developing countries considered a strong asset.
• Familiarity with emergency contexts and demonstrated experience in public finance or child poverty analysis are also assets.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional professional experience may be accepted. Educational qualifications must be from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience. Experience in a developing country is highly valued, as is familiarity with emergency situations. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in public finance and/or child poverty analysis, which will enhance their suitability for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, while fluency in English is desirable. Proficiency in another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian, is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is applicable only for national personnel. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.