NOC 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. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves.

Job Overview:
The NOC Social Policy Specialist position is based in Bishkek and is crucial for leading UNICEF's work on social policy in Kyrgyzstan. The role involves providing high-quality technical support for social protection and policy reforms, ensuring effective public financing for children, and engaging with government entities such as the Parliament. The Specialist will manage a team focused on delivering results aligned with UNICEF's annual workplan and the Country Programme Document (CPD). This position requires proactive coordination with national partners to manage social policy work effectively, particularly in public financing for children, and to ensure compliance with donor conditions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build strong partnerships with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare and Migration to design and operationalize child-focused benefits addressing child vulnerability and poverty.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy to implement effective planning and budgeting that supports human capital development.
• Ensure timely and efficient program implementation of public financing for children across education, health, and social protection sectors.
• Utilize strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to address programmatic challenges.
• Foster partnerships with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and global players in social policy to influence strategic decisions.
• Manage team dynamics and budgets to ensure quality delivery of results.

Required Qualifications:

• A University Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or a relevant technical field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in planning, implementation, and management of social protection systems in Middle Income Countries.
• Proven experience in designing and operationalizing shock-responsive and climate-resilient social protection systems.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and agility in complex policy and donor coordination contexts.
• Strong partnership-building skills with government entities, IFIs, and UN agencies.
• Understanding of public financing for children and its linkage to demographic dividend and human capital formation.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a University Degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social policy and public financing.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of proven professional experience in social protection systems, particularly in planning, implementation, and management within Middle Income Countries. Experience in designing systems that are responsive to shocks and climate change is highly advantageous, as is a track record of effective program delivery in complex environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian is mandatory for this position, while fluency in Kyrgyz is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, necessitating additional vetting and background checks. 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. Candidates must meet medical clearance and vaccination requirements as part of the hiring process. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.