Social Policy Expert

UNICEF has a long-term commitment to Iraq’s children and young people, with the first formal cooperation agreement signed with the Government in 1963. UNICEF works in close partnership with the Federal through established Cooperation Agreements. UNICEF has a broad geographic presence in the country with four offices located in Basra, Baghdad, Erbil and Dohuk. UNICEF collaborates with UN agencies, international and national NGO partners to meet the humanitarian and development needs of most vulnerable children and young people.
In recent years, UNICEF’s work to support the unique needs of young people has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. UNICEF is committed to deliver for all children and young people through its overall impact goal of ‘realizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. The UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018−2021 recognizes the whole spectrum of young people, including young adults or youth over 18, and includes in its Change Strategies “supporting young people and children as agents of change.” Taking its cue from the strategic plan, the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy 2019−2021 (GCAS) asserts the important role that young people can play in the successful realization of UNICEF’s mandate, and outlines the need to listen to, co-create and collaborate with young people and create meaningful engagement opportunities for them to make a difference. Being important drivers of change, children and young people are essential partners and contributors to both the development and implementation of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022 2025. With a new and ambitious SP, UNICEF intends to be deliberate and committed in fully involving children and young people in creating the solutions to accelerate the realization of the SDGs and driving change forward.

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support in the management, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of cash transfer activities. The UNV Social Policy Expert will be responsible for the implementation of Cash Plus Pilots Projects as part of the EU-funded United Nations Joint programme. The Pilot projects

1. Lead, in coordination with the relevant sections, the coordination and implementation of cash plus transfer activities in three governorates:
• Ensure the implementation, and coordination of the cash transfer programme: Lead, in coordination with the section and operations, the implementation of cash transfer programmes, including registration, payment and complaints/grievance system in order to improve sectoral objectives; Monitor and track payments to beneficiaries, in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP); Oversee project expenditure; Draft TOR, concept notes as relevant to pilot implementation; Conduct regular monitoring/programmatic visits to pilot implementation areas and support field staff to resolve technical issues.
• Conduct regular operational analysis: identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings, and technical support; Develop risk-informed approach for the implementation of cash transfer activities, undertake a risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with the lessons learned consultant for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of programmes; undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action; organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of status reports; oversee use of a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF cash transfers in collaboration with implementing partners; Gather the lessons and provide inputs to the development of scale up of the Cash Plus Benefit or other future cash transfer programme proposals.

2. Ensure Partnership, Communication and Liaison, and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes
• Maintain partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to ensure the efficiency of the programme (explore and identify joint activities to be implemented and/or coordinated with UNHCR and WFP) in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies; Identify links to other sections in UNICEF and strengthen coordination within the office on this issue; Convene relevant working groups (internal task force, cash assistance committee) to monitor and track implementation of the “Child Plus Benefit’; Contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer-term social protection scheme with the government; Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. and minutes of key meetings.