National Social Policy Specialist

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

The UNICEF country programme (2024-2028) envisages the progressive fulfilment of the  rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children,  especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient  and protective environment. This vision is aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision and its 2021– 2030 implementation plan (MIP-1), the African Union's Agenda 2063; UNICEF's Strategic Plan, and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development,  learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported  by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed  programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will  strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and  increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the InterAgency Standing Committee's Transformative Agenda.

The Social Policy Specialist (PFM) contributes to Malawi Country Office’s efforts to leverage greater, more effective, and equitable public investments in the social sectors (health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social protection, nutrition and child protection). 

Institutional Framework & Recruitment Context

This position is being filled as a Partner Personnel role. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is supporting UNICEF Malawi as a UN partner, providing dedicated recruitment and administrative support for this position.

The selected candidate will be recruited by UNICEF  using UNOPS recruitment rules and regulations. Upon completion of the process, the incumbent will be engaged directly as personnel of UNICEF Malawi, not as UNOPS personnel. Consequently, the selected professional will work under the effective management, day-to-day oversight, and supervision of a designated supervisor within UNICEF.

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, the Social Policy Specialist (PFM) is responsible for providing technical and programmatic support and assistance in all stages of PFM programming and related advocacy - from strategic planning and formulation to the delivery of concrete and sustainable results for children. This includes programmes aimed at:

• Improving social sector financing, including social protection;
• Strengthening transparency, accountability, and oversight of public finances at the national and sub-national level; and
• Producing cutting-edge and tailored evidence on social sector financing and wider PFM.

The Social Policy Specialist (PFM) is expected to support:

Improving use of public financial resources for children

• Lead development and finalization and rollout of the Social Protection Financing Strategy (SPFS).
• Provide quality assurance and support for the development of budget analysis for 2026/27   

• • Ensuring production of quality budget briefs - National, Education, Health, WASH, and Social Protection - are completed to inform Mid-year Budget Review engagements.   
  • Ensure each budget brief includes an accompanying advocacy strategy, developed jointly with the Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) Section.

• Production and publication of 2026/27 Citizens Budget for the Ministry of Finance   

• • Provide financial and technical support to the Treasury to ensure the timely production and publication of the 2026/27 Citizens Budget.  
  • Lead a broader social media campaign, in collaboration with CAP Section, to enhance public visibility and engagement once the Citizens Budget is released.

• Provide quality assurance and ensure timely completion of a consultancy on public debt analysis.

Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and  programme action.

• Support the National Statistical Office to conduct the Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) and ensure child poverty data is informing broader government policy decision-making.

Programme Management

• Provide ongoing support to implementing partners (Government and Civil Society Organizations) to ensure effective planning, implementation, expenditure, and that bottlenecks are addressed proactively.

Required

• A Master's degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.

• A Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned areas or related may be accepted with additional years of experience.

  
  

  
  

Required

• A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in public financial management and budget analysis is required with a bachelor's degree, OR a minimum of five (5) years of work experience with a master's degree. 
• Proven experience in upstream Public Finance Management is required, specifically having worked with line ministries (especially in social sectors) and the Ministry of Finance.
• Proven experience in preparing budget analysis, investment cases, or other evidence generation activities to support improved investments in Social Protection and other Social Sectors is required.
• Proven knowledge of Malawi’s National Social Protection system,other social protection and social service interventions, is required.

  
  

Desired

• Experience working in a developing country.
• Experience working on programme or project evaluation.
• Experience in managing consultants.

  
  

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.