UNICEF Eswatini Country Office is looking for an experienced and highly knowledgeable Social Policy Specialist who will be responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programing and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes programmes aimed at improving (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services
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For every child, the right to Opportunity
How can you make a difference?
Eswatini continues to face significant development challenges, particularly in addressing persistent poverty and inequality and despite notable policy efforts, child poverty remains widespread and entrenched. These challenges are particularly acute in rural areas, where access to basic services is limited. UNICEF is supporting the Government of Eswatini to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the national social protection systems with a specific focus on improving child sensitivity and strengthen Eswatini’s social protection system as a strategic vehicle for addressing child poverty and promoting long-term human capital development. The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of social policy programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children and ensure their survival, development and well-being in society.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action.
Supports the collection, analysis and user-friendly presentation of data on multidimensional and monetary child poverty, including strengthening national capacity to collect routinely, report and use data for policy decision-making.
2. Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children.
Supports the development of social protection policies, legislation and programmes with attention to increasing coverage of and impact on children, with special attention the most marginalized. Identifies, generates and presents evidence to support this goal in collaboration with partners.
3. Improving use of public financial resources for children.
Undertakes budget analysis to inform UNICEF’s advocacy and technical assistance to Ministries of Finance, planning commissions and social sector ministries to improve equitable allocations for essential services for children. Works with sector colleagues to build capacity to undertake costing and cost effectiveness analysis on priority interventions to help inform policy decisions on child-focused investments.
4. Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.
Where national decentralization processes are taking place, collaborates with central and local authorities to improve policies, planning, budgeting, consultation and accountability processes so that decisions and child-focused service delivery more closely respond to the needs of local communities
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
Job Description Social Policy Specialist NOC_Eswatini.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master`s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Science, Political Science, International Public Policy, Social Policy, International Relations or any other related fields.
- Work Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in social policy, child poverty, social protection, public finance, social services, policy development, data analysis, or any other related field is required.
- Skills: Experience in policy development, risk analysis, risk mitigation, social policy, social protection, or finance advocacy is required.
- Language Requirements: Proficiency in English and Siswati is required.
Desirables:
- Languages: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Experience in developing country contexts, emergency settings, fiscal governance, or public finance is considered an asset.
- Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile settings, or humanitarian contexts is considered an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
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Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
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