Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF was established in 1946 to supply emergency relief to millions of children suffering in the aftermath of World War II. The organization still functions to ease the suffering of millions of children in emergency situations across the world. UNICEF also focuses on the protection and promotion of child rights, working for the survival, protection, education and healthy development of every child.
UNICEF has worked in Jordan since 1952 to promote and protect the rights of children. In the following decades, significant progress has been achieved for children. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2013, UNICEF has significantly increased its operation to respond to the challenges faced by both refugee children and those in the communities where they live.
Building on the lessons learned from this emergency response, UNICEF Jordan moved to a vulnerability approach in 2018 - supporting interventions that target the most vulnerable children in the country, regardless of their nationality.
UNICEF has worked in Jordan since 1952 to promote and protect the rights of children. In the following decades, significant progress has been achieved for children. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2013, UNICEF has significantly increased its operation to respond to the challenges faced by both refugee children and those in the communities where they live.
Building on the lessons learned from this emergency response, UNICEF Jordan moved to a vulnerability approach in 2018 - supporting interventions that target the most vulnerable children in the country, regardless of their nationality.
Context
Jordan is a middle-income country that has faced significant socio-economic pressures over the past decade, driven by regional instability, refugee influxes and fiscal constraints. These challenges have disproportionately affected children and vulnerable families, reinforcing the need for a robust, inclusive and integrated social protection system.
UNICEF has played a central role in supporting the Government of Jordan — particularly the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) — in updating the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) for the period 2025-2033. With the strategy now in place, UNICEF's current focus has shifted to supporting its operationalization and implementation across key priority areas.
These priorities include: the institutionalization of the cash plus model, which integrates cash transfers with complementary services to address the multidimensional needs of vulnerable households; the strengthening of the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in delivering social protection services; and the institutionalization of Makani centers as integrated community spaces providing social services to vulnerable children. In parallel, UNICEF is working to identify additional areas of support to social protection with a specific focus on child-sensitive approaches (like the introduction of a child cash grant), and is advancing a public finance for children (PF4C) agenda as part of broader system strengthening efforts across the organization.
The UN Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, and coordinate with the Social Policy and Social Policy Officer responsible for the work on social protection and social assistance, and will contribute to research, analysis, implementation support and communication activities across these priority areas, gaining hands-on experience in UN programming in a complex, dynamic environment.
UNICEF has played a central role in supporting the Government of Jordan — particularly the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) — in updating the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) for the period 2025-2033. With the strategy now in place, UNICEF's current focus has shifted to supporting its operationalization and implementation across key priority areas.
These priorities include: the institutionalization of the cash plus model, which integrates cash transfers with complementary services to address the multidimensional needs of vulnerable households; the strengthening of the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in delivering social protection services; and the institutionalization of Makani centers as integrated community spaces providing social services to vulnerable children. In parallel, UNICEF is working to identify additional areas of support to social protection with a specific focus on child-sensitive approaches (like the introduction of a child cash grant), and is advancing a public finance for children (PF4C) agenda as part of broader system strengthening efforts across the organization.
The UN Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, and coordinate with the Social Policy and Social Policy Officer responsible for the work on social protection and social assistance, and will contribute to research, analysis, implementation support and communication activities across these priority areas, gaining hands-on experience in UN programming in a complex, dynamic environment.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
a) Support the implementation of NSPS 2025-2033 priorities
• Assist in the follow-up of activities related to the institutionalization of the cash plus model, including coordination with MOSD and implementing partners
• Support the CBOs engagement workstream, contributing to the strengthening of community-based SP service delivery
• Contribute to activities related to the institutionalization of Makani centers, including coordination support and documentation of progress
• Participate in coordination meetings with government counterparts and stakeholders involved in NSPS implementation
b) Contribute to research, analysis and knowledge generation
• Assist in reviewing analytical work and evidence products on child-sensitive social protection / social assistance in Jordan
• Support monitoring of socio-economic trends affecting children, contributing to data collection and report writing
• Assist in preparing analytical inputs for public finance for children (PF4C) work, in co-ordination with relevant UNICEF JCO’s sections
c) Support communication and advocacy on social protection
• Assist in the design, review and editing of communication materials related to Social Policy priorities
• Contribute to the development of advocacy briefs on NSPS implementation mile-stones and child-focused social protection outcomes
d) Ensure documentation and coordination
• Support documentation and reporting compliance across the social policy portfolio
• Assist in preparing meeting notes, briefings and progress updates for internal and external audiences
During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance.
a) Support the implementation of NSPS 2025-2033 priorities
• Assist in the follow-up of activities related to the institutionalization of the cash plus model, including coordination with MOSD and implementing partners
• Support the CBOs engagement workstream, contributing to the strengthening of community-based SP service delivery
• Contribute to activities related to the institutionalization of Makani centers, including coordination support and documentation of progress
• Participate in coordination meetings with government counterparts and stakeholders involved in NSPS implementation
b) Contribute to research, analysis and knowledge generation
• Assist in reviewing analytical work and evidence products on child-sensitive social protection / social assistance in Jordan
• Support monitoring of socio-economic trends affecting children, contributing to data collection and report writing
• Assist in preparing analytical inputs for public finance for children (PF4C) work, in co-ordination with relevant UNICEF JCO’s sections
c) Support communication and advocacy on social protection
• Assist in the design, review and editing of communication materials related to Social Policy priorities
• Contribute to the development of advocacy briefs on NSPS implementation mile-stones and child-focused social protection outcomes
d) Ensure documentation and coordination
• Support documentation and reporting compliance across the social policy portfolio
• Assist in preparing meeting notes, briefings and progress updates for internal and external audiences
During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance.
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