Social Policy Officer (Social Protection)

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF is the United Nations agency mandated to promote and protect the rights and well-being of every child, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and excluded. In Mozambique, UNICEF works in close partnership with the Government to strengthen inclusive, child-sensitive social protection systems that reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality while improving access to essential social services.

This UN Volunteer assignment is part of UNICEF Mozambique's Social Policy Programme, which supports the Government in strengthening national and sub-national social protection systems. In Zambézia Province, the programme focuses on the implementation of the Child Grant Programme and the Social Action Programme (ProSAS), while reinforcing programme delivery systems, institutional capacity and coordination mechanisms at provincial and district levels.

Working in close collaboration with the National Institute of Social Action (INAS), Provincial Social Action Services (SPAS), District Services for Health, Women and Social Action (SDSMAS), and other government and civil society partners, the assignment contributes to improving access to quality social protection services for vulnerable children and families through strengthened case management, effective programme implementation, capacity building, monitoring and coordination.

The UN Volunteer will support the operationalization of the Child Grant case management component across the five implementation districts in Zambézia (Nicoadala, Milange, Gilé, Molumbo and Pebane), while supporting the phased implementation of ProSAS in Molumbo and Pebane. The assignment contributes to strengthening government systems, improving programme performance, and advancing UNICEF's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting child well-being, household resilience and the realization of children's right.

In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office, Quelimane, and with technical guidance from the Social Policy Specialist (Social Service Workforce Strengthening), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNICEF-supported Social Protection programmes, particularly the Child Grant Programme and the Social Action Programme (ProSAS) in Zambézia Province.
• Provide technical, operational and administrative support for the implementation of Child Grant case management and the phased rollout of ProSAS in accordance with UNICEF policies, government priorities and established operational procedures.
• Coordinate and support programme implementation across the five Child Grant districts (Nicoadala, Milange, Molumbo, Pebane and Gilé), ensuring timely delivery of planned activities and achievement of programme results.
• Organize and facilitate capacity-building activities, including training, mentoring, supportive supervision and knowledge-sharing for government counterparts and implementing partners.
• Strengthening coordination mechanisms among INAS, SPAS, SDSMAS, DPGCAS, local authorities, community structures and civil society organizations involved in social protection and case management.
• Conduct regular field monitoring missions to assess programme implementation, identify bottlenecks, provide technical guidance and recommend corrective actions to improve programme performance.
• Support programme monitoring and evaluation activities, including data collection, analysis, documentation of lessons learned, preparation of programme reviews and contribution to the external evaluation of ProSAS.
• Monitor the appropriate use of programme resources, ensuring compliance with UNICEF financial, administrative and operational procedures, donor requirements and accountability standards.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, mission reports, donor updates, briefing notes, presentations and other programme documentation required by UNICEF and partners.
• Support the planning and coordination of donor visits, government missions and joint monitoring activities.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen social protection systems and improve programme coordination.
• Contribute to communication, advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives through the preparation of knowledge products, success stories, briefing materials and programme information.
• Promote innovation, evidence generation, knowledge management and the documentation and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned to strengthen programme quality and sustainability.
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the supervisor to support the effective implementation of UNICEF's Social Policy Programme.