Policy Specialist (Social Protection), P-4, PD - New York Headquarters, USA, #53095

As the Policy Specialist (Social Protection) you will support UNICEF country offices as they work to improve social protection programming across a range of areas including cash-transfers, linking to cash to other services, including social welfare services; and the development of social protection systems. You will provide technical expertise and leadership, including technical support and development of guidance for country offices as well as advocacy leadership at the global level to enhance the enabling environment to improve social protection for children.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a fair chance…

UNICEF is a leading partner on social protection, focusing on expanding coverage to the poorest and most vulnerable populations and enhancing outcomes for children. UNICEF actively works in more than 100 countries and is recognized for its sound technical expertise and comprehensive approach to social protection, aiming to leave no one behind. UNICEF supports countries on social protection systems strengthening, expanding coverage of cash transfers, linking social protection programme participants to other services and information for child development, impact evaluation and analysis, and social protection in fragile and humanitarian contexts. Social protection measures like cash transfer programmes, school feeding, fee abolition, and social welfare services address child poverty in all its dimensions.

This Policy Specialist (Social Protection) reports to the Chief of the Child Poverty and Social Protection (CPSP) unit within the Social Inclusion and Policy section of the Programme Division (PD) at UNICEF NYHQ. The Policy Specialist will routinely liaise with regional social policy advisors, staff in other PD sections and divisions such as Public Partnerships and Data, Research and Policy. On the global level, the Policy Specialist works together with selected country offices, guided by regional offices, as well as networking with external partners including the World Bank, the ILO and the Social Protection Inter-Agency Committee Board (SPIAC-B).

How can you make a difference?

As the Policy Specialist (Social Protection) you will support UNICEF country offices as they work to improve social protection programming across a range of areas including cash-transfers, linking to cash to other services, including social welfare services; and the development of social protection systems. You will provide technical expertise and leadership, including technical support and development of guidance for country offices as well as advocacy leadership at the global level to enhance the enabling environment to improve social protection for children.

This will involve:

1. Advancing knowledge on how social protection can promote realization of international commitments for children and women, particularly in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). 
2. Development of tools, guidance and methods to improve social protection programming for children
3. Generating, consolidating and sharing knowledge on UNICEF’s work on social protection
4. Undertaking and support policy analysis and advocacy on social protection
5. Representing UNICEF in technical discussions on social protection
6. Performing additional duties as requested

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in economics, development studies or social sciences.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in public policy, technical assistance, carrying out economic and social policy analyses particularly in the areas of social policy and/or social protection, preferably in developing country environments.
• Experience in written analysis/documentation of public policy work, and excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• A substantive list of publications (desired).
• Experience with UNICEF and/or other organizations in economic and social analysis of programmes for the benefit of women and children, as an asset.
• Fluency in English Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language, as an asset.

For every child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty (5 years for NYHQ).

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.