Social Policy Officer (Public Finance), NO2, Yangon, Myanmar, Post No. 103300 (Myanmar Nationals Only)

Vacancy announcement for Social Policy Officer (Public Finance), NO2, Yangon position.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a budget

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 favoritism. 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 and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill 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.

Public Finance for Children (PF4C) encompasses UNICEF's efforts to make public finance management systems and processes work in favor of children and disadvantaged groups. In doing so, the PF4C aims at producing positive changes in the efficiency, effectiveness and equity in public expenditure; budgets size; strategic allocations; and transparency and accountability.

This position will contribute to develop, expand and consolidate UNICEF’s engagement, under the Public Finance for Children (PF4C) programme, under the supervision and in close coordination with UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance), through a number of initiatives including:

• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with UNICEF’s Public Finance for Children (PF4C) stake-holders, including the Ministry of Planning and Finance (MoPF), the Parliament and other stake-holders;
• Advocate to promote the principles of the Public Finance for Children (PF4C) at any relevant national and sub-national fora;
• Undertake advocacy and technical support in formulating and implementing innovative approaches to equity-sensitive and evidence-based planning and budgeting;
• Ensure timely programmatic implementation of Public Financial Management (PFM) strengthening initiatives with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (MSWRR), other relevant line Ministries and other stake-holders;
• Facilitate trainings, workshops and meetings; and develop knowledge products;
• Support internal coordination on PF4C.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the Social Policy officer is accountable for providing technical support and assistance in 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. This encompasses both direct programme work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV.

Key functions and accountabilities of the position (detailed job description attached): -

• Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability and increased use for policy and programme action
• Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children
• Improving use of public financial resources for children
• Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.
• Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy
• UNICEF Programme Management

Detail job description can be accessed here;  JD_Social Policy Officer-Public Finance, NO2, Yangon.doc

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant disciplines is required. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience as reflected in the tasks above is required. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered a strong asset.
• Previous working experience within the government; or previous experience with a development partner or other stake-holders, either private or public, are considered an asset;
• Previous working experience on public policies, social policies and/or public finance management;
•  Proven experience in budget analysis, planning and budgeting processes, advocacy activities would be an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

Formulating Strategies & Concepts (I), Analyzing (II), Applying Technical Expertise (II), Learning & Researching (II), Planning & Organizing (II)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.