Policy Officer, P-2, 17271, Policy Lab, Data, Research and Policy Division, New York Headquarters

This position is within the Policy Lab Unit in the Policy Section at the Division of Data, Research and Policy (DRP). DRP’s mission is to facilitate the role of evidence in driving change 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.

Learn more about UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/

For every child, a future

This position is within the Policy Lab Unit in the Policy Section at the Division of Data, Research and Policy (DRP). DRP’s mission is to facilitate the role of evidence in driving change for children. To that end, the division seeks to harness information about the state of the world’s children; fill evidence gaps; develop robust policy solutions; support countries in the application of evidence; and ground UNICEF’s strategic planning and learning in evidence and knowledge. DRP is composed of three Sections: Data and Analytics, Policy, and the Office of Research – Innocenti.

Through its three units (Policy Analysis, Policy Lab and Learning/Knowledge Exchange), the Policy Section at DRP serves as a catalyst to connect and amplify the data and research functions within the division. The Policy Section seeks to analyze new and emerging issues, scope policy options and develop recommendations. These policy products will enable UNICEF to demonstrate leadership in shaping policy for children, whether by feeding into corporate campaigns, driving new approaches to enhance results in key areas of the Strategic Plan, or providing guidance to country and regional offices on a number of new and emerging issues. The Policy Lab Unit has the mandate to develop policy recommendations on new, complex or cross-cutting issues affecting children, responding to the needs of the organization and its work with its partners.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief of Policy Lab Unit, you will contribute to cutting-edge policy analysis and to the scoping of evidence and knowledge related to new and emerging issues; and support the efficient operations of the Unit in all critical aspects of its work, including substantive, administrative and managerial areas. More specifically, your main functions will be to:

Analyze

• Undertake scoping, research and analysis on new and emerging issues affecting children.
• Research, map and facilitate the Policy Lab’s engagement with academia, think tanks and thought leaders to build a network of expertise support the Lab’s work.

Support Unit management and operations

• Assist in the preparation of and track progress against the Unit’s annual workplan.
• Design and maintain an efficient workflow system to collate, prioritize and track incoming requests for support to the unit.
• Support the organization of time-bound labs by designing appropriate formats and bringing together relevant partners.
• Contribute to lessons learned and knowledge sharing.
• Encourage collaboration across the policy and learning/knowledge exchange units.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• An Advanced University Degree (Master's) in Social and Economic Development, International Cooperation, Social Innovation, Human-centered design and/or any other relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in the areas of social and economic development is required.
• Experience in research, ethnography, data analysis and facilitation and mobilization of a range of stakeholders is required.
• Excellent writing skills and knowledge of project management software, tools and databases is required.
• Understanding of UNICEF's catalytic role in advancing pro-poor, child friendly economic policies is considered an asset.
• Experience in analytical work in organizations concerned with development issues is considered an asset.
• Flexibility and sensitivity to contextual constraints and capacities is considered an asset.
• Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. Functional Competencies: Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action, Applying Technical Expertise, Planning and Organizing. To view our competency framework, please click here.

Remarks:
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 at New York Headquarters).

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.