Social Policy Specialist, NOC, Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya, Malaysia (Malaysian Only) #52254

UNICEF is searching for qualified candidates to apply for the Social Policy Specialist, NOC, which will be based in the Putrajaya/Kuala Lumpur Office

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Accountable for effective engagement in social policy dialogue with the Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sector and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building in support of the goal of universal coverage of essential social services and the creation of a conducive environment for the realization of children's rights in Malaysia. Conducts data collection and analysis to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children's rights, and to support the Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.

KEY END-RESULTS

• Effective partnerships with the Government and other agencies established to enable sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals for continuing worldwide progress of the UNICEF mission.

• Malaysia's social welfare policy and programming framework is more responsive to the needs of children and women and more effectively support realization of children's rights and the SDGs. This to be achieved through effective, evidence-based policy influencing and capacity building grounded in analysis of the political, legislative, policy and institutional context for social policy in Malaysia.
• Data-driven analysis is provided to support more effective prioritization, planning, development, and results-based management of specific national social policy initiatives. This to include the generation of high quality evidence on the situation of children in Malaysia and the relevance, appropriateness and effectiveness of existing social welfare provisions.
• Increased awareness of children's rights among both the general public, media, civil society organizations, academia and policy makers, ensuring local buy-in and continued relevance of UNICEF programming.
• Constructive dialogue and partnerships are established between international and local social policy stakeholders, to provide effective protective environment for the most vulnerable children, including progressive compliance of principal policy documents and legislation regarding all aspects of child rights.
• Information on state budget and spending patterns and decentralization status of social services are monitored and updated on an on-going basis to support advocacy for decentralization and universal coverage of essential services.
• Decentralization of social services is made sustainable, accessible and effective through provision of technical support to the development and implementation of. programme plans of action for children at provincial and district/municipality levels and improved coordination between sectors.
• UNICEF social policy programme effectively planned, implemented and managed in support of the country programme.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Social policy dialogue and programme development

Participates in social policy dialogue and development with the Government, engages in and establishes constructive dialogue and partnerships between international and local stakeholders to support the development of social policies and programmes contributing to the progressive realization of children's rights and strengthening of implementation and monitoring mechanisms at all levels of society, and ensures that the services reach out in innovative, effective ways to those most vulnerable pockets of children and families that have been previously left out. This to be based on a sound analysis of the policy, legislative, institutional and political context in Malaysia.

Supports child rights-based reviews of national, provincial and local legislation, and supports the health and education sectors and the social welfare system for children.

2. Monitoring state budget resources

Monitors and updates current information on state budgeting and spending patterns for social programmes and decentralization status of social services on an on-going basis to support advocacy for greater public resources and budget allocation for social development, the prioritization of resource allocation for children, and universal coverage of essential services for children, to ensure that they reflect the best interest of children.

3. Sustainable decentralization and capacity building

• Collaborates with the central and local authorities to assist in planning, policy discussion and service delivery closely responding to the needs of local communities.
• Provides on-going support in making decentralization sustainable through adequate local support while keeping decentralized services both accessible and effective.
• Collaborates with the central and local authorities to strengthen quality data collection, analysis for policy development, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring of social policy and programmes.
• Develops programme plans of action for children at provincial and district/municipality levels; strengthens coordination between sectors and between different levels of government structures for policy implementation.

4. Data collection, analysis and results-based approach

• Collects systematically qualitative data for the sound and up-to-date assessment of the situation of children and women to provide the base-lines for result-based decisions on interventions and evaluations. Develops information systems for monitoring child rights indicators, with emphasis on community and child participation.
• Provides timely, regular data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, and development; facilitates results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.
• Analyzes the macroeconomic context of social policy programmes and its impact on social development, emerging issues and social policy concerns, as well as implications for children, and proposes and promotes appropriate responses in respect of such issues and concerns, including government resource allocation policies and the effect of social welfare policies on the rights of children

5. Advocacy and communication

Promotes and raises awareness on children's rights with both the general public and with policy makers, utilizing effective information dissemination, mass media campaign, special events, and other means, to ensure local buy-in, commitment, and continued relevance of UNICEF programming. Attention to be paid to promoting interventions that support the reduction of gender inequalities. Advocacy activities are to be based on sound analysis of the political context for social policy in Malaysia.

6. Partnerships

• Establishes effective partnerships with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, academia, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies to support sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to achieve global UN agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Identifies other critical partners, promotes awareness and builds capacity of partners, and actively facilitates effective collaboration within the UN family.

7. UNICEF Programme Management

• Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme.
• Ensures that the social planning project enhances policy dialogue, planning, supervision, technical advice, management, training, research and support; and that the monitoring and evaluation component strengthens monitoring and evaluation of the social sectors and provides support to sectorial and decentralized information systems.
• As a line manager, responsible for effective and efficient programme planning, design, implementation and administration of either a small programme or specific project activities within a major programme that focus on achievement of UNICEF's programmatic priorities.
• As a technical expert, provides timely and effective expert advice, guidance and input on situation analysis, programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation and human resources.
• Makes viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.
• Responsible for certification of allocation and disbursement of funds; determines supply and cash needs to ensure programme delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.

COMPETENCY PROFILE 

Core Values 

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Integrity

Communication  [ II ] 

Working with People [ II ]

Drive for Results [ II ]

Functional Competencies 

• Leading and Supervising [ II ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Persuading and Influencing [ II ]
• Planning and Organizing [ III ]

Technical Knowledge

Specific Technical Knowledge Required 

• Knowledge of Malaysia's economical and political context.
• Knowledge of social policy concepts and relevant international policy frameworks.
• Knowledge of policy development processes and institutional arrangements in the social sector

Common Technical Knowledge Required 

• Understanding of UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies (SDGs, UNDAF, HIV/AIDS, WFFC, MTSP, etc
• Understanding of Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness. 

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced 

• Understanding of government policies, guidelines, legislation, and strategies related to fundraising.
• Understanding of UNICEF programme policies, goals, strategies, guidelines and approaches related to programme funding activities. UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in Social Policy, Social Work, Economics, Political Science, or other relevant discipline.
• Alternatively, a first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with a minimum of 8 year's experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in, social policy related areas is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in programme development in social policy related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and local language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

REMUNERATION

• The remuneration for the above position may be access through UN Salaries Website as follows: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salaries/malaysia.htm (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and other benefits including 30 days of annual leave, mobile allowance, and dependency allowances for dependent family members. 
• Pension - staff members with six or more months of contract duration will be participants of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.     The pensionable remuneration, will be subject to a 7.9% deduction as a staff's contribution.  The Organization pays a contribution equivalent to 15.8% of a staff's  pensionable remuneration to the fund on his behalf.  On separation with less than five years of service, the staff's contribution will be refunded with interest.  Website: www.unjspf.org

Applications

• All eligible Malaysians are encouraged to apply.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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.
• UNICEF is committed to workforce diversity and encourages all qualified male and female applicants to apply within its workforce and from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.