Chief Social Policy, (P-4), Yaounde, Cameroon#96664

The Chief Social Policy reports to the Representative for general guidance and direction, and is responsible for leading, managing and supervising all stages of social policy programming 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.

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

The Chief Social Policy reports to the Representative for general guidance and direction and is responsible for leading, managing and supervising all stages of social policy programming 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. 

How can you make a difference?

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 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. Promotes the advocacy for juvenile justice reform, supports child rights-based reviews of national, provincial and local legislation, in close consultation with community-lever structures 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 developmentt 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

Where the national decentralization process is taking place, 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 community-based capacity on 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.

Highlight interventions to attain social policy goals which are designed to reduce gender inequalities.

6. Partnerships

Establishes effective partnerships with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, 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 Millennium Development Goals and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.

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, with attention to gender equality, identify and track gender inequalities and promote intervention to strengthen gender equality.

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.

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

a. Education

Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, public relations, media, communication or other relevant disciplines.

b. Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of professional experience. Developing country work experience for IP. Background/familiarity with Emergency. 

c. Language Proficiency

Fluency in French and English required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

1. Core Values

• Commitment  
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

2. Core Competencies

• Communication    
• Working with people
• Drive for results

3. Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise    

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.

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.