Temporary Appointment: Social Policy Specialist, NO-C, Nairobi, Kenya, #00114383

Under direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist (P4), the Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection) will provide programme management and the Social Protection portfolio for UNICEF Kenya but focusing on direct oversight to models of integrated social protection at county level including but not limited to social protection and maternal and child health; social protection and nutrition and social protection and off grid energy solutions. Based on the county experiences and the evidence generated from different models the specialist will also provide technical support and evidence-based advocacy at the national level for scale up of the county cash plus models. The incumbent will work closely with all involved sections (health, nutrition, child protection, HIV and others) both at headquarters and zonal office level. The post will also support to coordination mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation and the learning and development for Social Protection at county and national levels.

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, Protection

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Under direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist (P4), the Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection) will provide programme management and the Social Protection portfolio for UNICEF Kenya but focusing on direct oversight to models of integrated social protection at county level including but not limited to social protection and maternal and child health; social protection and nutrition and social protection and off grid energy solutions. Based on the county experiences and the evidence generated from different models the specialist will also provide technical support and evidence-based advocacy at the national level for scale up of the county cash plus models. The incumbent will work closely with all involved sections (health, nutrition, child protection, HIV and others) both at headquarters and zonal office level. The post will also support to coordination mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation and the learning and development for Social Protection at county and national levels.

Provide technical support to the national social assistance legal framework and the county led cash plus initiatives

• Initiate discussions and plans with Mombasa County on the development of the legal framework for cash plus MNCH and disability pilot
• Provide technical support to the development and finalization of the sustainable financing strategy for Social Protection
• Support finalization and dissemination of the Mombasa Finance and Economic Sector plan that will support raising funds for the Mombasa cash plus programme implementation
• Support the roll out of coordination structures of social protection cash plus activities (Community of Practice and Knowledge management platforms)
• Support regular reporting, quarterly planning and budget utilization in Mombasa, Vihiga and Kakamega Counties

Provide technical support in effective implementation plan of integrated social protection models linking beneficiaries with Nutrition, Reproductive, Disability, Maternal and Child health services and cash plus

• Support the testing and roll out of the Mombasa Cash plus design - health and disability inclusion

support supervision and monitoring of the MNCH cash plus Imarisha and Boresha programmes is regularly conducted

Provide technical support to the Social Protection Sector in operationalization of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework and cash plus programmes linkages to the single registry

• Support the establishment of the MIS for the Nutrition cash plus programme (NICHE) in cooperation with Nutrition and Child Protection sections and WFP
• Training of the complaints and Grievances committees for Boresha and Imarisha cash plus programmes
• Support effective Roll-out of Learning and Development Curriculum in Social Protection through the Kenya School of Government

Specifically take lead on providing technical support in the evidence generation for national safety net programme and cash plus. 

• Lead and coordinate the formative evaluation for the Boresha MNCH cash plus in Vihiga County
• Lead for KCO for the senior citizens pension (Inua Jamii 70+) assessment
• Support the Social Policy officer to cascade the monitoring and evaluation framework to at least 2 counties

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Advanced university degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant disciplines 
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience required
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

[insert functional competencies]

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

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.