Social Policy Specialist, NO3, Fixed Term, for nationals of Turkmenistan only (Internal VA)

UNICEF office in Turkmenistan is seeking a highly dedicated and experienced Social Policy Specialist, who will be responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programming and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results.

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 fulfil 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 future.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 favouritism. Equity accelerates progress towards the goals of the 2030 agenda and 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.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF office in Turkmenistan is seeking a highly dedicated and experienced Social Policy Specialist, who will be responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programming and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results.

Purpose for the job:

The Social Policy Specialist will report to the Deputy Representative to perform the above-mentioned functions. 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 and ECD, health and nutrition, child protection, monitoring child rights  and DRR and climate change.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

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

Please read the detailed list of accountabilities/duties/tasks in the attached Generic Job Description of the post. 

  GJP_Social Policy Specialist.pdf

To qualify as Social Policy Specialist, you will have...

Education:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required.

Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.

Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Care

• Respect

• Integrity

• Trust

• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

• Works Collaboratively with others (2)

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (3)

• Persuading & Influencing (2)

• Planning & Organizing (3)

View our competency framework at

https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.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.

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 at http://www.whed.net/

Remarks:

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

This VA is open to all internal staff and other UNICEF personnel (including consultants, JPOs, UNVs, TAs etc.) as well as the personnel of UN agencies.