Social Policy Specialist, (NO-3), Fixed Term Position, #00137627 Malawi, Lilongwe (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Purpose

The Social Policy Specialist will lead technical guidance, operational support, and coordination throughout all stages of programming to strengthen the Government of Malawi’s planning, financing, budgeting, and expenditure management, and accountability of public financial resources to achieve better outcomes for children and vulnerable populations. In a complex, risk-prone environment, responsibilities include strengthening public financial management, budget analysis and social sector financing, enhancing transparency, accountability, and oversight of public finances at both the national and subnational level (decentralization), and producing cutting-edge and tailored evidence on social sector financing, including analytical data on the situation of children and coverage and impact of child-focused services. These actions will include strategic high-level engagement and coordination with government counterparts, development partners, and contractors to ensure country programmatic outcomes are met.

Responsibilities

The Social Policy Specialist will lead Public Financial Management (PFM), decentralisation and child poverty coordination, advocacy and analysis to advance equitable public investments in the social sectors. This includes strengthening public financial management, budget analysis and social sector financing, enhancing transparency, accountability, and oversight of public finances at both national and subnational levels. The role involves producing evidence on social sector financing, including analytical data on the situation of children and the coverage and impact of child-focused services. Strategic high-level engagement and coordination with government counterparts, development partners, and contractors are essential to ensure country programmatic outcomes are met. The specialist will also be responsible for project and budget management, supervising team performance, and collaborating with high-level development and government partners on PFM and decentralization issues.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required. Proven experience in upstream Public Finance Management, working on planning and budget preparation with line ministries, the Ministry of Finance, and/or other relevant Public Sector entities. Knowledge of Malawi’s National Social Protection system and social service sector financing, and the decentralization process is also required.

Skills

Project and budget management, Team performance supervision, Collaboration with government and development partners, Strong analytical skills, Data analysis and interpretation, Public financial management policy recommendations, Excellent written and verbal communication, Ability to perform under pressure, Adaptability in challenging environments

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