Chief Social Policy, P-4, Fixed Term Position, Fiji (Pacific Islands) - MCP, Pacific Office, Suva, Fiji, #00064877

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO) is the oldest and largest MCO in UNICEF, serving 14 Pacific island countries and territories. The programme focuses on advancing children’s rights and wellbeing through integrated efforts in health, nutrition, education, child protection, climate resilience, and social policy.

Job Purpose

The Chief Social Policy, P-4, will be responsible for leading and managing the social policy section within the UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO). This role is crucial for advancing children's rights and wellbeing across 14 Pacific island countries and territories. The incumbent will provide strategic direction and technical expertise to develop, implement, and monitor social policy initiatives that address critical challenges faced by children and youth in the region, such as climate change vulnerability, geographic isolation, and service delivery constraints. The position will focus on strengthening essential services, improving equity for the most vulnerable children, and building resilience across generations, ensuring that social policies are child-rights based and contribute to sustainable development outcomes. The Chief Social Policy will play a key role in advocating for child-focused policies and programmes, fostering partnerships with governments and civil society, and contributing to UNICEF's mandate of ensuring every child has the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the social policy programme within the UNICEF Pacific MCO, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's global and regional strategies and the specific needs of the 14 Pacific island countries and territories. Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to governments and partners on social policy analysis, formulation, and implementation, with a focus on child rights, equity, and inclusion. Conduct research and analysis on social issues affecting children, including poverty, inequality, climate change impacts, and access to essential services, and translate findings into actionable policy recommendations. Strengthen national capacities for data collection, analysis, and reporting on child-related indicators to inform policy and programming. Foster and maintain strong partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to advocate for child-friendly social policies and programmes. Manage and supervise the social policy team, providing leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Oversee the planning, budgeting, and reporting of the social policy section, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by developing proposals and engaging with donors. Represent UNICEF in relevant national and regional forums, contributing to policy dialogues and advocating for the rights and wellbeing of children. Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender, disability, and climate change are integrated into social policy interventions.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in social policy, child rights, development programming, or a related field, with at least 4 years at the international level. Experience working in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific region, is highly desirable.

Skills

Social policy analysis, Child rights advocacy, Programme management, Research and data analysis, Stakeholder engagement, Capacity building, Policy formulation, Budget management, Team leadership, Communication and advocacy, Report writing, UNICEF programme principles

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