Policy Specialist (Strategic Political & Economical Foresight), P-4, FT, #00133561, Reg Serv - Prog Planning Sec, Panama City - Panama, LACR
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO), headquartered in Panama City, Panama, provides strategic leadership and oversight to 24 Country Offices, supporting child rights and equity in a complex policy landscape.
Job Purpose
The Policy Specialist will provide strategic policy advice, political analysis, and foresight to the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, and Regional Office leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean. This role is crucial for enabling informed decision-making and strengthening UNICEF's influence across the region. By conducting horizon scanning, political economy analysis, and assessing emerging trends, the incumbent will identify opportunities, risks, and leverage points that shape regional priorities, partnerships, advocacy, and programming. The position requires translating complex political, social, and economic developments into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for senior management. Furthermore, the role will lead the development of high-impact strategic products, ensuring UNICEF remains agile, strategically positioned, and influential in advancing children's rights and equitable outcomes for vulnerable children and adolescents.
Responsibilities
The Policy Specialist will be responsible for Strategic Intelligence, Foresight and Policy Analysis, including conducting horizon scanning, political economy analysis, and assessing emerging trends to identify opportunities, risks, and leverage points. They will provide Strategic Advisory Support to Leadership, offering policy advice, political analysis, and foresight to the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, and Regional Office leadership to support informed decision-making. The role will also focus on Thought Leadership and Strategic Communications, leading the development of high-impact strategic products such as policy-related briefing notes, speeches, talking points, and policy analyses papers. Additionally, the incumbent will manage Strategic Positioning and Partnerships by working closely with Country Offices, Headquarters, UN partners, regional institutions, and think tanks to translate complex developments into actionable insights. Finally, they will contribute to Regional Coordination and Knowledge Sharing, ensuring UNICEF remains agile, strategically positioned, and influential in advancing children's rights and equitable outcomes for the most vulnerable children and adolescents in the region.
Work Experience
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in political analysis, governance, policy advisory, international development, or a closely related field is required. Experience providing substantive, strategic, and confidential policy-related advisory support to senior level officials and management decision-making is also required.
Skills
Strong analytical thinking and synthesis skills, Ability to distill complex information into concise, actionable insights, Diplomatic engagement with diverse stakeholders, Effective partnership building, Navigating sensitive discussions, Strategic policy foresight, Coordination of cross-functional initiatives, Executive-level advisory support, Regional contextual awareness, Political judgment