Social Policy Specialist, P-4, Fixed Term Position, #00133860, Global Programme Division, Economic & Social Policy COE, Nairobi
Organizational Context
UNICEF's Global Programme Division provides global strategic leadership, policy direction, and technical guidance. Its Centres of Excellence, including the Child Poverty Centre in Nairobi, deliver high-quality technical assistance to country offices, governments, and partners to reduce multidimensional child poverty through social protection, livelihoods, and Public Finance for Children.
Job Purpose
The Social Policy Specialist will strengthen UNICEF's capacity to overcome fiscal and budgetary obstacles to child well-being in various settings, including federal, decentralized, fragile, and humanitarian contexts. This role involves providing expert technical assistance and policy advice to UNICEF offices, governments, and partners to enhance the child-sensitivity of budgets and financial systems. The specialist will also focus on building capacity in Public Finance for Children and Financing for Development, generating evidence to inform policy reforms and accountability, and fostering collaborations with key stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to advance equitable and sustainable public finance solutions, bolster national systems, improve the utilization of fiscal evidence in decision-making and advocacy, and secure sustained investment in children.
Responsibilities
Provide high-quality technical assistance and policy advice to UNICEF country offices, governments, and partners on Public Finance for Children (PFC) and child-sensitive budgeting. Support capacity development initiatives for governments and partners in PFC, Financing for Development, and climate/green financing. Generate and disseminate evidence, research, and best practices on PFC to influence policy reforms and strengthen accountability mechanisms. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with governments, international financial institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to advance child-sensitive fiscal policies. Contribute to the development and implementation of UNICEF's global and regional strategies related to child poverty reduction and public finance. Monitor and analyze public expenditure and fiscal policies to identify opportunities for increased and more equitable investment in children. Support the integration of PFC principles into national development plans and budgets. Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among UNICEF offices and partners on PFC. Contribute to fundraising efforts related to PFC initiatives. Ensure that PFC work aligns with UNICEF's Strategic Plan and Sustainable Development Goals.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in social policy, public finance, child rights, or a related field, with a focus on public finance for children or child-sensitive budgeting. Experience working with governments and international organizations is required. Experience in developing countries or fragile/humanitarian contexts is an asset.
Skills
Public Finance for Children (PFC), Child-sensitive budgeting, Policy analysis, Capacity building, Research and evidence generation, Partnership development, Stakeholder engagement, Project management, Communication and advocacy, Data analysis, Knowledge of development economics, UNICEF programme principles