Social Policy Specialist (Shock Responsive Social Protection)
Organizational Context
UNICEF's Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) serves twelve countries, advancing results for children through an integrated programme. The MCO focuses on equitable access to healthcare and learning, protection from violence, and child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening, addressing interconnected challenges like learning losses, mental health, and climate-related disasters.
Job Purpose
The Social Policy Specialist (Shock responsive Social Protection) will contribute to the Caribbean Multi-Country Office's efforts to reduce child poverty and strengthen resilience in the region. This role is crucial for advancing UNICEF's mandate to ensure the rights and well-being of children, particularly in the face of climate-related disasters and economic shocks. The specialist will focus on developing and implementing shock-responsive social protection systems that can effectively protect children and their families during crises. This involves working with governments and partners to integrate shock-responsiveness into existing social protection frameworks, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive timely and adequate support when needed. The position aims to enhance the capacity of national systems to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and recover from shocks, thereby safeguarding children's development and future potential.
Responsibilities
Contribute to the development and implementation of shock-responsive social protection policies and programmes in the Caribbean MCO, focusing on child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening. Provide technical expertise and support to governments and partners in designing, implementing, and monitoring shock-responsive social protection systems, ensuring they are inclusive and gender-sensitive. Conduct research and analysis on child poverty, social protection, and the impact of shocks in the region, identifying key challenges and opportunities. Support the integration of shock-responsiveness into national social protection strategies and operational plans, including contingency planning and rapid response mechanisms. Facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building among government counterparts, UNICEF staff, and other stakeholders on shock-responsive social protection. Collaborate with other UNICEF sections and UN agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to child poverty reduction and resilience building. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of shock-responsive social protection interventions, documenting lessons learned and best practices. Advocate for increased investment in shock-responsive social protection to protect children and families from the adverse effects of shocks and crises. Support resource mobilization efforts for social policy and social protection programmes in the region.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in social policy, social protection, child poverty, or a related area, with a focus on programme design, implementation, and monitoring. Experience working in developing countries, particularly in the Caribbean, is an asset. Experience with shock-responsive social protection mechanisms is desirable.
Skills
Social Policy Analysis, Social Protection Systems, Child Poverty Reduction, Resilience Strengthening, Shock-Responsive Mechanisms, Programme Design and Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Building, Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Analysis, Advocacy, UNICEF Programme Principles