Social Policy Specialist (Child Responsive Budgeting)
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. The Global Programme Division, through its Centres of Excellence, provides strategic leadership, policy direction, and technical expertise to support country-level implementation and advance children's rights.
Job Purpose
The Social Policy Specialist will contribute to UNICEF's mission by advancing children's rights through child-responsive, equitable, and efficient public budgeting within the Child Poverty Centre of Excellence in Amman. This role involves providing crucial technical assistance to governments and partners to strengthen public financial management systems, promote child-responsive budgeting, and improve fiscal equity. The specialist will play a key part in ensuring that public resources are effectively allocated and utilized to enhance children's well-being and rights, aligning with UNICEF's Strategic Plan and Sustainable Development Goals. The position requires fostering collaboration with various stakeholders, including international financial institutions, UN agencies, donors, and civil society, to integrate children's rights into financing decisions and drive impactful policy reform.
Responsibilities
The Social Policy Specialist will be responsible for providing technical assistance and capacity development to governments and partners in areas such as Public Financial Management (PFM), Child-Responsive Budgeting, and Public Finance for Children (PF4C). This includes strengthening public financial management systems, promoting equitable fiscal policies, and increasing sustainable investments in children. The role involves conducting policy analysis, developing policy reform recommendations, and supporting institutional strengthening initiatives. The specialist will also be tasked with generating and disseminating evidence, data, and knowledge to inform action and advocacy. Key accountabilities include ensuring quality improvement at scale, facilitating equitable access to resources, and contributing to programme management and results monitoring. Furthermore, the position requires building strategic communication and partnerships with various stakeholders, including international financial institutions, UN agencies, donors, and civil society, to integrate children's rights into financing decisions and advance the Public Finance for Children framework.
Work Experience
8 years of relevant work experience in applications and advisory related to Public Financial Management (PFM) and financing for children from a child rights perspective, in applied, national, and international social development settings.
Skills
Public Financial Management (PFM), Child-Responsive Budgeting, Public Finance for Children (PF4C), Policy analysis and advisory, Capacity development and training, Strategic communication, Partnership building, Technical assistance delivery, Written analysis and documentation of public policy work