UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, [insert tagline]
In a context marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF Mauritania is seeking a Chief Social Policy to address current and future social protection needs in order to influence state investment in child-sensitive policies, particularly with a view to launching exploitation. Following substantial funding secured by UNICEF to strengthen national social protection systems, the Chief Social Policy will contribute to the implementation of a major cash transfer programme for vulnerable households while promoting the creation of a social protection system that is shock-responsive, nutrition-sensitive and child-friendly in the medium to long term. The Chief Social Policy will play a key role in advancing several important projects, including decentralisation and public finance for children. He/she will strengthen policy dialogue/advocacy by ensuring institutional support in the area of social protection that can go beyond social safety nets to help develop a life-cycle-based social protection system. By consolidating the achievements of the strategic partnership with Taazour/Tekavoul, the Chief Social Policy will promote greater coherence in cross-cutting issues while encouraging internal communication and local monitoring. He will also pilot initiatives relating to the generation of evidence, which is essential for the preparation of the next country programme (2023-2027) in order to place the child’s agenda at the heart of sectoral strategies and policies.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative programme, the incumbent is responsible for advising on the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programing and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes programmes aimed at improving (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services. This encompasses both direct programme work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, nutrition, child protection, water and sanitation, and communication for development.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities :
- Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action ;
- Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children ;
- Improving use of public financial resources for children ;
- Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services ;
- Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy ;
- UNICEF Programme Management
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required : Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field ;
- A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree ;
- A minimum of eight years of relevant professional work experience is required ;
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset ;
- Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as a strong asset ;
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
- Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
[insert competencies]
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks :
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.