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,
In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children, strengthen systems and improve access to quality inclusive social services. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.
How can you make a difference?
The Social Policy Specialist is responsible for effective engagement with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to support the strengthening and operationalization of Ghana’s social protection system, with a focus on national policy and legal frameworks, social accountability, advocacy and public communication, and policy evidence generation and dissemination. The incumbent is expected to contribute to UNICEF’s overall social protection programme and achievement of UNICEF’s country programme.
KEY END-RESULTS EXPECTED :
- Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action ;
- Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children ;
- Improving the 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.
Additional Key results expected :
- High-quality technical assistance provided to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection in strengthening the social protection system and programmes, focusing on social protection policy development and implementation, legal frameworks, capacity-building, coordination, and communication ;
- Lead the Social Protection Unit’s programme on social accountability, inclusion and rights-based delivery in the sector, including leading engagement and partnerships with civil society ;
- Lead and coordinate the unit’s work to advocate and communicate to relevant stakeholders on social protection programming and policy objectives, including public campaigns, media engagement, and production of relevant policy products ;
- Coordination of the unit’s research and policy evidence generation, use and dissemination, including management of complex research projects and fostering research partnerships ;
- Effective partnerships and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; the Social Protection Directorate; key MDAs in social protection including inter-ministerial bodies; Civil Society Organizations working in the sector; and key Development Partners ;
- Support to the Social Protection Unit and the Policy and Evidence Section in line with UNICEF organizational and financial procedures, including donor relations, reporting, and financial management.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required : Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field ;
- A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required ;
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Technical knowledge/expertise in social protection required ;
- Experience working on specific elements of social protection systems desirable, such as policy development and implementation, legal frameworks, capacity-building, systems integration and/or coordination ;
- Demonstrated capacity to work with and provide technical support to the government in national policy and/or programmes, including coordination across departments/MDAs ;
- Social science research knowledge and expertise, preferably in social protection, and experience in translation of evidence for a policy audience.
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.
Core Competencies :
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) ;
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) ;
- Works Collaboratively with others (2) ;
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) ;
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2) ;
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) ;
- Drives to achieve impactful results (2) ;
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2).
The functional competencies required for this post are…
- Analyzing (3) ;
- Persuading & Influencing (2) ;
- Planning & Organizing (3).
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
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 :
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.