National Consultant - supporting Social Policy work, particularly on Social Protection

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, How can you make a difference?

Activities and Tasks:

• Support the section in its engagement in development of social protection policies, legislation and programmes with attention to increasing coverage of and impact on children. Help identify, generate and present evidence to support this goal in collaboration with partners;
• Support strengthening of the social protection system, promoting capacity building and providing technical support to partners to improve the design of social protection programmes and improve linkages with other social protection interventions as well as complementary services and interventions related to nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, child protection and DRR;
• Support coordination between UN agencies on social protection (through the UN Social Protection Results Group), and the monitoring and research around social protection impact on child outcomes;
• Support the identification of policy options for improved domestic financing of child-sensitive social protection interventions;
• Assist the section in its collaboration with the central and local authorities to strengthen capacity on analysis for policy development, planning, implementation of essential social services, with emphasis interventions for reduction of poverty and vulnerability;
• Support correct and compelling use of data and evidence on the situation of children and coverage and impact of child-focused services – in support of the social policy programme and the country programme overall;
• Provides project management support to the development of the Analysis of the Situation of Children (SitAn) in Sri Lanka 2021, liaising with the institution selected to produce the SitAn.

Work relationships:

The completion of the above tasks will be the responsibilities of the consultant. UNICEF will however assist the consultant to meet with different counterparts/stakeholders. UNICEF Zone Offices will facilitate visit to agencies/institutions in their respective zones, if necessary.

Duration: 11.5 months on full-time basis

Tentative start date: 01 March 2021

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

1. Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, or another relevant technical field.
2. Specialist skills/Training:

• Excellent writing and editing skills (required);
• Strong communications, public speaking and presentation skills (required);
• Proven research, data analysis and analytical skills (required);
• Solid grasp of the socio-economic situation of Sri Lanka, including understanding of social protection and public finance management contexts (required);
• Training and experience with statistical analysis software (Stata, SPSS, E-views, RStudio) (desirable and major advantage);
• Experience organizing/coordinating capacity building programmes (desirable and major advantage);
• Experience with data dissemination and engagement through social media (desirable).

3. Years of experience: A minimum of two (02) years of relevant professional experience is required. Experience working in the development field (research, advocacy, project management) is considered as a strong asset.
4. Competencies required: Drive to achieve results for impact (1), Works collaboratively with others (1), Builds and maintains partnerships (1), Thinks and acts strategically (1), Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1), Innovates and embraces change (1).
5. **Languages required****: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language (Sinhalese or Tamil) is considered 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.

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.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.