Social Policy Officer, NO-B, Kathmandu Nepal, (, 364 days) Opened for Nepal Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 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, protection

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Children in Nepal are disproportionately poor compare to adults (Nepal MPI 2020). This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICE as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF Nepal operates in a low income Country context, in a country with a very high level of diversity and inequality. The 2018-2022 Country Programme has a strong emphasis on upstream policy engagement, knowledge management and knowledge sharing, leveraging resources and bringing together different actors. Nepal country office, particularly the social policy section, has been working in strengthening social protection system, expanding the child grant in particular and building local capacity for better planning and leveraging resources for children. This position is part of the Social Policy Cluster that is accountable for results in social protection, knowledge management, data and research, as well as public finance for children. The Social Policy Officer will primarily contribute to the work on Implementing social protection projects and portfolio including evidence generation and knowledge management. How can you make a difference?

The Social Policy Officer will assist UNICEF Nepal’s Social Policy team in undertaking research and analysis and collecting data on various issues related to child well-being and underlying socio-economic conditions. S/he will also work with programme colleagues at national and sub-national level on identifying and compiling effective strategies for evidence generation to improve child well-being in different settings across Nepal, as well as applied research on the effectiveness of interventions for children and their families. The Social Policy Officer reports to the Social Policy Specialist, for supervision and guidance. The Social Policy Officer provides technical and operational support to the social policy specialist, Section Chief and internal colleagues by administering, implementing, monitoring and reporting of social policy initiatives and activities particularly supporting programme implementation, documentation and strengthen evidence based social policy dialogues focusing on social protection and public finance for children.

1. Knowledge management (data collection, policy analysis and knowledge products)

• Contributes to advancing UNICEF knowledge management function in which relevant data, information and knowledge on children and the issues affecting them are systematically acquired, continuously upgraded and disseminated internally and externally to counterparts, partners, donors, media and other stakeholders as appropriate. Monitor, collect, analyze and synthesize, relevant data, information and reports, draft policy briefs, and advocacy materials related to social protection and Public Finance for children. • Designs, prepares, implements, monitors and reports assigned programmes or specific project(s). Contributes to the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management. • Support evidence generation, research and studies /or participate in commissioning research, studies and policy analysis related to strengthening social protection and public finance for children in Nepal. • Drafts, prepares policy briefs and other knowledge product to promote evidence-based advocacy.

2. Support to the implementation of Social Protection and PF4C activities

• Collaborate and/or consult with internal and external partners mainly the government counterparts to provide operational and technical support to implementation of social protection and public finance for children related activities. • Document lessons learned, best practices, develop and produce evidence-based strategies, policy briefs and organize worships, seminar to disseminate knowledge products to concerned stakeholders in Nepal. • Follow up and monitor implementation of social policy intervention at federal and sub-national level, proposed corrective actions and provide technical support to the field team. • Collect, assess, and organize information for budget planning and management of assigned activities or projects. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency. This position is mainly funded form EU social protection and PFM project and has to manage and implement the EU project including others.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Participates in intersectoral collaboration with other programme colleagues. Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate programme development. • Support in organizing workshops, seminars and high-level policy dialogues with Government, development partners and other policy networks. • Establishes partnership with government Ministries like Ministry of Finance, the National Planning Commission, MOFAGA, NDRRMA and international organizations working on social protection and public Finance • Coordinate with Cash Coordination Groups and other agencies working in the same areas such as social protection, Public Finance for Children in Nepal.

4. Knowledge management and capacity building

• Support the organization, administration and implement capacity building initiatives, including partnerships with training and academic institutions, to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners on social policy work. • Support field offices in capacity development work related to social protection and Public Finance for Children at sub-national level.

5. UNICEF Programme Management

• Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and periodical reporting to donors and reporting of the Nepal country office programme

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

• Education A University Degree in social sciences (Social Policy, Economics, public administration) or other related social science field is required.
• Work Experience A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas of Social policy research, study, policy analysis program planning, communications and public advocacy and/or related areas at national level. Experience related to social protection in Nepal will be added value for the position.
• Language Proficiency Fluency in English both written and spoken is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are;

Core Competencies (Required) • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) • Works Collaboratively with others (1) • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) • Innovates and Embraces Change (1) • Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) • Drives to achieve impactful results (1) • Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies (Required) • Formulating strategies and concepts (I) • Analyzing. (II) • Applying technical expertise (II) • Learning and researching (II) • Planning and organizing (II

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

NOTE: Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.