Social Policy Officer, NOB, 9 months, Damascus - Syria, MENA

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, Hope

UNICEF Syria was established in 1970 and has been working with partners to help empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF works with partners across Syria to deliver supplies, services, and expertise in areas of Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation for every child. UNICEF also provides humanitarian assistance when needed.

Syria continues to face one of the most complex emergencies in the world. Unprecedented humanitarian needs are compounded by displacement inside the country and across its borders, extensive destruction of civilian and social services infrastructure, devastating impacts on the economy, and most importantly, the breakdown of the social fabric that stitched the country together for decades.

Today, 90% of people in Syria live in poverty, most are unable to make ends meet or bring food to the table. Families have had their resources depleted, with limited employment opportunities, skyrocketing prices, and shortage of basic supplies. For most people, the current socio-economic challenges represent some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances they have faced since the beginning of the crisis 11 years ago.

In 2022, 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest number of people in need ever recorded in Syria since 2011. The number of children in need - more than 6.5 million – has increased by seven per cent in the past year alone. This is largely due the ongoing conflict, continued displacements, the unprecedented economic crisis, deepening poverty, and unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, the hike in price of commodities triggered by the overall global economic situation and the impact of sanctions are further compounding the dire situation.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Chief, you are accountable for providing technical support and assistance in all stages of cash plus programmes and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes (i)Technical support and daily oversight on cash plus programmes, (ii) management of the operational management of cash activities, (iii) coordination within the section and the office, (iv) knowledge management of cash operations, (v) Technical support to the cash transfer programme monitoring and evaluation, (vi) contribution to emergency preparedness and contingency planning to respond to humanitarian crises and needs as relevant, and (vii) effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained with government counterparts, social protection stakeholders, development partners, technical cooperation, programme management/coordination, and networking.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Lead the development and implementation of cash transfer activities:

• Ensure the design, implementation, and coordination of the cash transfer programme: Lead the development of cash transfer programmes including technical design, targeting, registration, payment, and complaints/grievance system in order to improve sectoral objectives.
• Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with monitoring and evaluation system for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, adequacy, and quality of programmes; organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of status reports.

2. Provide the operational management of cash transfer activities:

• Conduct regular operational analysis: identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings, and technical support; Develop risk-informed approach for the implementation of cash transfer activities, undertake a risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

3. Ensure Partnership, Communication and Liaison, and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes:

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, bilaterally and through clusters and working groups, to ensure full coordination to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
• Develop links and provide technical support to other sections; strengthen coordination within the office on this issue; Technically support the possible use of the cash modality within the different sections of the office (i.e., multi-sector and sector-specific) including in emergencies.
• Represent UNICEF country office in the cash forums, and internally to other office sections.
• Contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer-term social protection scheme.
• Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have the below requirement:

Education****:

A university degree in one of the areas that are relevant to organization work, preferred areas including but not limited to Social Policy, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Political Science, or any other area that is considered relevant to work as described in the vacancy announcement.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is required.
• Background and/or familiarity with humanitarian cash programmes is considered as a strong asset.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter Here

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

1. Builds and maintains partnerships. (1)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. (1)
3. Drive to achieve results for impact. (1)
4. Innovates and embraces change. (1)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity. (1)
6. Thinks and acts strategically. (1)
7. Works collaboratively with others. (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: Here

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. A diverse and inclusive workforce is part of UNICEF’s DNA

| UNICEF Careers, irrespective of their race\ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a Compensation, benefits and wellbeing | UNICEF Careers including parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for job candidates and personnel with disabilities | UNICEF Careers, UNCIEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

“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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

“The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)”

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.