Social Policy Specialist, NO-3, Belgrade (Serbian nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 contracts.

UNICEF Serbia Country Office is looking for qualified candidates for the following staff position, which is subject to receiving approval of the new office structure for the next Country Programme (2021-2025), to be received from the Regional Office in October 2020.

If approved, the position start date will be January 2021.

UNICEF Serbia country office aims to strengthen its capacity for high level policy advice, coordination and technical assistance in the area of social policies and public finance for children. The Social Policy Specialist will lead UNICEF’s work in the area of social policies, with a focus on social protection and decentralization, as well as support strategic engagement with international financial institutions. S/he will work in coordination with Programmes and with partners in public finance evidence generation (including costing exercises, exploration of public–private partnership for social services delivery, and advocacy for greater financial investments in children and young people). The Specialist will focus mostly on the upstream work of supporting the Government of Serbia in improving public finance data and evidence generation, social budget monitoring, strengthening of the social protection system and decentralization.

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all stages of social policy programming 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, child protection and youth.

Key functions and accountabilities:

1. Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action
2. Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children
3. Improving use of public financial resources for children
4. Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services
5. Strengthening advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy
6. UNICEF Programme Management

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience.
• A high level of ethical awareness and integrity.
• Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively.
• A result-driven attitude with the ability to manage ambiguity.
• Fluency in both English and Serbian.
• Experience with working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

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’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will therefore undergo reference and background checks.