Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection and Disability Inclusion)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Evidence, Policy and Social Protection Section supports the Government of Sierra Leone in producing and analyzing evidence on child poverty, social inclusion and fulfillment of children’s rights; analyzing levels and trends in investment in children and budget allocation for social sectors; strengthening national capacity for undertaking high quality evaluations; providing technical assistance for strengthening child- and gender-sensitive social protection including development of polices and strategies; and supporting the capacity strengthening of local government for child-sensitive planning, budgeting and coordination. Sierra Leone was awarded a grant from the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) to advance systems for disability inclusion, in order to positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities, as a 2-year programme under leadership of the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) and the UN. Under this programme, UNICEF has been tasked to support the Government under the leadership of MoSW to develop a system for disability assessment and certification

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief Evidence, Policy and Social Protection or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection and Disability Inclusion) will:

•Support the development and piloting of a national system for disability assessment and registration, including coordination with government and development partners, contributing to capacity building of national stakeholders and training of frontline workers. •Support strengthening of UNICEF integrated programming to enhance social inclusion for children with disabilities, including strategic evidence generation. •Support the development of social protection policies and programmes in the context of post-COVID socio-economic recovery with attention to increasing coverage of and impact on children, with special attention to the most marginalized such as children and adolescents affected by HIV, child labour or out of school children. Identify, generate and present evidence to support this goal in collaboration with partners. •Promote strengthening of integrated social protection systems, providing technical support to partners to improve the design of cash transfer programmes and improve linkages with other social protection interventions such as social health insurance, public works and social care services as well as complementary services and interventions related to nutrition, health, education, child protection and Gender Based Violence (GBV). •Support capacity building for social protection stakeholders, particularly related to disability, GBV and gender. •Support the development of new social protection programmes for children and adolescents with a special emphasis on nutrition-sensitive social protection, cash+ programmes to aid post-COVID socio-economic recovery for children and enhancing objectives such as child marriage reduction and increased school attendance. •Undertake innovative monitoring and research around social protection impact on child outcomes, including health and nutrition in the context of universal health coverage (UHC), reducing child marriage and child labour and strengthening girls’ education, and ensure use of data and research findings for strengthening programme results. •Support the development of Country Office Procedures for Humanitarian Cash Transfer in emergencies and support programme sections to integrate Humanitarian Cash Transfers in their emergency response. •Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability

Core Competencies -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) -Drive to achieve impactful results (1) -Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

•Professionalism •Integrity •Teamwork and respect for diversity •Commitment to continuous learning •Planning and organizing •Communication: proven interpersonal skills •Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values

supporting design and implementation of disability inclusion, social protection programmes, social protection system strengthening and humanitarian cash transfer in emergencies.
•Experience in programme management and coordination in the areas of public policy, social development, social protection •Experience working with disability assessment systems is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; •Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; •Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; •Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; •Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; •Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Freetown is a vibrant, hilly city, with a population of just over one million. Set on a peninsula, you can see the sea from almost any point in the city and you are never far away from some spectacular beaches for swimming and surfing. There are good supermarkets and restaurants, and mobile and internet services are available for a fair price. The number of international flight connections to Sierra Leone is increasing, with more airlines flying to Europe and within Africa. The general security situation is peaceful, and the overall Security Level in Sierra Leone is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system. Crime is classified as moderate, with incidents primarily related to property thefts, house break-ins and robberies. Housing in Freetown ranges from independent houses to apartments - available furnished and un-furnished. Most long-stay accommodation are rented by the year or the half-year. Most staff stay in apartments, which come equipped with generators, a water supply, and security guards. The housing situation is constantly improving, with new apartment complexes being built to an increasingly high standard. There are a limited number of international schools in Freetown, with options including American and British international schools, as well as a few smaller independent schools which follow either American or British curricula. UN staff children attend a variety of schools. Staff can access a limited number of healthcare facilities.