Country: India
Closing date: 19 May 2016
PURPOSE OF THE POST
Under the guidance of the Chief, Policy, Planning and Evaluation (PPE), the incumbent will be responsible for decentralization and local governance for children’s rights and public finance for children. It is accountable for effective engagement in social policy dialogue with the Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sector and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building in support of the goal of universal coverage of essential social services and the creation of a protective environment for children. Conducts data collection and analysis to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children’s rights, and to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Analyze the macro-economic context of social policy programmes, existing policy environment, political climate and administrative systems and its impact on social development, emerging issues and social policy concerns, as well as implications for children, and proposes and promotes appropriate responses in respect of such issues and concerns, including government resource allocation policies and the effect of social welfare policies on the rights of children under the overall guidance of the Chief PPE. Interact, negotiate and advocate for policies and changes in policies and programmes and resources on behalf of UNICEF with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bilateral agencies and NGOs
2. Monitors and updates current information on state budgeting and spending patterns for social programmes and decentralization status of social services on an on-going basis to support advocacy for greater public resources and budget allocation for social development, the prioritization of resource allocation for children, and universal coverage of essential services for children, to ensure that they reflect the best interest of children.
3. Working with the Chief PPE, collaborates with the central and local authorities to assist in planning, policy discussion and service delivery closely responding to the needs of local government and communities.
Provides on-going support in making decentralization sustainable through adequate local support while keeping decentralized services both accessible and effective.
Collaborates with the central and local authorities to strengthen community-based capacity on quality data collection, analysis for policy development, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring of social policy and programmes.
Develops programme plans of action for children at provincial and district/municipality levels; strengthens coordination between sectors and between different levels of government structures for policy implementation.
4. Formulate programme goals and objectives as well as the relevant indicators to monitor progress and develop strategies and implementation framework to support and contribute to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme.
Ensures that the social planning project enhances policy dialogue, planning, supervision, technical advice, management, training, research and support; and that the monitoring and evaluation component strengthens monitoring and evaluation of the social sectors and provides support to sectoral and decentralized information systems.
5. Keep up to date with social development at the international and national level which are relevant to UNICEF policy directions and programme thrusts at district level. Develop methodologies and identify new approaches for effective programme delivery and ensure that goals/objectives for district work are met. Provides timely, regular data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, and development; facilitates results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data at sub-national level.
6. Build strong partnerships between bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies at national and state levels to support sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to achieve global UN agendas such as the SDGs and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda. Identifies other critical partners, promotes awareness and builds capacity of partners, and actively facilitates effective collaboration within the UN family.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
a)Education
Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Development Planning, Public Administration, International Finance, International Relations, Political Science or other relevant disciplines.
b)Work Experience
Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national levels in planning, monitoring and evaluation of large national programmes with emphasis on strategic planning and public finance and economic analysis. Experience with, and understanding of, government systems, procedures and processes at all levels will be an added advantage.
c)Languages
Fluency in English required. Knowledge of Hindi/regional language desirable
How to apply:
If you meet the above mentioned requirements, click on the following link to APPLY.
http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en/job/495865
Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.