Country: India
Closing date: 28 Mar 2018
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. And we never give up!
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For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE:
In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, 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. 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 UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Organizational Context and Purpose for the job:
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. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. 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. 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 UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Job organizational context:
The position entails supporting the State child protection, child survival and education policy strategies’ development, monitoring, data analysis and planning. The focus will be on introducing upstream programming strategies which include the three pillars of the Social Policy Outcome, namely public finance for children, decentralization and child friendly local governance as well as building of a social protection system to protect vulnerable families and their children. These policy areas will be applied to the child survival, child protection and education realm. Additionally the position will require a strong results-based management and innovations lens in the respective portfolios, supporting knowledge management and an analytical monitoring and evaluation tool for equitable access in child protection, child survival and education. The incumbent will work with a wide range of partners linked to State and District governments, academia, private sector, community led organizations and Civil Society Organizations. Given the inter-sectoral nature of child protection, child survival and education, emphasis is put on the importance of the roles of other relevant social protection sectors cross cutting areas such as early childhood and adolescent development. Continued investment in research and institutional strengthening remains crucial for better results in child protection, child survival and education. Ultimately the position will support the setup of a child rights monitoring mechanism and will shape the future UNICEF response in Indian middle-income context.
The incumbent will be leading a team of experts on child-centered social policy related programming and will work under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative, D-1, based in New Delhi.
Purpose for the job:
The States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala have reached middle income status and have systems and policies in place to enhance the child rights agenda and reduce vulnerabilities of children and women. The UNICEF programme strategies need to align and transition to an upstream and social policy support strategy. The shift in Tamil Nadu and Kerala will show the way for the future of UNICEF in India, its added value and core strategy. The Social Policy Specialist will be an important new role to implement the overall ‘Inclusive Social Policy’ agenda in the two states resulting in the strengthening of the UNICEF social policy response overall. The new position reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction, and is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of social policy programing 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 secondary education, Early Childhood Development, child survival, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
Technical leadership:
Provide technical guidance to the team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability and increased use for policy and programme action:
Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children:
Improving Use of public financial resources for children:
Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services:
Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy:
UNICEF Programme Management:
Impact of Results:
The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of social policy programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children and thus ensure their survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in social policy programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.
Competencies and level of proficiency required:
Core Values
Core competencies
Functional Competencies:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant disciplines.
Experience:
At least 8 (eight) years of relevant professional work experience in child protection, child survival or education policies related fields that involves substantive and relevant experience in policy and system strengthening. Familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
To view our competency framework, please click here.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all national, religious, gender and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
Remarks:
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How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=511521