PURPOSE OF THE JOB Accountable for social policy analysis as well as related studies or research, in support of effective advocacy for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sectors and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building with the aim of achieving higher coverage of essential social services and the creation of a protective environment for children. Conducts data/information collection to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children’s rights, and to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.
KEY END-RESULTS 1. Current information on state budget and spending patterns, especially for social sectors, decentralization status of social services, institutional, structural and public finance reforms are monitored and updated on an on-going basis to support advocacy for decentralization and universal coverage of essential services. Institutional Support is provided to reforms that are instrumental to realize children’s rights and improve social services. 2. Support is provided to relevant Government departments in developing and implementing a national social protection strategy and action plan with an adequate budget. Social protection interventions and initiatives are monitored and research is conducted in this area if needed. 3. Data-driven analysis is provided for effective prioritization, planning, development, and results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives and for reaching the most disadvantaged children. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs provided, relevant to the Social Policy programme. 4. Advocacy efforts, based on evidence, are effectively made to raise awareness on children’s rights with both the general public and with policy makers, and to ensure local buy-in and continued relevance of UNICEF programming. Alliance and partnerships are sought to strengthen these advocacy efforts. 5. UNICEF social policy interventions are effectively planned, implemented and managed in support of the country programme.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS
- Monitor state budget resources, decentralization and public reforms Monitors and updates current information on state budgeting and spending patterns, especially for social sectors to support advocacy for greater public resources and budget allocation for social development, and the prioritization of resource allocation for children; monitors and analyses decentralization status of social services, institutional, structural and public finance reforms on an on-going basis to support advocacy for decentralization, equity-focused strategies and universal coverage of essential services. Provides technical support to influence or accelerate reforms that are instrumental to realize children’s rights and improve social services. This will contribute to ensure that the services reach out in effective ways to those most vulnerable pockets of children and families that have been previously left out.
- Support to the development and implementation of a national social protection strategy and action plan Provides support to relevant Government departments for the development and implementation of a national social protection strategy and action plan with an adequate budget. Monitors and analyses social protection interventions and initiatives and conducts research if needed.
- Data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, development and results based planning Produces data-driven analysis for effective programme prioritization, planning and policy development, and provides support to facilitate results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives and for interventions targeting the most disadvantaged children. Provides gender /sex disaggregated data and inputs provided, relevant to the Social Policy programme. Analyses the macroeconomic context of social policy programmes and its impact on social development, emerging issues and social policy concerns, as well as implications for children, and proposes 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.
- Evidence-based advocacy Supports advocacy efforts, based on evidence, to raise awareness on children’s rights with both the general public and with policy makers and to ensure local buy-in and continued relevance of UNICEF programming, producing high quality policy brief or other advocacy materials/documents and utilizing effective information dissemination.. Alliance and partnerships are sought to strengthen these advocacy efforts. Highlights interventions to attain social policy goals which are designed to reduce gender inequalities.
- UNICEF social policy interventions are effectively planned, implemented and managed in support of the country programme. Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their application (Resume, P11 which can be downloaded on:http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) to the following address: lome@unicef.org.
Deadline: 18 January 2013
