Social Policy Specialist - P4

Accountable for management of large and multi- faceted social protection project which aims at strengthening the national sectorial intervention. Establishes effective dialogue with the Government in the area of social protection towards sustainable decentralization of quality social protection services and towards capacity building at central and decentralised level in support of the goal universal coverage of essential social protection services and the creation of a protective environment for children.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

Accountable for management  of large  and multi- faceted social protection project  which  aims  at strengthening  the national  sectorial intervention. Establishes effective dialogue with  the Government in the area of social protection towards sustainable decentralization of quality social protection services and towards capacity building at central and decentralised  level in support  of the goal universal coverage of essential  social protection  services  and the creation of a protective environment for children.

Key Expected 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.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

Planning, and supervise implementation and monitoring of UNICEF Social protection programming in Angola

Within the agenda of the Social policy section, manages a large EU-funded social protection project aiming at strengthening the legal, programmatic and operational sides of social protection.

Participates in social protection policy dialogue and development with the Government, engages in and establishes constructive dialogue and partnerships between sector national and local stakeholders to support the development of social protection programmes contributing to the progressive realization of children's social protection rights and strengthening of implementation and monitoring mechanisms at all levels.

Promotes the advocacy for Social protection reform, supports child rights-based reviews of national, provincial and local legislation, in close consultation with community-level structures and supports the health and education sectors and the social welfare system for children.

Monitor state budget resources allocated to the social protection sector

Monitors and analyze state budgeting and spending patterns for social protection as well as decentralization status of social protection services 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.

Promote sustainable decentralization and capacity building

Works with the central and local authorities to strengthen community-based capacity on quality data collection, analysis for planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring of social protection services.

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.

 Data collection, analysis and results-based approach

Collects systematically qualitative data for up-to-date assessment of the situation of children and women to provide the base-lines for result-based decisions on interventions and evaluations. 

Provides regular data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, and development; facilitates results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social protection initiatives.  Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.

Advocacy and communication

Works in collaboration with the UNICEF Angola communication unit to promote and raise awareness on social protection with both the general public and with stakeholders, utilizing effective information dissemination, mass media campaign, special events, and other means, to foster local buy-in, commitment, and continued relevance of UNICEF programming in the area of social protection.

 Partnerships

Maintain and strengthen effective partnerships with sectoral Government institution, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies to support sustained and proactive commitment toward expanding social protection in Angola.  

 UNICEF Programme Management

Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme, with attention to gender equality, identify and track gender inequalities and promote intervention to strengthen gender equality.

 Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Formulating strategies and concepts 
• Analysing
• Relating Networking
• Persuading and influencing
• Planning and organising

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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 organisation.