How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief, Social Policy, the incumbent is responsible for the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of the PF4C stream of social policy work. The position will provide technical, knowledge management and capacity development support to the government and other partners to  leverage greater, more effective, transparent and equitable domestic and international public investments in sectors and programs which seek to improve the wellbeing of children including child protection, education, health, nutrition, social protection and WASH. Additionally, the incumbent is expected to lead UNICEF’s work to strengthen local governance financing and accountability measures to increase the quality, equity and coverage of social services. The position works closely with the IF4C specialist to ensure coherent and systematic link between public finance management and innovative financing.

The incumbent will collaborate with: (i) government counterparts, including the Ministry of Finance (MoF), NDPC, social sector ministries, local government authorities, and Parliamentarians; (ii) external partners, including the World Bank, IMF, AfDB, donors, other UN agencies and civil society organizations; and (iii) UNICEF staff working on child rights areas such as education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, social protection and HIV/AIDS

Key Accountabilities:

1. Improving data and evidence generation to advocate for greater and better public investments in children.
2. Engaging in the budget process to influence allocation decisions and improve the performance of spending on children.
3. Strengthening the capacity of the government to plan, budget and monitor spending on child-focused sectors.
4. Empowering citizens, including children and adolescents, to participate in national and local budgeting processes and to hold state parties to account for their commitments to children.
5. Strengthening partnerships and advocacy for greater and better public investments in children.
6. UNICEF Programme Management

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:. 

• Education: A Master’s University degree in Economics or Public Finance will be considered
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressive, professional work experience in national budgeting, planning, monitoring -including results-based management and public sector financing in central and decentral levels.
•  Hands on experience with Public Finance Management issues required
• Experience working with governments, IFIs and parliaments is required.
• Excellent writing and communication skills required.
• Experience in macro-economic outlook analyses, social sector budget analysis, costing and developing investment cases in key sectors for children such as health, education, water and sanitation, social protection, nutrition, child protection is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset

Desirables:

• Experience in Innovative and Blended Financing mechanisms is an asset.
• Team leading experience is an asset
• Fundraising experience is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.