UNICEF Chief, Social Policy, Dar es Salaam

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision of the Representative, responsible for development, design, planning, implementation and management of UNICEF support for evidence-based social policy advocacy and analysis, as well as the research function linked to ongoing situation analysis. Key aspects include development of strategic thinking, design of technical inputs, cultivation of linkages with partners, and support for data collection, knowledge-building, and documentation aimed at influencing rights-based and gender-sensitive social policies, plans, budgets, and legislation. As chief of section, directs a group of professional and support staff to develop and administer workplans of the Social Policy and Analysis Section and to link across sectors for technical support on cross-cutting issues of social policy and research. Leads UN work on social protection and participates in key national fora and technical working groups in policy, research and analysis.

Key Expected Results

1. Direct UNICEF`s engagement in social policy analysis linked to national poverty monitoring, and public expenditure review processes, leading to a clearer analysis and articulation of the best interests of children at both national and sub-national levels. Lead UNICEF`s support for joint analytic work in the best interests of children, linking into wider national processes and working in collaboration with development partners and stakeholders within the framework of the National Strategy for Growth and Poverty Reduction (MKUKUTA), the Joint Assistance Strategy, UNDAF, Cluster Dialogue structures and the UN Delivering as One pilot.

2. Coordinate research, data collection and analysis and synthesis of information for preparation of Situation Analysis and its periodic updates as necessary, including a focus on vulnerability analysis, child rights and well-being, gender equality, budget analysis and children`s participation. Supervise activities to improve national and sub-national capacities for analysis of policies and programmes aimed at poverty eradication, implementation of child policy commitments, and other goals and targets for children and development.

3. Lead UN work on social protection including support for the development and implementation of a national social protection framework and design and development of a joint UN programme on social protection, with UNICEF as Managing Agent. Promote cross-sectoral linkages on social protection within UNICEF including through support for advocacy and development of child-focused social protection policy approaches and strategies. Link with regional strategies and institutional support systems around social protection.

4. Promote knowledge building, documentation and reporting, and actively participate in networks of researchers, nationally and internationally, who are working in the best interests of children, sharing new information from analytic work and ideas about new research and analytic work. Share information with UNICEF colleagues and national partners and strengthen linkages with partners in this domain. Strengthen the research and analysis function in the office through leadership of the Studies and Evaluation Quality Control Group and participation in IMEP oversight. Contribute to development of effective information and communication materials to turn knowledge into action, including through policy briefs and summaries of key findings from research and analysis activities.

5. Provide leadership, guidance and direction for programme management and evaluation of relevant components of the Policy Advocacy and Analysis programme through periodic meetings, individually and in groups. Ensure exchanges of information and experience, identify new strategies and courses of action on the rights of children and women and achievement of the country programme requirements and objectives. As head of a strategic section, responsible for the overall development and establishment of workplans, monitoring compliance, and providing support and guidance to make sure objectives are met. This entails identification of internal human resource requirements, training and performance planning and monitoring.

6. As part of the senior management team, participate in office management structures and ensure collaboration and integration of the Social Policy Section with other programme sectors, in all stages of the programming process i.e. the Situation Analysis, strategy development, planning, monitoring and evaluation. Strengthen networking with Government and other partners, NGO`s, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of programme implementation, to follow up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. Provide technical support, orientation and guidance to government officials, technicians and partners on appropriate technical and institutional capacity-building measures to achieve national goals. In coordination and collaboration with other professional colleagues, support effective information and reporting systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of programme approaches and achievement of nationally targeted goals.

7. Monitor the overall planning and disbursement of programme funds for relevant components of the Policy Advocacy and Analysis programme, ensuring they are properly administered and utilized in accordance with the Plan of Action and programme budget allotment. Ensure timely preparation and submission of progress/status reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis and assessment, annual reports, etc.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences or a related technical field.
• Ten years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in public policy, programme planning and management, policy reearch, advice and analysis or a related field.
• Fluency in English and another UN language required.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili desirable.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking
• Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment
• Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget
• Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources
• Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities
• Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization's future potential
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments
• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities

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.

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