Social Policy Specialist P3 Temporary Appointment, Baghdad-Iraq

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health

How can you make a difference?

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.

The social protection landscape in Iraq remains characterized by fragmentation and ineffectiveness in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and preventing individuals from falling into poverty. Within this context, the United Nations have partnered to provide support to the Government of Iraq in conducting the Social Protection Reform. The Joint Programme, "Social Protection Programme- Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform" is supported by European Union and implemented in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Food Programme, under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning, with participation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade.

The overall objective of the joint programme is to ensure that the vulnerable and the poor, including children, youth, women, elderly, informal workers, persons with disabilities and Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq benefit from equitable access to an integrated social protection system. The programme is divided into four objectives:

1.Social protection reform is evidence-based and supported by policy coherence, effective coordination and enhanced institutional capacities;

2. By 2024, pregnant women, under-5 and school age children from poor households benefit from equitable access to integrated social protection programmes and services;

3. By 2024, young people, workers and their families – including those in the informal economy – have enhanced access to comprehensive social insurance and active labour market programmes, and the income security of older-persons and persons with disabilities is improved; and

4. By 2024, vulnerable people will benefit from coordinated management of information systems and strengthened capacities of national and subnational institutions for improved design and targeting of social protection interventions.

Objectives

Under the direct supervision of the Social Policy Manager, the incumbent is accountable for the management, implementation, and administration of UNICEF cash transfer programmes, namely the Cash Plus pilots implemented as part of the EU-funded Social Protection Joint Progamme.

Key expected results

• Technical support on cash transfer programmes to ensure adequate support for delivery and scale-up.
• Risk analysis and risk mitigation are embedded into overall management of the support, in close consultation with UNICEF programme sections, Cooperating Partners, and government agencies.
• Technical guidance on cash-based transfer programme design, delivery and assurance, in line with corporate guidelines
• Day-to-day oversight and support to cash transfer programmes including facilitating the implementation and monitoring at Field Office-level.
• Coordination with operations to facilitate timely processing and reconciliation of cash interventions as relevant.
• Budget preparation and amendments in consultation with sections for the implementation of the proposed programmes.
• Coordination with relevant UNICEF section (child protection, education, health...) and integration of cross-sectoral elements (gender, communication/ advocacy, disability) in line with UNICEF policy commitments and guidance.
• Technical support to cash feasibility assessments, including the design of assessments to analysis of the data and write-up of the report.
• Support documentation of lessons learned on cash programming, and knowledge management of cash operations.
• Technical support to the cash transfer programme monitoring and evaluation.
• Contribution to country office and national emergency preparedness and contingency planning to respond to humanitarian crises and needs as relevant.
• Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained with government counterparts, social protection stakeholders, development partners, technical cooperation, programme management/coordination, and networking.

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Lead, in coordination with the relevant sections, the development and implementation of cash transfer activities:

• Ensure the design, implementation, and coordination of the cash transfer programme: Lead, in coordination with the section and operations, the development of cash transfer programmes (including Cash Plus modalities) including technical design, targeting, registration, payment and complaints/grievance system in order to improve sectoral objectives;

• Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with monitoring and evaluation system for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of programmes; undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action; organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of status reports; develop a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF cash transfers in collaboration with implementing partners,

2. Provide the operational management of cash transfer activities:

• Conduct regular operational analysis: identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings, and technical support; Develop risk-informed approach for the implementation of cash transfer activities, undertake a risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability

3. Ensure Partnership, Communication and Liaison, and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to ensure the efficiency of the programme (explore and identify joint activities to be implemented and/or coordinated with UNHCR and WFP) in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.

• Develop links and provide technical support to other sections; strengthen coordination within the office on this issue; Technically support the use of the cash modality within the different sections of the office (i.e multi-sector and sector-specific) including in emergencies

• Represent UNICEF country office in the cash forums, and internally to other office sections

• contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer-term social protection scheme with the government

• Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

More specifically, and as part of the EU-funded Joint programme: Coordinate and supervise the implementation of two Cash Plus Pilot in two governorates

• Ensure the smooth implementation of the "Child Plus Benefit' in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and partners and within the timeframe developed.

• Monitor the planning and tracking of payment to beneficiaries, in adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP), safety and security measures.

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the Plus components (education, child protection, Social and Behaviour change...).

• Prepare, keep updated and monitor the implementation workplan of the "Child Plus Benefit'.

• Organize and meet with the relevant working groups (internal task force, cash assistance committee) to monitor and track implementation of the "Child Plus Benefit'.

• Oversee project expenditure.

• Follow-up with the field teams, on the identification and selection of beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme as relevant.

• Support the organization and implementation of missions for external partners (trainings, data collection for baseline, end-line assessment, and others as relevant...)

• Conduct regular monitoring/ programmatic visits to the cash programme implementation areas and field bases and support the field staff with the identification and solution of technical issues.

• Compile information and documents on the overall cash transfer programming for knowledge sharing.

• Prepare a monitoring template and consolidate monthly reports.

• Prepare the minutes of key meetings, incl. cash assistance committee, coordination meetings...

• Draft TOR, concept notes, and agenda as relevant as part of the implementation of the pilot,

• Draft the requested reports on the Child Plus Benefit to support internal and donor reports...

• Gather the lessons and provide inputs to the development of scale up of the Child Plus Benefit or other future cash transfer programme proposals.

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues with linkages to CP suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders.

• Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

• Support the strengthening of national and local capacities for partners in close coordination with other UNICEF sections.

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

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.

Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset. Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as a strong asset.

Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF's active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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