Social Policy Officer, NO-B, Fixed Term, Bogotá, Colombia. Post #82706 Colombian nationals only

At UNICEF Colombia we are looking for an expert in strengthening institutional capacities of local governments on planning, implementing and budgeting inclusive and sustainable social protection systems. UNICEF's works on social policy seeks to support children´s rights protection, especially for the most vulnerable children and adolescents.

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,

At UNICEF COLOMBIA we work to generate positive changes in the lives of children and adolescents. Our current work plan runs from 2021 to the end of 2024 and aims to ensure that children and adolescents enjoy their rights through equitable access to social services, improve their learning and live protected from all types of violence.

We work throughout Colombia, with special focus on the departments where children have fewer opportunities: Chocó, Cauca, Nariño, Antioquia, Córdoba, Amazonas, Putumayo, La Guajira, Caquetá, Atlántico, Arauca and Norte de Santander.

For more information visit the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc3OopCmEpM

Purpose of the Position

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

Purpose for the job:

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the Social Policy officer is accountable for providing technical support and assistance in all stages of social policy programming and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes programmes aimed at improving:

• public policies to reduce child poverty;
• social protection coverage and impact on children;
• the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and
• governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services.

This encompasses both direct programmes work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV.

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

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

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional 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.

•  Good level in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

FIND THE COMPLETE JOB DESCRIPTION HERE:

 Social Policy Officer Level 2 NOB.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values are Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability & Sustainability  

The Core competencies required for the post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

View our competency framework at:

Get prepared | UNICEF Careers

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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