Programme Specialist

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Evidence, Policy and Social Protection, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programming and related advocacy related to public finance for children (PF4C)

In the context of Sierra Leone, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, high levels of inflation and the ongoing food and fuel crisis have negatively impacted households’ economic situation and hampered the government’s ability to deliver social services for children. The ongoing strain on families has demonstrated the importance of prioritising social sectors such as Health, Education, Nutrition, Child Protection and Social Protection within the country’s limited fiscal space, prioritising children in public spending through the state budget, while taking care to minimize the negative implications of the debt situation on the most vulnerable strata. The PF4C Specialist will advise and influence evidence-based decision making by stakeholders, to establish more protective fiscal policies for the most vulnerable groups, taking them into account in an equity-based manner in public spending.

Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and budgets:

• Improving use of public financial resources for children:
• Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.
• Strengthen advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy.
• Programme Management

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

The following minimum requirements:

• 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.
• Work Experience: At least five years of relevant work experience is required.

Skills:

• Knowledge of public finance concepts including value for money in social sectors, budget cycle and processes, and costing methods
• Good analytical skills, especially applied to economics and public finance.
• Advanced quantitative analysis and capacity to synthesize large data sets and information in a clear and user-friendly manner.
• Familiarity with Public Financing for Children
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office Package, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a prominent language of the duty station is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/572143/programme-specialist-pf4c-p3-freetown-sierra-leone-00128535-temporary-appointment-only-open-to-nonsierra-leoneans