TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT: Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance for Children), (NO-3), Lilongwe, Malawi, # 127435, 364 days (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

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, empowerment…

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) works through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028).  All four strategic priorities of the UNSCDF2024-2028 hold significance to UNICEF and the priorities identified for children: i) Economic Development, ii) Governance, iii) Human Capital Development, and iv) Climate Change. UNICEF co-leads the further elaboration and results in developing the Human Capital Development strategic priority. The intent of the UNICEF CPD 2024-2028 is fully aligned with these priorities, which are also directly linked to the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063, and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP, 2030). To this extent, UNICEF’s strategy for the CPD includes Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH), Education, Learning and Child Protection, Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children), Gender Equality, Inclusion and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment. These are focus areas under the Human Capital Development Enabler of the MIP (2030). The Country Programme envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. Besides Malawi’s 2063 vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.

The Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance for Children (PF4C)) contributes to Malawi Country Office’s (MCO) efforts to leverage greater, more effective, and equitable public investments in the social sectors (health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social protection, nutrition and child protection). These efforts are aligned to MCO’s PF4C Strategy as well as UNICEF’s global and regional strategies on PF4C and Local Governance. The appointment will be on temporary appointment modality.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic team within the Social Policy section where you will be responsible for providing technical and programmatic support and assistance in all stages of Public Finance for Children (PF4C) programming and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results.

In your role, you will be under the overall guidance and supervision of the Social Policy and Economics Specialist. This job, therefore, presents a unique and significant opportunity for a qualified, vibrant, motivated and committed person to contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children with professional excellence and by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:

• Strategic planning, policy influencing and monitoring and evaluation activities for Child Protection, early childhood development (ECD), Disability and Social Protection financing interventions with the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare (MoGCDSW) and other relevant Line Ministries
• Leading the strengthening of social protection financing, focusing on evidence generation, policy dialogue and advocacy, and strengthening social protection financing mechanisms, their sustainability, and responsiveness.
• Identifying and implementing system strengthening activities in the area of upstream PFM at national and sub-national level
• Supporting effective collaboration with Government, including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), the National Planning Commission (NPC) social sector ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities (LGAs), Parliamentary Committees, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), international financial institutions (IFIs), Donors, other UN Agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as UNICEF programme staff.
• Advocating for more efficient, effective and sustainable financing for social sector service delivery with Government, Parliament and other relevant stakeholders

You are however encouraged to read the attached and detailed job description  JD_NOC Social Policy Specialist (PF4C).pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements.

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. 

      *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 7 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of            an advanced university degree)

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Proven experience in upstream Public Finance Management is required, more specifically having worked in planning and budget preparation within line ministries (in the social sectors), Ministry of Finance or Public Sector.
• Proven experience in working within a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)/Programme-Based Budget (PBB) system (selection and monitoring of inputs, outputs and outcomes) is required.
• Proven experience in the preparation of costing models, investment cases, public expenditure reviews or tracking surveys, or other evidence generation activities to support improved investments in Social Protection and other Social Sectors is required.
• Proven knowledge of the Social Cash Transfer Programme and of other social protection interventions within Malawi’s National Social Protection framework is required.
• Experience working on programme or project evaluation is considered as a strong asset.
• Experience in management of consultants is considered a strong asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of Public Finance Management procedures, processes and standards is required, specifically for upstream PFM (planning and budgeting) in MTEF/PBB settings.
• Knowledge of Social Protection (as well as other social sector), programmes and interventions in Malawi is required.
• Knowledge of Government sectoral financing and management processes and procedures is required.
• Knowledge of STATA or other statistical analysis programmes is required.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills are required, particularly in the area of macroeconomics, public finance management and financing of social sectors.
• Strong drafting skills are required. The person will be requested to draft clearly and concisely to support the production of UNICEF’s own products (Budget briefs, etc.) as well to support quality assurance and improvements to reports produced for UNICEF or with UNICEF’s financial support.
• The capacity to work in an international team, with different profiles and in a multi-cultural setting is required.

Language:

• Fluency in English, both strong verbal and written skills, is essential.
• Fluency in Chichewa is a strong 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

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:

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable females 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.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.

The vacancy announcement is open to all candidates – both internal and external candidates.

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

UNICEF Malawi is seeking individuals who are motivated to make a real difference and serve the children of Malawi with resourcefulness, resilience, creativity, and professional excellence. 

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterized by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.