Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s FundLocation: QamishliGrade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited positionOccupational Groups:Social AffairsLegal - BroadPolitical AffairsClosing Date: 2023-10-16

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, you are 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 (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) 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.

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, Hope

UNICEF Syria was established in 1970 and has been working with partners to help empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF works with partners across Syria to deliver supplies, services, and expertise in areas of Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation for every child. UNICEF also provides humanitarian assistance when needed.

Syria continues to face one of the most complex emergencies in the world. Unprecedented humanitarian needs are compounded by displacement inside the country and across its borders, extensive destruction of civilian and social services infrastructure, devastating impacts on the economy, and most importantly, the breakdown of the social fabric that stitched the country together for decades.

Today, 90% of people in Syria live in poverty, most are unable to make ends meet or bring food to the table. Families have had their resources depleted, with limited employment opportunities, skyrocketing prices, and shortage of basic supplies. For most people, the current socio-economic challenges represent some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances they have faced since the beginning of the crisis 11 years ago.

In 2023, 15.3 million people need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest number of people in need ever recorded in Syria since 2011. The number of children in need, 7 million has increased by seven per cent in the past year alone. This is largely due the ongoing conflict, continued displacements, the unprecedented economic crisis, deepening poverty, and unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, the hike in price of commodities triggered by the overall global economic situation and the impact of sanctions are further compounding the dire situation.

To navigate the complex and continuously changing context in Syria and to attain sustainable results for children, UNICEF – along with other UN agencies - seeks to make a shift in its programming towards early recovery while maintaining the delivery of humanitarian assistance based on needs on the ground. This will help strengthen the linkages between the needs-based emergency response and essential service restoration, socioeconomic resilience, and social cohesion.

As part of overall effort to ensure UN coherence and reform, UNICEF Syria continues to strengthen its engagement in joint programming with other UN agencies as well as exploring other opportunities to support the strategic shift towards early recovery and resilience. To support the office in this regard, UNICEF Syria is seeking an experienced Programme Coordinator.

Find out how UNICEF programmes drive change for children and young people every day in Syria by visiting: www.unicef.org/syria

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, you are 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 (a) public policies to reduce child poverty; (b) social protection coverage and impact on children; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and (d) 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.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action.Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children.Improving use of public financial resources for children.Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy.UNICEF Programme Management.

To view the full profile of the post hold Ctrl and double click on the following link:

 Social Policy Officer Level 2.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have the below requirement:

Education:

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.

Work Experience:

A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in Social Policy or related fields 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.A demonstrated ability to engage with various stakeholders at the local level, strong skills in networking and communication is considered as an advantage.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (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, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter Here

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Builds and maintains partnerships. (1)Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. (1)Drive to achieve results for impact. (1)Innovates and embraces change. (1)Manages ambiguity and complexity. (1)Thinks and acts strategically. (1)Works collaboratively with others. (1)

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

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. A diverse and inclusive workforce is part of UNICEF’s DNA

| UNICEF Careers, irrespective of their race\ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a Compensation, benefits and wellbeing | UNICEF Careers including parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for job candidates and personnel with disabilities | UNICEF Careers, UNCIEF 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:

Only Syrian Nationals can apply for this post. 

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.

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

“The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)”

The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be 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.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.