Social Policy Associate

Mission and Objectives

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website (https://www.unicef.org/) to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

At the core of UNICEF’s universal mandate is our commitment to protect and uphold the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for all children – without discrimination and without leaving any child behind. The rights enshrined in the CRC apply equally to all children in a country, including children who are non-nationals or stateless, refugee and international migrant children. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, social protection, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged residents — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential, but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. A dedicated focus on children on the move is critical to meet the SDGs commitment to leave no one behind.

UNICEF’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) reflects children on the move across Goal Areas and as an important cross-cutting priority, supporting global commitments such as the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and Global Compact on Refugees. The Strategic Plan commits UNICEF to a renewed focus on inclusion of children on the move into education, child protection and social protection systems to tackle root causes for forced displacement or unsafe migration, discrimination and exclusion. The Youth on the Move UNV programme was designed by UNICEF in collaboration with UNV to provide refugee, displaced and migrant youth between the ages of 20-32, who face learning to earning barriers, with a paid 12-months volunteer opportunity.

• Young people aged 20-32
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants
• In their motivation statement, applicants can demonstrate they face learning to earning barriers
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
• Hosting offices are encouraged to ensure application processes are accessible to youth on the move with disabilities
• Applicants are requested to outline in their motivation statement their own displacement or migration experience and barriers they have faced to access learning and employment opportunities as this will be taken into account when assessing eligibility.

Context

The UN Volunteers will support the Social Policy, Research, and Evaluation (SPRE) team by conducting simple analysis, literature reviews for ongoing projects, and developing concept notes for new initiatives. Key responsibilities will also include organizing policy advocacy events and preparing for stakeholder meetings. This role involves collaborating with various partners to help improve services and opportunities for children, making sure their needs are prioritized in policies and programs that shape their future.

Task Description

1. Simple Data Analysis:
   • Perform basic analysis of data related to ongoing social policy projects, such as child poverty, education, or social protection.
   • Assist in reviewing national statistics and reports to extract relevant information that can inform policy discussions.
2. Literature Reviews for Ongoing Projects:
   • Conduct reviews of existing research and reports to gather insights on issues affecting children, such as social protection, public finance, and child well-being.
   • Summarize findings to support project teams in understanding current trends and gaps in policy research.
3. Development of Concept Notes for New Initiatives:
   • Support draft concept notes outlining ideas for new projects or initiatives, incorporating data, research, and stakeholder feedback.
   • Assist in identifying potential areas of improvement in child-focused policies and services.
4. Organizing Policy Advocacy Events:
   • Help coordinate logistics and planning for events aimed at promoting policies that support child well-being, such as workshops, roundtables, and conferences.
   • Work with partners and stakeholders to ensure smooth event execution, including drafting agendas, managing invitations, and preparing materials.
5. Preparation for Stakeholder Meetings:
   • Support the preparation of briefing notes, presentations, and background documents for meetings with key stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and international partners.
   • Assist in organizing meeting logistics and documenting key discussions or follow-up actions.

These tasks are designed to help the UNV gain hands-on experience in policy development, advocacy, and coordination, while contributing to the well-being of children.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 - 80
• Required Experience: 0 - 3 years
• Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment Requirements

• Relevant Experience: 1 year
• Languages: English (Fluent, Required), Kiswahili (Fluent, Desirable)
• Required Education Level: Bachelor degree or equivalent in Community development.
• Competencies and Values: Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Working in Teams, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust
• Skills and Experience: community engagement. Applications will be considered from candidates who have completed secondary level education or youth educational programmes. Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations. Self-motivation and ability to adapt professionally in a challenging environment and work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. Proficient digital skills to deliver the assignment, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet. Demonstrate UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)
• Area(s) of expertise: Community development

Other Information

Living Conditions and Remarks

Working at UNICEF in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, offers a dynamic environment with a blend of modern infrastructure and traditional culture. The city has a growing expat community, good access to healthcare, and international schools, making it relatively comfortable for those moving for work. However, like many rapidly urbanizing areas, Dar es Salaam faces challenges such as traffic congestion. The cost of living can vary, with affordable options available alongside higher-end accommodations. Despite these challenges, the city’s coastal location provides a vibrant lifestyle with access to beaches, cultural events, and a rich history, making it an exciting place to live and work.