UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Opportunity

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. 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.

In response to the new transitional context in Syria, UNICEF has re-envisioned its approach in line with the UN’s efforts in Syria to be more agile and responsive to the emerging political, protection, policies framework and legal environment, requiring the social policy programme to be fit for purpose to deliver results for children in Syria. During the transition to recovery and systems strengthening, engagement with government, PF4C, social protection and livelihoods and economic opportunities are key to deliver a strong social policy programme.

For information of the work of our organization, please visit our website:

UNICEF Syrian Arab Republic

How can you make a difference?

By being the Chief Social Policy you will report to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. You will be responsible for leading, managing and supervising all stages of Economic and 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 monetary and multidimensional child poverty; (b) inclusive, shock-responsive social protection systems and programmes; (c) the transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments, domestic financing and financial management; (d) governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services, and (e) livelihoods and economic opportunities as per new UNICEF Strategic Plan. This encompasses both direct programme work with government (central and at subnational levels), international financial institutions, development partners, and civil society partners, as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, nutrition, child protection, and water and sanitation.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Managerial leadership
Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action
Strengthening inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems and programmes
Improving use of public financial resources for children
Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services.
Livelihoods and Economic Opportunities
Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy
UNICEF Programme Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Classified Job Descriptions - Chief Social Policy.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required:Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, International Development,Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experiencein economic and social policy areas is required, including specific and demonstrable experienceleading, managing, and/or providing advisory support on economic and social policy areas in aninternational context. Proven skills in advocacy, policy development, and partnerships in areas related to economic andsocial policy and demonstrated excellence in strategic communications. Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience working in or advising public sectorinstitutions or development agencies in developing countries. Proven track record of working in development contexts, particularly in fragile settings andhumanitarian contexts.
Skills: To be considered for this role, candidates are required to have expertise in managing advisory support, economic and social policy, policy development, strategic communication, and advocacy.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
Demonstrated success in supervising diverse, multidisciplinary teams is a strong asset.
Relevant experience within the UN system and/or with IFIs is considered an advantage.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. Throughout the recruitment process we encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Chief Social Policy, P-5, FT, #00056400, Syria, Damascus - MENAR