Social Policy and Economic Specialist (Investment and Governance), NO3, FT, Beijing, China #A100754

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 a Future

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and 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. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only gives all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also leads to sustained growth and stability in 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.

https://www.unicef.cn/

How can you make a difference?  

Purpose of the job- 

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Social Policy Section, the Social Policy and Economic Specialist (Investment and Governance) will contribute to the following:

1) lead the strategic shift towards upstream, cross-sectoral policy work. This pivotal role will drive the consolidation and scaling of efforts that now encompass not only federal public finance but also broader national investments, including critical private sector engagement, and local/community-level financing.
2) data analysis, research, and advocacy activities on emerging policy-related issues that the Section addresses, sometimes as per requests from CO senior management, RO, and COEs
3) strategically secure and influence the comprehensive financing and governance mechanisms vital for achieving results for children under our expanded mandate

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks – 

1. This specialist will be essential for
• high-level advocacy for investments, with a particular emphasis on influencing the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to reorient public and national investments towards child-centric outcomes. Integrating public policy with private sector governance, given the necessity of employer and workplace support for family-friendly interventions. Navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments, including other key bodies like the State Exchange/Securities Board and federations of commerce, to secure commitments for child well-being. Driving programmatic innovation and oversight across new areas like rural local governance, as well as critical initiatives such as maternity insurance and child grants.
• Designing and managing analytical and consultancy activities, including developing terms of reference for studies and other consultancy activities, reviewing and providing expert comments for the work of consultants and research teams, contributing to expert consultations, and overseeing and assuring high quality of the outputs;
• Providing other technical support and consultation to counterparts, through field visits and participation in policy debate seminars, training, and advocacy activities;
• Helping counterpart planning project activities (in designing AWPs and other plans), ensuring timely project implementation, and reporting of progress to NYHQs or donors if applicable;
• Maintaining sound information sharing with RO and HQs on progress in these upfront project areas, and sharing/offering experiences/lessons with other country offices facing similar needs of developing upstream policy work in these areas

2. By utilizing and further developing professional expertise (through capacity building opportunities), keeping abreast of economic and social developments affecting the overall situation of children and women, including developments in policy, legislation, budgets and government plans/programmes, private sector investment decisions, by reviewing official documents, relevant studies, academic articles, and news articles in the national and international media, and by participating in relevant seminars and conferences. On this basis, providing data analysis and analytical inputs, particularly in the areas of national investments and governance for public service delivery and social development, into UNICEF policy research, advocacy, advisory and capacity building activities, in meeting various research/analysis requests from CO’s senior management, regional offices and headquarters on cross-cutting macro-level policy issues that relates to women and children’s welfare in China;

3. Interacting with other programme sections on substantive programme issues, and when needed, contributing intellectually on macro, cross-cutting policy issues to support UNICEF work in China across programmes; in collaboration with Communication Section, Partnership and Innovation Section, with Family Friendly Policy Stream of the section, develops and implements strategies for dissemination of knowledge about social and economic issues concerning the situation of children’s rights in China

4. Actively contributing to the development of SP Programme, including maintaining existing strategic partnerships and seizing opportunities to develop new strategic partnerships, helping mobilise partnerships with the government, including local government and the private sector, conducting major Programme reporting such as SP GOAL Area 5 Review, Programme Mid-term Review, etc

5. Identify, develop, and maintain networks among relevant government institutions, private sector confederations, research institutions, and individuals to obtain up-to-date information, data, and analysis on key social and economic issues concerning children’s rights in China as inputs for research, advocacy, and programming.

6. Any other tasks related to UNICEF China Co’s management and programme activities, including providing inputs from the section to the CO’s annual and other reports, mobilizing counterpart participation in various UNICEF activities, etc.

Impact of Results –

Makes decisions with counterpart organizations on the planning of activities for Programme Projects with an annual throughput of approximately $500,000 to $1000,000, with important implications for the quality of project implementation and project impacts; makes decisions on knowledge dissemination and advocacy activities.

Makes recommendations on policy based on research findings, on advocacy, knowledge dissemination strategies, and project implementation and best use of UNICEF programme resources.

Misinterpretation of research findings or analysis of policy could result in UNICEF taking erroneous positions on issues of critical importance to the organization’s mandate and mission in China. Errors of judgment in project planning could lead to wrong recommendations, ineffectiveness of projects, and waste of resources. Missing out on important policy-influencing opportunities will compromise potential advocacy and results for children, especially the most marginalized ones.

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, Public Finance, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.  

Two years of additional relevant work experience that was gained after obtaining a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree

• Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required.

Experience working in a developing country is considered a strong asset.

Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered a strong asset.

• Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Chinese is required.

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

The 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 jobs-near-me.org 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.

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.

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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.