Policy Specialist

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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. 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 to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, OPPORTUNITIES

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 fulfill 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. UNICEF works with UNHCR, IOM and other key stakeholders and networks, such as the UN Migration Network, to prevent and mitigate harmful migration practices, such as child immigration detention or family separation, and ensures migrant and displaced children are heard, involved and empowered to reach their potential.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Policy Specialist reports to the Global Lead (Senior Advisor), Migration and Displacement (post# 11326), outposted to Geneva. Anchored in Program Group, Child Protection, the Migration and Displacement Hub provides technical leadership and strategic support to ensure that UNICEF’s policy engagement, programmes and strategic partnerships include and promote the rights and needs of children and adolescents on the move, including coordinating UNICEF’s strategic partnerships and institutional advocacy priorities on migration, refugee issues and internal displacement.

The Policy Specialist provides policy and technical assistance to develop organisational capacity for policy and intersectoral coherence, provides strategic direction and effective coordination on program-driven and evidence-based advocacy across sectors and regions. The Programme Specialist supports the Global Lead to represent UNICEF externally on migration and displacement issues and strengthens and harnesses effective strategic partnerships within the UN system and relevant interagency fora, and with public and private sector partners.

A primary function of the Policy Specialist is to support UNICEF’s strategic engagement and policy development on issues related to child-sensitive GCM and GCR implementation, including UNICEF’s work with the UN Network on Migration, alternatives to immigration detention and return and reintegration workstreams and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, while supporting capacity building of UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country office colleagues on these thematic areas.

On behalf of the Hub, the Policy Specialist also manages and/or supports UNICEF’s collaborative partnerships with other UN agencies through the IOM-UNICEF Collaboration Framework and the UNHCR-UNICEF Strategic Collaboration Framework, while coordinating UNICEF’s engagement in global governance frameworks on migration and displacement and implementation of related pledges (such as from the Global Refugee Forum).

The Hub manages the cross-sectoral PROSPECTS Partnership, designed to deliver nexxus programming to forcibly displaced childen and youth and their host communities. Policy change is a core component of this large programme, spanning 8 countries, 2 regions and over 10 sectoral teams within UNICEF Headquarters. Through PROSPECTS and more broadly, the Policy Specialist will play a critical role in guiding global policy advocacy, coordinating global, regional and country level policy-related engagement, and building capacity for Country, Regional and Headquarters offices to effectively influence policies and practices that help uphold the rights of children on the move.

KEY FUNCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITES AND RELATED DUTIES/TASKS

Technical support on program-diven policy advocacy and structured policy dialogues on migration and displacement

• Supports the Global Lead and the broader team in analyzing emerging issues, migration and displacement trends and implications for children, and proposes and promotes appropriate responses related to these issues and policy approaches for children on the move.
• Advises the Global Lead on migration and displacement to position UNICEF on migration and displacement issues to promote a coherent, rights-based approach to migration and refugee issues across sectors.
• Develops policy tools, program guidance and provides technical support on migration and asylum systems across UNICEF’s thematic areas and sectors to ensure coherence, integrated programme advocacy, resource mobilization and effective communication for sustainable and scalable results for children in contexts of forced displacement and affected by migration
• Coordinates and leads the development of policy tools and standards to support UNICEF’s contribution to the PROSPECTS partnership and implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the SG Action Agenda on Internal Displacement; and positions child displacement and mobility within climate policy, action and financing (including the Global Goal on Adaptation and Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage).
• Provides regular analytical briefs and analyses on key trends and developments on migration and displacement and advises the Global Lead on action and/or change of practice and policy. Ensuring risk analysis and risk mitigation is firmly embedded, including as part of efforts to prevent displacement.
• Positions children and young people in efforts to drive advocacy for migration and displacement related issues leveraging major global and regional forums and processes, coordinating the development of advocacy, positions and building strategic alliances to influence policy development to facilitate achievement of programme goals at all levels.
• Organizes side events and other Geneva-based meetings as needed to maintain political momentum for UNICEF’s migration and displacement advocacy priorities and GCM and GCR implementation.
• Supports priority countries in the implementation of GCM/GCR-related programmes, inter alia on ending child immigration detention, providing child-sensitive reintegration assistance, increasing access to services (education, MHPSS, social protection) and other priority themes.
• Supports UNICEF country and regional offices plan and execute program driven policy change on issues related to migration and displacement.
• Strengthens institutional knowledge, understanding, policy and practices in the area of migration and displacement to inform programme goals and strategies.

Technical support on strategic partnerships for results for migrant, refugee and internally displaced children

• Support the Global Lead to position and represent UNICEF externally on migration and displacement partnerships for results for children in situations of forced displacement, on the move or affected by migration.
• Provides technical support and leadership on issue-specific interagency and program partnerships with UN agencies, donors, youth and migrant/refugee organizations, international and national NGOs, with particular support to the PROSPECTS partnership.
• Represents UNICEF in intergovernmental and interagency migration and displacement governance structures and coordination fora.
• Provides technical support to EMOPS in the implementation of the UNICEF-UNCHR Strategic Collaboration Framework, coordinating PG-wide collaboration and technical inputs.
• Coordinates and provides technical guidance on the renewal and operationalization of the UNICEF-IOM Strategic Collaboration Framework, supporting the roll-out of the partnership at regional and country level to keep partnership implementation on track, including liaising with technical focal points across UNICEF, producing guidance documents, and leading the development, organization and facilitation of quarterly joint technical consultation and a Principal Level Strategic Reviews.
• Supports UNICEF’s representation in the UN Migration Network’s Executive Committee and provide technical inputs and coordination across UNICEF-supported work streams and initiatives coordinated by the UN Migration Network and related to the implementation of the Global Migration Compact, including the UN Multi-Country Trust Fund.
• Represents UNICEF in the Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts and other Geneva-based interagency fora. This includes participation in periodic strategy calls, and coordinating collaborative policy dialogue and advocacy.
• Supports the Global Lead and the broader team with relevant strategic partnerships on internal displacement, climate mobility and forced displacement linked to climate-induced disasters within the UN system and with external partners.

Knowledge generation, capacity development, management support and resource mobillisation on migration and displacement

• Provides management support and supervision of staff based in the duty station (and remote as relevant), ensuring efficient and effective implementation of the annual work plan. Supports the Global Lead to enable the team to operate effectively, efficiently and in line with UNICEF’s values.
• Represents the Migration and Displacement Hub in external and duty-station based meetings in Geneva.
• Supports the coordination, preparation, and monitoring of the Migration and Displacement Hub’s work plan related to policy dialogues, data and evidence generation and strategic partnerships. Supporting the team’s corporate planning and reporting processes.
• Supports knowledge generation, management, policy and program innovation on issues related to migration and displacement responding to the needs of and harnessing experiences of UNICEF country and regional offices, UNICEF National Committees and partners.
• Supports effective information exchange, cross-sectorial and cross-regional learning through user-friendly documentation and dissemination of good practices, lessons learned and data/evidence for program implementation and advocacy.
• Strengthen UNICEF’s partnerships with data and evidence functions within UNICEF (Innocenti, DAPM, Evaluation Office) and relevant research partners to support high-quality programming for and with children and adolescents on the move.
• Support thematic cross-organizational technical networks/communities of practice(s) and promotes capacity strengthening, learning and development through the planning and organization of training events, activities, and other capacity-building initiatives to enhance UNICEF’s institutional capacities on migration and displacement.
• Supports resource mobilization and route-based/issue-based joint fundraising with sectors, ROs/COs and external partners in accordance with workplan objectives through engagement with private and public donors.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution is required in Migration/Refugee/Internal Displacement studies or closely related social/development sciences (political science, international development, law, public policy or related fields).• Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience at the international level in the provision of technical advice and policy change is required.
• In-depth knowledge of migration and displacement policy and legal frameworks and a proven track record of professional experience working on migration and displacement policy issues, including as they relate to children is required. Work experience in a development and a humanitarian setting in a role that cuts across UNICEF programme sectors with country level experience is preferred.

Specific technical knowledge required:

• Rights-based and results-based approach and programming in UNICEF
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines
• Strong understanding of global trends, developments and international legal frameworks related to migration and forced displacement
• Demonstrated experience navigating political sensitivities to engage with goverments on solutions to displacement and migration
• Demonstrated experience working across the spectrum from forced displacement to safe, legal and empowering migration in both conflict and climate/disaster contexts
• Experience working in partnership with IOM and UNHCR
• Experience of negotiating/working with regional and multi-lateral processes

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

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.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from all nationalities, genders, religions, cultures, etc.  are encouraged to apply.

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

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.

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.

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