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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, hope

The Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance Management and Local Governance) reports to the Chief Social Policy, Governance & Evidence for guidance. The incumbent is based in Kathmandu and is responsible for providing technical assistance to support the UNICEF Nepal country office to continue working toward the realization of children’s rights. This also includes contribution to expanding financing and improved transparency of child-sensitive social interventions in Nepal by performing public finance monitoring ana analysis and leveraging these for policy advocacy and programming, as well as to strengthening specific local social service delivery systems in Nepal by convening partners at national and subnational levels and supporting strengthening he demand side of service delivery.

This encompasses both direct programme work with the government at all levels, and civil society partners, as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, nutrition, child protection, and WASH.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Public finance reforms

2. Public finance analysis

3. Public finance planning, budgeting, and monitoring

4. Decentralization and local governance technical assistance

5. Cross-cutting social policy areas

6. UNICEF Programme Management 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here Classified JD (wos).pdf

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

Minimum requirement:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Political Economy, Public Policy, and Political Science.

Work experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in the areas of public finance reforms, public finance and social spending processes.

Experience in decentralization, local governance, social services and public sector public management is a strong asset.

Experience in programme design, management and social policy advocacy is essential along with work experience in a developing country.

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

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Nepali.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's 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.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. 

We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce by implementing a wide range of inclusive measures. These include paid parental leave, 24 weeks of maternity leave, and 16 weeks of paternity leave. Female employees are allowed to have designated time off for breastfeeding, and our Kathmandu office has a creche that enables parents to bring their babies to work. Further, we offer flexible work arrangements that help align personal and professional goals. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits. 

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increasing the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

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 advanced 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 or 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.