UNICEF
DUE : 28 DEC 2022
General
Description of assignment title: Social Protection Officer
Assignment country: Zimbabwe
Expected start date: 01/02/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Harare
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfilment of children’s rights. The current UNICEF-Government of Zimbabwe Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2020) aims to support Zimbabwe to sustain and build upon the gains achieved for children during the 2012-2015 Country Programme of Cooperation. The programme focuses on improving the quality of social services, increasing access to services, and helping to build national and sub-national capacities to provide low-cost, high-impact interventions for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
Context
UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfilment of children’s rights. The current UNICEF-Government of Zimbabwe Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2020) aims to support Zimbabwe to sustain and build upon the gains achieved for children during the 2012-2015 Country Programme of Cooperation. The programme focuses on improving the quality of social services, increasing access to services, and helping to build national and sub-national capacities to provide low-cost, high-impact interventions for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s Social Policy, Social Protection and Research Team and will be responsible for supporting its needs across social protection and research and evaluations. The UNV will also be responsive for the successful expansion and implementation of its Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT) Programme. The aim of the intervention is to reach and additional 18,000 vulnerable households in five rural districts with monthly cash transfers. This is in addition to the 19,000 households currently support with six urban districts. The programme will be providing complementary support around child protection, school feeding and nutrition as well.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Social Policy Specialist (NOC) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Social Policy Officer will:
ESCT
• Support with the day-to-day operations of the programme including:
• Maintenance of the Change Management and Grievance System, including updates to beneficiary data
• Produce monthly reports on cases resolved through the Change Management and Grievance Systems including those that are pending, or which need elevated attention or referral to other key stakeholders.
• Support in preparation of monthly beneficiary reports and generation of beneficiary payment lists and reconciliation activities
• Support the design and implementation of activities of the Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT)
• Carryout out monitoring field visits or remote activities as and when required.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
• Broader support to the Social Policy, Evaluation and Research Programme as and when required.
Social Protection and Research needs
• Support in the delivery of existing systems strengthening initiatives and liaising with diversity of our stakeholders and partners on a regular basis to ensure the delivery of our key prioritized activities to time and quality.
• Support with operational needs across poverty, public finance and social protection including engagement with relevant stakeholders, logistical support and provision of concise and clear reports
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in – Economics, Social Sciences or area related to Social Policy
– Professional work experience at the national and/or international level in programme delivery, data analysis or M&E activities, or other relevant programmes;
– Experience of working with cash transfers is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
– Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
– Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
– 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, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
– Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
– Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
– Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
Area(s) of expertise: Development programmes, Security and protection, Economics and finance
Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Master degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences or area related to Social Policy
Competencies and values
– Accountability
– Adaptability and Flexibility
– Building Trust
– Client Orientation
– Commitment and Motivation
– Commitment to Continuous Learning
– Communication
– Empowering Others
– Ethics and Values
– Integrity
– Judgement and Decision-making
– Knowledge Sharing
– Planning and Organizing
– Professionalism
– Respect for Diversity
– Self-Management
– Technological Awareness
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free, and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is the Zimbabwe dollar and the United States dollar in some places. Foreign exchange bureaus are available, and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.
Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.
Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size, location, and furnishings. You are advised to check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has good access to water with a prolific borehole with a water tank in place. There are a few reliable online platforms available to enable one to find accommodation more smoothly once they are within the country.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
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