Mission and objectives

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. This vision is aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision and its 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP-1), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III and Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. Priorities of the proposed country programme were formulated in close dialogue with the government of Malawi. The country programme includes three components: child survival and development; learning, skills development and protection; and social policy. All components are supported by programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency measures. The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its commitment to respect, protect, and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards.

Context

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s Social Policy component, specifically shock-responsive social protection. The Social Policy component seeks to safeguard the rights of Malawi’s most vulnerable children through inclusive and evidence-based social protection and efficiently financed social services. UNICEF’s strategic action will enhance government capacity to: design and implement integrated social protection policies and strategies; improve social assistance targeting; strengthen national delivery systems to respond to various shocks in a timely way effectively; produce cutting-edge evidence; and improve sector coordination.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Social Policy Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Social Policy Officer will: • Provide technical assistance to the implementation of the Malawi Social Cash Transfer programme (SCTP) at district and central level • Support implementation of social protection systems strengthening (targeting, payment modalities, grievance and redress mechanism and capacity development) • Support functionality of social protection systems like E-MIS, GRM MIS, Target MIS, UBR • Support implementing partners with programme delivery mechanisms using UNICEF requirements • Coordinate the consultancy to roll out nutrition sensitive social protection • Support Emergency related programming for shock sensitive social protection • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements