Back Social Policy Expert - National UN Volunteer Expert, Baghdad, Iraq (open to nationals of Iraq only)

1. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): 1. No Poverty

   Assignment context:

   Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support in the management, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of cash transfer activities. The UNV Social Policy Expert will be responsible for the implementation of Cash Plus Pilots Projects as part of the EU-funded United Nations Joint programme. The Pilot projects

2. Task description:
3. Lead, in coordination with the relevant sections, the coordination and implementation of cash plus transfer activities in three governorates:
4. Ensure the implementation, and coordination of the cash transfer programme: Lead, in coordination with the section and operations, the implementation of cash transfer programmes, including registration, payment and complaints/grievance system in order to improve sectoral objectives; Monitor and track payments to beneficiaries, in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP); Oversee project expenditure; Draft TOR, concept notes as relevant to pilot implementation; Conduct regular monitoring/programmatic visits to pilot implementation areas and support field staff to resolve technical issues.
5. Conduct regular operational analysis: identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings, and technical support; Develop risk-informed approach for the implementation of cash transfer activities, undertake a risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
6. Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with the lessons learned consultant for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of programmes; undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action; organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of status reports; oversee use of a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF cash transfers in collaboration with implementing partners; Gather the lessons and provide inputs to the development of scale up of the Cash Plus Benefit or other future cash transfer programme proposals.
7. Ensure Partnership, Communication and Liaison, and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes
8. Maintain partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to ensure the efficiency of the programme (explore and identify joint activities to be implemented and/or coordinated with UNHCR and WFP) in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies; Identify links to other sections in UNICEF and strengthen coordination within the office on this issue; Convene relevant working groups (internal task force, cash assistance committee) to monitor and track implementation of the “Child Plus Benefit’; Contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer-term social protection scheme with the government; Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. and minutes of key meetings.
9. Required education: Bachelor degree or equivalent
10. Area(s) of specialization (education): Social sciences
11. Required experience: +7 years
12. Required skills and experience:
14. Seven years experience in social protection delivery, particularly cash transfer programmes, or other relevant programmes; experience with the social work profession and/or social behavior change is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Understanding of the management information systems (MIS) used in cash transfer or other government service delivery programmes in Iraq is also an asset.

☐  Administration

☐  Agriculture

☐  Architecture and settlements

☐  Arts and design

☐  Business management

☐  Communication

☒  Community development

☐  Crisis and emergency response

☒  Development programmes

☒  Economics and finance

☐  Education

☐  Elections and governance

☐  Energy and environment

☐  Engineering and construction

☐  Facility management

☐  Health

☐  Human resources

☒  Information technology

☐  Legal affairs

☐  Logistics and inventory

☐  Manual labour and skilled trades

☐  Natural and life sciences

☐ Procurement and contracting

☐  Product safety

☐  Security and protection

☒  Social work

☐  Translation and interpretation

☐  Transport

☐  Volunteer management

Working knowledge of Kurdish is desirable.

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 receive a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate and safe lifestyle. This allowance varies from one location to another depending on local living costs, but all national UN Volunteers in the same location receive the same allowance. Below is a summary of the Conditions of Service. Allowances The purpose of allowances for national UN Volunteers is to enable the national UN Volunteers to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): All national UN Volunteers are entitled to a monthly volunteer living allowance of USD 1,989.54 The purpose of this allowance is to cover the basic living costs of the national UN Volunteer, and her or his family when applicable. The allowance is to ensure that the volunteer can sustain a basic, adequate and safe lifestyle. The monthly allowance rate is a fixed rate for the duty station as established by UNV headquarters. Resettlement allowance: Eligible national UN Volunteers are entitled to receive a resettlement allowance upon satisfactory completion of the assignment. The allowance assists the volunteer to reintegrate into society both professionally and personally upon completion of their UN Volunteer service.

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.

Other information

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.

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.