Header

Social and Economic Analysis Specialist United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Chief Social Policy and in close coordination with Alive, Safe and Learning team leaders, you will carry out analysis of the budget and budgeting process and actively participate in relevant budget meetings and events to help ensure effective budget changes that favor women and children within the UNICEF areas of work, with a particular focus on health budgeting.

You will be working in a high pressure but supportive working environment, with short work turnaround times. You will have to quickly develop an awareness of UNICEF programme/project management procedures and ensure all UNICEF work, agreements, partnerships, advocacy etc., promotes the achievement of child mortality reduction.

You will be required to participate in sector working group meetings and develop key policy briefs for the focus areas. You will work closely with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and other sector ministries to:

Analyse the Social policy environment and generate evidence for effective advocacy for social budgeting with direct impact on the MDG areas for acceleration.

Key Expected Results
Undertake macro- and micro-economic analysis to inform UNICEF project design and policy influencing particularly in the area of health

Analysis of the national and district budgets focusing on the areas of acceleration to achieve the MDGs. Actively participate in relevant budget related meetings.

Prepare policy papers that on UNICEF work areas that will form the basis for advocacy with Government, bilateral partners and NGOs. This should include as relevant focus analysis of relevant household surveys.

Active engagement with Social Sector ministries and relevant development partner meetings, to advocate for increased budget allocation and accountability by the sectors with a focus on the health sector. Engage in budget revision at national and district levels to influence the allocation

Contribute to budget reviews at district level and provide technical support to district officials in rational budget allocation in key areas of UNICEF Uganda’s work

Provide technical guidance to harmonize existing health sector costing using MBB with a focus on costing of the Child Survival Strategy and harmonizing it with the Road map on Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction. Develop and/ or strengthen capacity within the Ministry of Health and at District level for the effective application of the MBB tool.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree in Economics, Development Planning, Social Policy, and or related fields

Five years of relevant professional work experience at national or international levels in social policy and economic and policy analysis which includes at least two years demonstrated work experience in social policy in developing countries. Experience in working within the health sector and/or within multilateral financing institutions an advantage

Fluency in English and another UN language

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Candidates will be assessed against the following:
• Relevance of experience in economic and policy analysis in developing countries
• Depth of knowledge of international issues relating to economics and financing of social development
• Relevance of academic background and research in economic and policy analysis
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, plan and execute ideas
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in English both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership

Remarks
Re-advertisement. Candidates who had applied previously will be considered and need not re-apply.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply
If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children's rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-000342. Applications must be received by 25 March 2011.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.