National Technical Advisor - Child-Sensitive Social Protection and Child Protection

About the role

UNICEF Kenya is seeking a National Technical Advisor consultant for its Social Policy and Child Protection section, based in Nairobi. This is a 7.5-month office-based consultancy (job number 596291) focused on strengthening child-sensitive social protection and child protection systems.

Key responsibilities

• Strengthen child-sensitive social protection systems, including expanding and institutionalising such programmes and integrating child poverty and vulnerability considerations
• Support adaptive social protection systems that protect children affected by droughts, floods, displacement and economic shocks
• Support the State Department for Children Services in implementing the Children Act 2022, including regulations, guidelines, standards and operational procedures
• Link cash transfer programmes with child protection services and promote integrated approaches to child poverty, violence, neglect, family separation and harmful practices

Required profile

• Masters degree in Social Policy, Public Finance, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Child Protection, Development Economics or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in child-sensitive social protection, child protection, social policy, public policy, public finance, development economics, poverty and vulnerability analysis, public administration or related fields
• Experience giving strategic technical advice to government institutions and supporting government-led policy, systems-strengthening and reform initiatives
• Experience designing, implementing, coordinating or evaluating social protection and/or child protection programmes, and working with national and subnational governments, development partners, UN agencies and other international organisations
• Fluent English; Kiswahili knowledge desirable

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of child-sensitive social protection and child protection systems and of Kenya's child protection legal, policy and institutional framework, including the Children Act 2022
• Understanding of child poverty, vulnerability and social inclusion, and of social protection policy, programme design and delivery
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills, and ability to engage with senior government officials and stakeholders
• Evidence generation, policy analysis and facilitation, coordination and capacity development skills

Candidates apply through the UNICEF online recruitment portal (TMS) with a technical proposal, a financial proposal stating the daily rate, an up-to-date CV and a letter of motivation.