SSRRE 2025-2026 – Chief Economist & Director, Social Policy and Social Protection, D-2, Programme Group (PG), UNICEF HQ, NY

Eliminating multiple deprivations requires policy and programme approaches towards scale and impact for children on several fronts. UNICEF is seeking a Chief Economist & Director of Social Policy and Social Protection who will provide effective leadership in influencing the policy agenda of key global partners and for relevant UNICEF programme and advocacy agenda, and advise the senior management of the organization on policy pathways to achieving the child-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond. S/he will contribute to shaping opportunities and solving various challenging economic and social policy issues affecting children by providing analysis and policy recommendations towards at-scale programme design and institutional strengthening. Such analysis and policy recommendations will include pro-child development measures for macroeconomic stability, good governance, and sustainable fiscal space and debt restructuring for enhanced investments in child wellbeing by governments and partners. She/he will also lead the critical role of UNICEF in reducing child poverty, scaling-up social protection and enhancing financing for children across all contexts The Chief Economist & Director, Social Policy and Social Protection must possess credibility and strong leadership abilities to actively engage at the cutting edge of international policy dialogue and participate in important discussions that prioritize child rights and well-being.

UNICEF works in almost all countries, including some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children – to help save the lives of children, ensure development to their full potential and fulfil their rights. 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 on children and their families.

For every child, dedication

Eliminating multiple deprivations requires policy and programme approaches towards scale and impact for children on several fronts. UNICEF is seeking a Chief Economist & Director of Social Policy and Social Protection who will provide effective leadership in influencing the policy agenda of key global partners and for relevant UNICEF programme and advocacy agenda, and advise the senior management of the organization on policy pathways to achieving the child-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond. S/he will contribute to shaping opportunities and solving various challenging economic and social policy issues affecting children by providing analysis and policy recommendations towards at-scale programme design and institutional strengthening. Such analysis and policy recommendations will include pro-child development measures for macroeconomic stability, good governance, and sustainable fiscal space and debt restructuring for enhanced investments in child wellbeing by governments and partners. She/he will also lead the critical role of UNICEF in reducing child poverty, scaling-up social protection and enhancing financing for children across all contexts The Chief Economist & Director, Social Policy and Social Protection must possess credibility and strong leadership abilities to actively engage at the cutting edge of international policy dialogue and participate in important discussions that prioritize child rights and well-being.

The world has some 330 million children living in poverty. Millions more face additional deprivations related to access to the basics of life. Several are threatened by cycles of shocks, including those related to climate, conflicts and macroeconomic instability. Addressing the multiple and compounding deprivations children experience requires understanding the underlying drivers as well the effectiveness of policies and strategies to address them. Reducing child and household poverty and increasing access to social protection are core elements of SDG 1 (Elimination of Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) to ensure that no child is left behind. In addition, achieving the remaining child-related SDGs is necessary for ensuring the full rights of children to an adequate standard.

UNICEF has articulated its Social Policy and Social Protection priorities towards the SDGs in its Social Protection Strategic Framework, the Inclusive Recovery Roadmap and forthcoming Financing for Children Framework, the Urban Evaluation, the social protection commitment to the Core Commitments on Children (CCCs), and in Goal Area 5 of the Strategic Plan 2022–2025.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF’s Chief Economist & Director of Social Policy and Social Protection provides global vision, technical guidance, and strategic leadership in support of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the SDGs. This role enhances UNICEF’s position as a global leader for children ensuring evidence-based advocacy, economic and policy advice, and analytical, programmatic, and operational leadership across all country contexts, including humanitarian and fragile settings.

The Chief Economist & Director of Social Policy and Social Protection leads and promotes global strategic partnerships and coalitions with International Financial Institutions and other relevant international organizations, inter-governmental forums, and notable platforms for public, private, and civil society stakeholders, all to advance the wellbeing of children. The role also provides technical leadership to strongly influence global public and private finance for children, enhancing UNICEF’s positioning in social policy and economic development. This role leads UNICEF lead role in social protection for children, helping to close coverage and adequacy gaps, including in fragile and humanitarian contexts. Moreover, this role coordinates technical guidance and support to UNICEF country and regional offices and headquarters divisions, promotes collaboration across sectors and systematically strengthens economic analysis and use of policy approaches to scale up investments in children. Additionally, the role is responsible for talent management for the social policy and social protection network within the organization, serves as the key advisor to UNICEF senior management on economic and social policy and social protection, and represents UNICEF in strategic high-level technical and decision-making forums, as well as strategic engagement with critical partners.

The key functional accountabilities of the Chief Economist & Director of Social Policy and Social Protection include:

1. Vision and Strategy:

• Lead a rejuvenation of policy approaches to enhancing investment, scale and impact for children within UNICEF and with partners
• Lead strategy processes to strengthen UNICEF’s engagement at the macro policy level towards greater prioritization of drivers of child wellbeing by governments and international partners.
• Lead the development and coordination of Goal Area 5 of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, integrating economic and social development principles to maximize impact, scale and sustainability.
• Lead development and coordinate UNICEF’s strategic vision for Social Policy and Social Protection, integrating critical components of child poverty, social protection systems, cash assistance in humanitarian situations, financing for children and local governance.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Global Urban Lead, enhancing the positioning and strategic programmatic direction of Urban development for children.
• Lead the continuous revitalization of the function within UNICEF and develop strategies to support the organization’s current and future needs in economic analysis and policy approaches to achieving impact and scale for essential services for children. .
• Integrate cross-sectoral priorities and economic principles in the social policy and social protection function, creating effective links with other programme areas in UNICEF, and engage across divisions to maximize technical and advocacy support to regions and countries.

1. Management of People and Resources:

• Provide leadership and direction by effectively managing the section’s human, financial and material resources.
• Ensure accountability and fiduciary integrity in the section’s budget execution when leading divisional budget preparation exercises.
• Create a unified culture to achieve common divisional goals and objectives by motivating, coaching and supporting staff of the team.
• Develop strategies for workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, learning and career management of staff.
• Manage staff performance and development through regular feedback, mentoring and career planning.

1. Representation and Networking:

• Lead in convening the global development policy community to create knowledge and thought pieces, and engage with knowledge networks, including the policy research and analysis communities in the public and private sectors, United Nations agencies, academia and think tanks; leverage UNICEF’s convening power to increase outreach of cutting edge policy research and analysis; and provide thought leadership to the global community of development practitioners on policy solutions that have a proven impact on children.  
• Develop and capitalize on new and emerging opportunities for resource mobilization, especially innovative financing and partnership. 

1. Policy Development and Technical Leadership:

• Ensure that Social Policy and Social Protection programme priorities, including child poverty, social protection, financing for children, local governance, and urban development remain critical priorities for UNICEF, at the global, regional and country levels, as well as with critical partnerships.
• Provide leadership and technical support to all parts of the organization towards enhanced economic and social policy analysis of issues affecting child wellbeing globally as well as in specific contexts of vulnerability, including those experiencing macroeconomic instability, fiscal stress, high debt burden, inadequacy and ineffectiveness of budgets for child-related sectors.
• Advise senior management of UNICEF on policy choices, regulations and institutions that enable scale and impact for children.  
• Advise senior management of UNICEF on enhancing partnerships within the world of global finance in support an accelerated agenda for children in various country contexts.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree from an accredited institution in economics or a related field is required. A doctorate degree is an advantage.

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience with demonstrated intellectual and managerial leadership in an international organization or corporation is required.
• Substantive experience in economic and social policy analysis, advocacy and technical assistance at both national and international levels, demonstrated through active engagement in global policy dialogues on economic and social development and/or a portfolio of publications in leading economic and social policy journals. Experience in social protection is an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of and familiarity with key issues in international development policy, economic and social policy, and knowledge management, as applicable to child rights. 
• Demonstrate ability to link research with policy, and policy with financing and institutions, towards at-scale impact for children, and engagement in policy debates and publications concerning child focused economic and social development.
• Excellent analytical, writing, public speaking, and advocacy skills in social and economic policy fields, with the ability to communicate complex economic and social policy concepts to non-specialist audiences and effectively influence stakeholders through rigorous analytical work. 
• Proven competence in managing teams dedicated to technical support and analysis. 
• Demonstrated familiarity in applying human rights-based approaches in development contexts.
• Fluency in English (required). Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Personal Profile

• Recognized management skills in a multicultural setting, and the ability to achieve results by motivating people and influencing partners.
• Recognized in development or international economics, and social policy or social protection.
• Results-oriented decision-maker with an aptitude to address operational challenges and for developing practical solutions.
• Innovator with risk management ability and a proven track record as a successful agent of change.
• Rigorous analytical and conceptual thinker.
• High sense of integrity, trust and confidence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to set out a coherent analysis in presentations.
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with clients and counterparts at the appropriate levels.
• Ability to represent UNICEF in international forums.

For every child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships (level III)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (level III)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (level III)
• Innovates and embraces change (level III)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (level III)
• Thinks and acts strategically (level III)
• Works collaboratively with others (level III)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (level III)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.