This position is based in Nairobi, one of UNICEF’s global Centres of Excellence, and sits within the Child Protection Programme and Migration practice, under the Violence Prevention and Response Systems (VPRS) Unit and also supports the Harmful Practices Unit. The unit supports countries to strengthen child protection systems, prevent and respond to violence against children, and scale high‑impact violence prevention solutions through policy reform, systems strengthening, workforce development and financing.
As a Child Protection Specialist, you will support strategic planning and policy reform, integrate child‑sensitive public finance approaches into national systems, and lead financing assessments, costing and investment cases that demonstrate the value and impact of child protection interventions. The role advances domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing, strengthens public financial management, and supports the development of costed workforce strategies for social service systems. You will also contribute to capacity development, global engagement and advocacy, helping position child protection and violence prevention within national and global financing agendas.
Key Responsibilities
- Support strategic planning and policy reform to integrate child-sensitive public finance approaches into national systems.
- Lead financing assessments, costing, and investment cases for child protection interventions.
- Advance domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing.
- Strengthen public financial management (PFM) and support the development of costed workforce strategies for social service systems.
- Contribute to capacity development and provide technical assistance to partners and staff.
- Engage in global advocacy to position child protection and violence prevention within national and global financing agendas.
- Maintain partnerships and collaborate with others to achieve impact.
- Manage ambiguity and complexity while thinking and acting strategically.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Administration, Social Policy, Public Finance, Social Sciences, Social Work, International Relations, Political Science, Law, or a related field is required.
- Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressive, professional work experience in public financial management and sector financing in applied, national, and international social development settings is required.
- Skills:
- Excellent analytical and public financing skills.
- Experience with costed plans, public finance, and resource mobilization.
- Capacity to translate technical knowledge into provision of accessible technical assistance.
- Demonstrated capacity in strategic communication, including public speaking and effective engagement in key international events or high-level policy dialogues.
- Experience in written analysis/documentation of public policy work.
- Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.
Desirable Criteria
- Hands-on experience and proven results in using PFM evidence to concretely generate change at the national level.
- Experience in budget analysis, costing, and developing investment cases (PERs and PETS) in key sectors for children.
- Solid professional field experience in multiple country contexts with demonstrated technical leadership on child protection systems strengthening.
- Experience in social service workforce strengthening including implementation of costed workforce strategies and financing plans.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the UNICEF recruitment portal. Visit UNICEF on secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com to submit your application.
