Social Policy Officer, Cotabato City, Philippines

General

Description of assignment title: Social Policy Officer

Assignment country: Philippines

Duty stations: Cotabato City

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 08/03/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty

Host entity: UNICEF Philippines

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF works to promote and protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We work with the government to improve national and regional policies, programmes and services for children and adolescents. Together with partners, we address common barriers to the realization of their rights.

Context:

• The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions, her or his rights are violated. Equity accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. (Visit: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/)

Task description:

• Under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the Social Policy Officer will support the implementation of social policy and social protection initiatives, with a particular focus on governance for children and public finance at the regional and local levels. Key responsibilities include:
• 1. Support the implementation of social protection activities under Project CARES: Child-sensitive, Adaptive, Resilient, and Equitable Social Protection Systems in close coordination with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Social Development Committee (SDCom) of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM ).
• 2. Assist in the to review of technical documents, submissions, and reports from MSSD related to social protection programming, including summarizing key issues and providing consolidated comments.
• 3. Assist in ensuring effective coordination and engagement with regional ministries, local government units, and development partners on social protection, Public Financial Management (PFM), and governance for children.
• 4. Provide close monitoring of the implementation status of activities under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), including coordination with key partner ministries such as Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management (MFBM), Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and MSSD.
• 5. Contribute to the preparation of social sectors budget and expenditure reviews, policy notes, and advocacy briefs to support evidence‑based dialogues and reforms.
• 6. Assist the Mindanao Field Office (MFO ) team of key Local Government Units (LGUs) in the development of social sectors budget and expenditure analysis
• 7. Provide administrative and coordination support in capacity-building initiatives, including coaching and mentoring of target LGUs on the Four Legacies for Children, Child Rights-based Public Finance, and related governance reforms.
• 8. Maintain updated knowledge and documentation systems, including organization and regular updating of the MFO-Social Policy SharePoint repositories.
• Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Filipino, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Public Administration, Governance, Social Sciences

Competencies and values:

• Competencies
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Drive to Achieve Results for Impact
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Manages Ambiguity and Complexity
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Works Collaboratively with Others
• UNICEF Core Values
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Skills and experience:

• Work Experience:
• - At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in social protection, public financial management, and governance for children or another related area acquired at national and/or international level.
• - Experience working in BARMM or a similar fragile context is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively and adapt in a challenging and multicultural environment, with both national and international staff.
• Demonstrated ability or experience in budget preparation, budget analysis, or public finance-related work for projects or government entities. .
• Strong technical competence in drafting budget and policy briefs is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including drafting, reporting, and presentation. Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications; experience navigating AI productivity and analysis tools; proficiency in Canva, Infogram, Adobe Creative Cloud or other graphic design software; familiarity with database management; and knowledge of office technology and equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness.
• Interest in or commitment to UNICEF's mandate, volunteerism, and the UN system.
• Fluency in a local dialect of BARMM is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Project management, programme development, strategy, Finance, accounting, Governance, elections

Driving license:

• -

Other information