Social Protection Officer

National UNV Assignment - Iraq Context UNICEF has worked in Iraq since 1963 to advance the rights and well-being of children and young people through humanitarian and development programmes implemented in partnership with government institutions, United Nations agencies, and civil society organizations. The organization supports vulnerable populations across sectors including education, health, child protection, social policy, and social protection. This assignment is part of UNICEF Iraq’s Social Policy Programme, implemented under the European Union–United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection. The initiative supports the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in building more inclusive, equitable, child-sensitive, and shock-responsive social protection systems. Through policy reform, institutional strengthening, evidence generation, and service delivery improvements, the programme seeks to enhance social protection outcomes for vulnerable children and families across Iraq. Description of duties • Support the implementation and monitoring of national social protection priorities and strategy roadmaps in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. • Track progress against programme milestones, identify implementation challenges, and support coordination with government counterparts and development partners. • Contribute to social protection research and assessments, including studies focused on vulnerable populations such as teenage mothers. • Support evidence generation, policy analysis, and the dissemination of research findings to inform social protection reforms. • Assist in planning and delivering capacity-building activities for government institutions and programme stakeholders. • Support the implementation and expansion of cash transfer initiatives and pilot programmes. • Coordinate workshops, consultations, technical meetings, and high-level events related to social protection. • Prepare agendas, presentations, minutes, and follow-up actions for meetings and programme activities. • Facilitate programme-related procurement, contracting, logistics, and operational processes in coordination with UNICEF teams. • Maintain effective communication and collaboration with government entities, UN agencies, donors, civil society organizations, and development partners. Profile requirements • Bachelor’s degree in Social Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Development, Political Science, or a related field. • Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in social protection, social policy, programme management, public administration, development programming, or related areas. • Experience supporting government reforms, policy implementation, or social sector programmes. • Strong analytical, drafting, reporting, and coordination skills. • Experience organizing stakeholder consultations, trainings, and institutional capacity-building activities. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, database management, and digital reporting tools. • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. • Experience with UNICEF, UN agencies, or international development organizations is an asset. • Fluency in English and Arabic required; working knowledge of Kurdish is an asset. Application deadline is on 24 September 2026