UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, every right
Belize is making strategic progress in strengthening its social protection system with UNICEFโs support. In partnership with the Ministry of Human Development, Family and Gender Affairs (MHD), and under the Joint SDG Fund Programme, UNICEF has been instrumental in developing Belizeโs first National Social Protection Policy and Strategy, which is expected to be submitted to Cabinet in late 2025. In addition, through ECHO funding, UNICEF is implementing a regional project to enhance the shock-responsiveness of social systems, including improvements to the BOOST cash transfer programme and the development of a digital Grievance Redress Mechanism. This consultancy supports UNICEFโs growing portfolio in social policy and its commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and rights-based social protection systems for children and vulnerable populations in Belize.
How can you make a difference?ย
As a Social Policy Consultant, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Belizeโs social protection agenda. Working closely with the Ministry of Human Development and UNICEF Belize, your efforts will directly support national systems that protect the most vulnerable populations โ especially children and women.
You will contribute by:
Supporting the coordination and finalization of Belizeโs first National Social Protection Policy and Strategy, including stakeholder engagement and behavioural change initiatives.
Assisting the Ministry of Human Development in organizing regular Technical Working Group and Steering Committee meetings to strengthen cross-sector collaboration.
Supporting the implementation of the ECHO-funded project to enhance shock-responsiveness of social protection systems, including improvements to the BOOST programme and development of a digital Grievance Redress Mechanism.
Promoting awareness of social protection as a right through community engagement and communication strategies.
Providing technical and coordination support to ensure timely and high-quality reporting and implementation of activities.
Your contributions will help ensure that Belizeโs social protection system becomes more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to shocks โ ultimately improving outcomes for children and their families.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
A Bachelorโs degree in Social Studies, Economics, Public Finance Management, Public Policy and/or Administration, Social Sciences, or other relevant disciplines.
A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in strategic planning and programme design within the social development field.
A proven track record in designing UN and UNICEF country programme documents and results frameworks.
Demonstrated experience with results-based management, including programme prioritization, strategy notes, theory of change, results frameworks, and results-based budgeting.
Proven ability to facilitate and coordinate multi-stakeholder groups.
Experience in both development and humanitarian programming is considered an asset.
Knowledge of social protection systems and prior experience in related technical areas.
Previous relevant experience with the United Nations, international cooperation agencies, or government institutions is an asset.
Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to produce high-quality technical documentation.
Capacity to work collaboratively in a team and perform well in a fast-paced work environment.
For the full Terms of Reference, please refer to the attached document:ย ย Social Policy National Consultant_TOR_Advertise.pdf
For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย
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To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.ย
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.ย