UNICEF works to uphold the rights of every child, focusing on the most disadvantaged to ensure they survive, develop, and thrive. In Lesotho, UNICEF supports national systems in health, nutrition, education, protection, and social policy to reduce child poverty and promote inclusive development.
Guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024–2028, UNICEF Lesotho adopts a life-cycle approach while strengthening its Social Policy and Public Finance for Children (PF4C) agenda. This includes improving the efficiency, equity, and transparency of public spending, strengthening social protection systems, and supporting evidence-based policymaking to address multidimensional child poverty.
The Social Policy Officer (Public Finance) provides technical and analytical support to UNICEF Lesotho’s PF4C portfolio in Maseru. The role focuses on data analysis, public finance monitoring, policy advocacy, and strengthening partnerships to ensure public budgets effectively deliver for children.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Analysis & Public Finance Monitoring
- Support collection, cleaning, and analysis of economic and financial data.
- Contribute to budget analysis, including expenditure, debt, tax, and climate finance assessments.
- Conduct child poverty and thematic analyses using national survey and administrative data.
- Develop dashboards and tools to visualize public finance for children data.
2. Evidence Generation & Reporting
- Prepare analytical papers, reports, presentations, and policy briefs.
- Translate complex fiscal data into user-friendly insights for decision-making and advocacy.
- Support development of knowledge platforms (e.g., SharePoint-based systems).
3. Advocacy & Policy Engagement
- Support advocacy efforts to strengthen public investment in children.
- Contribute to monitoring macroeconomic trends to inform UNICEF programming and policy dialogue.
- Assist in mapping stakeholders within the public financial management ecosystem.
4. Partnerships & Programme Support
- Support coordination with government ministries, development partners, and research institutions.
- Assist in organizing policy dialogues, trainings, seminars, and consultations.
- Provide administrative and logistical support for programme implementation and stakeholder engagement.
Profile Required
Experience
Minimum 3 years relevant experience, including:
- Working with large datasets and quantitative analysis
- Public finance, budget analysis, or economic policy work
- Strong analytical and econometric skills
- Experience translating data into policy insights and advocacy messages
- Experience with international organizations or research institutions is an asset
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, Business Studies, Public Policy, or related field.
A Master’s degree is an advantage.
Languages
- English (fluent)
- Working knowledge of Sesotho is an asset
Volunteer Living Allowance:
UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer’s service.