Social Policy Specialist – Public Finance Management

About the role

The UNICEF Malawi Country Office is seeking a Social Policy Specialist to provide technical and programmatic support across all stages of public finance management for children‑focused programmes. Reporting to the Chief of Social Policy, the specialist will help shape strategies, analyse budgets and strengthen transparency to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development, finalisation and rollout of the Social Protection Financing Strategy (SPFS).
• Provide quality assurance for the 2026/27 budget analysis and produce national budget briefs for Education, Health, WASH and Social Protection, each linked to an advocacy strategy.
• Support the Treasury in the timely production and public release of the 2026/27 Citizens Budget and coordinate a social‑media campaign to raise visibility.
• Oversee a consultancy on public debt analysis, ensuring timely delivery and high‑quality outputs.
• Collaborate with the National Statistical Office to conduct the Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) and integrate child poverty data into government policy decisions.
• Assist implementing partners – both government and civil society – in planning, implementation and expenditure monitoring, addressing bottlenecks proactively.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or a related technical field.
• Relevant experience in public finance management, social protection financing or child‑focused budgeting.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high‑quality analytical reports and advocacy materials.

Required skills

• Budget analysis and financial reporting.
• Public debt analysis.
• Data analysis for poverty and vulnerability assessments.
• Strategic communication and advocacy planning.