The Position
The Social Protection Officer plays a central role in ensuring the successful implementation of the IPA 2022 “EU4PEOPLE-SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME in BiH.
To achieve this, you will:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the program, ensuring alignment with the established requirements by UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and ILO.
- Ensure collaboration with the implementing partners to guarantee activities are delivered on time and within budget.
The incumbent will report directly to the Assistant Representative
How you can make a difference
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose
Working within the Country Office (CO) environment, you will coordinate the implementation of “EU4PEOPLE - Social Protection Programme” for UNFPA, supporting the UNFPA components of the project, focused on social protection of vulnerable groups, demographic change and ageing and gender-responsive social services..
The position required adequate interaction among different key stakeholders
- UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund, UNDP - United Nations Development Programme and ILO - International Labour Organization.
- Government stakeholders: The Ministry of Civil Affairs, Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, The Ministry of Health and Social Policy of Republika Srpska, The Department of Social Policy at the Brčko District and other relevant institutions
The overall objective of the Action “EU4PEOPLE - Social Protection Programme” aims to improve social inclusion, reduce inequalities, and advance gender equality through a modernized, EU-aligned social protection system that delivers quality, rights-based services to those most in need. This will be achieved through three mutually reinforcing specific objectives:
- strengthening the institutional, professional, and digital capacities of Centers for Social Welfare (CSW) and social protection institutions;
- expanding and institutionalizing standardized, licensed, non-institutional and community-based social services; and
- strengthening inspection systems leading to improved compliance, monitoring, and quality assurance in line with International Labor Standards, (ILS) and EU acquis
Led by UNICEF as the coordinating agency, and implemented in partnership with UNDP, UNFPA, and ILO, the Action brings together complementary mandates and expertise in social and child protection, governance and digital transformation, demographic resilience and gender equality, and decent work and labor inspection. Strong government ownership is ensured through close cooperation with state-, entity-, cantonal-, and Brčko District-level authorities, as well as municipal authorities, CSWs, and public and non-public service providers.
The Social Protection Officer plays a vital role in keeping the Implementation on track by:
You would be responsible for: Support to Project Coordination:
- Support the implementation of the UNFPA Component, ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, and effective collaboration with all stakeholders, implementing partners, government, and experts, in line with the agreed Work Plan. Support coordination among program staff, promoting a transformative and context-appropriate approach. Ensure timely execution of research activities through efficient planning, monitoring, and implementation, leveraging effective modalities and practices. Ensure timely communication with Administrative Agent and UNFPA Management on updates developments and reporting requirements for the Action. Coordinate evidence generation and analytical work on demographic change, ageing, disability, gender inequalities and care needs to inform evidence-based social protection reforms and service planning. Support the strengthening of the social protection system by integrating demographic resilience and gender-responsive approaches into local social protection policies, service standards, and delivery models, while building the capacities of social workers and service providers to better respond to the needs of older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Support the strengthening of quality assurance, oversight and compliance mechanisms for publicly funded women's shelters, including service standards, inspection protocols, safeguarding and survivor-centred approaches, in coordination with the EU GBV IPA project.
Implementation & Quality:
- Provide technical guidance to partners, ensuring adherence to standards and quality assurance mechanisms for data. Throughout the program, you support in tracking progress, monitoring how things are going, and make adjustments when needed to keep everything on track. This might involve anything from scheduling changes to reallocating resources.
Oversight, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Establish a robust system to track partner progress, ensure adherence to project requirements, and proactively manage risks. Systematically evaluate partner effectiveness in achieving project objectives using qualitative and quantitative data, providing constructive feedback and recommendations for improvement. Prepare timely and accurate reports, contribute to research findings with actionable recommendations, and analyze the broader context to identify opportunities and policy implications for research implementation. Assisting in implementing knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning.
Performs other duties as may be required and requested by the supervisor and agreed by CO’s management.
Education
An advanced degree (minimum Master's degree or equivalent) in, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Management or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience
- Professional experience in project management, preferably in the field of public health, social policy and research would be considered highly advantageous.
Proven experience in project management, including program design, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation, would be considered highly advantageous.
- Experience providing technical advice or similar support, along with donor reporting and capacity building, would be considered highly advantageous.
- Leadership skills in managing, researching and collaborating with diverse teams, including staff, experts, and consultants, would be considered highly advantageous..
- Excellent communication, written reporting, and analytical skills.
- Experience working with the UN, international organizations, managing EU-funded projects, and multi-partner health research projects would be considered highly advantageous..
- Experience using office software packages and web-based management systems.
Languages
Fluency in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is required
Required Competencies
Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change | Functional Competencies: Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships Delivering results-based programmes Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Core Competencies: Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact