Social Protection Officer

About the role

The Social Protection Officer will support UNICEF Iraq’s Social Policy Programme, contributing to the implementation and monitoring of national social protection priorities in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Key responsibilities

• Support implementation and monitoring of national social protection priorities and strategy roadmaps in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
• Track progress against programme milestones, identify challenges, and coordinate with government counterparts and development partners.
• Contribute to research and assessments on vulnerable groups, including teenage mothers, and support evidence generation and policy analysis.
• Assist in planning and delivering capacity‑building activities for government institutions and stakeholders.
• Support the implementation and scaling of cash transfer initiatives and pilot programmes.
• Coordinate workshops, consultations, technical meetings and high‑level events, preparing agendas, presentations, minutes and follow‑up actions.
• Facilitate procurement, contracting, logistics and operational processes in coordination with UNICEF teams.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with government entities, UN agencies, donors, civil society and development partners.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Development, Political Science or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in social protection, social policy, programme management, public administration or development programming.
• Experience supporting government reforms, policy implementation or social sector programmes.
• Strong analytical, drafting, reporting and coordination abilities.
• Experience organizing stakeholder consultations, trainings and institutional capacity‑building activities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in multicultural environments.
• Fluency in English and Arabic; working knowledge of Kurdish is an asset.