Social Protection Associate, Amman, Jordan

General

Description of assignment title: Social Protection Associate

Assignment country: Jordan

Duty stations: Amman

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF's fundamental mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy and operations. UNICEF's equity strategy prioritizes the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translating this commitment into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an equal opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism.
• UNICEF Jordan Country Office works in close partnership with the Government of Jordan, civil society and development partners to support evidence-based, child-friendly policies and programmes. The Social Policy section leads UNICEF's work on social protection, public finance and poverty reduction, with the goal of building a more inclusive and shock-responsive national system that protects children and vulnerable families throughout the life cycle.

Context:

• Jordan is a middle-income country that has faced significant socio-economic pressures over the past decade, driven by regional instability, refugee influxes and fiscal constraints. These challenges have disproportionately affected children and vulnerable families, reinforcing the need for a robust, inclusive and integrated social protection system.
• UNICEF has played a central role in supporting the Government of Jordan — particularly the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) — in updating the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) for the period 2025-2033. With the strategy now in place, UNICEF's current focus has shifted to supporting its operationalization and implementation across key priority areas.
• These priorities include: the institutionalization of the cash plus model, which integrates cash transfers with complementary services to address the multidimensional needs of vulnerable households; the strengthening of the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in delivering social protection services; and the institutionalization of Makani centers as integrated community spaces providing social services to vulnerable children. In parallel, UNICEF is working to identify additional areas of support to social protection with a specific focus on child-sensitive approaches (like the introduction of a child cash grant), and is advancing a public finance for children (PF4C) agenda as part of broader system strengthening efforts across the organization.
• The UN Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, and coordinate with the Social Policy and Social Policy Officer responsible for the work on social protection and social assistance, and will contribute to research, analysis, implementation support and communication activities across these priority areas, gaining hands-on experience in UN programming in a complex, dynamic environment.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• a) Support the implementation of NSPS 2025-2033 priorities
• Assist in the follow-up of activities related to the institutionalization of the cash plus model, including coordination with MOSD and implementing partners
• Support the CBOs engagement workstream, contributing to the strengthening of community-based SP service delivery
• Contribute to activities related to the institutionalization of Makani centers, including coordination support and documentation of progress
• Participate in coordination meetings with government counterparts and stakeholders involved in NSPS implementation
• b) Contribute to research, analysis and knowledge generation
• Assist in reviewing analytical work and evidence products on child-sensitive social protection / social assistance in Jordan
• Support monitoring of socio-economic trends affecting children, contributing to data collection and report writing
• Assist in preparing analytical inputs for public finance for children (PF4C) work, in co-ordination with relevant UNICEF JCO's sections
• c) Support communication and advocacy on social protection
• Assist in the design, review and editing of communication materials related to Social Policy priorities
• Contribute to the development of advocacy briefs on NSPS implementation mile-stones and child-focused social protection outcomes
• d) Ensure documentation and coordination
• Support documentation and reporting compliance across the social policy portfolio
• Assist in preparing meeting notes, briefings and progress updates for internal and external audiences
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 1 month

Donor priorities:

• .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be between 22 and 29 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Youth Volunteer funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 1 month

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development studies, economics or other related fields.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Knowledge Sharing
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in:
• Economic development
• Poverty and Social Protection
• Public/Social policies
• Skills in:
• Data and policy analysis
• Planning and coordination
• Writing and editing English
• MS office applications
• Familiarity with database and data collection tools is an asset

Area(s) of expertise:

• Communication, Development programmes, Economics and finance

Driving license:

• -

Other information