Social Affairs Officer

The Social Affairs Officer is responsible for social analysis, intergovernmental support, and technical cooperation related to social development issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. The role involves empirical research, policy analysis, organizing training seminars, and supporting intergovernmental processes under the supervision of the Chief of the Social Development Unit.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the analysis of social development issues at global, regional, national and subnational levels; undertakes empirical research and analysis of trends and developments and related policy issues relevant to the unit/departmental mandate, projects and initiatives; recommends proposals for inclusion in reports to intergovernmental bodies, member states, etc.
• Develops indicators and methodologies for review and evaluation of specific topics.
• Liaises with officials of governments, representatives of national/subnational, regional and global organizations, organizations of the UN system, etc. on selected social policy issues related to the implementation of specific programmes, action plans or other initiatives, and provides advice on a range of related matters.
• Assists in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meetings; drafting reports and preparing summaries of meetings.
• Represents the work unit at international and other meetings; organizes and participates in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on social and economic development related matters.
• Prepares/contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts reports or sections of analytical reports, studies, background papers, parliamentary documents, briefings, correspondence, etc.
• Provides support to intergovernmental processes dealing with social development issues by preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; following intergovernmental meetings and preparing summary reports; preparing inputs to statements by members of the bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings; assisting in the organization of panels, round tables, etc. on social development issues for intergovernmental processes.
• Organizes training seminars for national experts.
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sectoral technical cooperation projects.
• Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Participates in fact-finding and advisory missions to government and other activities in support of work programme.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sociology, economics, public policy, development studies, other social science or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in socio economic development, policy analysis, sociological research or related area is required.
• Experience working at Central America, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti or Dominican Republic is required.
• One year or more experience delivering technical assistance on social policy design, planning or implementation at national or subnational level is required.
• Experience in programme/project design and/or implementation is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating social policy is desirable.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.
• English and Spanish are required at UN Level III proficiency; French is desirable at UN Level II proficiency.

Skills

• Sociological Research
• Policy Analysis
• Socio-Economic Development
• Public Policy Design
• Public Policy Implementation
• Technical Assistance Delivery
• Data Analytics
• Business Analytics
• Program Design
• Program Implementation
• Public Policy Evaluation
• Empirical Research
• Intergovernmental Process Support
• Training Seminar Organization
• Spanish Language
• English Language

Languages

English, Spanish, French