Policy Specialist (Strategic Political & Economical Foresight) P-4 FT, Reg Serv - Prog Planning Sec

## Policy Specialist (Strategic Political & Economical Foresight), Panama City - Organization:UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund Policy Specialist (Strategic Political & Economical Foresight), P-4, FT, #00133561, Reg Serv - Prog Planning Sec, Panama City - Panama, LACR Position type:Fixed Term Appointment Division/Equivalent:Latin America and Caribbean Regional Off School/Unit:Regional Services Div (LACR), Panama Department/Office:Reg Serv - Prog Planning Sec, Panama Categories:Social Policy UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job - it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to opportunity The Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO), headquartered in Panama City, Panama, provides strategic leadership, technical guidance, and oversight to 24 Country Offices across the region, supporting their efforts to advance child rights and equity through evidence-based policies, integrated programming, and regional cooperation. The region faces a dynamic and complex policy landscape, shaped by structural inequalities, climate change, technological transformation, demographic shifts, political instability, and ongoing migration and displacement. In this context, UNICEF LACRO is strengthening its policy and foresight function to better anticipate future trends, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and position UNICEF as a thought leader and influential partner in shaping child-centered policies across the region. How can you make a difference? The Policy Specialist provides strategic policy advice, political analysis, and foresight to the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, RMT, and Regional Office leadership, enabling informed decision-making and strengthening UNICEF's influence across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through horizon scanning, political economy analysis, and assessment of emerging trends, the role identifies opportunities, risks, and leverage points that shape regional priorities, partnerships, advocacy, and programming. Working closely with Country Offices, Headquarters, UN partners, regional institutions, and think tanks, the incumbent translates complex political, social, and economic developments into clear, actionable insights and recommendations. The position also leads to the development of high-impact strategic products, including policy related briefing notes, speeches, talking points, and policy analyses papers, ensuring UNICEF remains agile, strategically positioned, and influential in advancing children's rights and equitable outcomes for the most vulnerable children and adolescents in the region. Key functions and accountabilities: Strategic Intelligence, Foresight and Policy Analysis Strategic Advisory Support to Leadership Thought Leadership and Strategic Communications Strategic Positioning and Partnerships Regional Coordination and Knowledge Sharing If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD_Policy Specialist_P4 FT.pdf To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have... Minimum requirements: - Education:Completed Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Development Studies, Law, or a related field is required. - Work Experience:A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in political analysis, governance, policy advisory, international development, or a closely related field is required. Experience providing substantive, strategic, and confidential policy - related advisory support to senior level officials and management decision making is required. - Skills:Strong analytical thinking and synthesis skills, with the ability to distill complex information into concise, actionable insights and recommendations for senior management, are required. Experience engaging diplomatically with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, building effective partnerships, and navigating sensitive discussions is required. Experience providing strategic policy foresight, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and delivering executive-level advisory support on emerging issues and organizational priorities is required. - Language Requirements:Fluency in English and good working knowledge of Spanish are required. - Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese or Russian) is an asset. Working knowledge of Portuguese and French is an additional asset. - Strong political judgment and regional contextual awareness to assess complex political dynamics, identify implications, and support strategic decision-making is highly desirable. - Experience working with or within the UN system or a comparable international organization is an advantage. - Experience providing preparation of policy briefs, analytical reports, briefing notes, and high-level correspondence on sensitive and politically complex issues is an asset. - Experience in data analytics and foresight methods to support evidence-based analysis, risk assessment, and decision making is an asset. - Proven experience, applying discretion and confidentiality in a sensitive work environment is an asset. - Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset. UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values UNICEF competencies required for this post are... (1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-toleranc