Senior Special Advisor & Coordinator Consultant for Ministry of Women & Social Affairs

About the role

UNICEF is seeking a senior consultant to provide strategic advisory, policy guidance and high‑level coordination to the Minister of Women and Social Affairs in Ethiopia. The consultant will help shape the national social and child‑protection system, ensuring it is rights‑based, coherent and effectively integrated across regions.

Key responsibilities

• Offer strategic advice to the Minister and senior ministry officials on social protection policy and implementation.
• Lead the design and coordination of the national social and child‑protection framework, including regulatory and financial components.
• Facilitate high‑level negotiations and policy dialogues with national and international stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing notes, policy papers and presentation materials for diplomatic and ministerial audiences.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of programme effectiveness at national and regional levels.

Required profile

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in social studies, economics, law, public administration or related field.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience managing social protection interventions in the public sector.
• Proven ability to navigate political economies and promote rights‑based agendas in diplomatic contexts.
• Experience negotiating policy processes and engaging at senior national and international platforms.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Amharic.

Required skills

• Deep understanding of social protection frameworks and cross‑sector integration strategies.
• Strong analytical, writing and presentation abilities.
• Diplomatic communication skills for high‑level stakeholder engagement.

What we offer

• 5.5‑month consultancy contract based in Addis Ababa.
• Opportunity to influence national policy at the highest level.
• Collaboration with UNICEF’s global child‑rights network.