Social Policy Officer

Name: Cosma Gabaglio
Age: 36
Degree: Master of Arts UZH in Economics
Profession: Social Policy Officer
Employer: UNICEF Palestine

What does a social policy officer do?

Broadly speaking, social policy is concerned with a government’s efforts to address the human needs of its population. In the context of international development and cooperation, it means supporting countries in establishing and strengthening policies and programs to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and give everyone a fair chance in life.

What are key challenges of this job?

One big area of work is social protection – policies that promote the social and economic well-being of the population. Public finance is also important: helping countries find the fiscal space to invest in social policies, including education and health. Finally, in the context of emergencies, you might work on delivering humanitarian assistance – usually in the form of cash transfers.

What does your work mean to you?

Over time, I grew increasingly interested in initiatives that seek to achieve long-lasting impact by involving governments, civil society and other stakeholders in gradual systems change. For me, it is a privilege and a responsibility to have a seat at the table in important and challenging conversations that can influence the lives of many people.

What qualifications are required to enter or succeed in this profession?

My colleagues come from a variety of backgrounds, with degrees in international relations, public policy, or economics like mine. A Master’s degree is necessary, as is international experience (internships, volunteering). Knowledge of languages other than English can open doors – especially French, Spanish and Arabic. You need to be passionate about these topics and happy to live a life that often requires flexibility – moving from one country to another – and may not guarantee professional stability at the beginning.

What is the biggest challenge in this job?

Professionally, coming to terms with the fact that all your efforts are a small part of bigger shifts, and that sometimes the progress achieved can be undone by political changes and conflicts.

Why is it important for companies to invest in this area?

Over the years, value-driven corporate social responsibility has grown in importance. For UNICEF, partnerships with the private sector can be a great way to unlock resources and skills and direct them in innovative endeavors that can impact the lives of thousands of children.

What advice do you have for students interested in this job?

Before aiming for a career in international organizations in general, immerse yourself in different topics and find areas that you are passionate about and then take every chance to challenge yourself and become technically strong in it.

Looking back on your career, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

I would tell my younger self to be patient and accept failure as a normal and important component of life. Thinking of job applications, out of impatience I have applied for positions that I knew deep down were not what I wanted.

As of December 2024