Elif Çakır
Ankara
Summary
Accomplished Policy Analyst and Programme Specialist with over 10 years in child well-being and social policy. Expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis, administrative data use, and evidence-based assessments. Experience includes evaluating child protection systems and developing actionable policy recommendations. Proficient in producing analytical reports and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes to influence national and international discussions on child welfare.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protection Programme Officer
UNICEF
Ankara
08.2021 - Current
- Conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis of child protection and child well-being systems using administrative data, identifying trends, service gaps, and disparities across regions and population groups
- Contributed to the development of indicator frameworks and monitoring approaches for child protection and early intervention services
- Supported analytical work on service delivery models, enhancing understanding of workforce capacity and access to services
- Lead and contributed to analytical studies, including system assessments, service evaluations, and thematic analyses on family strengthening and child protection
- Conducted costing and investment case analyses, informing decisions on community-based child protection services' efficiency and impact
- Supported comparative analysis of national child well-being policies and service models in relation to international practices
- Analysed policy challenges related to child vulnerability, access to services, and system coordination, contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations
- Provided technical input to the design of integrated child well-being policies linking social protection, education, and child protection systems - preparation of Türkiye’s Child Guarantee Programme
- Produced policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical notes for government counterparts and development partners
- Presented analytical findings to ministries and stakeholders, translating complex evidence into clear policy messages
- Coordinated consultations with ministries, UN agencies, and civil society organisations to support policy development and implementation
Senior Project Officer
Council of Europe
Ankara
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Coordinated research and developed evidence-based policy recommendations that informed national reform processes
- Collaborated with government institutions and international stakeholders to facilitate implementation of policy frameworks
Resettlement Associate
UNHCR
Ankara
05.2016 - 04.2020
- Facilitated resettlement of refugees in Turkey to third countries in line with protection standards and operational procedures.
- Conducted interviews with refugees, including Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis, to gather detailed claims and identify protection concerns for resettlement recommendations (15 cases per week).
- Collaborated with migration authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium to ensure selection of resettlement cases aligned with criteria and quotas.
- Investigated fraud cases assigned by the fraud committee involving refugees and staff
- Oversaw quality control processes, maintaining high standards for project outputs and deliverables.
Caseworker
International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)
Istanbul
08.2014 - 05.2016
- Coordinated refugee resettlement processes to the United States, managing case procedures and facilitating interview processes for effective outcomes
- Liaised with international stakeholders, including UNHCR and U.S. authorities, to enhance collaboration and support for refugee resettlement efforts
- Managed and tracked case data, ensuring accurate monitoring of application progress through administrative systems
Bluebook Trainee
European Commission, DG DevCo
Brussels
10.2013 - 02.2014
- Contributed to communication-related activities by preparing country project factsheets, developing website country pages for West Africa, and organising the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Programming Seminar for West Africa.
Education
European Politics and Administration -
College of Europe
Bruges, Belgium01-2012
International Relations -
Galatasaray University
Istanbul, Turkey01-2011
Erasmus exchange year - European Politics
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Strasbourg
Strasbourg01-2010
Skills
- Policy analysis
- Policy evaluation
- Research methods
- Survey design
- Indicator development
- Administrative data analysis
- Cost analysis
- Analytical Expertise
- Research supervision
Selected Analytical Products
- Social Service Workforce Assessment (UNICEF, 2024) – system-level analysis supporting workforce planning
- Assessment of Family Strengthening and Parenting Support Services (UNICEF, 2024) – evaluation of preventive services and policy gaps
- Case Management Guidebook Set for the Ministry of Family and Social Services (UNICEF, 2024) – development of operational frameworks for service delivery
- Child Protection Guidebook for Presidency of Migration Management (UNICEF, 2026) – policy-oriented guidance for practitioners
- Standard Operational Procedures on School Absenteeism (UNICEF, 2026) – inter-institutional coordination framework
- Child Life Centres Investment Case (UNICEF, ongoing) – costing and service model analysis
Languages
Turkish
Proficient
C2
English
Proficient
C2
French
Proficient
C2
Spanish
Intermediate
B1
Additional Information
- College of Europe Scholarship (€22.000), awarded by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Resettlement Learning Programme, UNHCR, 2016
- Protection Learning Programme, UNHCR, 2017
- Good command of Microsoft Office tools
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Child Protection Programme Officer
UNICEF
08.2021 - Current
Senior Project Officer
Council of Europe
03.2020 - 08.2021
Resettlement Associate
UNHCR
05.2016 - 04.2020
Caseworker
International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)
08.2014 - 05.2016
Bluebook Trainee
European Commission, DG DevCo
10.2013 - 02.2014
European Politics and Administration -
College of Europe
International Relations -
Galatasaray University
Erasmus exchange year - European Politics
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Strasbourg