Consultancy Title: Public Finance for Children

PF4C describes UNICEF’s efforts to influence the transparency, quality and size of public investments in children. By undertaking this work, UNICEF is better able to address equity gaps in public funding, which routinely disadvantage the poorest and most marginalised children. Key goals of PF4C include influencing government decisions about spending on children and social services versus other areas, reducing investment disparities among different geographic areas and population groups, and applying value-for-money approaches so that children benefit optimally from funds intended to enhance their wellbeing, among others. As a programme stream, PF4C brings together sector-based and cross-cutting initiatives to influence budgetary frameworks and public financial management processes for the benefit of children. The MENA Regional Office focuses on PF4C, with the objective of developing UNICEF’s capacity to understand and effectively influence Public Finance for children’s rights in MENA region; and thus the incumbent will support the Social Policy Section in the MENARO to fulfill this objective.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration: 6 months

Location:

On-site working days: 6 months

Off-site working days: N/A

Field Missions/Travel: N/A

Estimated Start Date: October 15, 2017

Estimated end Date:   April 15, 2018

BACKGROUND:

PF4C describes UNICEF’s efforts to influence the transparency, quality and size of public investments in children. By undertaking this work, UNICEF is better able to address equity gaps in public funding, which routinely disadvantage the poorest and most marginalised children. Key goals of PF4C include influencing government decisions about spending on children and social services versus other areas, reducing investment disparities among different geographic areas and population groups, and applying value-for-money approaches so that children benefit optimally from funds intended to enhance their wellbeing, among others. As a programme stream, PF4C brings together sector-based and cross-cutting initiatives to influence budgetary frameworks and public financial management processes for the benefit of children.

The MENA Regional Office focuses on PF4C, with the objective of developing UNICEF’s capacity to understand and effectively influence Public Finance for children’s rights in MENA region; and thus the incumbent will support the Social Policy Section in the MENARO to fulfil this objective. 

OBJECTIVE:

Under the general guidance of the Regional Social Policy Advisor, the incumbent is accountable for developing UNICEF’s capacity to understand and effectively influence Public Finance for children’s rights in MENA region; and effective engagement in Public Finance for Children (PF4C) dialogue with the MENA Country Offices (COs) for programme development, and in advocating for increased public resource allocations focused on children. Provides technical support to strengthen public finance for children at central and decentralized level. Conducts data collection and analysis on PF4C to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children’s rights, and to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

 DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant will work under the supervision and guidance of the Social Policy Advisor in UNICEF MENARO and in close coordination with the Social Policy Specialist in MENARO undergo the following:

1.      Provide technical support and quality assurance to country offices on Public Finance for Children interventions

2.      Support MENA cross-sectoral work on PF4C to enhance outcomes for children

1.1.   Support RO education section to study costing and financing education services at regional level

1.2.   Support RO health section to study costing and financing health services at regional level

1.3.   Improve knowledge on Islamic financing and its role in sector financing for children

3.      Monitors and updates current information on state budgeting and spending patterns for social programmes impacting children in MENA countries and monitors related PF4C indicators in the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to achieve global UN agendas such as the SDGs.  

4. Monitors decentralization status of public spending on an on-going basis to support advocacy for greater public resources and budget allocation for social development impacting children, the prioritization of resource allocation for children, and universal coverage of essential services for children, to ensure that they reflect the best interest of children.
5. Provides timely, regular data-driven analysis on PF4C in MENA to support COs in effective prioritization, planning, and development; facilitates results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives.  Support maintenance of information system for PF4C monitoring, which ensures gender/sex disaggregated data. 
6. Analyzes the macroeconomic context of in MENA and its impact on social development, emerging issues and social policy concerns, as well as implications for children, and proposes appropriate responses in respect of such issues and concerns, including government resource allocation policies and the effect of social welfare policies on the rights of children

KEY DELIVERABLES:

(Deliverables are detailed in payment schedule); All Deliverables should be submitted in English.

• Month one (Deliverable 1) – monthly report, focusing on 1-3
• Month two (Deliverable 2) – monthly report, focusing on 1-3
• Month three (Deliverable 3) – monthly report, focusing on 1-4
• Month four (Deliverable 4) – monthly report, focusing on 1-5
• Month five (Deliverable 5) – monthly report, focusing on 1-6
• Month six (Deliverable 6) – monthly report, focusing on 1-6

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

The consultant will support all the countries included in MENA region will be, which include the following:   Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen; in addition, the consultant will provide support to the MENA regional office.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS:

Commencement travel (consultant’s cost)

Mission travel: While the only travel anticipated is the commencement and return travel, there might be mission travel to country offices if on-site technical support is requested, and will be managed as per the conditions mentioned. 

For individual contractors and consultants, all travel arrangements to commence the assignment, including insurance and visas, will be managed and paid by the individual.  Therefore, expected travel costs must be included as a budget item in the financial proposal.  Should “mission travel” be required, UNICEF will manage and pay for travel via Travel Authorization.  However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites:  Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Trainings, Travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost shall be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel.  Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).  The consultant must travel on UNICEF approved airlines.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education

-  Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, public relations, media, communication, or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience

-  Five years of relevant professional work experience.

-  Developing country work experience

-  Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Language Proficiency 

-  Fluency in English and another UN language

-  Fluency in Arabic language will be an asset

Payment Schedule:

Monthly payments will disbursed based on the monthly progress report as per the TOR. 

Monthly payments:  Lump sum payment will be made monthly, inclusive of all professional fees, daily allowances, living allowances, and other administrative costs.  Overtime, weekend and official holidays will not be compensated, nor will any holiday/leave time be granted.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial Proposal:  quote as lump sum for professional fees, and lump sum for travel/administrative/subsistence.
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work.
5. Technical Proposal:  Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
6. References:  At least 2 Referees
7. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ).

Late submissions, incomplete packets, or submissions with an incorrect email subject heading will not be considered.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.