Consultancy - Technical support for Governance of Basic Public Services, UNICEF China

UNICEF China Social Policy team is looking for a consultant to provide technical support to the national and sub-national policy making and advocacy activities for the governance for Basic Public Services.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, commitment

To increase access to and utilization of effective, efficient and equitable basic public services (BPS) for children and their families is a long-term development goal for UNICEF in China. UNICEF works with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) to build national capacity to uphold child rights in the delivery and uptake of the BPS.

With regards to such cooperation, UNICEF will pursue the following project objectives:

• To promote equitable access to a minimum basic package BPS for children (covering health, basic education, social protection and children protection) in the context of the 13^th Five Year Plan (FYP) implementation and addressing the 14^th FYP;
• To innovate the BPS to promoting the rights and protect the wellbeing of children in the new stage of urbanization and migration;
• To contribute to the realization of children’s rights of equal access to BPS by supporting the best possible use of public budgets

All the above work requires considerable technical support through working with national, provincial and city experts. The Social Policy Section needs a consultant with related technical expertise and experiences to provide technical support to the national and sub-national policy making and advocacy activities for the governance for BPS.

How can you make a difference?

(1) You can provide technical inputs and coordination for the national and sub-national BPS equalization and standardization related advocacy projects 

(2) you can prepare memos/drafts/briefs for the UNICEF/GoC reporting;

(3) You can support the stakeholder engagement activities for the related policy advocacy including but not limited to organization of meetings with GoC and other partners, analytic work related to the project objectives, and etc; and

(4) You can provide technical support for the development of the country programme document (CPD) 2021-2025 and related documents on the financing and governance for BPS.

For more specific description of this consultancy's tasks and deliverables, please visit the full TOR at -  ToR for Governance for BPS Consultant-0110 - for VA - 20200114.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Required Qualifications:

• University degree to graduate and postgraduate level in economics, public policy, development studies, governance or a related field;
• At least two years' relevant work experiences, preferably at the international or national level in the public policy communication and advocacy, and implementation and monitoring of development projects;
• Good knowledge of key issues in international development and child rights, in relation to one or all of  the following: public sector governance, financing for basic services, urbanization and migration, child rights, and government policies and programmes related to basic services and/or child rights in China;
• Excellent track record of engagement experiences with government partners, civil society and/or think tanks;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese;
• Previous experience in/with the UN, including knowledge of UN/UNICEF programmes and operations, policies and procedures is an asset; and
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software.

Desired competencies / experiences:

• Drive for Results – Effectively translates ideas into actions. Has a drive to implement goals and objectives, to accomplish tasks, ensuring the end-results or services are delivered to the clients by deadlines. Makes things happen through perseverance and tenacity. Achieves quantifiable and measurable results. Identifies areas for improvement and takes necessary steps to implement those changes.
• Teamwork – Cooperates and works effectively with others in the pursuit of common goals.
• Communication– Effectively presenting thoughts and ideas in a clear, concise, and readily understood manner. Listens to, understands and acknowledges others’ perspectives and views.
• Ability to build relationships with partner organizations and institutions.
• Analytical and Conceptual Thinking – Solves problems based on the critical review of facts, data, and information and draws conclusions based on logical reasoning.
• Strong research and writing skills to support knowledge management on governance for BPS issues;

Other requirements:

• Travel to project sites, as needed.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.