Social Policy and Research Intern for Contributing to the work of Social Policy and Research: Public Finance 4 Children pillar, Kigali- Rwanda

UNICEF Rwanda is looking for interested and motivated young girl / boy for the Social Policy and Research Intern for Contributing to the work of Social Policy and Research: Public Finance 4 Children pillar

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, 

How can you make a difference?

Background

Like in many other countries across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Rwanda’s economy, as the annual GDP has contracted by 3.4 percent in GDP in 2020 compared to a growth rate of 9.5 percent in 2019. Except for agriculture which experienced an increase of 1 percent, all sectors of the economy recorded a decrease, industry sector dropped by 4 percent and services by 6 percent. However, the recovery is foreseen for the next three years, with 5.1 percent growth in 2021, 7.0 percent in 2022 and 8.1 percent in 2023.

The latest IMF reviews (2020-2021) have reported that the fiscal toll of the pandemic on Rwanda’s economy is large, and it is expected to cause a revenue shortfall of 2.2 percent of GDP and increase the fiscal deficit at 8.5 percent of GDP in FY2020/21 up from 6.1% in 2019, while the ratio of external public debt is projected at 75.7 percent of GDP at end-2021 up from 45.4 percent in 2019. However, with the development and approvals of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, the economic forecast is more promising. The country’s IMF economic forecast shows that Rwanda’s GDP growth for 2021 will be 5.1 percent and 7.0 percent in 2022, but it will take time for the Fiscal Space to recover.

UNICEF Rwanda supports the Governments in strengthening social sector programming and engaging in the budget process to influence allocation decisions and improve public spending efficiency, equity, and budget transparency. This is being done by developing annual budget briefs for priority sectors for children mainly (i) social protection, (ii) education, (iii) health, (iv) WASH, (v) Nutrition and the overall national budget brief. In addition, UNICEF does the monitoring of fiscal space, financing policies and sectoral financing strategies.

The above portfolio has been growing recently and the demand for timely and quality analysis is also increasing.

It is against this background that UNICEF intends to recruit an intern to support the Social Policy and Research Section in the analysis of the state budget for 2021/22 using the internally developed tools and methodology and also to contribute to the coordination of other financing and capacity building interventions.

Specific Tasks
• Provide support to the Social Policy and Research team in analysis, including providing technical support to:
- The analysis of the state budget and development of budget briefs by undertaking quality assurance works, cross data validation and verification
- The collation of data and analysis of district budgets and their key performance indicators
- Technical inputs and feedback on the Fiscal space Analysis (FSA) for social sectors for children
- The learning and impact assessment of Capacity building of Local Government officials in Result Based Management and Public Financial Management
- The dissemination process of the Citizen Guide of the national budget 2021/22.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as assigned by the Social policy and Economics specialist or the Chief of Social Policy and Research.

Expected deliverables
• Budget briefs for 2021/22 are developed
• District budgets and KPIs monitoring summary report is developed
• Feedback on Fiscal Space Analysis study is provided
• Inputs are provided on the design of capacity building interventions for local and central government officials focusing on Result Based Management and Public Financial Management.
• Dissemination of citizens guide of the national budget is facilitated.

General Conditions, Procedures and Logistics
The intern will be expected to follow the working hours of UNICEF Rwanda. UNICEF will provide a workspace and technical support that is necessary for the performance of assigned tasks. The intern will have to arrange for his/her own laptop. Internet connection will be provided by UNICEF.

The intern will receive modest stipend (about US$ 200 or equivalent in Rwandan Francs) to cover local travel and any other basic needs. Intern is not UNICEF employee, and internship contract does carry any expectation for conversion into another form of UNICEF employment.

The intern will cover the costs of health insurance for the duration of the volunteer period and UNICEF accepts no responsibility for costs or fatality arising from illness or accidents incurred during the internship period.

Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons. The stipend will be reduced for any absence beyond this quota. The quota is cumulative over the duration of the internship, but there will be no compensation or carry-over to another internship or appointment for unused leave days at the end of the internship.

Interns are not considered as staff members. Notwithstanding this status, they shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.

Interns shall not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against posts.

Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to UNICEF.

Unless otherwise authorized by the receiving office/division, interns may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any external source any information which has become known to them by reasons of their association with UNICEF. They may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the internship.

UNICEF accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during the internship, including while on duty travel. Interns must demonstrate a proof of medical insurance prior to the beginning of the internship.

Reporting
The intern will be reporting to the Social policy and Economics specialist (PF4C).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Be enrolled in, or have recently completed (within two years), a degree programme in in social sciences (Economic policy, applied economics, international development, business studies, public policy, Development Studies)
  • Have strong academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records or, if not available, a reference letter from an academic supervisor
  • The ability to meet the deadlines
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills
  • Ability to work in a team with diverse culture and background
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English; some knowledge in French would be an advantage.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.