Social Policy International Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose among its staff while serving children and communities globally. UNICEF prides itself on its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds to contribute to its mission.

Job Overview:
The Social Policy International Consultant will work under the supervision of the Social Policy Officer (PF4C) and collaborate closely with UNICEF Mozambique program sections, the Centre of Excellence (CoE), and relevant external partners. The consultant's primary responsibilities will include conducting Public Finance Management (PFM) analysis, preparing budget briefs and memos, and contributing to resource mobilization efforts. The role requires a strong analytical background to assess social protection financing trends and develop strategic frameworks for engaging with the Government of Mozambique. The consultant will also be involved in mapping workflows for program engagement and defining technical support mechanisms under the new Country Programme Document (CPD). This position is home-based and is expected to last for four months, providing an opportunity to make a significant impact on the financing landscape for children in Mozambique.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct Public Finance Management (PFM) analysis, including: - Engaging with the CoE to leverage AI budget analysis tools for streamlined budget analysis. - Preparing the 2026 Social Protection Budget Brief with detailed analysis of financing trends, allocations, and beneficiary coverage. - Developing the 2027 Budget Memo, analyzing macro-fiscal contexts and government priorities affecting children. - Creating and maintaining a budget database for future Early Childhood Development (ECD) Budget Briefs. - Preparing a Nutrition Budget Brief and a simplified expenditure-tracking matrix for monitoring nutrition-related spending.
• Support resource mobilization efforts by: - Assisting in the preparation of funding proposals and providing analytical inputs for donor engagement. - Developing a roadmap for UNICEF Mozambique's engagement with the Government in preparation for the Global Early Years Finance Summit 202
• Map and develop a workflow framework for PF4C engagement with program sections, defining technical support offers and coordination mechanisms under the new CPD.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree in social sciences, economics, demography, public finance, public policy, or related fields. Proven experience in preparing analytical reports, policy briefs, or similar technical documents is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in resource mobilization, including drafting funding proposals and supporting donor engagement. Familiarity with social protection financing, nutrition financing, and early childhood development financing is advantageous. Experience working with UNICEF, particularly within the Social Policy program area, is highly desirable, as is experience in low-income country contexts, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, economics, demography, public finance, public policy, or other related fields is required. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of public finance and social policy as they relate to children's rights and welfare.

Experience:
Candidates should have a proven track record of relevant work experience, particularly in preparing analytical reports and policy briefs. Experience in resource mobilization and donor engagement is crucial, as well as familiarity with financing for social protection, nutrition, and early childhood development. Previous work with UNICEF or similar organizations, especially in low-income countries, will be considered a significant asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within UNICEF and for the documentation involved in this consultancy. Knowledge of Portuguese is highly desirable, given the location of the consultancy in Mozambique, and would facilitate better engagement with local stakeholders and government entities.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is four months, and the working arrangement is home-based. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.