National Consultancy for Ministry of Education Public Financing for Child

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 culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF is dedicated to ensuring that children benefit from government budgets, policies, and programs, particularly in education.

Job Overview:
The national consultancy aims to support the UNICEF Iraq Country Office in advancing evidence generation and capacity strengthening on Public Financing for Children (PF4C) within the education sector. The consultant will collaborate closely with the Ministries of Education in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, focusing on enhancing public finance management practices to promote equitable, efficient, and child-centered investments in education. This role emphasizes the importance of transparent and efficient allocation of public resources to ensure that children benefit from educational funding, particularly in early childhood education. The consultancy aligns with the Iraq National Education Strategy, particularly in strengthening governance and financial capacities within the education system. The overarching objective is to support government systems in becoming more transparent and results-oriented in the allocation and use of public resources for children in education, with a focus on developing a PFM/PF4C framework and capacity building for key staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for collecting education financing and expenditure data at national and sub-national levels to inform PF4C evidence generation, policy dialogue, and advocacy efforts. They will support the design and implementation of capacity strengthening activities for relevant Ministry of Education staff through training, coaching, mentoring, and technical support on PF4C and education financing. The consultant will also engage with the Ministry of Finance for budgetary data collection and public financing processes, ensuring that the consultancy's objectives align with government priorities and processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, business, public administration, or related fields, with a preference for a higher degree. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required, particularly within national financial institutions and in institutional capacity building. Strong interpersonal skills and diplomatic acumen are essential for engaging with government officials and stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, business, or public administration is required, with a higher degree preferred to enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in national financial institutions and in roles that involve institutional capacity building, including training, coaching, and mentoring.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for analyzing budget documentation and engaging with the Iraqi government, while proficiency in English is required for writing and communication with UNICEF and international consultants. Fluency in Kurdish is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy has a contract duration of 12 months and is home-based. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background, and offers reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the United Nations and UNICEF, ensuring rigorous background checks for all selected candidates.