Consultant for Cost Estimation of Basic Social Protection

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that focuses on providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. With a mission to advocate for the protection of children's rights, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, employing approximately 13,000 staff members. The organization aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential, particularly in the most disadvantaged communities. UNICEF collaborates with various governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to improve the lives of children and families, focusing on areas such as health, education, protection, and social inclusion.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in estimating the costs associated with Brazil's Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) for the fiscal year 202

• This position involves analyzing financial data from various municipalities, states, and national levels to produce unit-cost benchmarks and spending profiles. The consultant will be expected to generate actionable insights that can inform public debate and improve resource allocation for social protection services. The role requires a deep understanding of social protection financing, data analysis, and the ability to translate complex data into practical recommendations for budgeting and performance monitoring. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF, the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, and other stakeholders to ensure that the findings are relevant and can lead to improvements in service provision.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a detailed work plan outlining the methodology, necessary data, validation rules, and feasibility analysis within 15 days of contract initiation.
• Conduct an initial research report that includes exploratory results and a finalized dataset within 55 days of contract initiation.
• Prepare an intermediate research report focusing on federal transfers, state and municipal spending, and proposed parameters for estimating unit costs within 95 days of contract initiation.
• Deliver a final research report summarizing all findings and recommendations within 180 days of contract initiation.
• Create an executive summary and complementary content, including presentation materials and annotated databases, within 210 days of contract initiation.
• Analyze spending patterns and financing arrangements, focusing on average and median unit costs by funding block/service/equipment type.
• Identify systematic differences in spending patterns by region, municipal size class, and urban/rural profile.
• Develop criteria options for federal transfers and validate findings with counterparts at MDS/FNAS/UNICEF.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in data science, economics, statistics, social sciences, or related fields.
• At least five years of proven experience in data analysis, particularly in costing and budgeting social services and social protection in Brazil.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software such as R, Python, and Stata.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Excellent communication skills to present findings to stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in relevant fields such as data science, economics, statistics, or social sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social protection financing and data analysis methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in data analysis, specifically related to costing and budgeting social services within the Brazilian context. Additional years of experience will be considered an asset, indicating a deeper understanding of the social protection landscape in Brazil.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be working with local data and stakeholders. Proficiency in English or other languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is seven months, and the consultant will be expected to submit a financial proposal that includes all-inclusive fees covering administrative costs, travel, and subsistence as applicable. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities and adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must ensure compliance with local tax laws and visa requirements.