Consultant for Public Finance, Social Protection, and Local Governance

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. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The selected consultants will work closely with UNICEF Romania’s Social Policy team, engaging with state institutions and Civil Society Organizations as necessary. The role involves collaboration with development partners and humanitarian agencies, including the World Bank and other UN agencies. The consultants will be responsible for delivering reports and analyses in areas such as public finance for children, social protection, and local governance. Specific deliverables will be outlined in separate Terms of Reference (ToRs) for future assignments, depending on the required scope of work. The position requires a strong focus on evidence generation, data analysis, and capacity building for national counterparts, with an emphasis on improving public finance management and social protection systems for children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Public Finance for Children: Conduct policy, legal, and institutional framework analyses; budget reviews; cost estimation analyses; and capacity building for national counterparts. Develop modified budgeting frameworks and leverage resources from International Finance Institutions (IFIs) for child-related programs. Organize training sessions and prepare analytical documents to support advocacy on local governance and public finance for children.
• Social Protection: Analyze the effectiveness of social protection systems and contribute to data collection processes. Provide technical assistance on social protection system strengthening and prepare training materials. Support advocacy efforts through policy briefs and communication materials.
• Local Governance: Support local authorities in participatory planning and resource mobilization for child-related programs. Conduct analyses of local governance policies and provide technical support to enhance service provision for children. Facilitate training sessions for national counterparts on local governance for children.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include a Master's degree in public policies, social assistance, political science, sociology, public administration, or a related field. Candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant experience in public finance management, social protection, or local governance, with a strong understanding of the UN and EU agendas. Proficiency in project management and analytical thinking is essential, along with familiarity with child rights frameworks and UNICEF's mandate. Fluency in Romanian and/or English is required, with additional languages considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant field such as public policies, social assistance, political science, sociology, or public administration. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public finance, social protection, and governance as they relate to children's rights and welfare.

Experience:
A minimum of 3 years of experience is required in areas such as public finance management, social protection system strengthening, or local governance. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with government institutions and civil society organizations, as well as experience in research, data collection, and analysis related to these fields. Familiarity with EU-funded programs and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian and/or English is mandatory. Knowledge of additional languages is considered a desirable asset, particularly in enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve contract duration specifics, seniority level, and full-time or part-time commitments, although these details are not explicitly stated. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware of UNICEF's zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and the rigorous background checks that will be conducted for selected candidates.