Consultant for Social Protection and Child-Friendly Budgets

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 employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, with a focus on building careers and fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Government of Moldova in implementing recommendations from the analysis of the extra costs of disability. This role involves advocating for an integrated social protection package that includes complementary services for children with disabilities. The consultant will also assist UNICEF in revising budget briefs and facilitate collaboration with an International Consultancy Institution to draft budget briefs on child protection, education, and social protection. The consultancy aims to enhance child-sensitive social policies and public finance management, ensuring that the needs of children with disabilities are prioritized in national frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include conducting a desk review and stakeholder interviews to assess actions required for the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR). They will advocate for adequate social protection and complementary services for children with disabilities, formulate policy recommendations, and review draft guidelines on child-friendly budgets. The consultant will also disseminate findings from the Cost of Inaction report to key stakeholders and ensure that national stakeholders are familiar with these findings. The consultant will report to the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist and work closely with various teams within UNICEF to achieve the consultancy objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields such as Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, or related areas. A minimum of two years of experience in public policy and development work is required, along with managerial experience in Public Finance Management. A strong understanding of social policy in Moldova and sectoral social budgets is considered an asset. Excellent written and oral communication skills in Romanian and working knowledge of English are mandatory, while knowledge of Russian is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, or Community Development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social policies and public finance management in the context of child protection and disability services.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least two years of experience in public policy and development work, with a focus on public financing for children being advantageous. Additionally, a minimum of two years of managerial experience in Public Finance Management is required to effectively navigate the financial aspects of social protection and child-friendly budgets.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian is required, along with a good working knowledge of English. Knowledge of Russian is considered a plus, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders in Moldova.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will involve local travel to conduct in-person visits and interviews with government officials. The consultant is expected to cover costs related to these visits and will work under the oversight of the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist. Payments will be made upon successful completion of each task as outlined in the ToR. The consultant will be required to deliver all technical components electronically in English and will be evaluated based on the completion of tasks, adherence to deadlines, and quality of work. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.