Consultant for Education Financial Management

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories 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 operates with a mission to ensure that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential. UNICEF employs a diverse workforce and offers opportunities for professional and personal development, emphasizing a culture of belonging and growth. The organization is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, and it actively engages in advocacy and operational programs to address the needs of disadvantaged children and families.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Education Manager (Evidence for Advocacy and Coordination) and collaborate closely with the Education Section, Budget Unit, and Grant Managers. The primary focus of this role is to enhance financial management within UNICEF Afghanistan’s Education Section, which manages a complex education portfolio funded by multiple partners. The consultant will be responsible for resource mapping, performance analysis, and knowledge management to ensure compliance with donor conditions and optimize the use of funds. This position requires a proactive approach to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and recommend adaptive measures to maintain program delivery within financial constraints. The consultant will also be expected to travel to Kabul as needed, with travel costs reimbursed based on actual travel undertaken.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop analytical budget-mapping tools to present allocations, utilization trends, and variances by grant and output.
• Track performance across grants, outputs, and cost centers, providing timely recommendations for corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with donor conditions, flagging risks and proposing remedial measures.
• Conduct scenario analysis and provide advisory support for budget revisions, reprogramming, project extensions, and donor financial reports.
• Maintain a structured repository of financial and programmatic information accessible to the Education Section.
• Lead preparation of monthly, quarterly, mid-year, and annual briefings integrating expenditure, forecast, and variance analyses.
• Prepare management-ready summaries highlighting key issues, risks, and decision points for the section.
• Facilitate the development of knowledge management products to capture, analyze, and utilize sectoral or program-specific data from field operations for policymaking, advocacy, and fundraising purposes.
• Provide inputs for all donor financial reports in line with donor requirements. 1
• Engage proactively with Kabul and field offices to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and recommend adaptive measures to maintain program delivery.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Public Administration, Finance, International Development, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program financial management, budgeting, and reporting in international development contexts.
• Proven expertise in multi-donor financial management, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with UNICEF or other UN agency financial systems and donor reporting.
• Strong proficiency in MS Excel, vision, or similar tools for financial analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with Results-Based Management (RBM) and program performance frameworks is desired.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and coordination skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams is desired.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Administration, Finance, International Development, or Education is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to effectively manage financial resources and contribute to the strategic decision-making processes within UNICEF.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program financial management, budgeting, and reporting, particularly in international development contexts. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of managing funds from multiple donors and ensuring compliance with various reporting requirements. Proven expertise in multi-donor financial management and familiarity with UNICEF or other UN agency financial systems is also required, as this will enable the consultant to navigate the specific challenges associated with donor-funded projects.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. This includes the ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken forms, as well as the capacity to prepare detailed reports and presentations. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of engaging with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a total of 203 working days over an 11-month period, with specific deliverables outlined for each phase of the assignment. The consultant will be required to conduct regular meetings, prepare financial analysis reports, and contribute to corporate reports and knowledge management products. The position is full-time, and the consultant will be expected to travel to Kabul as necessary, with travel costs reimbursed based on actual expenses incurred. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities.