National Consultancy to Support Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

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 to its staff. UNICEF prides itself on its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be embedded within the National Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) in Rwanda. This role involves reporting to the Director General of the Budget Management and Reporting Directorate and working under the technical supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Social Policy. The consultant will collaborate closely with the Ministry’s current Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) Analyst. The primary function of this position is to support the integration of gender-responsive budgeting into national financial management processes, ensuring that budget allocations reflect the needs and rights of children and women. The consultant will be expected to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and analytical support to enhance the effectiveness of GRB initiatives within the government framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with MINECOFIN to assess current budgeting processes and identify opportunities for integrating gender-responsive budgeting.
• Provide technical guidance on the development and implementation of GRB frameworks and tools.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops for government officials on gender analysis and budgeting practices.
• Analyze budget proposals and expenditures to ensure alignment with gender equity objectives.
• Prepare reports and recommendations based on findings from budget analysis and stakeholder consultations.
• Facilitate discussions among stakeholders to promote understanding and support for GRB initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of GRB on budget allocations and outcomes for children and women.
• Support the development of communication materials to raise awareness about the importance of gender-responsive budgeting.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Economics, Public Finance, Public Policy, Gender and Development, Development Studies, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in public financial management, budgeting, and/or gender-responsive budgeting, preferably in a governmental context.
• Practical experience with budget and public financial management (PFM) information systems, including requirements definition, configuration, testing, or roll-out.
• Strong understanding of gender and equity analysis, child-responsive budgeting, and Rwanda’s PFM system, budget cycle, and gender policy framework.
• Excellent analytical, capacity-building, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Finance, Public Policy, Gender and Development, Development Studies, or a closely related discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in gender-responsive budgeting and public financial management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public financial management, budgeting, and gender-responsive budgeting. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with government entities and possess practical experience with budget and PFM information systems. This level of experience is crucial for effectively supporting the integration of gender considerations into national budgeting processes.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse linguistic landscape of Rwanda and the broader region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract is for a duration of 9 months and is office-based in Kigali, Rwanda. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from individuals with disabilities. The organization provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.