Consultant for Universal Child Grant Feasibility Study

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world's most disadvantaged children, saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. UNICEF operates with a workforce of thousands of employees dedicated to improving the lives of children and families globally. The organization is committed to ensuring that every child has access to education, healthcare, and protection from harm, and it never gives up on its mission to build a better world for everyone.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for implementing a Universal Child Grant (UCG) program in Eswatini. This involves designing the program and conducting a fiscal space analysis to assess its affordability and sustainability. The study aims to evaluate the potential impact of the UCG within Eswatini's unique socio-economic context, addressing significant challenges such as high child poverty rates and systemic inefficiencies in existing social protection frameworks. The consultant will be responsible for assessing various UCG models, identifying target beneficiaries, and analyzing the economic and financial viability of the program. Additionally, the consultant will evaluate institutional readiness and develop a stakeholder engagement strategy to ensure broad support for the initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a feasibility study for the Universal Child Grant (UCG) program, including: - Assessing different UCG models for feasibility based on local socio-economic conditions. - Identifying target beneficiaries through demographic and socio-economic analyses. - Performing a fiscal space analysis to evaluate the national budget and financial implications of the UCG. - Assessing long-term financial sustainability and projecting future fiscal scenarios. - Evaluating existing governance structures and institutional capacities for UCG implementation. - Identifying necessary legal and policy adjustments for the UCG within the national social protection framework. - Mapping key stakeholders and developing an engagement strategy to gather support and input. - Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment and proposing contingency plans to mitigate identified risks. - Delivering a series of reports and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations throughout the consultancy period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in economics, social policy, public administration, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of experience in public finance and public policy design, particularly in social protection, is required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to conduct complex data analysis and produce high-quality reports and recommendations. Experience in stakeholder engagement and leading discussions is essential. Previous experience in Africa is considered a plus. Knowledge and expertise in designing public policy and monitoring programs focused on persons with disabilities will be an asset. Strong coordination skills and the ability to work with multi-sector stakeholders are also necessary.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in economics, social policy, public administration, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to conduct the feasibility study effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in public finance and public policy design, with a specific focus on social protection. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of implementing a Universal Child Grant program in Eswatini and for conducting the necessary analyses and evaluations required for the feasibility study.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all reports and communications will be conducted in English. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Eswatini may be considered an advantage, as it could facilitate better engagement with stakeholders and beneficiaries during the feasibility study.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted over a specified period, with deliverables including inception reports, feasibility reports, stakeholder engagement plans, and final presentations. The position is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be required to work on-site in Eswatini, depending on the nature of the consultancy. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and adherence to UNICEF's values and principles is expected.