Country: Kyrgyzstan
Closing date: 13 Nov 2018
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Objective/purpose of the consultancy/services:
Technical support on public finance (PF) of the critical child-related programmes [i] - social protection and Âearly childhood education (ECE).
Background:
Consultancy will assist in generating evidence and producing financial arguments to inform UNICEF CO advocacy aimed at influencing governmental decisions on the size and efficiency of allocations for identified child-related programmes [ii] - integrated social protection [cash and services] and early childhood education (ECE). Generated knowledge will inform policy dialogue on child-centered budgeting, communicating it to decision-makers and the public for greater accountability.
The consultancy aims to conduct analysis and provide technical assistance in three programmatic areas:
Key areas for analysis will be allocation versus actual spending, sustainability and efficiency with budget identification of challenges in budget planning and PFM. The latter are building blocks of the budget brief sample developed by UNICEF Regional Office.
Technical inputs are to be provided to the bigger research agenda coordinated with the WB, EU and WFP on the different policy options in the reform of social assistance and to fiscal space analysis, including identification of possible funding sources to achieve greater coverage and inclusion of poor and vulnerable children.
Technical assistance on testing new financing approaches in social service planning and budgeting will include development of tailored training and coaching package, conduction of training, post-training support and supervision along with on-the-job technical assistance to the local authorities and planners, financial staff and relevant stakeholders including auditors. Financing of local social service is critical component of testing the governance model including interjurisdictional cooperation initiated earlier this year. Testing aims to generate empirical findings for policy dialogue in the context of unfinished decentralization agenda, difference between de jure and de-facto in handling social issues at the local level, input-based budgeting.
Regulatory framework of the new modalities in the early childhood development and education provision has been influenced by the range of strategic projects and initiatives. Project results and related advocacy helped to put this programmatic area high onto political agenda. However, it resulted in handicap governance model especially in terms of financing principles. Undertaken by UNICEF review of regulatory framework will be complemented by analysis of fiscal issues. The latter will provide a complete diagnostic of the governance model and, thus, better chances for integration into to government machinery.
Scope of work and key tasks:
Deliverables:
Reporting and supervision:
The consultant will report to and supervised by Social Policy Specialist with support from Programme Assistant.
[i] Critical child-related programmes identified for 2017- 2018 and 2019 are child poverty/social assistance and services, ECE. Criteria of being critical: quantitative magnitude of problematic, i.e. number of children concerned, availability of normative and budgetary framework regulating social protection/assistance and ECE/education, probability for impact being nation-wide.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=517661