International Consultant to Develop an Investment Case for a State Child Guarantee in Uzbekistan
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal growth in a passionate and inclusive culture.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Investment Case for the establishment and progressive implementation of a State Child Guarantee in Uzbekistan. This involves mapping and costing existing child-sensitive benefits and services, assessing their coverage, adequacy, accessibility, quality, effectiveness, and current public expenditure. The consultant will also estimate the economic and social costs of current gaps and develop feasible reform scenarios. These scenarios will integrate benefits and services, progressively improving their coverage, adequacy, and quality, while assessing fiscal requirements and their contribution to reducing monetary and multidimensional child poverty. The analysis will draw on international evidence to examine cost-effectiveness, costs, and benefits, informing government decision-making for enhanced child protection and social inclusion.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a thorough mapping and costing of all existing child-sensitive benefits and services in Uzbekistan. This includes assessing their current coverage, adequacy, accessibility, quality, effectiveness, and the public expenditure allocated to them. A critical part of the role involves estimating the economic and social costs associated with the existing gaps in child support systems. The consultant will develop and compare multiple feasible reform scenarios for a State Child Guarantee, focusing on integration of benefits and services. These scenarios will detail progressive improvements in coverage, adequacy, and quality, alongside an assessment of their fiscal requirements. Furthermore, the consultant will analyze the expected contribution of these scenarios to reducing both monetary and multidimensional child poverty. Drawing on relevant international evidence and good practices, the consultant will examine the cost-effectiveness, overall costs, and benefits of proposed interventions. The final output will be a robust Investment Case report, providing evidence-based recommendations to inform government decision-making on social policy reforms and child protection strategies.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in social policy analysis, child poverty, social protection systems, public finance, or related areas. Experience in developing investment cases or cost-benefit analyses for social programs is highly desirable.
Skills
Social Policy Analysis, Child Poverty Measurement, Social Protection Systems, Public Finance Management, Investment Case Development, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, UNICEF Policies and Procedures, Uzbekistan Social Context