National Consultant for the Development of the 2027 Budget Brief
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, viewing it as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children globally.
Job Purpose
As Ukraine transitions from emergency response to long-term recovery, prioritizing and financing investments for children is crucial amidst fiscal pressures. Public financial management reforms are essential for a child-centered recovery, ensuring credible budgets and effective implementation. UNICEF's Public Finance for Children agenda supports Ukrainian authorities in strengthening expenditure review, budget prioritization, and local planning. This consultancy aims to provide specialized analytical and technical expertise to develop UNICEF’s 2027 Budget Briefs, analyzing State Budgets and social protection expenditure. The assignment will contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable public financial management system, ensuring children's needs are reflected in national recovery efforts.
Responsibilities
The National Consultant will provide targeted technical support to UNICEF’s Social Policy Section in advancing its Public Finance for Children agenda in Ukraine. The primary responsibility is to develop UNICEF’s 2027 Budget Briefs, which involves in-depth analysis of the Draft and Approved State Budgets, with a specific focus on social protection expenditure. This includes assessing current public financial management systems, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement in relation to child-sensitive budgeting. The consultant will conduct analytical work to inform policy recommendations and support the Ministry of Finance, line ministries, and local governments in strengthening budget prioritization and planning processes. This involves preparing analytical notes, briefs, and strategic documents that clearly present complex technical information to various stakeholders. The consultant will also contribute to ensuring that children and young people are systematically considered in public finance decisions, providing technical assistance to advance this agenda. Collaboration with government institutions, local authorities, and local governance entities will be key, requiring strong coordination, planning, and organizational skills to deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
Work Experience
A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in public policy, public finance, public administration, or related fields. Demonstrated track record in public budget planning, monitoring, and/or analysis. Significant experience conducting analytical work for governments or international organizations. Proven ability to work independently and contribute to multidisciplinary teams.
Skills
Public budget planning, monitoring, and analysis, Public policy and public financial management expertise, Analytical and technical writing skills, Ability to work independently and in teams, Strong communication and presentation skills, Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Coordination, planning, and organizational skills, Understanding of government and local governance collaboration, Time management and ability to meet deadlines, Expert advice on public finance strengths and weaknesses, Interpersonal skills for building relationships, Ability to work in a diverse and multicultural environment