Re-advertisement -Roster of National Consultants in local governance and public finance area (Bucharest, Romania)

UNICEF Romania invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster of local governance and public finance specialists. The specialists will be responsible for supporting UNICEF in evidence generation, policy and legal analyses, policy advocacy, policy and programme planning, implementation, and monitoring to support local governance and public finance for children in Romania. Overall, UNICEF intends to contribute to accelerating local governance and public finance reforms, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration and other national and local level institutions and development partners. The aim is to contribute to an improved and strengthened local governance framework for children and to enhance the efficiency of funding mechanisms so as to support the service provision at the local level.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

• Candidates who have already submitted applications to this Consultancy Roster will not be required to re-apply.

And we never give up. 

For every child, peace.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

The selected experts will work closely with UNICEF Romania’s Social Policy team. When necessary, a close collaboration and interaction with state institutions and civil society organizations will be required. Collaboration with state institutions implies working together with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Investments and European Projects, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, and other national level institutions as well as the county and local governments. The specialist may also be requested to work closely with development partners, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies and other international organizations.

The selected experts may be required to travel across the country to gather evidence and to collaborate with local actors, for which they are expected to make their own arrangements for travel and lodging. Official travel will be specified in the TOR for each assignment.

The selected specialists are required to use their own equipment necessary for undertaking the assignments.

Key responsibilities of the Social Protection Consultant include:

•              Undertaking evidence generation and data analyses in local governance and public finance 

•              Undertaking cost estimation analyses for plans, policies, strategies, and other public documents

•              Undertaking policy, strategy, and legislation analyses, especially on the roles and authorities with regard to service provision for children, both at the national and sub-national levels

•              Undertaking budget analyses, at national, sector and sub-national level

•              Undertaking financial assessments, cost analyses in different sectors and value for money analyses to support improved financing for services, including investment cases on selected topics

•              Organizing trainings for national counterparts on local governance and public finance for children

•              Preparing policy briefs, reports, communication materials and other analytical and briefing documents to support advocacy on local governance and public finance for children

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced University degrees in public policies, economics, social policies or a related field  
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. 

• •              Minimum 2 years of experience related to local governance and public finance management in Romania

  •              Minimum 5 years of professional experience in social sector reforms

  •              Experience in undertaking research/studies, data collection and analyses related to local governance and public finance management

  •              Good knowledge of public administration system and decentralization in Romania

  •              Excellent organisational and analytical skills

  •              Computer skills, including Internet navigation and various office applications

  •              Experience in engaging with governments, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy efforts

  •              Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives

  •              Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda

  •              Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and programs is an advantage

  •              Demonstrated ability to communicate complex topics on social protection

  •              Analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, ability to facilitate, consult and negotiate with a broad range of government and non-government partners

  •              Fluency in Romanian and Proficiency in English, including strong report writing and presentation skills are required

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to provide:

–              Duly completed the online UNICEF application

–              Cover Letter and Curriculum vitae (CV)

–              Comprehensive portfolio with at least three (3) samples of recent projects

–              Financial proposal with daily rate in RON (gross amount) (applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered)

–              Performance evaluations of work by UN, if applicable (e.g. PER, Output Evaluation)

–              Names and contacts of three (3) referees (applications without referees will not be considered)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.