CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Uganda
Closing date: 03 Nov 2014

Terms of Reference for a Special Service Agreement- Individual Contract

International Consultant

Assignment Title:Budget Child Rights Consultant

Level: P4

Location: Kampala

Duration: 35 days

Background and Justification

With over 56 percent of the population below 18 years of age, and over 78 percent below the age of 35 years, Uganda’s vision to become a middle income country by 2040 remains highly contingent on Government’s ability to safeguard its children’s right to contribute to national development. Investing in its young population will enable Uganda to reap an unprecedented demographic dividend. Put differently, over the next 30 years, today’s children gradually transitioning into an already dynamic labour force hold the potential to transform Uganda’s economy, and remodel the socio-economic future of the nation.

Notwithstanding Uganda’s remarkable record curbing income poverty from 56.4% to 19.7% of the population between 1992 and 2012, child poverty^[1] remains high and widespread across the country. With over 50% of children under five living in poverty, and 1 in 5 living in extreme poverty, children’s experience of poverty and deprivation in Uganda varies widely by region, geographic location and socioeconomic status.Poverty and deprivation in childhood represent potentially irreversible violations of children’s basic rights and could severely jeopardise Uganda’s ability to reap the full benefits from the much anticipated demographic dividend.

Introducing Public Finance for Children (PF4C)

In a decisive attempt to enhance national efforts to safeguard children’s rights, and in full recognition of existing data gaps preventing more systematic assessments of the quality of public investments in children, the aim of this study is twofold:

1) Re-present/tabulate national budgetary allocation for the past two financial years, the current financial year and the MTEF vis-à-vis the Convention on the Rights of the Child’s (CRC) general definitions and objectives.

2) In close collaboration with UNICEF and the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit (BMAU) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development develop a child sensitive monitoring sub-component for inclusion in BMAU’s existing monitoring framework.

The BMAU/Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development was established in 2008 to track implementation of selected government programmes or projects, observing how values of different indicators against stated goals and targets change over time. Monitoring focuses on sector indicators that are listed in the budget framework papers, categorized into short term, medium term and long term indicators, as well as verifying the link between information provided in the quarterly performance reports and financial and physical performance.

Purpose of the Assignment and the Scope of Work

The key objective of this consultancy is to analyse and re-present/tabulate national budgetary allocations for the last two financial years, the current financial year and the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) vis-à-vis child rights, with reference to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, in close collaboration with UNICEF and the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit (BMAU) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development develop a child sensitive monitoring sub-component to enhance the spread of indicators captured in BMAU’s existing monitoring framework.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by Uganda in 1990, recommends to “utilize a child-rights approach in the elaboration of the State budget by implementing a tracking system for the allocation and the use of resources for children throughout the budget, thus providing visibility to the investment on children and use this tracking system for impact assessments on how investments in any sector may serve the best interests of the child”. UNICEF Uganda is keen assist the Government of Uganda in exploring systematic approaches to monitor investments in children and carry out regular impact assessments to serve the best interest of Uganda’s young population.

Objectives

1) Re-present/tabulate national budgetary allocation for the past two financial years, the current financial year and the MTEF vis-à-vis the Convention on the Rights of the Child’s (CRC) general definitions and objectives.

2) Categorize budgetary allocations to vote functions by level of direct vs. indirect vs. marginal investments in children.

3) Review pertinent policies and institutional arrangements to assess current budgetary allocations in light of Uganda’s policy objectives to meet the MDGs and fulfil the post-MDG agenda

4) Generate a rigorous body of analysis documenting the fulfilment of children rights at local level, in full recognition of Government’s decentralization agenda

5) Compare levels and trends in child rights expenditures in Uganda to similar expenditures in relevant countries, e.g. members states of the East African Community

6) Analyse internal trends among expenditure categories relevant for child rights e.g. relative spending on immunization and WASH.

7) Analyse spatial distribution of such expenditures, to the degree possible, to provide a full account of whether relevant expenditures reach particularly vulnerable segments of the population

8) Identify clear and practical recommendations to promote public finance for children

9) Elaborate on UNICEF’s comparative advantage and strategic partnerships to assist Government in improving the fiscal space for child sensitive social protection interventions

10) In close collaboration with UNICEF and the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit (BMAU) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development develop a child sensitive monitoring sub-component for inclusion in BMAU’s existing monitoring framework.

Activities, Deliverables and Timeframe

NoActivities Deliverables Duration 1. Draft and finalize inception report demonstrating the understanding of the task, proposed methodology and proposed outline of final report 1.

Inception Report: 5 days 2. Desk review, conduct consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders and collaborate extensively with BMAU. 2.

Draft analysis of government expenditures vis-a-vis child rights and sub-set of indicators for inclusion in BMAU’s existing monitoring framework 15 days 3. Draft final report and present during validation meeting chaired by UNICEF and the MoFPED for discussion and inputs 3.

Draft Final Report 10 days 4. Incorporate comments/feedback from validation meeting into final report and PowerPoint presentation 4.

Final Report and PowerPoint presentation 5 days Total Number of days 35

Payment Schedule

Monthly payment upon satisfactory submission of deliverables as follows:

Instalment NoDeliverables and Time-frame Payment % 1. After commencement of assignment and on presentation of the final inception report. 30% of total costs 2. Upon submission of the final draft of the final report 40% of total costs 3. After the presentation on key findings to key stakeholders 30% of total costs

Responsibilities

UNICEF Responsibilities

• Ensure the objectives for the consultancy are accurately articulated to all relevant stakeholders.
• Avail all relevant background documentation (e.g. CRC) to the consultant.
• Pay the consultant fees and other related costs that relate to communication.

BMAU Responsibilities

• Ensure the objectives for the consultancy are accurately articulated to all relevant stakeholders.
• Avail relevant budget information/data to the consultant.
• Facilitate the process of identifying and nesting sub-set of indicators within existing monitoring framework

Consultant’s Responsibilities

• Report to the head of BMAU/Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Chief of Social Policy and Evaluation/UNICEF.
• Conduct all activities of the consultancy and submit quality and agreed deliverables in a timely manner.
• Provide invoices for completed work to enable UNICEF process payments.

Reporting requirements

• Inception report with clear methodology
• Draft analysis of government expenditures based on child rights indicators
• Set of indicators for inclusion in BMAU’s existing monitoring framework
• Draft final report
• Final report
• Summary
• Presentation material

Required competencies and skills

• Self - motivated team worker with a clear drive for results
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong writing skills in English
• Flexibility and responsiveness, ability to think creatively
• Ability to meet deadlines

Required Education/Experience

• Qualifications: Advanced university degree in social sciences is required with proven experience of at least 10 years in social and economic research
• Prior experience in budget formulation, monitoring and analysis in Uganda. Experience in public expenditures tracking/review will be considered a valuable asset.
• Excellent understanding of national budget frameworks and processes
• Good analytical, communication, advocacy and report writing skills
• Computer literacy, especially with excel and database management is required
• Knowledge of Uganda’s institutional set-up, political economy and child rights situation preferred

Conditions

v No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.

v For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorisation is issued.

v Payment to the consultant is dependent on the completion and submission of deliverables of acceptable quality.

v The cost of the consultancy will be based on the award by UNICEF’s contract Committee. Other payments due to the consultant e.g. DSA will be negotiated with the consultant and in any case not higher than UNICEF official rates.

v The consultant will not be paid during days off and while on sick leave. Weekends are not calculated as part of working days.

v Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

v DSA will be payable only for the days when the consultant will be in Uganda as agreed between the two parties.

v Payments will be done by direct transfer into the bank account provided by the consultant.

v UNICEF will meet costs for air ticket to Uganda for activities that require such travel

v UNICEF will arrange transportation for the consultant when on mission to meet various stakeholders concerning data collection project.

v Air travel is by economical fare and reimbursement AS PER UNICEF POLICY;

Consultant to complete Waiver for Non-Staff issued with travel authorization in accordance with UNICEF Financial and Administrative Policy 5, Supplement 4 (B.2):

Consultant must complete basic security and advanced security in the field prior to travel.

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF general terms and conditions for individual contracts.

Non-UNICEF staff (including individual consultants) issued with UNICEF Travel Authorization are not covered by the insurance which automatically applies to UNICEF staff, and are fully responsible for arranging their own insurance cover.

v Applicable UN DSA rates for subsistence and accommodation.

v Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.

v UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is (are) incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

Supervision and Administrative issue

Supervision will be provided by the head of BMAU/Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Chief of Social Policy and Evaluation/UNICEF.

While in Kampala, the consultant may work from BMAU/Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development or SPE/UNICEF office if this is convenient to him/her.

How to apply:

Candidates / institutions meeting the above requirements may send their application consisting of (1) a cover letter (the cover should indicate relevant experience, availability and daily rate), (2) Resume, (3) Personal History (P11) form, (4) two samples of previous similar work and (5) three references.

All applications should be sent in soft copy form to Ms. Hildigunnur Engilbertsdottir – hengilbertsdottir@unicef.org and copied to Ms. Allen Nakalo - anakalo@unicef.org not later than 03 November 2014. Please clearly mention the tittle of the post applied for in the subject line.

All complete applications will be reviewed by a joint panel from BMAU/Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development or SPE/UNICEF

Note: Applications which do not meet the specified minimum requirements or are received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

UNICEF IS A NON-SMOKING WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

UNICEF IS COMMITTED TO GENDER BALANCE AND DIVERSITY WITHOUT DISTINCTION AS TO RACE, SEX OR RELIGION, AND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

[1] Defined as the proportion of children suffering from deprivation in two or more of the following seven dimensions: (i) Nutrition, (ii) Health, (iii) Water, (iv) Sanitation, (v) Shelter, (vi) Education and (vii) Information.