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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 fulfilling their potential.

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

And we never give up.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Thailand Country Office is recruiting a qualified consultant to undertake two principal analyses: (a) an analysis of local governance and public service delivery for children, particularly services related to UNICEF Thailand’s programmatic areas2; and (b) a mapping and analysis of the Decentralization to the Local Government Organization Committee (DLOC). Additionally, the role of the consultant includes providing advisory services concerning Thailand’s decentralization characteristics and its ramifications for UNICEF’s programming.

Work assignment and deliverables:

1.  Analysis of local governance and public service delivery for children

This assignment aims to answer the following research questions:

• What are the major sources of funding for local government organizations? To what extent do local government organizations at different levels have the autonomy in making policy and budget allocation decisions for funding from different sources?
• How do local government organizations at different levels request budget from the Budget Bureau? What are the roles of the Department of Local Administration in the process?  
• For local governments that submit budget requests through the Department of Local Administration, what is the space and flexibility for prioritizing children related allocations?
• How can the DLA support LAOs in prioritizing and securing funding for child-related services?
• Which public providers (DLA/ LAOs, line ministries, or both) deliver early childhood development, education[1], health, social welfare (social protection and child protection) services for children at the local level?
• From the service providers’ perspective, what are the major gaps in child-related service at the local level? What causes those gaps (what are the bottlenecks)?
• How may UNICEF more effectively support local government organizations in improving the quality of public services for children?
  • How may UNICEF more effectively influence budget allocation to child related services at the local level?
  • How may UNICEF more effectively influence allocative efficiency and quality of services at the local level?
  • At which level would UNICEF’s engagement be most strategic?  

As part of this assignment, the consultant is expected to collect primary data through document review, key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions in 3 locations, each covering 5 types of LAOs [Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), City/Town/Sub-district Municipalities, and Sub-district Administrative Organizations (SAOs)]. In the process of data collection, the consultant shall engage with various stakeholders, including local government officials, community leaders, sectoral experts, social welfare service providers, etc.

The expected deliverables are as outlined below.

Payment 1 (31 July 2025) : 40% upon successful submission of deliverables 1 and 2

Payment 2 (31 August 2025) : 30% upon successful submission of deliverable 3

2.  Mapping and analysis of the Decentralization to the Local Government Organization Committee (DLOC)

This assignment aims to support UNICEF programme sections in building a better understanding of the Decentralization to the Local Government Organization Committee (DLOC), which is one of the key actors driving Thailand’s decentralization process. More specifically, this assignment will:

• Examine the roles and responsibilities of DLOC and its sub-committees, particularly related to social service provision
• Examine channels and mechanisms through which DLOC exercises its power, including its interactions with the DLA and LAOs
• Assess the potential of addressing bottlenecks facing local government organizations in providing public services for children through engagement with DLOC
• Recommend approaches for engaging with DLOC

The expected deliverables are as outlined below.

Payment 3 (31 October 2025) : 40% upon successful submission of deliverables 4, 5, and 6

3.  Advisory services concerning Thailand’s decentralization and its ramifications for UNICEF’s programming

This assignment includes advisory services as requested by UNICEF programme sections, not exceeding 20 working days. Deliverables under this assignment will be determined on an ad-hoc basis.

Duration of Contract: 1 March 2025 - 31 December 2025

Duty Travel: The assignment will include field data collection in 3 selected locations.

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

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/ experience required

• Advanced university degree in public administration, public policy, economics, social sciences, or another related area.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional and/or research experience in governance and local governance.
• Demonstrated experience in researching or working in areas related to public services for children.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research, including data collection, analysis, and communication.
• Fluency in Thai and English (verbal and written)

Technical Proposal

• Candidates are requested to submit a technical proposal of 1,000 – 3,000 words in length, detailing their approach to undertaking this assignment (1 and 2). The following criteria will be used to evaluate the proposal.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, technical proposal, and financial proposal by 23 February 2025.

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.

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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 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. Consultants 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.