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For every child, care

The UNICEF Country Programme in Kyrgyzstan for the 2023-2027 period is now in its third year of implementation in collaboration with the Government of Kyrgyzstan.  UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan operates with two offices: one in Bishkek (capital city) and one in Osh (Zone Office in the south of the country).

The Country Office (CO) underwent a detailed programme review/re-alignment exercise in 2024 driven by updated evidence on the situation of children and evolved socio-economic programming context.  The results of the programme review are informing the workplans and fundraising efforts for the remainder of country programme (2025-2027). 

Now, the CO aims to undertake a Programme and Budget Review (PBR) to analyze the office structure vis-à-vis the updated programme priorities and affordability of the proposed structure to operationalize these priorities. For this purpose, an affordability analysis will be conducted (analyzing all available resources – IB, RR, OR and ORE) that the CO has, as well as projections of IB/RR and the hard pipeline for OR/ORE to provide recommendations on a structure that is sustainable and fit for purpose. This will include, among other things: recommendations on rationalization of positions based on programme re-alignment prioritization results and financial feasibility, and recommendations on potential efficiency gains in non-staff operational costs.  Based on all of this, and the CO’s context, it is expected this consultancy will advise on the key considerations to factor in for a PBR and supporting the CO to prepare documentation for the submission.

The Senior International Consultant will help prepare CO with PBR submission, including a detailed affordability review of the staffing structure and resource analysis (staff and non-staff costs), across all funding sources (IB/RR/OR/ORE). The following aspects will be covered through this consultancy:

• • Detailed cost and funding analysis for the current CO staffing structure, including Zone Office, to identify  funding gap and leveraging the affordability and sustainability of the office structure for the rest of the country programme (2025-2027). The funding analysis will be based on funds already secured or with a hard pipeline of at least 24 months.
  • Conduct benchmarking exercise to identify lessons learned and good practices from selected COs that could be applicable for Kyrgyzstan CO on typology of structures and non-staff costs based on similar contexts.[1] This should be done in consultation with the RO Operations team to factor in such practices from the ECA Region.
  • Conduct consultations with staff and provide recommendations on a more fit for purpose and sustainable structure that factors in programme prioritization/staffing needs with the affordability analysis. This may include recommendations on rationalization of functions/posts – both programmatic, cross-sectoral and operations[2] – based on these two criteria. These recommendations will be developed while keeping to the principle of full transparency and engagement with the programme teams/sections, programme effectiveness teams (cross sectoral and operations) and senior management. A rapid analysis of staff skills set and possible duplication between the functions/positions in office may also be undertaken to inform this objective.
  • Cost and Funding Analysis for the non-staff costs (programmes, cross-sectoral and operations costs) and recommendations on possible efficiency gains to be achieved.
  • Contribute to developing a PBR submission with support in drafting required package of documentation as per the corporate requirements.

Work Assignments Overview:

Workplan: Develop a detailed workplan to agree on exact timelines and objectives of various outputs required under the consultancy.

Affordability Analysis and recommendations: based on criteria above, develop cost and funding analysis of current that analyzes critical areas, including: office structure in terms of staffing and non-staff  costs (across all funding types); identification of scale and nature of any funding gap; benchmarking of good practices and recommendations for a more fit for purpose (responding to programme priorities and affordable) structure for the remainder of the country programme

PBR documentation: draft documentation required for the PBR submission in compliance with technical corporate instructions (as per the ECARO submission requirements checklist and timeline).

Deliverables/Outputs by 30 May 2025:

Affordability Analysis Report with findings and recommendations on streamlining staffing/structure

PBR documentation drafts.

Total: 27 days - To be started remotely (10 workdays) followed by in country work (12 days) and finalisation (5 days remotely).

Please kindly provide your financial fee  Fin offer.xlsx and for more information the TOR is attached  TOR int.docx

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in  Finance, Business Administration, or similar
  *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. 

• Have at least ten (10) years of experience in operations at a senior level, including in complex humanitarian and development contexts, preferably in a mix of CO, RO or HQ-based and country-based positions.  
• Special advantage: Experienced senior professional with extensive experience and knowledge of UNICEF or UN operations and risk management strategies. Recent experience in/with UNICEF in conducting affordability analysis, operations review, or Country Programme Management Processes is an added advantage.  
• Special skills: Solid experience with UNICEF/UN system, tools, policy and procedure is an asset, with a focus on operations, programme, and human resources aspects.
• Competencies: Advanced skills in analyzing data and preparing evidence-based reports to inform decision-making.
• Have a command of computer software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) and UNICEF/UN operations systems such as Vision, SAP, Fiori, etc.
• Fluency in English language (spoken and written) is required.
• Willingness to work under pressure in a multicultural environment and have the ability to establish harmonious and effective working relationships and have autonomy in conducting activities with very limited timelines.  

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. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.