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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to A CHILDHOOD

How can you make a difference? 

The selected consultants will work closely with UNICEF Romania’s Social Policy team. When necessary, close collaboration and interaction with state institutions and Civil Society Organizations will be required. The consultants may also be requested to work closely with development partners and humanitarian agencies, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and other national or international organizations.

Anticipated deliverables are described below in a generic form, and the specific deliverables will be outlined in separate ToRs for future assignments depending on the required scope of work.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master's degree in public policies, social assistance, political science, sociology, public administration or related field

• Work Experience:

For the area of public finance for children:

• Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
• public finance management and/or
• costing policy documents, preferably in social sectors and/or
• budget reviews and in presenting the results to stakeholders and/or
• research/studies, data collection and analyses related to public finance management

• Previous experience in planning, implementation, monitoring, or evaluation of EU-funded programmes and projects
• Computer skills, including Internet navigation and various office applications
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives
• Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda
• Familiarity with child rights framework and UNICEF's mandate and programs is an advantage
• 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/or in English

For the area of social protection:

• Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
  • technical assistance on social protection system strengthening at the national and/or local levels and/or
  • social protection in emergency situations
  • undertaking research/studies, data collection and analyses in social protection area

• Computer skills, including Internet navigation and various office applications
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives
• Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda
• Familiarity with child rights framework and UNICEF's mandate and programs is an advantage
• 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/or in English

For the area of local governance:

• Minimum 3 years of experience related to:
  • supporting sub-national public authorities in developing and implementing policies and measures for improved public services and/or
  • supporting sub-national public authorities in resource mobilization for improved public services and/or
  • supporting sub-national authorities in monitoring social sector policy and programme implementation and/or
  • undertaking research/studies, data collection and analyses related to local governance 

• Computer skills, including Internet navigation and various office applications
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives
• Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda
• Familiarity with child rights framework and UNICEF's mandate and programs is an advantage
• 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/or in English

• Skills (optional): [Insert technical and non-technical skills]. 
• Language Requirements: [Insert the primary UN language you need for the fluency requirement]

Desirables:

• Good knowledge of public finance system  
• Experience in engaging with governments, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy efforts 
• Experience in engaging with sub-national public authorities, international organizations, and civil society entities   
• Experience in engaging with governments, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy efforts

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.