Individual Consultancy-Public Finance Management Specialist - Accra, Ghana,11,5 months(Open to Non-Ghanaians) at United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

How can you make a difference?

• The Individual Contractor will be part of the Social Policy and Inclusion team, specifically PF4C team and works closely with the UNICEF Chief of Social Policy and Inclusion.
• S/he will lead section’s budget analyses work in close collaboration of with sections (Education, Child Protection, Health and Nutrition, WASH and Social Protection) to promote revenue generation, equitable resource allocation and efficient expenditure to improve children’s access to quality social services, particularly for vulnerable and poor children and families by generating evidence and advocating, aimed at supporting the Government of Ghana’s budgetary decisions.
• Towards This End, The Key Areas Of This Consultant’s Work In Public Finance Management For Children (PF4C) Will Be
• Lead timely development of summary social sector and sector budget briefs and infographics, based on equity and trend analysis of budget allocations, budget composition and source, actual expenditure to the social sectors particularly focusing on education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection and social protection;
• Support sections in timely policy dialogue and strategic budget advocacy and related knowledge management actions, including guidance on policy briefs and advocacy material by developing Impact Action Plans.
• Support new evidence-based PF4C initiatives including cost of inaction and budget credibility studies and costing exercises.
• Develop updates on fiscal space and macroeconomic situation with special focus on revenue generation and debt.
• Lead the PFM coordination with external stakeholders.
• Support Chief and Senior Management in IFI and PFM engagement through development of policy briefs and technical advice.
• Support the development of UNICEF Ghana’s PF4C strategy.
• Support proposal writing.
• Expected Deliverables
• Monthly activity reports indicating tasks undertaken, progress and status of activities and any challenges encountered with lessons learned and recommendations and attaching relevant project documents produced. These are internal reports for UNICEF and are not for publication
• Sectorial Budget Briefs produced by July 2023 and policy dialogue held together with sections.
• Summary budget memo produced of 2023 State Budget
• Cost of Inaction of Social Protection study supervised and produced
• Budget Brief Impact action plans produced and internal planning session held
• PF4C Strategy Produced
• Trimestral Economic updates

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

• At least Master’s degree in Public Finance, Economics, Business Administration, and related fields;
• Must have demonstrated excellent research and analytical skills and the ability to analyze financial data as well as visual presentation skills by using infographics, charts and other tools to easily represent and communicate data to inform decision making;
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in any reputable organization;
• Must have an appreciable understanding of public financial management concepts and principles and applications as well as statistics;
• Be able to work independently as well as with a team in an international, multicultural and interdisciplinary environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization;
• Excellent communication and writing skills of the English language, including ability to present information at different levels and to different technical and non-technical audiences as well as drafting publishable documents.
• Internet proficiency as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and advance STATA is required. Knowledge in data application software is a must.
• Accuracy, speed, and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; and office technology equipment;
• Sound security and gender awareness;