Economic and Data Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

UNICEF Brazil is starting to implement its 2024-2028 Country Programme, which entails an integrated programming approach of Social Policy. The Social Policy agenda includes technical assistance, research, policy analysis and public advocacy around issues of social protection, multidimensional poverty and public financing for children (PF4C), including in emergency situations.

Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the obligation of States to invest the appropriate resources for guaranteeing that all the rights safeguarded by the convention are fulfilled “to the maximum extent of their available resources.” It requires States to engage in budgeting processes that allocate the necessary resources so they can reach their full potential. On the other hand, public budgets are at the centre of countries’ efforts to finance and implement national development priorities that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is ample evidence that seeks to highlight the linkages between policy development and child rights compliance i.e., about investing resources to ensure children’s right to health, education, and protection from violence, exploitation, and discrimination, social protection, and socioeconomic progress for society at large. In addition to the ethical imperative in recognizing children’s rights, there are complementary links between social and economic policy and positive implications of social investment on children for economic development and productivity gains in any country. Public finance management (PFM) is important to identify not only adequacy of public spending, but also the efficiency, effectiveness, equity and transparency, considering the importance of appropriately allocated public budgets. In a context of global and domestic economic constraints and limited fiscal spaces, it is critical to ensure that public resources are allocated to policies that guarantee children’s rights and ensure they reach their full potential, which in turn will also bring economic returns to the Country.

Brazil has one of the most favorable institutional frameworks to guarantee children and adolescents rights in the world, starting from the Federal Constitution (1988) and the Statute of Children and Adolescents - ECA (Law No. 8.069 / 1990) that place children and adolescents as an absolute priority in public policies.

More recently, the National Development Plan (PPA) 2024-2027 has included a Transversal Agenda on Children and Adolescents which is also an important step forward to link policies to budget.

Even though these mechanisms have been put in place in Brazil to guarantee that child rights are prioritized in public policies and programmes, further advancements are needed to move from policy to budget commitment, including costing and resourcing through the public budget. Apart from allocating additional resources for children and adolescents, it is also important to ensure efficient, effective, and equitable use of available funds, especially in times of limited fiscal space.

It is in the light of the above-mentioned context that UNICEF Brazil is seeking to hire a National UN Volunteer Economic and Data Specialist. This UNV assignment is placed within the Social Policy section, providing support to coordination and specialized technical assistance on economic and data analysis for better public budget allocations for children and adolescents in Brazil.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the National UN Volunteer will provide technical support for UNICEF Brazil on economic and fiscal policy analysis, with focus on public budgeting and financing for children and adolescents.

This work will entail the following:

• Review and analysis of data on macro-economic and fiscal tendencies, including - Data on social sectors spending, especially for children and adolescents. - Data on existing and potential fiscal space as well as sustainability of such fiscal space.

• Support to the Analysis and elaboration of summary briefs and other material on economic and fiscal trends for child-related public policies and budget allocation including for subnational levels of the Brazilian federative system, including: - Briefing notes and presentations for technical internal and external discussions. - Analysis of existing national budget policies, social expenditures and investments in social policies for children and adolescents in Brazil - Analysis of existing ‘allocation and operational’ effectiveness and efficiency of direct/indirect public allocations for children and adolescents. - Analysis of the overall economic and financial situation of Brazil, ensuring a child-responsive analytical lens, to identify available and/or potential fiscal space for sustainable spending on social policies. - Analysis of existing national legal framework and macro level policies, fiscal policies, budget planning, formulation, execution, reporting, auditing and monitoring.

• Support elaboration of guidelines and knowledge products on prioritization of children and adolescents in public budgeting processes.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: - Quality analysis and elaboration of knowledge products for internal and external audiences produced in a timely fashion; - Adequate support provided to the Social Policy team and other programme sections as required. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

economic policy, management and research, development studies, and/or data analysis, at national or international level. • Experience with human rights and/or child rights is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • Background and familiarity with Brazilian economy, fiscal policies, public budget at national, state or municipal levels. • Proven working experience in data analysis including computer languages used for statistical analysis such as R or Stata, is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; and excellent analytical skills; • 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 social and behavior change; • 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; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in human rights and child rights, social inequalities, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance. Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), Deployment / Repatriation lump sums, among others, are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos. https://www.unv.org/