National Communication consultant (Public Finance for Children) with UNICEF in Uzbekistan (Open to Uzbekistan nationals only)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 fulfill 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.

BACKGROUND

UNICEF Country Programme 2021-2024 for Uzbekistan envisages extended support to the Government of Uzbekistan in bringing the “child lens” into Public Finance Management (PFM) processes and budgetary frameworks by promoting the concept of putting the child well-being and child rights at the centre. Guided by the UNICEF’s Global Programme Framework “UNICEF’s Engagements in Influencing Domestic Public Finance for Children” (PF4C), the work entails enhancing the effectiveness of all programme components through improved transparency, accountability, advocating for budget allocation in favour of children, support in establishment of monitoring and oversight mechanisms, and enhancing the effectiveness of public spending in child-sensitive social sectors.

In this regard, UNICEF has established partnership with the Ministry of Finance to undertake a number of joint works in this area. For instance, the investment case to reform child benefits system in Uzbekistan has been finalized. The document incorporates costed scenarios of reform options, cost-benefit analysis and a fiscal space analysis. The findings of the investment case will be used for evidence-based advocacy for progressive expansion of child benefits coverage and to provide the national stakeholders with clear and actionable policy recommendations for informed decision-making.

Furthermore, within the framework of UN Joint Programme on establishing Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) in Uzbekistan, UNICEF will support the Ministry of Finance and other social sector ministries to build the capacities of their staff on child-sensitive, evidence-based budget planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the relevant sectoral strategies in social protection, education and health.

OBJECTIVES

UNICEF Uzbekistan is seeking Communication consultant to support the Social Policy section with the development of communication and visibility materials on PF4C work in a timely and efficient manner.

SCOPE AND FOCUS

It is expected that the Communication specialist will work in total 35 days during the period of five months to accomplish the work with following scope and focus:

1. develop communication materials to support visibility needs and other requirements of the communication and visibility plans
2. develop message boxes, articles and stories for dissemination, including human interest stories and other materials for sharing with partners
3. support engagement of media professionals to ensure visibility of activities and project results.

TASKS, DELIVERABLES AND ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME:

Public Finance for Children

1. In close cooperation with the Public finance officer, developing an awareness raising article titled “Importance of Public Finance for Children in Uzbekistan” on importance of enhanced public investments into children and publish it in local mass-media (in Russian and Uzbek languages) - by 16 May 2022

Support SP section analytical work promotion

2. Support with developing the cover design and layout as well as publishing the reports produced in SP team: 1) Investment Case to reform child benefits in Uzbekistan; and 2) COVID-19 impact on family wellbeing in English, Russian and Uzbek - by 16 May 2022

3. Based on the Investment case develop two articles for ECARO Newsletter and For Local mass media - by 31 May 2022

Supporting visibility of UNICEF’s work within the UN JP to establish INFF in Uzbekistan through improvement of child-sensitive social sector budgeting

4. Developing and publishing in local mass-media an article to raise awareness on capacity building training programmes (in Russian and Uzbek languages) - By 31 May 2022

5. Developing and publishing in local mass-media an article to raise awareness on joint budgetary analysis being carried with MoF and line ministries (in Russian and Uzbek languages) - By 30 June 2022

6. Developing and publishing in local mass-media an article to raise awareness on the joint work with MoF and line ministries to develop and integrate value for money analysis tools/instruments/templates into the budgetary process of social sectors (in Russian and Uzbek languages) - By 30 July 2022

7. Developing an article to be published in ECARO Newsletter (in English language) - By 30 August 2022

Supporting the SP Section to develop message boxes

8. Developing a message box to Continue advocating for universal coverage of children with Social Protection benefits - by 30 June, 2022

9. Developing a message box to advocate for the existence of the quality data and for the access to the data on child poverty & vulnerability - by 30 June, 2022

10. Developing a message box on COVID impact on child wellbeing - by 30 June, 2022

11. Supporting the communication activities of the SP section, specifically on such themes as Child poverty, promotion of Shock Responsive Social Policy, Communication materials for Case management pilots, Child poverty consultations, Single Registry Expansion. Support with audio/video material development for the SP work - by 30 September, 2022

METHODOLOGY/ACTIVITIES

The consultant will ensure that all communication and visibility products and activities are developed in accordance with UNICEF branding guidelines, Ministry of Finance and UN Joint SDG Fund. Consultant will work with Social Policy Section to identify gaps in information required for visibility and ensure those gaps are adequately filled; work with Communication section’s colleagues to follow UNICEF communication and branding guidelines. The consultant should undergo all required trainings per UNICEF rules and procedures, follow all ethical guidelines, enhance own knowledge and skills through on-line webinars related to UNICEF, UN SDG Fund and Uzbekistan government’s communication, visibility and branding requirements.

MANAGEMENT

The assignment will be carried out under overall supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, while UNICEF Social Policy Officer (Public Finance) will be a direct contact person for monitoring and coordinating the assignment within UNICEF. The consultant may be required to work with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other identified government institutions in the execution of this assignment. The consultant will work in Tashkent.

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

Education: University degree in communication, journalism, mass-media, advertisement, public relations, or related field.

Experience: • At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, advertisement, creative writing or external relations. • Experienced with communicating using social media platforms, to be assessed by CV review. • Experienced with planning and executing work-plans, to be assessed during interview and background check. • Strong writing and analytical skills in English, Russian and Uzbek, to be assessed by review of work. • Previous experience in working with UN and/or international development organizations in a similar role is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English language (both writing skills and spoken skills) is very important for this assignment. Excellent knowledge of Russian is also mandatory. Uzbek language is an asset.

PROCEDURES AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The consultant will submit reports upon completion of deliverables with all quality as specified in the TOR. This will be done in consultation with Communication and Social Policy sections. Once all deliverables developed and submitted along with report and invoice, payment will be made.

No travel is envisaged under this assignment. In case of travel, expenses will be covered according to the UNICEF’s procedures. Consultant is responsible to pay to relevant government authority taxes or duties deductible from the earnings from this assignment. UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract. While contract would be in USD, however, all invoices and payments would be in local currency via bank transfer.

RESERVATIONS

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

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.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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 and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.