A baseline study on the investment and budgeting for children in Africa: towards a continental benchmark for child protection, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, remote with travel, 9.5 months, # 596990

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The overall objective is to establish an evidence-based understanding of the level and composition of public investment in children in Africa and to develop a proposed continental benchmark on planning and budgeting for children to support the assessment of the adequacy, equity, efficiency and effectiveness of public investment in the realisation of children’s rights. The study will draw lessons from existing financing benchmarks, including health and education, while identifying areas where investment remains inadequate, with particular attention to child protection.

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has long prioritised investment and budgeting for children, including through the 2010 and 2025 Day of the African Child themes and its General Comment No. 5. Recognising that inadequate, inequitable and poorly monitored public financing remains a major obstacle to the realisation of children’s rights, the Committee established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Investment and Budgeting for Children in 2025. Despite growing attention to the issue, significant challenges persist across Africa, including insufficient allocations, weak budget execution, limited accountability, lack of child-sensitive budgeting practices, and minimal child participation in budget processes. Building on discussions during its 45th and 46th Ordinary Sessions, the Committee decided to undertake a study on a continental benchmark for investment and budgeting for children. The study responds to calls from States and partners for clear financing benchmarks, particularly for child protection, which currently receives very limited funding and lacks dedicated budget visibility. While sectors such as health and education benefit from established continental and global financing benchmarks, child protection has no comparable standard, making it difficult to track expenditure, assess adequacy of funding, and advocate for increased investment.

The proposed study, which will be developed by the Committee in collaboration with UNICEF, will therefore examine investment and financing gaps affecting children across relevant sectors, while drawing lessons from existing sectoral financing benchmarks to inform the proposal of a continental benchmark for minimum investment in child protection.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToRTMC0007459.pdf

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in economics, public finance, development studies, public policy, law, human rights, children's rights, political science or another related social science field
• Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in children's rights, public finance, development planning, budgeting, public policy or related areas, preferably within the African context
• Skills: Demonstrated professional experience in planning and budgeting for children, including areas such as child-responsive budgeting, public expenditure analysis, budget tracking, resource allocation for children, and/or assessment of national planning and budgeting frameworks.

  –    Demonstrated experience in conducting research, assessments, comparative studies, or development of benchmarks, indicators  or similar analytical frameworks, preferably covering multiple African countries.

  –    Knowledge and understanding of national planning and budgeting processes, including the link between government policies, development plans, budget allocations, expenditure and the realisation of children's rights.

  –    Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Charter, the mandate and functions of the ACERWC, and relevant African Union frameworks relating to children's rights.

  –    Excellent research, analytical and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex financial, budgetary and policy information into clear findings, benchmarks and practical recommendations.

  –   Experience working with UN agencies, AU institutions, governments, international organisations, civil society organisations, research institutions and/or other stakeholders involved in children's rights, public finance or development planning.

   –     Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultation or validation processes at regional or continental level is an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is a distinct advantage given the range of States Parties and source documentation covered

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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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal TMC0007459.docx
• Technical Proposal:

1. motivation letter detailing the strengths of the consultant to carry out the assignment in a satisfactory manner supported by CV, professional experience, and professional references.

2. An introduction to understanding of the TOR including any comments.

3. Suggested methodology for the work

4. Timetable for carrying out the various tasks

Advertised: 13 Nov 2026 E. Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 23 Nov 2026 E. Africa Standard Time

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