Job Description

The government of Nepal is undertaking steps in enhancing capacity in planning for the social sector in general and investments in social protection and it is linked to UNICEF Nepal’s output, which states; Relevant national institutions have improved capacity for robust measurement, analysis and evidence on reducing child poverty, vulnerability and exclusion, including a strong economic case for building cognitive capital

 The consultant will work closely with National Planning Commission and advance evidence-based policy analysis, macro-economic modelling, organize consultations, developing policy briefs and advancing on social policy agendas such as Child sensitive Social Protection Public finance for children

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will be supporting the National Planning Commission (NPC) in coming up with appropriate plan and policies and create enabling environment for translating the policies and plans for the best interest of the most marginalize and vulnerable families to be at par with the other citizens.

This consultancy aims to provide time bound support to NPC in macro-economic analysis and planning with focus on social sectors. Capacity building and capacity transfer will be an ongoing task and will be a key strategy for operationalizing this consultancy. The consultant will be supervised and assigned to support the respective NPC Member in day-to-day coordination and communication with different governmental and non-governmental representatives, and civil societies.

The working modality of the assigned individual will be as per the necessity of the respective NPC Member within the government's working hours and days. While the consultant will be placed primarily at Singha durbar, Kathmandu s/he will have to go for field visits along with the NPC Member as required. S/he must fulfill the responsibilities of supporting the coordination, communication, preparing M&E reports, reviewing policy and conducting literature review as required by the respective NPC Member. The consultant will also be supervised by the Social Policy Specialist, Social Policy Evidence and Evaluation section of UNICEF Nepal and will interact with Social Protection Task Team, National Planning Commission, Provincial and Local Governments and other relevant Governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders to deliver the following:

• Support macro-economic research, analysis and development planning including focusing on social sector budgets and its impacts on the most vulnerable groups including children.

• Support and facilitate social protection related assessments, research, studies.

• Financial sustainability of social protection scheme for the next 25 years.

• Capacity building of the NPC staff in macro -modelling and fiscal space analysis.

• support the organization of regular policy dialogues, interactions and prepare reports accordingly.

• support the preparation of reports, concept notes, review policies and literature as assigned by the respective NPC Member.

• support the preparation of SDG progress reports and thematic committees' meeting reports.

• support the preparation of M&E field visit reports if s/he travels along with the respective NPC Member.

• support coordination and communication on activities between ministries, and among three tiers of governments.

• Coordinate collaborate with Development Partners Social Protection Task Team (SPTT) and key ministries engaged is delivering social protection schemes.

• Review Economic lab established by MOF and Micro modeling lab by NPC and suggest how can these two initiatives could be merged or collaborate.

Key deliverables

Aligned with the aforementioned key responsivities working under the respective NPC member, the key deliverables of the consultant will be as follows:

• Submit reports and meeting notes based on policy dialogues and interactions carried out by the NPC with different government bodies and stakeholders.

• Submit review reports and concept notes by reviewing policies, research studies, and literature as assigned by the NPC.

• Submit SDG progress reports and thematic committees' meeting reports as assigned by the NPC.

• Submit M&E field visit reports if s/he travels assigned by the NPC.

• Submit monthly updates to UNICEF

Duration of Contract: The total duration of the contract is for 90 days within a period of 5 months tentatively starting from 01 October 2022.

Duty Station: The consultant will work from National Planning Commission in Kathmandu.

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

• Education:

Advanced university degree in Economics; PhD is highly desirable.

• Work Experience:

Minimum 8 years of work experience (National and International) in economic and development  planning

• Special skills: Experience in Macro-economic modelling

• Competencies: Fluency in English is required

knowledge of Nepal and experience in the country is highly desirable.