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.

For every child, Protection

Scope of the work:

The purpose of this assignment is to finetune an already-developed cost analysis of the foster care model for Unaccompanied and Separated Children ( UASC) to be shared with the relevant Ministries and local Authorities for their adoption and to review, document and develop cost scenarios for the support to line Prefectures that UNICEF is providing to manage the most vulnerable cases among UASC, migrant and refugees families and women. This work aims to build an evidence-based investment case to promote their sustainability through leveraging public resources and advocate for their scale-up at national level with the relevant decision-makers.

The models of services to be reviewed and costed through this assignment are:

1. Foster care for unaccompanied and separated children: This intervention aims to integrate into the mainstream childcare system a model of foster care for unaccompanied and separated migrant children. A detailed cost analysis has been already conducted in 2023 and an update is needed by using most recent available cost data (i.e. updating data, changing formulas, understanding implications of new results, updating graphs for the report). In addition, the development of a brief with tailored content towards the target audience (i.e. Ministries and municipal authorities) is needed, as well as a costing tool user guide and practice materials for UNICEF to allow knowledge transfer to local authorities and related training of UNICEF staff.
2. Support to 6 line-Prefectures in Southern Italy through deployment of UNICEF personnel to ensure a quality management of the most vulnerable cases among UASC, migrant and refugee families and women. The costing exercise for this component will be articulated into

1. Analysis of the Ministry of Interior’s and Government ‘s budget and expenditure line items related to refugee and migrants’ reception, particularly pertinent to the protection of UASC, as well as costs associated with the coordination of protection and reception services in support of prefectures at the local level.
2. Cost mapping of UASC Case Management model piloted by UNICEF between Nov. 2022 and Oct 2023.
3. Key informant interviews with approximately 8 stakeholders at the central and decentralized levels.
4. Development of two costing scenarios to facilitate the transition from UNICEF-supported Case Management model to a government-funded approach, and its potential geographical expansion.
5. Development of a costing tool for the estimate and calculation of costs given cost parameters and costing scenarios agreed upon with the office.
6. Brief report to summarise main results of cost mapping and costing.

How can you make a difference? 

Work location: Home-based in Rome, (With potential travel to field locations in Italy).

To apply:

Applicants are invited to:

1. Complete their UNICEF profile;
2. Submit a financial proposal with a daily fee in EUR. Applications without fees will not be considered.
3. Submit samples of cost analysis reports or other relevant reports.

– Payment schedule: The consultant will be paid based on satisfactory and timely submission of deliverables.

– Duration: 40 days between April 2024 and July 2024 

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

• Advanced Degree is required in Economics, Public Administration, Social Policy, Sociology, Development Studies, Social Sciences
• Minimum 7 years of experience in Public Finance Management, including budget preparation and budgetary processes and costing for social services, as well as in qualitative and quantitative data analysis are required
• Within those seven-year, at least 5 years of experience in child rights and social policy, including systems’ design and reform
• Knowledge and experience in the sector in Italy would be a strong asset
• Strong analytical and drafting skills
• Good written communication skills
• Fluency in Italian and English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.