UNICEF has a mandate to safeguard the rights of all children, everywhere. That mandate is rooted in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which sets out universal and indivisible rights that apply to every child, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, which apply to every country. Article 4 of the CRC explicitly states that “States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation.

Too often, however, public resources do not reach the children most in need. In some cases, policymakers fail to allocate the funds necessary for children to grow and learn in a safe, healthy environment. In others, public finances may not be well managed, reducing the quality or accessibility of health care, education and other services. Global evidence shows that public spending on children is a smart investment – for children, their communities and entire countries. When governments invest in children, health outcomes improve, incomes rise, economies grow and societies become more cohesive. Despite these benefits, public spending on health and education has stagnated in many parts of the world, and may be insufficient to meet the needs of children. UNICEF therefore works to tackle challenges in public financial management so that all children, especially the most vulnerable, get a fair chance in life. UNICEF partners with governments and financial decision makers to influence and support the mobilization, allocation and utilization of domestic public financial resources. Globally, UNICEF works to (1) ensure child-related policy commitments are better reflected in budget processes; (2) identify cost-effective and equitable ways to deliver services and life-saving supplies, and help governments plan, cost and budget for them; and (3) improve the flow and use of budgeted resources for service delivery, including at the subnational level.

Sri Lanka faces similar challenges as many other countries in the world. The multifaceted crisis had profound impacts on peoples’ lives and continue to do so to date. At the same time, government funding for social sectors continues to be under severe pressure. This requires continued attention to ensure that child-related commitments are reflected in national planning and budgeting processes. In addition, local governments make many decisions that directly affect the lives of children. Local governments are responsible for the provision and coordination of many social services. In order to realize children’s rights, it is hence critical that local governments ensure that children’s voices, needs, and priorities are an integral part of public policies, programmes, and decisions; and that they work together with other local actors to respond to these needs in an inclusive and equitable manner.

The overall aim of this assignment is therefore to support the Country Office’s work on child-friendly national and subnational planning, budgeting and monitoring processes.

Under the overall guidance of Social Policy Officer, the UNV will carry out the following key tasks:

• To support the provision of technical support, capacity-building and advocacy activities related to child-friendly local governance, including child-rights budgeting, at national and provincial levels for government stakeholders.
• To support strengthening the engagement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and media in child-friendly local governance process.

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Skills:
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills, including excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Solid grasp of economic, political, and human rights situation of Sri Lanka.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications, i.e. Excel, Word among others, familiarity with database management.

Experience:
• At least three years of relevant experience.
• Innovative and agile approach to work; ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability of work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment, such as with political and administrative changes at national and subnational level.
• Experience working on a project related to child-friendly local governance approaches and principles and profound knowledge of the conceptual framework is an asset.
• Experience working with government partners and CSOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations.
• Experience working with media engagement is an asset.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.