Mozambique: Individual Consultancy: Assessment of the relevance and effectiveness of UNICEF’s Budget Briefs series as an child-sensitive advocacy tool to inform policy, planning and budgeting process

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Purpose and Objective:

Over the past ten years, UNICEF Mozambique has engaged in a concerted manner in upstream economic and social policy work, particularly in the area of Public Finance for children (PF4C). The most straight-forward motivation for this type of work is the fact that adequate financing is at the core of addressing inequities in outcomes and overcoming many of the obstacles for faster progress for children in Mozambique. As the State is the ultimate duty bearer of children’s rights, and as the great majority of investments in social services for children and their families are funded by the national government, it is its resources that can make the greatest impact in children’s lives. Thus, leveraging government’s own resources has the greatest potential to bring changes for children.

UNICEF, as the specialized agency of the United Nations for children, has an obligation to ensure the implementation of Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which 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” [emphasis added]. In its latest CRC reporting cycle (2019) the Committee of the Rights of the Child raised List of Issues (CRC/C/MOZ/Q/3-4) in relation to Mozambique’s State Party Report, which relate to child sensitive planning and budgeting. The Committee requested efforts i) to track and measure the impact of budgetary allocations on children’s rights, including in the context of the Five-Year Government Programme for 2015–2019; ii) to explain the mechanisms in place to ensure transparent and participatory budgeting through public dialogue, especially with children; iii) specify whether there are any specific budgetary methods to address regional disparities and to support children in disadvantaged or vulnerable situations; iv) to explain the multisectoral action plan for the reduction of chronic malnutrition, and on the resources allocated to addressing chronic malnutrition and improving access to sanitation in rural areas, among other issues.

How government raises revenues and spends them has tremendous consequences for children. Analyzing what resources are available to Governments to invest in the sectors that most impact children’s lives and how these resources are allocated and spent to achieve results has been at the center of UNICEF’s work in the area of Public Finance for Children (PF4C). Since 2007 UNICEF’s work in this area has led to the generation and dissemination of a body of knowledge on public finance and the social sectors in Mozambique. One of the cornerstones of this work has been the production and dissemination of the Budget Briefs, simplified analysis of budget trends in social sectors in Mozambique. These briefs were initiated in 2007, in a context where lack of transparency and complexity of financial documents were considered some of the main obstacles for dialogue surrounding investment in children. This work aims at: i) Demystifying the budget instruments to promote budget knowledge within civil society and the public; ii) Increase budget transparency through participation of civil society, parliamentarians and other stakeholders; iii) Support policy advocacy towards the government for more equitable and efficient resource allocation for social sectors.

The efforts in the area of PF4C has entailed much work with the main actors who directly and indirectly influence national plans and budgets, in different moments of the budget cycle, such as the Government, particularly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and line ministries, who are responsible for formulating and executing national plans and budgets that will inform and finance actions for children; the Parliament, who has the role and power of oversight of Government’s plans, budgets, and implementation of those actions; and Civil Society, who make demand for policies and services for children. It has also entailed collaborating with those who can influence the aforementioned actors, namely IFIs, like the IMF and the World Bank; the Development Partners (Donors), and the media.

Through the work of this consultancy, UNICEF Mozambique would like to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of its budget analyses published as ‘Budget Briefs’ as an advocacy tool to inform policy, planning and budgeting process on issues relevant for children. Based on the evaluation, recommendations will be made to improve effectiveness of the Budget Briefs to achieve their intended results.

Methodology and Technical Approach: The assessment will be based on a) qualitative assessment of relevant documents including but not limited to Budget Briefs, 10 Years of Budget Briefs -report and the national budget laws in the past 10 years, Open Budget Survey, Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability – PEFA reports; b) Key Informant interviews with partners and other key stakeholders ( line ministries, MEF, Members of Parliament, CSOs and donors, UNICEF’s programme sections, and others); to assess the content, quality and timeliness of the development of Budget Briefs for effective use in policy and budget advocacy (in line with GoMs planning and budget cycle).

During the inception phase the Consultant will present the proposed methodology, evaluation questions and criteria of assessment alongside the detailed work plan.

Activities and Tasks: Specifically the consultant will:

The consultant will produce a research protocol (inception brief) which outlines the evaluation questions and criteria, methodology including sample design and approaches, instruments and ethics considerations. The final report will outline key findings and recommendations (with accompanying executive summary and PPT ).

Deliverables and Payments: Deliverable:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): November 20th 2019.

Deliverable/product(s): Report and accompanied by a Summary PowerPoint

Payment (indicate amount or %): 100%

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

Language skills:

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Annex 3 - Review of BB 2019.docx

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=527832