[Hiring] Consultant for Policy Development Support for Programme Convergence Budgets @AGORA

Role Description

In 2025, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and other key government stakeholders, undertook a comprehensive review of the Programme Convergence Budgeting (PCB) for Early Childhood Development (ECD), now referred to as PCB for Building Early Growth through Integrated Nurturing (PCB BEGIN), with technical support from UNICEF.

The review examined the relevance, effectiveness, implementation experience, and institutional arrangements of the PCB mechanism, while assessing its potential to evolve from a coordination platform into a more budgeting strategy for advancing Early Childhood Development outcomes.

To support the Government of the Philippines in advancing these reforms, UNICEF seeks to engage a consultant who will:

• Work closely on strengthening the policy, operational, financing, monitoring, and accountability architecture required to sustain inter-agency convergence as an integral component of the country's public financial management system.
• Coordinate with the Department of Education and the ECCD Council, under the strategic oversight of the PCB Steering Committee and the Department of Budget and Management-Fiscal Planning and Reforms Bureau.
• Collaborate with other agencies contributing to the PCB implementation such as National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, while ensuring coherence with existing nutrition governance and financing reforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Economics, Business, Public Administration, Public Finance, the Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience on conducting analysis or providing consultancy/research/advice to public institutions, decision-makers, experts and/or other relevant parties in PFM systems.
• Demonstrated experience in research, developing analytical reports, engaging stakeholders in policy discussions and follow-up recommendations.
• Advance degree (Masters) is an advantage combined with at least 5 years of relevant experience on public finance, public policies, social science research.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and documentation skills, with the ability to translate concepts into practical, user-friendly guidance.
• Proven facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including conducting consultations and workshops.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
• Fluency in English and Filipino is required.
• Prior knowledge of the Philippines budget and public finance systems, and the relevant PFM-related laws, rules, regulations, and systems relevant to child responsive PFM is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge on child rights, Early Childhood Development, Nutrition, and/or research on children is an advantage.
• Prior engagement with government agencies and development partners particularly DBM, DepEd, ECCD Council, NNC, DOH, and UNICEF is an advantage.

Requirements

• UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.
• UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does.
• Commitment 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.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF.
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Benefits

• Diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Attractive compensation and benefits package.

Company Description

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.