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For every child, right.

The purpose of this assignment is to support federal Ministry of Finance (MoF) in preparing the country’s federal Citizens Budget (CB). Led and owned by MoF, this assignment involves providing the Budget and Program Division – the division leading the preparation of the CB – necessary support for facilitating consultations, sectoral analysis, and quality assurance for timely publication of the document that is useful, clear and visually simplified for general citizens to understand what the budget plans to deliver for them.

MoF will lead the overall process by establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms (example: citizens’ budget formulation committee), ensuring sectoral coordination, overseeing data consolidation, management & accuracy, and providing coordination and technical oversight

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

To fulfill this assignment, a technical assistance (TA) team of two experts – Public Finance and Budget Transparency Expert (the advertised position) and Sectoral PFM Systems Expert – both engaged by UNICEF - will work under the leadership of the Budget and Program Division in the Ministry of Finance (MoF). In the context of the call, the Public Finance and Budget Transparency Expert (Team Leader) will be responsible for:

Work as team leader of the TA team and collaborate with the MoF to ensure that all required steps are completed on time and meet the quality standards for the Open Budget Survey to recognize the CB for scoring.
Work with Budget and Program Division to draft and finalize the template to be used for CB of the fiscal year 2026/27.
Simplify revenue, expenditure, deficit, and financing information, including federalism-related allocations to be included in the CB for non-technical audiences.
Interpret budget allocations with ministries, Classification of Functions of Government (COFOG), and explain implications for key sectors (health, education, social protection, infrastructure, etc.).
Highlight distributional impacts on different population groups (women, children, marginalized communities, provinces). Where data is available include the estimated number of citizens who will benefit from key programs, and the number of service delivery points (e.g. schools, health posts, roads) to show reach and results.
Ensure content reflects Nepal’s federal governance context and intergovernmental responsibilities.
Support to identify pro-poor, gender-responsive, climate-responsive, and federalism-related allocations (federal–provincial–local linkages).
Support to identify children-focused allocations in the sectoral budget including health, education, and social protection.
Work out a section to show the alignment of the annual budget with national policies (e.g., periodic plans, fiscal transparency standards). Provide sector-specific key messages for inclusion in Citizens Budget (e.g., “What this means for citizens”).
Facilitate organization of all necessary consultations, work sessions, and workshops with key stakeholders. (including the ones with CSOs and sectoral ministries) to support drafting, discussions, finalization, publication and dissemination of the CB.
Support finalization process necessary for the CB’s draft in line with the approved template and validate all figures and narratives to ensure consistency with official MoF documents.
Review the draft of CB received from (i) Graphic Designer and Data Visualization Expert, and (ii) Nepali to English Language Translator and Copy Editor to ensure accuracy of the language, data and its representation.
Draft standard operating procedures (SoP) for CB.

TASK

Work with MoF and UNICEF to prepare Inception Report which should include: (i) work plan including timelines clearly showing that the CB will be completed within the Open Budget Survey (OBS) acceptance deadline and standard, (ii) draft template of the CB, and (iii) progress on formation of Citizens Budget Committee, etc
Organization of the template review and finalization workshop together with CSOs and other stakeholders. UNICEF’s draft template shared with Economic Policy Analysis Division can be used as a starting point of discussion.
Simplify revenue, expenditure, deficit, and financing information, including federalism-related allocations to be included in the CB for non-technical audiences.
Interpret budget allocations with ministries, Classification of Functions of Government (COFOG), and explain implications for key sectors (health, education, social protection, infrastructure, etc.).
Highlight distributional impacts on different population groups (women, children, marginalized communities provinces). Where data is available include the estimated number of citizens who will benefit from key programs, and the number of service delivery points (e.g. schools, health posts, roads) to show reach and results.
Ensure content reflects Nepal’s federal governance context and intergovernmental responsibilities.
Support to identify pro-poor, gender-responsive, climate-responsive, and federalism-related allocations (federal–provincial–local linkages).
Support to identify children-focused allocations in the sectoral budget including health, education, and social protection.
Work out a section to show the alignment of the annual budget with national policies (e.g., periodic plans, fiscal transparency standards). Provide sector-specific key messages for inclusion in Citizens Budget (e.g., “What this means for citizens”).
Organize all necessary consultations, work sessions, and workshops (including the ones with CSOs and sectoral ministries) to support drafting, discussions, finalization, publication and dissemination of the CB. The cost of the consultation workshops necessary for sectoral coordination and discussion will be paid through a third-party event organizer.
Support finalization process necessary for the CB’s draft in line with the approved template and validate all figures and narratives to ensure consistency with official MoF documents
Facilitate organization of all necessary consultations, work sessions, and workshops (including with sectoral ministries)
Review the draft of CB received from (i) Graphic Designer and Data Visualization Expert, and (ii) Nepali to English Language Translator and Copy Editor to ensure accuracy of the language, data and its representation.
Draft standard operating procedures (SoP) of CB.

First Deliverable:

Inception Report

Second Deliverable:

CB template

Third Deliverable:

Thematic and equity-focused budget analysis

Fourth Deliverable:

First draft of CB

Fifth Deliverable:

Final draft of CB (Nepali and English)

Final Deliverable

Draft of SOP on CB summitted to MoF.

Duration:

The consultancy is for the period of 2.5 months, tentatively starting from 15 July 2026

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

Education:

Master’s degree in Management, Public Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies or related fields.

Years of Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

At least 10 years of professional experience in public financial management (PFM), budget analysis, or accountability reforms. Familiarity with Nepal’s PFM framework, including key documents (Budget Speech, Red Book, Economic Survey, Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability, etc.) is key.
Proven experience working on Government of Nepal’s budget documents and systems in the federal context, particularly related to government financial systems and treasury management.
Demonstrated experience in preparing or contributing to fiscal transparency initiatives or reforms.
Experience working or collaborating with government institutions, development partners (e.g., World Bank, UN agencies), and multi-stakeholder processes.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of spoken and written Nepali, suitable for effective communication with government stakeholders.
Strong working proficiency in English (spoken and written).

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Proven experience of having been involved with key national strategy setting works related to PFM, accountability, taxation, etc.
Ability to interpret complex fiscal data (revenue, expenditure, deficit, financing) and translate it into clear, citizen-friendly content.
Strong analytical and synthesis skills to connect budget allocations with policy priorities and development outcomes.
Excellent facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience organizing workshops and consultations.
Proven ability to develop templates, guidelines, and standard operating procedures for governments, related to public finance.
Ability to ensure quality assurance, including validating consistency of data across official documents and outputs.

Desirables:

Understanding of fiscal transparency and accountability standards, including international good practices (e.g., Open Budget Survey, IMF Fiscal Transparency Code).
Knowledge of pro-poor, gender-responsive, climate-responsive, and inclusive budgeting.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

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 health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

Individual National Consultant – Public Finance and Budget Expert (remote)