Consultancy to develop position paper on Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-34, UNICEF Brussels Office, Belgium, 14 weeks, remote

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, hope. 

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF Partnership Office and Representation to the EU Institutions in Brussels is looking for a highly motivated and qualified Consultant with advanced knowledge of EU financing and a demonstrated record in producing high quality publications to undertake activities for 3 months part-time basis. This consultancy will focus on the development of a position paper on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 34. The position paper will be targeted towards the EU Institutions, EU decision-and policy makers, as well as politicians in EU Member States and will focus on outlining the inclusion and mainstreaming of children and child rights, particularly the most vulnerable, in the next MFF 2028 – 2034.

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, the Consultant will lead the development of this position paper to support the UNICEF Partnership Brussels Office in advocating and communicating on child rights in the development of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028 – 34) towards the EU Institutions that works for children. This work requires collaborating closely with the teams responsible for domestic policy agenda, EU enlargement, development cooperation and humanitarian action in the UNICEF Partnership Office for the Relations with the EU Institutions.

PURPOSE:

The UNICEF Office in Brussels is seeking an Consultant with advanced knowledge of EU affairs and financing to develop a position paper on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 34 which targeted towards the EU Institutions, EU decision-and policy makers, as well as politicians in EU Member States and will focus on outlining the inclusion and mainstreaming of children and child rights, in particular the most vulnerable, in the next MFF 2028 – 2034. In its context, the paper will outline why and how the next MFF should centralize and mainstream children and child rights in the following EU policy domains and key areas including the EU’s domestic policy agenda, development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultancy will have two main responsibilities:

• Develop a position paper on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 34 which is targeted towards the EU Institutions, EU decision-and policy makers and politicians in EU Member States.
• Develop a set of recommendations for each of the EU Institution on concrete actions to undertake to make the next MFF work for all children in the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian action and EU enlargement.

EXPECTED RESULTS AND DUTIES:

Development of the position paper and its targeted recommendations

The Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028 – 2034 will define the size and intent of the EU long-term budget over the next seven-year period. It will provide a unique opportunity for the EU to realize its internal and external policies with the necessary financial resources to effectively address domestic and global challenges, with an emphasis on human development, inclusiveness and shared prosperity for all nations, peoples, and all parts of society. The MFF is an expression of the EU political priorities as much as a budget for the overall functioning of the EU.  Ensuring the presence of children in the next MFF across all its headings is both imperative for their current and future rights and wellbeing of all children. In July 2025, the European Commission is planning to unveil its proposed presentation for the next MFF. This presentation will outline how the European Commissioner plans to invest in its priority areas over the next seven years from 2028 – 34. It is imperative that UNICEF use the intervening months to advocate for the inclusion of children and child rights.

Duties & Tasks:

The consultant will develop a position paper which comprehensively sets out why, and how, the EU can develop its future MFF which focuses on children and promotes child rights in several key areas, namely the EU’s domestic agenda, development cooperation and humanitarian aid. With the guidance of the senior advisor the consultant will

• Develop a position paper on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 34 which is targeted towards the EU Institutions, EU decision-and policy makers and politicians in EU Member States.
• Develop a set of targeted recommendations for each of the EU Institution on concrete actions they can undertake to make the next MFF work for all children.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Duty Station: Brussels

The post is home based. There is no physical presence in the UNICEF Office for Relations with the EU institutions in Brussels. Working in the same time zone as Brussels (CEST/CET) is mandatory.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor of the UNICEF Office for Relations with the EU institutions in Brussels.

Timeframe

Start date: 25-October 2024

End date:  31 January 2025

This is a part-time job that requires flexibility depending on the planning and opportunities, estimated in around.

Fees

Applicants are requested to indicate a daily fee in EUR. 

 

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in EU Affairs, international relations, Law or related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years progressive responsibility and relevant professional work experience in EU financing, policy, communication and relevant professional work experience in policy and funding areas including development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
• Knowledge of the EU institutions, EU decision making processes, the Multiannual Financial Framework process, and its dynamics is essential.
• Previous experience in/with European Union/European Commission and its different institutions is considered an asset.
• Previous experience in/with UNICEF, including knowledge of UN/UNICEF programmes and operations, policies and procedures is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Competencies: 

• Knowledge and understanding of EU sector policy and financing instruments and mechanisms essential.
• Excellent understanding of the development and humanitarian sector is highly desirable.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills in English and another UN language (working knowledge of French an asset).
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and an aptitude for problem solving.

Requirements 

• Completed online application (no email applications accepted).
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:

• All-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the deliverables noted above.
• Indicate your availability.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Applicants are requested to send their CV, a motivation letter and their proposed fees via the online application form.

Deadline: 17 October 2024 COB (CEST/CET)

 

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.