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, Quality Education!
UNICEF education programme in Sierra Leone aims to ensure that all children have access to quality education focusing on four main outputs – System Strengthening, including Education in Emergencies, Early Childhood development, Quality, and evidence generation in support of Adolescent programming. UNICEF works to support government programming and the flagship Free Quality School Education initiative and oversight of the implementation of the Global Partnership for Education programme. Based on the following recognized capacity issues, there is a need to provide further support to help build the capacity of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) team on general programme management, with special emphasis on financial management, including accounting, procurement, internal controls and HACT policies, procedures, reporting with appropriate supporting documents for timely programme implementation and liquidation.
The MBSSE also requires interim support for implementation of short-term initiatives such as the Out-of-School Children’s (OOSC) projects. It is expected that the capacity built within the MBSSE will translate into more effective implementation of programmes funded by UNICEF and other donors in full compliance with the Government’s fiduciary procedures, HACT policies, expectations and requirements of UNICEF and other donors.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Education Specialist with support from the Chief of Section- Education, in close collaboration with Chief of Operations and Head of Finance as well as Education staff, the consultant will assess the capacity needs of the MBSSE to determine effectiveness of financial management systems at the Ministry and understanding of HACT procedures and policies. Based on the findings, the consultant will develop a capacity building plan and put in place the necessary procedures action plan and provide on-the-job training for the relevant staff to fill capacity gaps.
Activities, tasks, outputs and deliverables :
The consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks at MBSSE :
- Assess the relevant financial and administrative entities and the existing financial management system, procedures, and practices and identify capacity gaps or relevant areas which may require improvements and strengthening ;
- Based on the findings, develop a capacity development work plan with supporting strategy to support the MBSSE ;
- Conduct targeted on the job-training of relevant personnel on HACT procedures, report writing, and results-based management ;
- Monitor the implementation of the developed strategy in line with requirements for effectiveness and efficiency in financial management and reporting ;
- Provide technical support to the MBSSE Gender Desk for effective implementation OOSC projects and achievement of results ;
- Submit monthly reports on activities carried out and implemented including challenges for the attention of UNICEF and MBSSE; and
- Carry out any other tasks assigned as requested.
Please see attached ToR for more information. 
Capacity Building Consultant-ToR.doc
Please attach your financial proposal
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education, Social Sciences related, Business Administration ;
- Minimum eight years of professional work experience in education, programme/project management, administration, business administration, operational development, social work, public finance management, or related field ;
- Excellent knowledge of financial management policies and procedures, including HACT police ;
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skill ;
- Computer proficiency in standard office applications (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) ;
- Fluency in English.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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.
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.