National Economist: costing, budget and co-financing support for the Viluntheri Schools GCF Funding Proposal (TOR/2026/25), Male, Maldives, 10 months, remote

Overview

This consultancy supports the preparation of the economic and financial analysis, detailed budget, financing structure, and procurement elements of the Viluntheri Schools GCF Funding Proposal (TOR/2026/25). The work involves providing national cost, fiscal, co-financing, public-finance, and procurement evidence.

• Duration: 10 months
• Location: Male, Maldives
• Work arrangement: Remote

Responsibilities

• Provide national cost evidence for the project, including:
  • a unit cost database
  • costing assumptions based on Maldivian prices and atoll logistics
• Prepare and maintain the line-by-line budget and support notes for the detailed budget (Annex 14) under the direction of the international finance specialist.
• Prepare the evidence package for Government co-financing and national tax information for validation by the international finance specialist.
• Assess the legal and institutional feasibility of ring-fencing savings and transferring funds under national public-finance rules, as the basis for the Maintenance Fund options.
• Compile and validate the national datasets for:
  • economic and financial analysis (Annex 11)
  • procurement data for the procurement plan (Annex 6)
    as specified by the international finance specialist.
• Facilitate the collection and validation of national financial, fiscal, and procurement information from government agencies and service providers.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in a university advanced degree in finance, accounting, economics, public administration or a related field. A professional accounting qualification is an asset.

Minimum Experience

• At least 4 years of experience in budgeting, financial management, or public finance.
• Experience preparing budgets for projects funded by the GCF, a multilateral development bank, the UN, or bilateral donors.
• Sound knowledge of Maldivian public finance, budget processes, and taxation.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English and Dhivehi.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Precision and consistency in budgeting.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines while working with several teams.
• Clear documentation of assumptions.

Preferred Qualifications

• GCF budget experience (strong asset).
• Experience costing infrastructure or education projects in the Maldives (asset).
• Experience undertaking economic and financial analysis (desirable).

Submission Requirements (Application Materials)

Applicants are required to submit:

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the specified format)
• A detailed technical proposal, including:
  • CV
  • two samples of budgeting or costing work
  • a short note (maximum two pages) on the proposed approach and workplan

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a competency-based interview, which will inform the technical score.

Additional Information

• UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of recruitment, selection, and hiring.
• UNICEF will not ask applicants for bank account information.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.

Eligibility / Inclusion

• UNICEF promotes protection of the rights of every child and expects selected candidates to adhere to safeguarding standards and principles.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for persons with disabilities during the recruitment process.
• UNICEF is committed to workforce diversity.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with UN and UNICEF aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation and benefits are not specified in the provided Terms of Reference excerpt.