UNICEF is offering a nine-month consultancy in Kigali focused on strengthening gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) and supporting its automation within Rwanda’s public financial management system.
The assignment is office-based and involves working closely with Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), as well as UNICEF’s Social Policy team.
This opportunity may suit experienced professionals who understand public finance, government budgeting, gender-responsive budgeting, and financial management information systems.
It is particularly relevant to candidates who have worked on public-sector financial processes and can connect policy objectives with practical budget systems.
The consultancy also offers an opportunity to contribute to work related to gender equity and, where relevant, child-responsive budgeting.
Applicants should carefully review the qualifications and prepare all required application documents before submitting their application.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights, support their development, and improve their lives. Its work covers children from early childhood through adolescence.
The organization emphasizes values including care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability. UNICEF also promotes diversity and encourages qualified candidates from different backgrounds, including people with disabilities, to apply.
Position Overview
The consultancy is based in Kigali, Rwanda, and will run for nine months. The consultant will be embedded within MINECOFIN’s National Budget Department.
The position involves reporting to the Director General of the Budget Management and Reporting Directorate, while UNICEF’s Chief of Social Policy will provide technical supervision. The consultant will also work closely with the Ministry’s existing GRB Analyst.
At its core, the assignment focuses on helping strengthen gender-responsive budgeting and supporting its integration into Rwanda’s public financial management system.
The role therefore combines public finance knowledge with gender and equity analysis and practical experience with financial management information systems.
Key Responsibilities
The consultant will contribute to work that connects gender-responsive budgeting with Rwanda’s existing public financial management processes and systems.
A major part of the assignment involves applying knowledge of budgeting and PFM information systems to support the automation of GRB. This can include understanding system requirements and contributing to activities such as configuration, testing, and implementation.
The consultant will also work with government counterparts and relevant UNICEF colleagues. Strong facilitation and capacity-building abilities are important because the assignment involves supporting others in understanding and applying GRB-related processes.
Analytical and reporting work will also form part of the consultancy. The successful candidate should be able to examine budget and policy issues, communicate findings clearly, and produce well-structured written outputs.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Education
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in one of the following areas:
- Economics
- Public Finance
- Public Policy
- Gender and Development
- Development Studies
- A related field
Professional Experience
The consultancy requires at least five years of professional experience in public financial management, budgeting, and/or gender-responsive budgeting.
Experience supporting government is preferred. Applicants should also have practical experience with budget or PFM information systems, such as IFMIS or an equivalent system. This experience may include requirements definition, system configuration, testing, or rollout.
Technical Knowledge
Candidates should have a strong understanding of gender and equity analysis. Knowledge of child-responsive budgeting is considered desirable.
Familiarity with Rwanda’s public financial management system, budget cycle, and gender policy framework is also listed among the required skills.
Languages
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required.
Knowledge of French is considered an asset.
Additional Experience
Experience automating GRB or gender tagging within a national IFMIS would be an advantage. Familiarity with UNICEF or United Nations child safeguarding and PSEA policies is also desirable.
An affinity with child rights and volunteerism is listed among the desirable attributes.
Skills Needed
This consultancy requires more than academic knowledge of public finance. Candidates should be comfortable analyzing how budgeting systems and policy priorities work together.
Strong analytical ability is important, particularly when examining gender and equity considerations within public budgeting. Experience working with PFM information systems is equally relevant because the assignment includes supporting the automation of GRB.
Communication skills will also matter. The consultant should be able to facilitate discussions, build the capacity of colleagues or counterparts, and explain technical issues in a clear way. Good report-writing skills are specifically identified as part of the requirements.
Knowledge of Rwanda’s budget environment can further help candidates demonstrate that they understand the context in which the consultancy will operate.
Salary & Benefits
The employer has not publicly disclosed the salary for this position.
UNICEF states that it offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, but the specific compensation for this consultancy is not provided in the vacancy information supplied.
Applicants should also note that UNICEF does not charge a processing fee during recruitment, selection, or hiring and will not request bank account information from candidates.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through UNICEF’s online recruitment portal, the Talent Management System (TMS).
Applicants are required to provide:
- An up-to-date TMS profile and CV
- A cover letter
- A separate financial proposal using the specified template
- A detailed technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology, limited to three pages
The vacancy was advertised on 12 August 2026, with an application deadline of 25 August 2026, using South Africa Standard Time.
Candidates should submit their materials through the official UNICEF recruitment system and ensure that all required documents are complete before submission.
Tips Before Applying
Before applying, compare your qualifications carefully with the stated minimum requirements. In particular, check that your education, professional experience, language skills, and PFM systems experience are clearly demonstrated.
Your CV should make relevant government budgeting, GRB, and financial management systems experience easy to identify. If you have worked on IFMIS requirements, configuration, testing, rollout, or GRB automation, describe that experience clearly.
The technical proposal deserves particular attention because UNICEF asks for a brief approach and methodology of no more than three pages. Keep it focused and make sure it demonstrates your understanding of the consultancy.
Finally, check every required document before submitting the application and use the specified financial proposal template.
Conclusion
This UNICEF consultancy in Kigali is aimed at an experienced public finance or policy professional with relevant knowledge of gender-responsive budgeting and financial management systems.
The nine-month assignment combines government engagement, technical PFM work, gender and equity analysis, capacity building, and reporting.
Candidates who meet the Master’s degree requirement, have at least five years of relevant experience, and meet the language and technical requirements should review the full vacancy and Terms of Reference carefully.
Those who meet the criteria can then prepare the required CV, cover letter, financial proposal, and technical proposal for submission through UNICEF’s official recruitment portal.
