Consultancy - Blueprint of Minimum Package of Humanitarian Services for Migrants for UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean Region - LACRO, Panama City

Consultant Crisis & Emergency Response

Contract

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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, an advocate

How can you make a difference?

Background

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices. As part of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, a comprehensive set of organizational enablers are outlined in a global framework to represent UNICEF’s contribution to child-related SDGs in all setting.

The humanitarian situation for children in LAC region continued to worsen in 2022. The mixed and multi-directional flow of migration reached at the unprecedented level, compounded by the widened disparity and deepened poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, exposure to natural hazards and other effects of climate change, and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

UNICEF in the LAC region has been responding to the outflow of Venezuela migration in South America since 2018 or so, closely coordinating with partners and leading four sectors/subsector (Nutrition, WASH, Education and Child Protection) and Support Spaces Working Group through R4V platforms and other coordination mechanisms.

During the last 3 years, the migration flow that is principally heading toward Mexico and North America has increased exponentially, changing the profile of the migrants from the traditional young male travelers to families with children. At the same time, the migration flow in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region has become mixed and multi-directional. The flow has become more fluid and complex especially in Central America and Mexico (CAMEX), directly affected by the frequent changes of US migration policy.

UNICEF Country Offices (COs) have been increasingly responding to the humanitarian crisis generated by the increased migration flow with families and children, in close coordination with authorities, other UN agencies and humanitarian actors. At the same time, it is inevitable to note the lack of cohesion in UNICEF’s humanitarian response to Children on the Move across countries in LAC region, including joint planning and cross-border coordination among COs, for a variety of reasons: the degree of urgency, needs, capacity and appetite for the humanitarian actions in this context is different from a CO to another; the lack of a clear leadership in coordination; to name a few.

Purpose of the Assignment

Propose a blueprint of UNICEF’s “minimum package of humanitarian services for Children on the Move in Latin America and the Caribbean region” by identifying a small set of the most critical humanitarian services for Children on the Move that must be provided by all UNICEF COs involved in the current migration crisis.

Specific Tasks

A selected consultant will facilitate a process of identifying the blueprint of the Minimum Package of Humanitarian Services for Children on the Move in LAC region for UNICEF. Based on an existing Concept Note (which will be shared once the consultant starts the work), the main tasks will include the following:

1. Literature review: understanding the existing efforts to respond to migration flow that involve UNICEF in the region.

• UNICEF’s LAC experiences as a co-lead in R4V’s “Espacio de Apoyo Working Group”1 and its variations, as well as similar experience outside of R4V in the region a shared physical space of services for migrants provided by different actors).

1 Espacio de Apoyo, is a regional initiative led by UNICEF, UNHCR and RET in the framework of R4V that was born in 2019 from the adaptation of the blue dots.

• The Regional Migration Theory of Change, led by LACRO Child Protection team, will be reviewed, with careful consideration for the identified 6 areas of services (Legal Identity, Health, Education, Protection, WASH, Social Protection). • Similar experiences at the global level will be reviewed, such as Blue Dots in response to Ukrainian refugees, in close coordination with Eastern Europe and Central Asia RO and COs in the region. • Pay particular attention to services available for children with disabilities.

2. Mapping of existing humanitarian services by different COs to understand the current UNICEF interventions in the region.

• This step will benefit from ongoing/existing work done by different sections/teams in LACRO (e.g. Child Protection, WASH, Planning’s mapping of services for migrants). • Review the information available from the LACRO’s mapping of services for migrants to ensure that UNICEF’s response responds to the migrants’ needs. Identify unmet needs that should be responded by UNICEF according to CCC.

3. Facilitation of a series of discussions with LACRO Specialists to prioritize and verify the “minimum packager of humanitarian services (Tier 1).” • Each selected service will be backed with strong justification in line with CCC and Theory of Change. • A small group of technical specialists may be invited by selected COs. o Select humanitarian services for Tier 1. o Selects humanitarian services for Tier 2 and 3. o Identify any humanitarian-development nexus activities in Tier 1, 2, 3.

4. Production of a draft “minimum package of humanitarian services” (Tier 1, 2, 3).

5. Discussions facilitated with Regional Office senior management and regional advisors and a selected group of CO Representatives to verify the proposed “minimum packager of humanitarian services (Tier 1).”

6. Production of a final draft “minimum package of humanitarian services” (Tier 1, 2, 3), after incorporating feedback and comments.

Deliverables

Deliverables

Note: All the documents will be submitted in English

Expected date

1

Proposed Work Plan with a timeline.

9 October 2023

2

A report: literature review: understanding the existing efforts to respond to migration flow that involves UNICEF in the region.

• UNICEF’s experiences as a co-lead in R4V’s “Espacio de Apoyo Working Group” and materials developed (e.g. toolkit) (a shared physical space of services for migrants provided by different actors) and WASH experience in selected COs will be reviewed.
• The Regional Migration Theory of Change, led by LACRO Child Protection team, will be reviewed, with careful consideration for the identified 6 areas of services (Legal Identity, Health, Education, Protection, WASH, Social Protection).
• Similar experiences within the region and at the global level will be reviewed, such as R4V’s Espacio de Apoyo (and its variations) and Blue Dots in response to Ukrainian refugees, in close coordination with Eastern Europe and Central Asia RO and COs in the region.

20 November 2023

3

A matrix report of mapping of existing services by different COs to understand the current UNICEF interventions in the region for migrants in transit.

• This step will benefit from ongoing/existing work done by different sections/teams in LACRO (e.g. Child Protection, WASH, Planning’s mapping of services).

8 December 2023

4

Technical discussion(s) are facilitated with LACRO Specialists to prioritize the “minimum package of humanitarian services (Tier 1).”

• Each selected service will be backed with strong justification in line with CCC and Theory of Change.
• A small group of technical specialists by selected COs may be invited.

25 January 2024

5

Technical discussion(s) are facilitated with LACRO Specialists to identify essential services for Tier 2 and 3 for the “minimum package of humanitarian services.”

• Each selected service will be backed with strong justification in line with CCC and Theory of Change.
• A small group of technical specialists by selected COs may be invited.
• Note that humanitarian services for Tier 2 and 3 may be applicable for people who have the intention of resettling (e.g. integration in the education system, humanitarian cash transfer, etc.).

15 February 2024

6

First draft of “minimum package of humanitarian services” (Tier 1, 2, 3). The document should include:

• Brief background
• Methodology
• Content of each package (Tier 1, 2, 3)
• Brief description of each service and its link to CCC
• Suggested nexus activities/exit strategy for each service, if any
• Suggestions for the physical set-up of services, if any

23 February 2024

7

Discussions facilitated with Regional Office senior management and regional advisors and a selected group of CO Representatives to verify the proposed “minimum packager of humanitarian services (Tier 1).”

1 March 2024

8

Internal discussion(s) facilitated with a selected group from RO and CO to verify the proposed “minimum packager of humanitarian services (Tier 2 and 3).”

8 March 2024

9

Second draft of “minimum package of humanitarian services” (Tier 1, 2, 3) to RO senior management.

22 March 2024

10

Final draft “minimum package of humanitarian services” (Tier 1, 2, 3), after incorporating feedback and comments.

5 April 2024

11

A brief consultancy report.

12 April 2024

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

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

Education

Master’s degree in development studies, humanitarian actions, social science, human rights or other relevant fields.

Work Experience

• At least 8 years in humanitarian actions/development work. • Humanitarian actions in migration context. • Developing strategic and conceptual documents/frameworks/guidelines. • Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes.

Languages

Fluency in English and Spanish (written and oral) is required.

Technical knowledge (if applicable)

• Knowledge of current migration crisis in LAC region. • Knowledge of key global migration policies and approaches, e.g. Global compact on migration, and others. • Global humanitarian principles and standards

Other skills and attributes (optional)

• Strong skills in prioritization. • Strong facilitation skills. • Strong strategic planning skills. • Excellent organizational skills. • Capacity to work autonomously and with minimum supervision. • Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines. • Ability to work well with others. • Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands. • Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. • Able to work effectively in a multicultural environment. • High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.

Administrative details

Supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Emergency Manager.

Workplace

This is a home-based consultancy.

Duration

This consultancy will have an estimated duration of seven (7) months.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted online and include Resume, Cover Letter, Technical and Financial Proposal (lump sum fees or per deliverable).

Consultancy Contracts are only issued to one individual. Should an applicant work with a team of consultants, he or she is responsible for his/her team.

Travel

No travel is foreseen for this consultancy. In case travel is agreed, travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.

• Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations. • For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts. • Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling. • UN Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Official Travel, ST/AI/2013/3: Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e) • For information on Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), can be found on the International Civil Service Commission website (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map).

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.

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Added 7 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: unicef.org