Consultancy: Consultant, Early Childhood Development in Emergencies - ECD Section, PD, NYHQ/Home based - Req

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, hope.

Consultancy Title: Early Childhood Development in Emergencies Consultancy

Section/Division/Duty Station: Early Childhood Development/PD/NYHQ

Duration (tentative dates): 28 June 2021 – 31 December 2021 (54 working days)

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

The increase of humanitarian situations globally, particularly the universal COVID-19 emergency, has significantly increased the portfolio for ECD in emergencies and for peacebuilding. The purpose of this post is to assist the ECD Team by addressing operational constraints and meeting the high demand for engagement in external projects and partnerships. This post will support the ECD Specialist for Emergencies to facilitate the collaboration with the Early Childhood Peace Consortium, as well as with coordination and support on technical and advocacy work expected around existing partnerships and projects.

Scope of Work:

Early Childhood Peace Consortium: The ECPC is a consortium of implementation, academic and advocacy partners, for which UNICEF hosts the Secretariat and is a co-founder. Over the last year the ECPC has gained traction, grown and is engaging in more advocacy work than ever before. UNICEF plays a key role in the Consortium’s work so regular and dedicated support is required to advance the ECPC’s work and achieve its goals. The consultant will provide the operational, advocacy and coordination support needed, assisting both the ECPC Chair and supporting UNICEF’s efforts in advancing the Consortium platform and mission. The consultant will help to build the ECPC’s platform by facilitating the development and implementation of its Strategic Plan in alignment with member organizations’ work; liaising with key stakeholders and influential actors to support existing efforts in and advocate for ECD services for peacebuilding; and coordinating the Consortium’s operations, including convening high-level and working group meetings, drafting briefing, advocacy or reporting materials etc.

ECD in Emergencies: The ECDiE portfolio has been progressively growing and requires supplementary general support. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the emergencies workload and resulted in a new, COVID-specific grant. This post will support the ECD team in coordination, planning and implementation of the ECD in Emergencies portfolio, including facilitating collaborative work with partners.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

1. Supporting the Early Childhood Peace Consortium Secretariat, including development and operationalization of its strategic plan

• Facilitate development of an ECPC strategic plan and coordinate inputs from consortium members to support the alignment of task force components
• Support the ECPC Chair in initiating, achieving and tracking deliverables as per the strategic plan.
• Liaise with key stakeholders, ECPC task forces and ECPC Chair to support advocacy efforts
• Convene regular working-level meetings with the ECPC executive committee and advisory board (manage organization, communications, preparations, act as rapporteur etc.)
• Manage day-to-day operations and administrative needs

2. Facilitating the planning and implementation of projects for ECD in Emergencies

• Support the preparation and coordination of technical and advocacy work with partners
• Support the grant management for the COVID-19 grant and related partnerships, including reporting and drafting other relevant materials
• Assist in gathering and synthesizing data to inform ECDiE project design
• Help to maintain knowledge management systems for ECD in humanitarian settings within the wider ECD team knowledge management structure

Qualifications

• Master’s in education, Public Administration/Health, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development, Child Development, Family Studies or another relevant social science field
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in early childhood development related areas is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.
• Strong technical knowledge on ECD issues (including evidence-based approaches, scalability issues, sustainable financing, data systems and advocacy issues).
• Strong understanding of and experience with global partnerships, coalitions/networks, and UN agencies.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work to a tight deadline.
• Excellent research, analytical and report writing skills.

Requirements****:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• 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 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.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.