Consultancy: Harmonization of Humanitarian and Development planning, monitoring and reporting, DAPM, NYHQ (remote based)

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

Duration: 1 March 2022 – 31 July 2022

Strengthening the link between humanitarian, development and sustaining peace programming is essential to reduce risk and vulnerability, capitalize on local capacities and improve how governments and the international community respond to the needs of children, women and men, particularly in fragile contexts. A renewed policy-level approach to improve how these spheres are interlinked is referred to as the humanitarian, development and peace nexus (or triple nexus).

UNICEF’s Procedure on Linking Humanitarian and Development Programming (2019) makes risk-informed programming; conflict-sensitivity and peacebuilding; preparedness; and system-strengthening mandatory and sets organizational standards for measuring and monitoring progress at country and global levels. The procedure is linked to seven main programme and operational strategies that UNICEF should use to strengthen the link between humanitarian and development programming.

Yet, UNICEF planning for humanitarian and development remain in most cases separate, resulting in increased time and resources spent on double planning, monitoring and reporting.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Division of Data Analytics Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) and the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) to harmonize planning in humanitarian and development, by clarifying and strengthening the guidance on the integration of humanitarian and development analysis, planning, monitoring and results reporting with a specific focus on country offices with HAC appeals. Particular consideration should be given to both new and protracted humanitarian contexts and to situations where governments are party to conflicts to ensure that UNICEF fulfils its dual mandate by more effectively linking its humanitarian and development work.

This consultancy will be co-managed by DAPM and EMOPS.

How can you make a difference?

In close collaboration and working with the Chief, Programme Guidance Unit (PGU) and the Chief, Humanitarian Evidence and Learning Section (HELS), EMOPS, and their staff, the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Review existing guidance on programme planning from EMOPS and DAPM and samples of actual humanitarian and development plans from various Country Offices
2. Review and familiarize with the ongoing process of Country Programme simplification and subsequent digitalization. Eventually this consultancy will inform the simplification process on linking humanitarian and development.
3. Map the dimensions of convergence between the humanitarian and the non-humanitarian planning processes (i.e. situation analysis and evidence for planning, results structures and results levels, periodicity, resources and budget planning, monitoring and reporting)
4. Review how the upcoming work planning system could facilitate simplification and harmonization of operational planning, contingency planning and programme adaptation.
5. Reflect and advise on how the new work planning system can be instrumental in the analysis of trends, patterns and emerging factors to contribute to an increased understanding of the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action, contingency planning and needs-based adaptation.
6. Improve current guidance on integrated planning at the CO level to ensure the inputs to the Results Assessment Module (RAM) are of quality and are done in an integrated manner where possible. RAM is the online platform for work planning and reporting, and it plays the role of joint results framework. However, the inputs into RAM and the way in which planning is done at CO level differs greatly depending on the team on the ground, the type of crises and the sensitivity of the situation (i.e. conflict settings). Hence the need to improve guidance and current practices.
7. Develop a strong rationale and discussion paper to connect the two planning processes/systems, based on the provisions of the new SP to support programming across the humanitarian-development nexus and systematically apply a humanitarian lens to the theories of change underlying work on all Goal areas, cross-cutting programmes, change strategies and enablers, and reflect UNICEF humanitarian work throughout the plan and the results framework.
8. Conduct a series of webinars to reflect the findings and develop a strategy to implement joint planning as a key component of the Simplification of Programme Planning.
9. Based on the feedback received make recommendations for harmonizing the humanitarian and development planning, monitoring and reporting. Specific attention needs to be given to providing guidance on how to integrate results in sensitive contexts where work plans cannot be done jointly in some complex and high threat environments (CHTE) – an example being Somalia and how UNICEF can still maintain joint work planning that is reflected in the Results Assessment Module (RAM).

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

(1) Education

• University degree in Development, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Humanitarian law, Business Administration, Statistics, International Relations, or a relevant field.
• Expertise in humanitarian and development work, preferably with UNICEF or other UN Agency.
• The individual should be highly proficient in a range of PC/web applications, including but not limited to: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, and Lotus Notes.

2) Work experience

• A minimum of 8 years of direct experience of both humanitarian and development programming (planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting) is a requirement
• Knowledge of UNICEF humanitarian and development programming is a requirement
• Expertise in developing discussion papers, strategic papers and guidance notes is a requirement, particularly in the field of humanitarian and development
• Knowledge of latest developments and advancements in humanitarian work
• Experience in organizing and facilitating webinars
• Excellent writing skills
• Skills required: strategic thinking, excellent analytical skills, communication and teamwork skills, flexibility, adaptability.

3) Competencies

• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and meeting results.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.)

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.

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.

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.

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.