Consultancy - Second Study on Return on Investment for Emergency Preparedness (2024), EMOPS, New York, 4 months (REMOTE)

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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

This assignment builds upon the 2015 Return on Investment (RoI) study on Emergency Preparedness from UNICEF and WfP, which produced a toolkit to systematically measure the return on investment of emergency preparedness in high-risk contexts. It initially focused on producing metrics associated to cost savings, in terms of time and money. A methodology, and a prototype spreadsheet-based tool was developed to calculate the RoI generated by preparedness interventions vis a vis the first emergency occurring after the investment.

A proof of concept was hence developed as a model to estimate the financial returns and time savings from specific preparedness efforts at country level. All 49 humanitarian preparedness investments from 3 countries (Pakistan, Madagascar, Chad) examined by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) demonstrated either time or cost savings – most (64%) delivered both. The average Savings-to Investment Ratio (SIR) was over 200% in the event of the following emergency occurrence. In other words, US$1 invested beforehand saved more than US$2 in future response costs. Time savings averaged 10 days.

For the second phase of research, launched in 2016, WFP and UNICEF were joined by OCHA and UNHCR. The project aimed to refine and expand the methodology to:

• encompass a more diverse range of indicators, including greenhouse gas savings;
• calculate ROI over longer time horizons and multiple emergency occurrences;
• facilitate and simplify the process of comparing scenarios and quantifying returns; and
• increase the evidence base established in the initial findings.
• Phase 2 of the study, supported again by DFID, was conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) for 3 other countries (Myanmar, Niger, and Uganda) and was completed in 2017. The resulting toolkit includes a spreadsheet-based tool that allows users to contrast investment options with the status quo, producing results that can be used to build a business case for a portfolio of investments designed to achieve maximum collective impact. This time, for all investments, savings in the first emergency averaged US$2.60 per US$1 invested in preparedness or an SIR of 260%. On average, preparedness led to a 14-day reduction in the gap between the occurrence of a crisis and the initial response.
• The positive humanitarian returns on investments demonstrated by this two-fold study showed the benefits of emergency preparedness and the importance and relevance of incorporating RoI analysis into humanitarian investment planning. The tool helps agencies to build the case for more effective ways of delivering effective humanitarian action. This project was one of the first initiatives to provide some of the best available evidence of the positive impact of emergency preparedness investment on the cost, timing, quality, and carbon emissions of subsequent emergency responses. Despite the achievements, some areas of improvement were suggested to make the model more robust and fit-for-purpose towards developing new financial models for the humanitarian sector. Further work should refine models to improve capturing returns from capacity strengthening and coordination investments. It should also endeavour to simplify the methodology, where possible, to improve its usability.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce an updated RoI study that will propose an improved RoI model/tool addressing the relevant recommendations from the previous studies and reflecting the recent/latest preparedness efforts undertaken by UNICEF in terms of systems, initiatives and processes implemented by UNICEF since the initial study. The updated study will focus explicitly on preparedness actions and key programmes by key sector (Health/WASH/Nutrition/Education/Child Protection/Social Policy) and by key enabling/operation functions (Human Resources/Supply/Operations/Partnership/Planning/Monitoring).

Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS) in EMOPS and working closely with RAPS team (Preparedness, Anticipatory Action, and Risk Analysis) and other stakeholders, the Consultant will:

1. Review the existing RoI methodology, toolkit and business case produced by the initial studies, including the specific preparedness interventions to be studied, developing data collection methods, and selecting appropriate analytical tools, among others.
2. Collecting and analysing data, which would involve gathering data on the costs and benefits of preparedness interventions, as well as on the context in which the interventions were implemented.
3. Conducting cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, which would involve comparing the costs of preparedness interventions to the benefits they generate, both financial and non-financial.
4. Provide an analysis of the previous study recommendation feasibility. The analysis/evaluation should build the evidence-based case for a return on investment for preparedness to:

• assess planned and existing preparedness investments in terms of potential cost savings and response time;
• compare different preparedness interventions along these two dimensions
• identify opportunities to reduce costs and increase the speed of humanitarian response;
• establish linkages between preparedness and anticipatory action for forecastable hazards.

5. Design improvements to the existing methodology drawing a RoI analysis for each of following recent initiatives, investments and efforts undertaken by UNICEF EMOPS NYHQ:

• Risk analysis including use of Geosight platform
• Horizon Scan
• First Action Initiative (FAI) and Co-Funding Initiative (CFI)
• Anticipatory Actions*
• Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP)
• Simulation Exercises
• Relevant preparedness interventions at the regional or global level, such as market-shaping initiatives and regional rosters

*Anticipatory Action being quite recent in UNICEF (see Anticipatory Action Framework developed by RAPS in 2023), the lack of historical data within UNICEF may hinder a proper RoI analysis, however examples from other agencies can be assessed to complement the analysis

The consultant is expected to write a final report that presents the findings of the study, including the ROI of different preparedness interventions and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of humanitarian preparedness for non-technical and technical audience making the case towards timely, effective, and efficient emergency response.

In consultation with respective RAPS staff, the consultant will conduct:

• A desk review and objective assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of above UNICEF's humanitarian preparedness investments including anticipatory action initiatives in carefully selected sample of countries recently affected by a humanitarian crisis. This will include potential risks for which the preparedness and anticipatory action (as applicable) projects were designed, in terms of the type of emergency, its frequency, duration and intensity, and the number of affected people.
• An analysis of the data systems, based on the previous categorization of investments, with a critical view and suggestion on potentially improved categories:
  • Infrastructure/process pre-positioning
  • Long-Term Agreements (LTAs)/Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs)/Contingency Humanitarian Program Documents (HPD)
  • Skills and capacity strengthening (government included)
  • Supplies, equipment, and capacity pre-positioning
  • Coordination
• Stakeholders Consultations with relevant UNICEF staff, partners, and other agencies or experts involved in emergency preparedness, including anticipatory action, and response. Propose recommendations on the improvement of timeliness, efficiency, and effectiveness of humanitarian response efforts.
• Three detailed investment cases/business cases at country level linked with the above preparedness and anticipatory action (as applicable) initiatives for 3 countries (1 per country) preferably not considered in the 2015 & 2016/17 study and presenting distinct types of crises (Public Health Emergencies, Climate related event, Conflict related event). Travel to the 3 COs will be expected. The RoI improved model will then be peer reviewed.

• A comprehensive report documenting the recommendations and conclusions drawn from the evaluation exercise.

  To access the full ToR please click here ToR Study on RoI for Emergency Preparedness.pdf

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

• • Master's degree in economics, Data & Statistics, Information Management, Financial Management, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, MBA, Disaster Risk Management, Humanitarian Action, Social Sciences, International Development, or other relevant areas. * Minimum requirements to consider candidates for competitive process
  • At least 8 years of relevant experience and proven expertise in humanitarian preparedness and response, with a strong understanding of preparedness systems evaluation, preferably within UN agencies’ framework with knowledge of relevant Programming Guidelines at field and HQ.
  • Experience in documentation to convey humanitarian and development programming efforts.
  • Proven record of accomplishment of similar studies, elaboration of business cases, investment cases, impact evaluation or building financial models
  • Knowledge of statistics software's/applications and related IT literacy
  • Ability to analyze humanitarian data & statistics and convert these into visual and easily understandable information
  • Capacity to familiarize or experience with UNICEF’s work and UN agencies work in emergencies
  • Fluency in English language, written and spoken, with ability to convey technical language in simple English.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills.
  • Good iinterpersonal skills
  • Experience working in a multicultural team and environment and meeting strict deadlines.
  • Listed requirements will be used for technical evaluation in the competitive process

How to apply:

• Interested applicants are required to submit a financial proposal with an all-inclusive fee. Please see the financial proposal template here: Consultancy Financial Offer template.docx
• Financial proposal must include travel costs (economy class) and daily subsistence allowance, if travel is required as per TOR and any other estimated costs: visa, travel/health insurance

• Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.

  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.