Consultancy: Social Policy Expert, LAC Region

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac)..)

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the guidance and supervision of the Social Policy Regional Adviser, and in the context of the COVID-19

emergency, the Consultant will contribute with high level technical products that will support the strengthening of

social protection systems in LAC, with a focus on the emerging challenges for child sensitive social protection due to

the pandemic (family care social protection policies; social protection and disability; social protection at the local

level). The consultant will also contribute to define the strategic framework for social protection in the region that will

guide UNICEF COs programming in light of the new strategic plan.

Specific Tasks

In the context of the COVID-19 emergency in LAC, the activities will entail:

1. Support the development of subject-matter expertise on integrated social protection systems, particularly in their

relationship with children with disabilities and care services.

2. Define a roadmap for SPU LACRO engagement on addressing the care crisis in the current LAC context and its links

to social protection systems.

3. Define a roadmap for SPU LACRO engagement on increasing the coverage and quality of social protection

programmes for children with disabilities.

4. Develop main messages to build a narrative for UNICEF involvement on social protection in this region after the

COVID-19 context.

5. Develop proposals to raise funds for social policy programming at the regional level.

Expected measurable results

1. SPU LACRO produces high-level analyses on integrated social protection for a better understanding of the situation of children with disabilities and the care crisis due to COVID-19.

2. LACRO has a clear strategy, including updated evidence and key possible partners, for programming and supporting UNICEF COs with regards to social protection for children with disabilities.

3. LACRO has a clear strategy, including updated evidence and key possible partners, for programming and supporting UNICEF COs with regards to the care crisis in LAC and its links with social protection systems.

4. LACRO has an updated social protection strategic framework to guide COs programmatic work in the Region, in light of UNICEF global social protection framework, UNICEF new Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and the regional socioeconomic and institutional context in the aftermath of COVID-19.

5. SPU LACRO has raised additional funds for social policy programming and supporting COs in the near future.

Deliverables

1. Workplan with timeline

2. Working paper: Expanding social protection for children with disabilities in Peru and Mexico

3. Programmatic guidance for LAC COs for strengthening social protection for children with disabilities

4. Programmatic guidance for LAC COs on strategic links between social protection and care services

5. UNICEF LAC strategic guidance for social protection programming

6. Two fundraising proposals for social policy programming

**To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:** -Master’s degree in Economics, Public Administration/Public Policy, International Relations, International Development, Social or Political Sciences. Experience: - At least 15 years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels, in social programme implementation at the national and local levels. - At least 7 years of experience in the design and implementation of national social protection interventions in the Latin American Region. - In addition, social protection program design, implementation and/or evaluation; social services and policies for children with disabilities; familiarity with care and family friendly policies; experience conducting high quality, policy-relevant research; and, experience providing technical assistance to governments or organization, will be highly valued. Languages: Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English is required.

Technical knowledge: - Experience in drafting technical documents. - Experience in research and quality assurance of analytical and/or strategic documents. - Experience in drafting project proposals for funding purposes.

Other skills and attributes: - Ability to work quickly and under pressure. - Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team. - Flexibility to multitask within the different thematic areas of the SPU portfolio, as well as between technical and institutional requirements. - Strong results orientation. - Strong interpersonal skills.

Supervision: The contractor will work under the direct supervision of the LAC Social Policy Regional Adviser and in close collaboration with the Social Policy Specialists, and other Regional Office teams.

Workplace: This is a remote, home-based consultancy. The consultant will use his/her own resources and equipment.

Duration: This contract is expected to start on 17 May 2021, with an estimated duration of 11.5 months.

How to apply: Application should be submitted online and should include: completed online application, resume, cover letter and financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

Travel: Depending on the international travel restrictions, there is a possibility of travel. This will be previously agreed between the consultant and the supervisor. Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

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.