Consultancy, Strategic Planning Consultant to support the development of the Namibia Country Office (NCO) Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-2028

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 24 Jul 2022 at 21:55 UTC

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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, equal opportunity

Background UNICEF Namibia 2019-2023 Country Programme Document (CPD) was developed in the context of the national development priorities and the joint UN priorities identified in the second Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) – United Nations Partnership Framework for 2019-2023 (UNPAF 2.0). The current CPD is aligned with and contributes to the fifth National Development Plan (NPD 5), which articulates the immediate national priorities to take Namibia towards its own ‘Vision 2030’, the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The CPD is aligned with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018–2021

In 2021, NCO conducted a light mid-term evaluative review (MTER) of its country programme, the key recommendations from the MTER were that in designing the next CPD, UNICEF should consider the country context of Namibia has changed significantly, as has the global context. There should be a strong emphasis on building resilience under conditions of crises, emergencies, and disasters; UNICEF should review the existing structure to align to the next CPD and be highly selective in its selection of activities that should be managed through a matrix approach; The next CPD should pay greater attention to the issue of sustainability, and have explicit strategies in place to enable the sustainability of results and scaling up interventions and UNICEF should invest in nurturing its partnerships with the private sector and civil society.

The current country programme will continue till end December 2023, and a new Country Programme (2024-2028) will be developed within the framework of the new UNSDCF and aligned with the GRN National Development Plan 6 (2023 -2024 to 2027 -2028) priorities.

UNICEF Namibia intends to engage a Strategic Planning Consultant, to support the new CPD development process, including coordination, drafting/updating, and consolidation of the different submission materials related to the full CPD development and submission process, as well as to support the engagement with the efforts and process of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) coordinated by the Resident Coordinator’s Office to ensure the CPD is aligned to the UNSDCF.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative and in close consultation with the PME Manager, the consultant will support the CPD development process consisting of two main phases – i) Programme strategizing, and ii) Drafting and finalization phases, ensuring that the overall process is efficient and light, participatory and consultative and deeply grounded in evidence and ‘reality’ yet forward looking, strategic, ambitious and in line with UNICEF’s commitment to making a difference for the most vulnerable and deprived. The two phases of the CPD development process are envisioned as follows

I. PROGRAMME STRATEGIZING: UNICEF Namibia will focus on the first step of developing the Programme Rationale, Theory of Change and Results Framework. The scope of work will be to review the programmatic strategic shift from a sectoral based approach to a more integrated programming approach; key recommendations from MTER and develop programme rationale for each outcome area for the next CPD including the key deprivations and bottlenecks, the Theory of Change (visual and short narrative) and the results and resources framework. While the nature of the exercise will be desk-driven, and a strong emphasis will be put on Programme Rationale to be consistent in quality, tone and focus from one programme cycle to the next with strong results-focused writing, it should also build in as much consultation as possible under the proposed timeline. The assumptions in the ToCs should be re-validated ensuring wherever the assumed pathway of change is subjected or expected to change this is properly captured. The consultant will therefore be expected to engage with each sector to ensure new priorities, new data, programme repositioning, and shifts are adequately captured in the new Programme Rationale, which should also benefit from line-ministry consultation and involvement (to be facilitated by the Programme Section Chiefs). This phase will also be well informed by the separate but parallel discussions expected to be ongoing at inter-agency level with the development/finalization of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and UNICEF’s SitAn both of which are expected to conclude by October 2022.

As part of this process, it is expected that the consultant also develops the Results and Resource Framework (RRF) which is based on the PR and ToC. Detailed processes should be proposed as part of the inception phase of the consultancy based on the guidance available from UNICEF on quality Programme Rationale and related Results & Resource Framework.

II. DRAFTING AND FINALIZATION: This phase will be based on the finalized Programme Rationale to develop the Country Programme Document in the applicable and mandated format according to UNICEF's Programme Planning and Practice Manual (PPPM). This step will build on the work and deliverables from the first phase. At the same time, it will also need to be particularly well informed by the parallel discussions expected within the formulation and shaping of the UNSDCF outcome areas, to which CPD outcomes will need to align by virtue of UN reform and repositioning principles. Other inter-agency frameworks and priorities might require to be reflected, including, as applicable, references and alignment that may be needed in the proposed CPD. Throughout these two phases, the Consultant should ensure the process builds on best practices and follows organizational guidelines and timelines. The consultant will work closely and receive support from NCO’s CPD Steering Committee, led by the Dep Rep Prog/PM&E Manager and in close collaboration under the guidance of ESARO. To ensure participation and buy-ins, the consultant is expected to support and contribute to bilateral consultation both within the organization and with outside stakeholders and partners.

Specific Tasks (i) Preliminary Consultations and Review on Programme Overall Structure and existing Strategy Notes (including MPSR Notes) - Review key documents including CPD; CPAP; CPMP; MTER, RAM reports; COAR/summary report; SitAn, existing PSNs and results frameworks. - Review and discuss CPD development concept note with Deputy Representative Programme and Deputy Representative -Operations - Agree on a detailed CPD roll out plan/process for the office along with key milestones/ timelines in the inception report - Prepare and facilitate consultations with key stakeholders for each outcome area to establish and agree on priority and focus areas of support for the next country programme as a buildup towards the development of Programme Rationale for each outcome area Output: Consultation reports, proposal for changes to outcome structure based on reviews, identification of strengths and weaknesses in existing PSNs to address in redevelopment of new Programme Rationales for next CPD.

(ii) Support to development of Programme Rationales/Programme Strategic Shifts & SMR - Under close collaboration with UNICEF ESARO, support Sections in the development of Programme Rationale, ensuring that these are in line with Regional/Global requirements, reflect a common vision and priorities, are built on evidence, such as Situation Analysis, Thematic Briefs, lessons learned from MTER etc. - Under close collaboration with UNICEF ESARO, support Sections in the finalization of Theory of Change, programme Results Frameworks, ensuring that results framework adhere to UNICEF requirements and reflect the overall CPD vision and priorities, and that indicators, baselines and targets are systematically disaggregated and are consistent. - Organize Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMR) with key stakeholders and partners Output: New Programme Rationales for CPD 2024-2028, Theory of Change (visual & narrative) Strategic summary highlighting updates/changes; SMR report (see deliverables table).

(iii) Developing and drafting of the CPD Document and Coordination of the Submission Package to RO and OSEB - Prepare and Facilitate a stakeholder's consultation and review / validation of the Programme Rationale through Validation Workshop. As noted above, this will be both internal and external consultations, both sectoral and cross-sectoral to secure endorsement and buy in from line ministries and National Planning Commission as nodal for the CPD's alignment with Agenda 2030 on the SDGs. Factoring in the priorities that are emerging from the UNSDCF will also be critical. - Lead the coordination and drafting, including quality assurance for voice, coherence, comprehensiveness, readability, and results-based focus of the Country Programme Document, including ensuring timely submission to RO and OSEB against set deadlines in the CPD development process Output: Consultation/validation reports, agreement on outcome structure and programme focus including budget per outcome, CPD document 2024-2028, and Results and Resource Framework, and Costed Evaluation Plan (CEP) (see deliverables tables)

(iv) Monthly progress updates - Provide monthly updates on the CPD process against milestones and key actions with recommendations to accelerate actions, take corrective actions and highlight key priorities for the coming four-month period.

Key Milestones

Period

CO and PM&E Support

Consultant Deliverables

Modality

  1. Preliminary Consultations and Review on Programme Overall Structure and Strategy Notes
  • Process micro-planning and setting of parameters, requirements, etc.

September 2022

Office macro-plan and key parameters shared, UNICEF Namibia MTER suggested shifts for next CPD shared to guide consultant efforts

  1. Micro-plan schedule/calendar
  2. Consultation’s plan and concept notes
  3. Identification of all planning requirements to ensure quality assurance through the process and from the outputs/deliverables (i.e., pre-identification of specs, templates, etc. for CPD, strategy notes, consultations agendas, etc.)
  4. Desk review of current PSNs for strengths and weaknesses
  5. Proposal for time on the ground vs. time in remote support for the duration of the contract.

Remote support

(No. of days = 10)

  1. Support to Programme Rationales /Programme Strategic Shifts
  • Facilitation of Consultations (internal/external) of sectoral stakeholders for preparation of Programme Strategy Notes
  • Drafting and quality assurance of Programme Rational

October -

1st week December

2022

Parameters of requirements for consultations, templates for Programme Rationales, over-arching guidance

  1. Reports of consultations held and facilitated (internal/external and sectoral/cross-sectoral as per above)
  2. First draft of Programme Strategy Notes
  3. First draft of M&E (including Costed Evaluation Plan) /Results framework for next CPD
  4. Strategic summary on PSN changes and updates, including as applicable in programme assumptions in Theories of Change.

On-the-ground and Remote

(No. of days = 45)

  1. Developing and drafting of the CPD Document and Coordination of the Submission Package to RO and OSEB
  • Preparation and drafting of CPD
  • Validation of CPD with Government and other partners
  • Finalization of CPD including integrated budget, Results Framework and CEP
  • Finalization of all documents (primary and secondary - see deliverables) related to CPD submission, incl. editing, quality assurance, formatting, etc.
  • Support on reflecting of RO/HQ comments

2nd week December 2022 to February 2023

Parameters of requirements for consultations, templates for CPD, strategic guidance from the Front Office and Regional Office

  1. First draft CPD documents, incl. CPD, PRs, budget elements and costed evaluation plan.
  2. Validation Report (minutes or consultation report of the validation workshop, etc.)
  3. Final draft CPD documents (CPD, PRs, what's at stake document)

On-the-ground and remote

(No. of days = 40 days)

  1. Post submission support
  • Post OSEB submission support on reflecting Comments

August 2023

Guidance as needed

  1. Final draft CPD documents revised further to OSEB and Board Comments

Remote

(No. of days = 5)

Notes:

  • The Consultant is expected to travel depending on the Covid-19 exigencies.
  • The mandate will be with Section Chiefs to own the actualizing and development of several products (e.g., Programme Rationale) with the expectation that the consultant will support coordination, compilation and ensure synchronization of efforts.

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

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Deputy Representative-Programme.

Minimum Qualification Required

Masters

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required of Lead Consultant

  • At least 8 years of experience in leading strategic planning processes, including leading UNICEF CPD development processes, Strategic prioritization, ToC development
  • Familiarity with UNICEF Planning tools, approaches, and guidelines
  • Excellent communication, facilitation and writing skills
  • Previous experience in similar assignments with UNICEF, ideally within the Eastern and Southern African Region (ESARO)

Administrative issues:

The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants/contractors.

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

How to Apply?

Qualified and interested candidates can access UNICEF’s vacancies page at

https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/545557?lApplicationSubSourceID= or Vacancies | UNICEF Careers to submit an online application before the closing date.

Please submit expression of interest together with: • A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience, and expertise. • A Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the ToRs, the proposed methodology/approach, and timelines for the respective deliverables; and • A financial proposal/budget, which must include all expenses related to the assignment.

Incomplete applications e.g., without financial/budget proposal will not be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

Evaluation Weighting 80% - Technical 20% - Financial

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.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org