Consultant - Education in Emergency, Nairobi, UNICEF Somalia

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, Education

www.unicef.org/somalia

How can you make a difference?

Justification****/purpose of assignment:

Somalia is prone to recurrent natural disasters, conflict and crisis, which increases protection concerns and risks for children and compromises the right to education for children affected both by natural and manmade emergencies. Presently, there is an Education Specialist P3 (TA) who support in achieving results under Education in Emergency. However, the post expires in January 2021. In the new CPD 2021-2025 the Education Specialist P3 (TA) has been proposed to be regularised to FT considering the continued high need of EiE due to persistent conflict and other natural disaster emergencies. The position is expected to be approved, go under recruitment, and filled by May-June 2021. Hence there is an urgent need to hire a consultant for short term to support to the section as Education in Emergency, as this is a critical component for the ongoing EiE programme. Currently, the UNICEF Somalia Education Section has a funding of USD 2 million for the Education in Emergency for 2021. Apart from this it is important to mention that a project of USD 500,000 is expected to be approved by the King Salman Relief to support the ongoing COVID-19 Education response, ensuring children’s continuous learning.

Different EiE projects are in progress which on one hand, reflects the high level of trust donors have in UNICEF but at the same time puts a lot of responsibility and accountability on UNICEF to deliver for children. All these projects will require a number of beforehand preparations (e.g. – coordination mechanisms, plan and conduct baselines, prepare Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) with different Implementing Partners (IPs), etc.) as well as a number of actions during the course of these projects (e.g. – linking together of various ongoing and new projects; liaising with the government counterparts, donors and other UN agencies; planning interim evaluations and reviews, developing sitreps etc.). Since the various components of the projects cut across the technical areas of education in emergency programming, there is a need for strong coordination with field offices as well as provide technical assistance to zonal office teams and Implementing Partners alike. The consultant will be responsible to establish this coordination as well as to maintain smooth implementation of the project focused on emergency and peacebuilding.

The consultant will assist the section in defining a strategic approach for improved information/knowledge management and monitoring systems to improve access, enrolment, attendance and the quality of education with equity focus in Education in Emergency (EiE). The tasks will include work with the zonal teams, key implementing partners and the Ministries of Education and the Education Section, as well other relevant sections such as Child Protection and Emergency of UNICEF Somalia to finalize strategies for monitoring and evaluation on a national scale.

Specific Tasks/****objectives:

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Manager (Level 4), the Education in Emergencies (EiE) Consultant supports the development and preparation of the Education in Emergencies programmes and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of Education in Emergencies programmes/projects within the country programme. The EiE Consultant provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on EiE programmes/projects to improve learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society. The consultant will also collaborate across the programme(s) to ensure effective support for Education in Emergencies preparedness and response.

The EiE Consultant contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Methodology and technical approach:

Support to programme development, planning, monitoring and delivery of results

• Support UNICEF Education section in managing Education in Emergencies
• Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of EiE projects. lead, formulate, design, prepare and manage EiE programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programme.
• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the Education in Emergencies programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
• Provide technical support to the Zonal offices in rolling out Education in Emergencies Preparedness and Response Plans.
• Support inter-sectorial linkages between education and child protection, WASH and health programming to provide emergency services that are protection-centred and holistically responsive to children's needs.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues, external partners, Ministries of Education to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes.
• Prepare/monitor regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress. Ensure timely quality submission of the donor reports
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through online reviews and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of EiE programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to zonal team implementing EiE programmes
• Participate in education programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
• Draft concept papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use.
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.
• Support efforts to strengthen the Education in Emergencies capacity of the national/local authorities, civil society and humanitarian partners based on the mapping and understanding of available capacity;
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund raising for education programmes.
• Provide technical support to the cluster to strengthen coordination; and support in the development and execution of preparedness and response strategies and action plans

Expected Deliverables and Timelines:

Tasks

End Product & Deliverables

Time frame

Payment instalment

• Serve as Emergency Focal Person for the Education section leading on Emergency Preparedness and Response in line with Education Cluster.

• Plan coordinate and lead EiE initiatives in close coordination with zonal offices and with MoE.

• Participate in Education Cluster and inter-sectoral meetings to present UNICEF point of view.
• Prepare funding appeals, contribute to joint funding appeals and updating of Humanitarian Action for Children.
• Work closely with other UNICEF Sections to ensure an integrated response.
• Monitoring of emergency response interventions, conducting online programme review.
• Providing technical support to partners and Zonal teams.
• Prepare relevant Education situation reports, briefing documents etc. as necessary.
• Coordinate all rapid assessment and monitoring missions.
• Plan and conduct sector specific assessment and plan effective response based on the findings.
• Provide updated and regular information on EiE to the Education Manager.
• Keep assessing the situation and needs on ground and plan for timely response.
• Supply planning for emergencies and make recommendations on effectiveness and appropriateness of Education supply inputs.
• Ensure that Emergency interventions supported by clusters agencies conform to the minimum standards of Education in Emergencies, as much as possible.
• Ensure that inputs during emergency reinforce best practices in the sector and contribute to national priorities.
• Assist in providing input for the regular monitoring and reporting system for Education database.

Monthly report on the action and task completed

Jan 2021

33%

Monthly report on the action and task completed

Feb 2021

33%

Monthly report on the action and task completed

March 2021

34%

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

• Advanced University degree in education/social sciences or related field with 5 years of field experience in supporting / managing and technical assistance to Education in Emergencies programmes in country context like Somalia
• University degree in Education/social sciences or related field with 8 years of field experience in supporting / managing and technical assistance to Education in Emergencies programmes in Somalia and in at least one other country may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree
• Training, knowledge & actual working experience implementing INEE Minimum Standards, Education cluster approach (including Cluster Coordination), CCC, and conducting rapid assessments in the field. The ideal candidate would have had this working experience in at least three countries.
• Solid Education, particularly EiE technical background, coordination and managerial skills.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core competencies:

• Communication - Level III
• Working with People - Level III
• Drive for Results - Level III

Functional competencies:

• Formulating strategies and concepts (I)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise ((II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)

View our competency framework at.....

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Required Documents:

1. Cover letter

2. Resume/C.V

3. All-inclusive financial proposal (daily rate, DSA, travel costs (where applicable) and total fees for the assignment

4. Referees (Direct current or past supervisors)

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.