Individual Consultant: Technical Specialist (Project Development)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, commitment

How can you make a difference?

Location: Remote, travel is required in Eastern Caribbean Region

Duration: 90 days

Start Date: 15 August 2024

End Date: 15 April 2025

Supervisor: Programme Specialist (DRR and Climate Change)

BACKGROUND:

Please see attached full TOR for background information on this assignment. TOR Final - Technical Specialist.pdf

PURPOSE/SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT:

1. Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of Programme Specialist (DRR and Climate Change), the consultant will work directly with the OECS Commission to develop innovative, impactful, and sustainable projects that enhance climate and disaster resilience, specifically tailored to mitigate risks faced by children and youth in the Eastern Caribbean region (particularly Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Commonwealth of Dominica). The objectives:

1. Engagements with Member States to identify their development resilience priorities, nested within their national development strategies, plans to combat climate variability and change.
2. The design of the concept notes including, inter alia, the completion or assisting in the project’s/programme’s appraisal. stakeholders’ consultation, applying gender considerations and review of environmental and social safeguards, where necessary.
3. Elaborate one of the concept notes into a full proposal to be submitted to an identified finance envelope.

2. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: Within the framework of the Multi-country Programme 2022-2026, this consultancy contributes to the Output 4.1 Government and regional institutions capacities are strengthened to support child-sensitive climate-related policies and programmes.

3. Activities and Tasks: Under the guidance of the Programme Specialist (DRR and CC), UNICEF ECA and in close collaboration with the Programme Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience (OECS), the consultant is required to undertake the following tasks:

Convene an Inception Meeting • Convene kick off/inception meeting with OECS and UNICEF to discuss the methodology and planned approach for project development under the assignment.

Support development of concept notes • Review relevant documentation and literature in relation to the vulnerability of children and climate vulnerability of key sectors, existing climate policies, plans, programmes and projects; • Hold preliminary discussions with government representatives; • Identify 3 project ideas based on priorities of OECS Member countries; • Conduct research and analysis to support development of climate rationale for the development of 3 concept notes; • Develop 3 comprehensive concept notes, through a e-consultative process, focusing on the inclusion of children’s rights and ensuring the resilience of social services (WASH, health, education, etc) and disaster risk reduction (e.g. early warning systems, nature-based solutions). Collaborate with OECS to identify the most suitable donors for the submission of the concept notes to mobilise resources; • Prioritise one concept note to be developed into a full proposal, based on criteria agreed upon with OECS and UNICEF.

Develop full proposal • Develop a full proposal from one concept note to meet commitments under countries’ NDCs and/or NAPs, climate policies for submission to potential donor(s). a. Define activities under each project component, as well as project implementation arrangements, detailed budget, co-financing (if any), impact potential, gender considerations, sustainability plan and exit strategy; b. Collaborate with UNICEF, OECS, and OECS Member States to elaborate the proposal, as well as identify the donor institution. • Organize and convene stakeholder consultations/dialogues (in-person or virtual) to validate and refine project proposal; • Revise and enhance project proposal by incorporating stakeholder feedback.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF ECA’s Programme Specialist (DRR and CC) who will provide administrative support regarding contractual arrangements and provide technical guidance to the process to ensure the child lens is included. In addition, the consultant will work in close collaboration with the Programme Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience (OECS) for all other technical matters under the consultancy. Under the guidance of Programme Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience (OECS), the consultant will convene the necessary stakeholders and be required to engage with them for activities outlined in the consultancy. Consultations may be virtual or in-person and this will be defined in consultation with OECS and UNICEF. These consultations may take place Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Commonwealth of Dominica.

OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES:

See Work Assignment overview in the attached ToR.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

The assignment will require the consultant to travel two of the four countries: Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Commonwealth of Dominica for a period of 5 days. The consultant is responsible for arranging his/her own travel, including bearing the costs visas and travel insurance. Accommodation, meals and incidentals costs must not exceed the UN daily subsistence allowance rates. The costs for approved travels will be reimbursed by the UNICEF ECA upon submission of receipts and based on applicable UN DSA rates. All approved travels to be conducted in accordance with UNICEF travel rules and regulations.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS:

For every child, you will have...

• A Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, or related fields.
• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation and/or mitigation, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
• Proven experience in formulation of project concept notes, project proposal development and using the logical framework and theory of change to design projects.
• Experience with project development, implementation and management.
• Strong understanding of the challenges and risks posed by climate change, specifically on children and youth.
• Knowledge of the international climate funds (Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility), including the application process is desirable.
• Proven facilitation skills and ability to coordinate and engage with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of cultural sensitivity.
• Language(s) needed if any: English written and oral fluency.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. Technical Evaluation: 75 points

• Education Background: 15 points
• Relevant Work Experience: 45 points
• Relevant Experience in the Caribbean: 15 points

2. Financial Proposal: 25 points

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

The assignment will be undertaken at the consultant’s own location. The consultant is expected to provide his/her own computer equipment and ensure reliable internet access. Regular updates will be agreed and provided during the inception meeting and will include a mixture of written updates, and meetings. Ad hoc meetings will be scheduled and prioritized as required. Meetings will monitor the work plan’s milestone dates – to ensure appropriate time is allocated for feedback to concept notes and proposal.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

Before commencing work, a consultant or individual contractor shall submit a statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that he or she has been informed of the inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. Consultants and individual contractors shall assume all costs that may occur in relation to the statement of good health. Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance. 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.

RECOURSE:

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. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

TITLE RIGHTS:

All materials created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract and any intellectual property rights thereof, including but not limited to patents, copyright and trademarks, shall be jointly owned by UNICEF and the Contractor. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. Any third party usage shall require written permission from both parties.

TRAININGS:

Consultants, even those working from home, must complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract:

• Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority
• Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Consultants must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.

• BSAFE Security Training

Any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract.

• General Information Security Awareness Course
• Fraud Awareness

HOW TO APPLY:

Prospective consultants should apply through UNICEF jobs website using the following link Vacancies | UNICEF Careers no later than July 23, 2024. The application package should include the following:

1. A cover letter;
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae
3. A proposal stipulating all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

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 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.

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.

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.