Individual contractor (Part-time, 10 months) Business engagement and humanitarian expert, Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy, Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP)

Consultant Communications & PR

Contract

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For every child, hope

Children are among the most vulnerable in times of humanitarian crises as they face multiple threats at once. Children are often overlooked; their welfare becomes a low priority, and their rights are threatened and often violated. Pre-existing problems are exacerbated, new threats emerge, and systems to protect them often fail. For business, crises such as natural disasters and conflicts can disrupt operations and supply chains, destabilize markets and suppress most areas of formal economic activity. The way businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from humanitarian crises has a strong influence on both the short and long-term impact of crises on business operations and the communities where they operate. In fact, private sector is a major contributor to humanitarian action: local businesses as well as national and multinational companies possess critical skills and resources that can be leveraged to facilitate a more effective humanitarian response.

The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025 features engagement with and on business as a key organizational ‘change strategy’, outlining how the role business shall be systematically considered, and when strategic actively mobilized, as integral aspect of its programming work. UNICEF Core Commitment for Children identifies the private sector as a partner in delivery of humanitarian action. However, there remains a gap and persistent need in terms of UNICEF strategy, guidance and capacities for working with and on business in humanitarian action as a sub-set of the Business for Results initiative and to deliver the commitments and benchmarks captured in the Core Commitment for Children. Drawing on existing initiatives and approaches implemented at country level, a strategic framework (Blueprint), guidance narrative and capacities are needed to effectively mobilize business as a programming strategy to deliver for results for children in humanitarian settings.

How can you make a difference?

Under the leadership of the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy Unit within the Private Fundraising, and Partnerships Division (PFP), and in close collaboration with the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) and Programme Group (PG), the objective of this role is to support interdivisional collaboration with the aim to develop a UNICEF Blueprint for business engagement in the context of humanitarian action for 2023-2025.

MAIN TASKS / RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Below is an indicative list of key tasks and deliverables to be delivered within the 10 months contract duration (estimated up to 140 working days)

1. Formalize interdivisional coordination on business engagement in humanitarian action (about 10 working days)

- Support coordination between the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP), Interagency humanitarian partnership team at the Office of Emergency Programmes (IAHP-EMOPS) and the Programme Group (BECR) for the establishment of a Board and Steering Group to oversee the development of the Blueprint for business engagement in the context of humanitarian action.

- In consultation with the relevant Divisions, develop the Terms of Reference for the Board and Steering Group, secure participation of its members and support the establishment of the committee.

- Under the leadership of the Board and Steering Group, develop a detailed workplan and timeline for activities to be conducted by PFP, EMOPS and PG in 2022 and 2023 and leading to the development of the Blueprint.

Deliverables:

• Establishment of a Business Engagement in Humanitarian Action Board and Steering Group
• Development of a 2023 joint workplan and timeline (PFP, EMOPS and PG) for activities leading to the development of the Blueprint. The workplan will allocate clear accountability roles and objectives for each of the UNICEF Divisions involved.
• Development of all relevant briefing material and assets for the meeting of Directors (Board members)

2. Foster interdivisional collaboration on business engagement in humanitarian action to outline a comprehensive picture of areas of work, results and related accountabilities relevant to business role/ engagement in humanitarian action) (about 40 working days):

- Support a consultation with all relevant Divisions for them to nominate focal points. Gather insights about their division’s respective plans in terms of business engagement, pipelines and priorities for 2023-2025. Develop a matrix highlighting key priorities for 2023-2015 at HQ level related to business engagement in humanitarian action as well as lines of accountability, key moments and deliverables.

- Help secure commitment of all relevant Divisions’ Senior Management in contributing to the development of the Blueprint.

- Develop a Who’s Who document highlighting the respective expertise and accountability on business engagement at HQ and regional levels.

- Support coordination with existing HQ and regional focal points in order to galvanize interdivisional collaboration around specific thematic priorities and contribute in the development of a Blueprint.

- Support the organization of a series of monthly meetings or webinars to foster collaboration with existing HQ and regional Focal Points. These webinars or dialogues could provide opportunities to share global updates from the community of practitioners or highlight initiatives or partnerships driving changes in the context of humanitarian action. These sessions could feature both internal and external guest speakers.

- In close collaboration the Business and Community Resilience Coordinator, contribute in the development of case examples to be featured in strategic documents, presentations or training material to illustrate the role of business in supporting humanitarian action. Such case examples would also be featured on the Business in Humanitarian Action Collaboration Site.

Deliverables:

• A Who’s Who document highlights the respective expertise and accountability on business engagement at HQ and regional levels.
• A matrix highlights key priorities for 2023-2015 at HQ and regional levels related to business engagement in humanitarian action as well as lines of accountability, key moments and deliverables
• At least 6 webinars or meetings are organized around specific agenda items and to foster knowledge exchange and interdivisional collaboration.

3. Organization readiness (about 15 working days):

- Conduct a desk review of key strategic documents and internal programme and partnerships procedures (such as the Programme Guidance for Country Offices; UNICEF Programme Policy and Procedure (PPPX) and Rights and Results Based Management site (RRBM), UNICEF Procedure on Preparedness for Emergency Response, Core commitments for Children, and other interagency processes relevant for UNICEF such as the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) etc.)

- In consultation with key relevant HQ Divisions and focal points, identify potential gaps and opportunities to revise and include specific references to the role of business in advancing advocacy and programmatic outcomes

- Provide recommendations and technical inputs for the revision of specific UNICEF’s programme and partnerships procedures.

Deliverables:

• Technical inputs are provided into UNICEF strategic documents, policies and procedures including the ‘Engagement with Business - Programme Guidance for Country Offices’ and PPPX and RRBM sites.

4. Develop a Blueprint for UNICEF engagement with business in the context of humanitarian action (about 20 working days)

- Building on the findings and recommendations from the Business and Community Resilience global Mapping (2020), develop a Blueprint outline, highlighting key risks and opportunities for engaging with business in the context of humanitarian action.

- Under the oversight of the Steering Group and in consultation with relevant HQ Divisions and UNICEF Offices, develop a draft Blueprint document which could either 1) identify global priority areas and recommended next steps for UNICEF to mainstream business engagement in the context of humanitarian action for 2023-2025 or 2) focus on one priority sector such as Nutrition, WASH etc. and include the investment case and roadmap to drive business engagement and resources in support of that particular sector.

- Gather inputs from the relevant HQ Divisions and UNICEF Offices for the development of the Investment Case and Blueprint for UNICEF multi-sectoral engagement with business and/or sectoral engagement in the context of humanitarian action.

- Draft Blueprint to be cleared by the Steering Group and presented to Board Members (PFP, EMOPS and PG Directors) for validation. The final Blueprint, the Executive Summary and a PowerPoint Presentation should be developed for future internal and external communication and briefing material for UNICEF Senior Management.

Deliverables:

• A Blueprint for business engagement in humanitarian action highlights multi-sectoral / sectoral priority area(s) and include and Investment Case and recommended next steps for UNICEF to mainstream business engagement in the context of humanitarian action for 2023-2025.
• An Executive Summary, PowerPoint Presentations and any other relevant material are developed to communicate the strategy internally and externally.

5. Develop practical tools and guidance for UNICEF Office to engage with business in the context of humanitarian settings (about 20 working days)

• In close collaboration the Business and Community Resilience Coordinator, actively engage members of the Business in Humanitarian Action Community of Practitioners (Business in Humanitarian Action Collaboration site) to contribute inputs into the development of practical tools for UNICEF Offices
• Building on the findings from the Business and Community Resilience Global Mapping and based on the insights provided by all relevant HQ Divisions and UNICEF Offices, lead on the development of specific tools, material or assets to be used by UNICEF offices to strategically engage with business (business and investment cases) and to assess the value of engagement in terms of results for children. These tools, material or assets could contribute to specific workstreams such as:

- Monitoring, Evaluation (M&E) and Impact measurement: developing KPIs and defining objectives for business partners to contribute tangible results for children in the context of humanitarian crises

- Capacity building: development of material and assets to be included into the Business for Results training material

- Internal advocacy: promotion of the Business in Humanitarian Action Agenda at key high-level regional meetings (such as Regional Management Team or Deputy Regional Directors and Operations meetings). Development of the relevant material to be presented during these sessions.

Deliverables:

• Specific tools, material or assets are developed to respond to a demand coming from UNICEF Offices and to guide and maximize their engagement with business. These tools, material or assets could contribute to specific workstreams such as M&E and Impact measurement; for capacity-building activities and /or to support advocacy efforts.

6. Interagency coordination (about 10 working days):

- Support interagency coordination efforts on business engagement during emergencies.

- Ensure internal coordination and collect inputs for the development of internal or UN Business Guides highlighting the role of Business in responding to specific emergencies.

- Provide a set of internal recommendations to foster interagency coordination, business engagement and resource mobilization efforts in the context of emergencies.

Deliverables:

• Active participation in interagency coordination mechanisms and inputs into the development of internal or external guidance for business.
• A set of recommendations are developed to foster interagency coordination, business engagement and resource mobilization efforts in the context of emergencies.

7. High-level advocacy events (****about 25 working days): Support the planning and organization of a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue (date TBD) to explore the role of business in supporting humanitarian action. The high-level event would gather representatives from governments, businesses, multilateral organizations and community-based organizations and discuss concrete plans and commitments to support humanitarian efforts.

- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to develop a proposal and Concept Note for the Dialogue, plan and design the event, finalize the agenda, manage the invitation and RSVP processes, secure participation of guest speakers and high-level representatives

- Support the development of key advocacy messages, briefing material and assets

- Provide logistics and hands-on support before and during and after the event

- Develop a short report highlighting the commitment from participants, the key takeaways from the Dialogue and concrete next steps (Action Plan) agreed upon during the Dialogue

- Develop an Action Plan and Communication plan to ensure follow-up and dissemination towards internal and external participants

Deliverables:

• Support organization of a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue on the role of business in supporting humanitarian action.
• Short report (10 pages max) on key takeaways and key commitments agreed upon during the High-level multi-stakeholder dialogue.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

10 months, Part-time, expected to work up to 140 working days, tentatively starting on 30 November 2022.

REPORTING TO

The role will report directly to Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist (Multi-stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy, Private Fundraising and Partnerships based in Geneva, Switzerland. The contractor will manage a multidivisional workplan and deliverables, hence he/she will also work closely and through matrix management with the Senior Advisor on Business Engagement for Child Rights (BECR/Programme Group), the Programme Manager (Private Fundraising and Partnerships/PFP) and Humanitarian and Advocacy Manager (Interagency and Humanitarian Partnerships/EMOPS).

WORKPLACE

The contractor will work remotely and be available for check-in calls as required. The contractor should be able to use its own communication means (usually email, Microsoft Teams) to communicate with all required focal points in Geneva, other divisions and UNICEF offices and NatComs around the world as needed for the accomplishment of the tasks. He/she will ideally be located in the Central European Time zone. No travels are anticipated.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in Public Administration, Business Administration and Management, International Relations, Economic Development, Humanitarian and Development Studies, Social Science, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or another relevant field. Alternatively, a first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in managing humanitarian or development programmes for the UN and/or for non-governmental organizations, out of which at least 2 years of experience related to private sector partnerships and one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, private sector partnerships, programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area.
• Experience in working with international organizations and donors in terms of partnership building initiatives on disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in brokering or managing public-private partnerships in humanitarian or development settings with international organizations (including UN agencies) at global, regional or national levels.

• Familiarity with the UN-Business Agenda and understanding of corporate social responsibility, shared value, multi-stakeholder partnerships and/or advocacy would be an asset.

• Demonstrated understanding of impact measurement.

• Experience in developing proposals, writing briefings and reports.
• The ideal candidate must have a solid understanding of private sector engagement in support of development and/or humanitarian outcomes; preferably a proven experience in achieving humanitarian objectives through private sector engagement.

Language:

• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Other competencies:

• IT-savvy and advanced user of MS Office Word and Excel.
• strong and proven oral and written communication skills

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.

Remarks: Please indicate your ability, availability and gross daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered. Also, please mention the earliest date you can start.

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. 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.

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.

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