International Consultancy - Junior Contractor for Management and Economics (yoma)

Consultant Programme & Policy Innovation

Contract

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title of Assignment

Junior contractor for economics and management (Yoma

Section

ICT4D

Location

Nairobi

Duration

11.5 month

Start/End date

From:1-Oct-21

To: 15-Aug-22

Background and Justification

ESARO has entered a partnership with Botnar aiming at the creation of a new platform that supports digital innovation across Africa. A relational ecosystem emerged as a result of an one year design process, where different ecosystem partners agree to the key principle of Agency or Players First. At the core of the system is the young person with his/her identity and his/her control over his/her data and growth journey (Autonomy). The ecosystem facilitates interaction with other youth, communities, service providers, employers,… based on shared values (Relatedness). Young people are offered the opportunity to participate in tailored skills acquisition that involves growth in action through impact tasks (Competence). The ecosystem is basically a market place that mediates along three lines: (a) between the demand for impact and youth that can achieve the impact, (b) between the personal aspirations and psychometric profile of young people and on/offline learning/skills acquisition opportunities and finally (c) between a more rich CV of the youth and employers/entrepreneurship opportunities. Given its focus on the agency of young people the ecosystem is called the youth agency market place or yoma.africa. Yoma builds upon exponential technologies such as blockchain and seamless ledgers, Self Sovereign Identity, privacy preserving and open AI/Machine learning and psychometric matching.

The first large scale minimum viable product (MVP) of yoma was initiated in mid-May 2020 through a challenge around COVID-19: More than 90,000 young people in Africa registered for the challenge, exceeding expectations and showing the potential for scale. Since then, yoma - together with its partners - has launched several challenges that reached over 300,000 youth across Africa. Rich data has been collected and consolidated in a first version of a dashboard. In future, the important metrics will need to be defined further to be able to prove the concept to potential partners and allow for internal and external transparency and success monitoring. For certain key performance indicator the dataset will need to be complemented by the insights from the challenges and, hence, will have to allow for the integration of data from yoma partners and the google analytics data.

The contractor will focus the economic dimension of the yoma ecosystem and the collaboration of partners within it. While UNICEF staff members will focus more on the UNICEF internal process management, the contractor will focus more on the external partner management.

Scope of Work

1) Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (ICT4D), the junior contractor will assist on all topics related to coordination of the yoma ecosystem with a particular focus on economic dimensions and financial sustainability. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: Oversee overall coordination and provide TA to CO's on innovative platforms for youth engagement, skills building, and employability (ie YOMA, Atingi), as well as the African Data and Drone Academy (ADDA)

Activities and Tasks: a. Management of Specific Components of the Yoma ecosystem While the annual priorities will be elaborated jointly in the team, it is anticipated that the UNV will focus on all economic aspects of the yoma and its operational research component. Priority issues include: the youth token and its token economics, entrepreneurial pathways for youth, developmental evaluation and operational research. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. b. Programme management, planning and monitoring Support the Yoma team in on the conceptualization, drafting and finalization of programme and project proposals. Elaborate monitoring systems and draft progress and end project reports. Stay engaged in the latest research outcomes relevant to Yoma. Maintain an evidence base to guide the learning and iterating of the Yoma journey. Participate in strategic programme discussion across various areas to ensure the continued relevance of programme interventions. on the planning of education programmes. Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). c. Advisory services and technical support Provide technical advice to the Yoma team and key counterparts on issues related to development economics, youth employability and evaluation/research/data. Operate data analysis where required. Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for enhancing youth empowerment, participation, relational wellbeing and livelihoods. d. Communication, advocacy, networking and partnership building Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to support the development of the Yoma ecosystem. Lead on the communication elements in yoma with a particular focus on youth centric and relevant communication. e. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor

2) Work relationships: The contractor will work in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager. He/she will focus on the external partnership ecosystem of yoma.

3) Outputs/Deliverables: As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to Yoma and its ecosystem partners in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Quality economic analysis of relevant aspects for yoma provided o The token economy and a universal token established o Quality project proposals and reports o Pre-evaluability of Yoma conducted and developmental evaluation initiated o Quality oversight of the operational research components of yoma o Appropriate and relevant communication strategy and implementation o Diverse partner network maintained

A table may be used to summarize the tasks, deliverables, specific timeline, and milestones (Sample below). Please state when and whether or not timeframes are negotiable - and if so under what circumstances.

Deliverables

Duration

(Estimated # of days or months)

Timeline/Deadline

Schedule of payment

Monthly report on activities with focus on Pre-evaluability of yoma (contracted and concept prepared)

1

31. October 2021

Monthly Payment

Monthly report on activities (focus on the token establishment)

1

30. November 2021

Monthly Payment

Monthly report on activities with focus on Pre-evaluability of Yoma (finalized and draft report available)

1

31. December 2021

Monthly Payment

Annual report on the performance of yoma in 2021

1

31. January 2022

Monthly Payment

Monthly report on activities with focus on the initiation of operational research

1

28. February 2022

Monthly Payment

Quarterly report on the performance of Yoma

1

31. March 2022

Monthly Payment

Monthly report on activities with focus on youth employability

1

30. April 2022

Monthly Payment

Monthly report on activities (focus to be decided with supervisor)

1

31. May 2022

Monthly Payment

Quarterly report on the performance of Yoma

1

30. June 2022

Monthly Payment

End of project report for GIZ (smart development hackathon)

1

31. July 2022

Monthly Payment

Final report on the assignment containing review of all the areas covered with corresponding recommendations

1

31. August 2022

Monthly Payment

Payment Schedule

As per table above

Desired competencies, technical background, and experience

a) Education: Postgraduate degree in development economics or business administration b) Experience in working with young people in a digital environment c) Experience in working in the Global South d) At least six months of relevant work experience e) Strong analytical skills f) Good drafting skills g) Fluency in English, Knowledge of French an asset h) Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care 2. Respect 3. Integrity 4. Trust 5. Accountability

i) Key competencies required: 1. Building and Maintaining Partnerships 2. Drive to achieve Results for Impact 3. Innovates and Embraces Change 4. Manages Ambiguity and Complexity 5. Works collaboratively with others

Administrative issues

The contractor will work under the supervision of the senior programme manager. As most of the yoma team is working remotely most meetings will be online with occasional in person meetings.

The contractor is expected to be Nairobi based with potential travel to several countries in Africa and beyond depending on COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2021/22 for which the UNICEF office would cover DSA and travel costs. Travel will be in economy class. If the contractor is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country.

Conditions

• The consultant will work from his/her own premises with agreed check ins in the UNICEF office and use his/her own computer and related infrastructure. • As this would be an individual contractor for the youth agency market we are looking for talent young candidates aged up to 30 years • all travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement as per UNICEF policy, • “As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary”. • 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.

Risks

All reasonable and risks associated with the consultancy assignment should be identified, and a relevant risk response and possible mitigating action defined.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online using the button below. As part of their application, candidates should:

1. Provide a cover letter that specifies how you meet the desired competencies, technical background and experience (no more than 2 pages)
2. Provide a short CV (no more than 4 pages)
3. Indicate ability, availability, and a fee structure that should include: monthly rate in USD and total fee

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org