International consultancy to support UNICEF Bulgaria CO in the preparation of the Country Programme Strategy Note & CPD

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, childhood.

The overall goal of the current UNICEF country partnership with the Government of Bulgaria for 2018 - 2022 is to support the efforts of Bulgaria to further advance its progress towards the sustained realization of children’s rights, with particular attention to the rights of the most vulnerable children and their families. The current Country Programme is entering the fourth year of implementation and the analysis of the situation of children will be one of the primary sources of information for programme interventions in the next programme cycle (2023-2027) that will be planned in consultation with the Government.

This year, the Country Office will develop a new Country Programme Document (CPD), which will be based on the Programme Strategy Note spelling out the priorities and expected results of the cooperation between the Government of Bulgaria and UNICEF in the interests of children.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Bulgaria is looking for an international consultant to provide technical support to develop the Programme Strategy Note (PSN) and draft Country Programme Document (CPD) as follows:

- Consult with the UNICEF programme specialists and conduct desk review of the recommendations of situation analysis, evaluations, studies and other relevant documents.

- Provide technical advice and guidance for staff on developing Theories of Changes (TOC) for programme components to be drafted in the multi-country workshop from 13-17th September

- Support the development of the Programme Strategy Note (PSN) with the team and finalize it, including the overall comprehensive Theory of Change for the country programme. Ensure that PSN has the clear Results Structure in line with the global standard indicators as well as regional flagship results, where relevant, and national priorities.

- Incorporate the CO, RO and national stakeholders’ comments and suggestions to finalize the PSN.

- Support the drafting the Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2023-2027, including Results and Resource Framework (RRF).

The expected final products of this consultancy are:

• Draft Programme Strategy Notes and TOC by 15 October 2021
• Finalized Programme Strategy Note by 30 November 2021
• A draft of Country Programme Document by 10 December 2021
• Finalized CPD text to incorporate the comments of the regional advisors and national counterparts and a draft RRF by 30 January 2022

The products should be developed in accordance with UNICEF guidelines and templates.

The expected duration of the consultancy is 50 working days over a period of September 2021 - February 2022 including one in-country travel to UNICEF country office in Bulgaria . The actual duration of the assignment and schedule of activities will be agreed with consultant based on the proposed implementation plan.

The Consultant should indicate all-inclusive fee of consultancy per day as well as specifying lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable for the services to be provided.

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

Education: Advanced, post-graduate degree is required, preferably in relevant field (e.g., public policy/public administration, Political/ Social Science or related field).

Work experience: at least 10 years of experience in development programmes, in areas of strategic planning, policy development, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation. Previous experience with UN/UNICEF would be an asset.

Technical knowledge:

- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing UNICEF CPDs, CPAPs, TOCs or PSNs.

- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting planning and/or complex evaluations using the Theory of Change.

- Solid experience with UNICEF policy and procedure would be an asset, preferably in a mix of programme contexts. Institutional knowledge of the UN and UNICEF systems and processes.

- Very good analytical skills in relation to development challenges and relevant transformation processes.

- Excellent writing and presentation skills.

- Fluent English (speaking/reading/writing) is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.