International Consultant to support the Development of the Lesotho Country Office Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-2028, Maseru, Lesotho

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I. Background UNICEF Lesotho 2019-2023 Country Programme Document (CPD) was developed in the context of the Lesotho national development priorities and the joint UN priorities identified in the National Vision 2020 United Nations Partnership Framework for 2019-2023 (UNDAF). The current CPD is aligned with and contributes to the National Strategic Development Plan II (2018-19 – 2022-23), which articulates the immediate national priorities to take Lesotho towards its own 'Vision 2030', the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030 and the African Union's Agenda 2063. The CPD is also aligned with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018–2021. UNICEF's current Country Programme in Lesotho is anchored in an integrated approach around the first and second decades of a child's life.

• Child survival and Development with a focus on the first 1,000 days of a child's life.
• Adolescent development and participation focus on the second decade of a child's life and trying to sustain the gains made during the first decade.
• The child-friendly environment aims at creating a conducive and healthy environment for the child; and
• Programme effectiveness comprises three areas: programme performance monitoring and management; strategic communications and advocacy; and cross-sectoral programme support.

The Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMR) was undertaken for the Lesotho Country Programme in 2021, covering its first three years of implementation (2019-2021). This provided the UNICEF Lesotho Country Office (LCO) with an opportunity to reassess (with staff and partners) the evidence used during the formulation of the CPD considering the most recent changes in the country context (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic, reduction of domestic investments in social services, recurrent climate shocks etc.). It was conducted as a light but comprehensive review of the UNICEF Lesotho Country Programme. With a budget of USD 52.4 million, the CPD 2019-2023 looks toward improving the lives of children in Lesotho through four critical outcomes of Child Survival and Development, Basic Education and Adolescent Development (BEADS) including Child Protection, and Social Policy, all of which are supported by the cross-cutting Programme Effectiveness Outcome. The current country programme will continue until the end of December 2023, and a new Country Programme (2024-2028) will be developed within the framework of the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) II (2018/19-2022/23) and the UNICEF Global Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 Towards 2030. The Development of the new CPD commenced in January 2022 with a Country Programme Evaluation (CPE). It will culminate with the submission of the CPD to the UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) by May 15th, 2023, for discussion and tabling to the regular session of the Executive Board in September 2023. To support the new CPD development process, including coordination, drafting/updating, and consolidation of the different submission materials related to the full CPD development and submission process, UNICEF Lesotho intends to engage a Strategic Planning Consultant, who will also get involved in parallel engagement with the efforts and process of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) coordinated by the Resident Coordinator's Office.

II. Specific tasks (i) Preliminary Consultations and Review on Programme Overall Structure and existing Strategy Notes - Review key documents, including CPD; CPAP; CPMP, SMR, RAM reports, COAR/summary report, existing Programme Strategy Notes (PSNs) and results frameworks. - Review and discuss the CPD development concept note with Deputy Representative Programme and Senior Management. - Agree on a detailed CPD rollout plan/process for the office along with key milestones/ timelines in the inception report. - Plan and facilitate in-country stakeholder engagement processes. - Output: Consultation reports, the proposal for changes to outcome structure based on reviews, identification of strengths and weaknesses in existing PSNs to address in the redevelopment of new Programme Rationales for the next CPD.

(ii) Facilitating the Development of Programme Rationale and Proposed strategic shifts - Preceded by CO Results-Based Management training (RBM) facilitated by the ESARO team, the Consultant will support Sections in the Development of Programme Rationale, ensuring that these are in line with Regional/Global requirements, reflect a shared vision and priorities, are built on evidence, such as CPE, Situation Analysis, CCA, Programme Evaluations, Thematic Briefs, and lessons learned from SMR. - Support Sections in the finalization of the Theory of Change, programme Results Frameworks in close collaboration with UNICEF ESARO to reflect the evolving updated global guidance, ensuring that results framework adhere to UNICEF requirements, reflect the overall CPD vision and priorities and that indicators, baselines and targets are systematically disaggregated and are consistent. Output: New Programme Rationales for CPD 2024-2028, strategic summary highlighting updates/changes; (see deliverables table).(iii) Developing and drafting the CPD Document - Prepare and facilitate a stakeholder's consultation and review/validation of the Programme Rationale. As noted above, this will be both internal and external consultations, both sectoral and cross-sectoral, to secure endorsement and buy-in from line ministries and National Planning Commission as nodal for the CPD's alignment with Agenda 2030 on the SDGs. In addition, factoring in the priorities emerging from the UNSDCF will also be critical. - Lead the coordination and drafting, including quality assurance for voice, coherence, comprehensiveness, readability, and results-based focus of the Country Programme Document Output: Consultation/validation reports, agreement on outcome structure and programme focus, including budget per outcome, CPD document 2024-2028, and Results and Resource Framework (see deliverables tables) (iv) Monthly progress updates - Provide monthly updates on the CPD process against milestones and key actions with recommendations to accelerate actions, take corrective actions and highlight key priorities for the period.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: Support the Development and writing of LCO's CPD (2024-2028), including the facilitation of key CPD-related documents and supporting preparatory documents (but not limited to): (i) Country Programme Document (ii) Programme rationale for each programme outcome area (Key deprivations and bottlenecks, the Theory of Change (visual and short narrative) (iii) Training of RRBM principles

Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Consultant will support the CPD development process consisting of two main phases – i) Programme strategizing and ii) Drafting and finalization phases, ensuring that the overall process is efficient, participatory, consultative and evidence-based in line with UNICEF's commitment to making a difference for the most vulnerable and deprived. The two phases of the CPD development process are envisioned as follow:

I. PROGRAMME STRATEGIZING: UNICEF Lesotho will focus on the first step of developing the Programme Rationale, Theory of Change and Results Framework. The scope of work will be to review the programmatic strategic shift from a sectoral-based approach to a more integrated programming approach; key recommendations from SMR and develop programme rationale for each outcome area for the following CPD, including the fundamental deprivations and bottlenecks, the Theory of Change (visual and short narrative) and the results and resources framework. While the nature of the exercise will be desk-driven, and a strong emphasis will be put on Programme Rationale to be consistent in quality, tone and focus from one programme cycle to the next with results-focused solid writing, it should also build in as much consultation as possible under the proposed timeline. In addition, the assumptions in the ToC should be re-assessed, ensuring the assumed pathway of change is appropriately captured. The Consultant will therefore be expected to engage with each sector to ensure new priorities, latest data, programme repositioning, and shifts are adequately captured in the new Programme Rationale, which should also benefit from line-ministry consultation and involvement (to be facilitated by the Programme Section Chiefs). This phase will also be well informed by the separate but parallel discussions expected to be ongoing at the inter-agency level with the development/finalization of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and UNICEF's CPE and Situation Analysis (SitAn), both of which are expected to conclude by November 2022. The process will also lead to the Development of the Results framework.

II. DRAFTING AND FINALIZATION: This phase will be based on the finalized Programme Rationale to develop the Country Programme Document in the applicable and mandated format according to UNICEF's Programme Planning and Practice Manual (PPPM). This step will build on the work and deliverables from the first phase. At the same time, it will also need to be well informed by the parallel discussions expected within the formulation and shaping of the UNSDCF outcome areas, to which CPD outcomes must be aligned by virtue of UN reform and repositioning principles. In addition, other inter-agency frameworks and priorities might require to be reflected, including, as applicable, references and alignment that may be needed in the proposed CPD. The Consultant should ensure the process builds on best practices and follows organizational guidelines and timelines throughout these two phases. The Consultant will work closely and receive support from LCO's CPD Steering Committee, led by the Dep Rep Programme. To ensure participation and buy-ins, the Consultant is expected to support and contribute to bilateral consultations within the organization and with country stakeholders and development partners, including government and civil society representatives.

Deliverables

Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Timeline****Payment structure(i) Preliminary Consultations and Review on Programme Overall Structure and Strategy Notes

• Process micro-planning and setting of parameters, requirements, etc.

1. Micro-plan schedule/ calendar
2. Desk review of key documentsOctober 2022 (No. of days= 5)10%(ii) Support to Programme Rationales /Strategic Programme Shifts

- Facilitation of Consultations (internal/external) of sectoral stakeholders for prioritization and identification outcomes - Facilitation of SMR - Training of RRBM principles - Drafting and quality assurance of Programme Rational1. Reports of consultations held and facilitated (internal/ external and sectoral/cross-sectoral as per above) 2. SMR Report 3. Training/or support to RRBM principles 4. Programme Rationale notes, including TOC and Results and Resource PlanOctober -

1st week December

2022

(No. of days= 40)

50%(iii) Developing and drafting the CPD Document - Preparation and drafting of CPD - Facilitation of validation of CPD with Government and other partners - Finalization of CPD, including an integrated budget, Results Framework and CEP1. Draft CPD documents 2. Final CPD documents2nd week December 2022 to May 2023 (No. of days= 40)40%Administrative issues: 1. The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants/contractors. 2. No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor. 3. Consultant/Contractor will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract. 4. Consultant/Contractor will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/contractors and to share an applicable proof of health insurance covering medical evacuation (if travel is involved) prior to taking up the assignment.

Note to consultants

Notes: • The Consultant is expected to travel depending on the Covid-19 conditions. • The mandate will be with Section Chiefs to own the actualizing and Development of several products (e.g., Programme Rationale) with the expectation that the Consultant will support coordination, compilation and ensure synchronization of efforts.

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

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher)

Experience

At least eight years of experience in leading strategic planning processes, including leading UNICEF CPD development processes

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: • Experience and knowledge of developing UNICEF strategic documents, including strategic country programmes • Familiarity with UNICEF Planning tools, approaches, and guidelines • Excellent communication, facilitation and writing skills • Previous experience in similar assignments with UNICEF, ideally within the Eastern and Southern African Region.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 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.

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.

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.