Consultant Programme & Policy

Contract

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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,

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an International Technical Specialist Consultant to support a short-term Joint-Program in response to the food, energy and finance crises’ impacts in Laos. The duration of this assignment is 5 months, starting from 01 August – 31 December 2022 with possibility for extension and the consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

As mentioned, the Technical Specialist will draft the research design, methodology, and programme, and support LASES / MRI data collection missions and analysis, and support analysis and dissemination. The Technical Specialist will work closely with the Project Manager, who will oversee the quality of project main deliverables and the whole project implementation. The work will be supported by at least one National Coordinator, who will be based in LASES / MRI, and support planning, coordination and organisation aspects of the Joint Programme.

More specifically the Technical Specialist will support the following three workstreams:

3.0 Research design and methodology

The Technical Specialist will draft the inception report including detailed workplans for data collection, field missions, analyses, and dissemination, identifying the division of labour and the responsibilities between members of the core team supporting LASES / MRI. It is also expected that the technical specialist in collaboration with LASES / MRI and UN agencies, create a single, light, integrated, and replicable questionnaire facilitating survey missions (see below). An initial workshop to present the research design and workplan is expected to take place in August 2022.

3.1 Data

The Technical Specialist will first work with the project manager and LASES / MRI as well as relevant national counterparts to pool existing relevant data sources, especially disaggregated data. This includes the datasets on inflation generated by LSB, prices bulletin of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and World Bank household survey 2021, and monitoring of the parallel exchange rate.

The Technical Specialist is then expected to support LASES / MRI to increase the frequency and reach of existing survey missions of businesses and households in key provinces, from biannually to every 2 months until the end of 2022 (3 missions are expected). The Technical Specialist is not foreseen to physically attend the missions but to support the preparatory documents and follow-up work of the missions.

3.2 Analysis

The Technical Specialist will conduct the analysis of information to develop clear, concise and policy-relevant findings. This research will take place on an ongoing basis as more information becomes available. Deliverables include:

• Monthly bulletins;

• Regular policy briefs with recommendations;

• Ad-hoc short publications and communication.

3.3 Policy dialogues

The Technical Specialist will (1) support LASES / MRI to draft documents to guide government policymaking and (2) support the development of programmatic advice for potential shifts in UN programming.

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

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

- Advanced university degree in economics, public administration, monitoring and evaluation, data science, statistics, public policy, development policies, international relations, social sciences or related field.

Work Experience:

- At least five years of work experience in academia, developing countries, in international organisations, public administration, NGOs, or research institutes, think tanks and/or international organisations with a strong research focus.

- Previous experience in setting up a research design and methodology for surveys/opinion polls, conducting surveys and analysing survey data is a must.

Knowledge and Skills:

- Strong analytical skills and experience in data collection and analysis are required;

- Strong research skills at policy level and experience in drafting knowledge products / reports across social and economic sectors are required

- Previous experience working in the UN system is an advantage

- Strong writing skills and experience in managing and coordinating inputs are required;

- Fluency in English is required; excellent written and verbal communications skills in English

Competencies:

- Drive to achieve results for impact

- Manages ambiguity and complexity

- Innovates and embraces change

- Works collaboratively with others

- Nurtures, leads and manages people

Languages:

Excellent oral and written English skills and knowledge of Lao is an asset.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)

• CV or Resume

• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)

• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost with a breakdown by consultancy fee, living allowance, and travel costs as per work assignment.

The deadline for applications is 25/07/2022

Assessment Criteria:

A two stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

1. Technical Proposal, including a cover letter, updated CV, and copies of 2 relevant evaluations performed earlier by the consultant.

2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee, travel costs (the most direct and economical route, economy class), living allowance, and any other cost related to the consultant's stay in Vientiane, including transportation inside the city and other costs. The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

1. Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

Education (30 points)

-Advanced university degree in economics, public administration, monitoring and evaluation, data science, statistics, public policy, development policies, international relations, social sciences or related field.

Work Experience (30 points)

- At least five years of work experience in academia, developing countries, in international organisations, public administration, NGOs, or research institutes, think tanks and/or international organisations with a strong research focus. (15 points)

- Previous experience in setting up a research design and methodology for surveys/opinion polls, conducting surveys and analysing survey data is a must. (15 points)

Knowledge and Skills (40 points)

- Strong analytical skills and experience in data collection and analysis are required; (10 points)

- Strong research skills at policy level and experience in drafting knowledge products / reports across social and economic sectors are required (5 points)

- Previous experience working in the UN system is an advantage (5 points)

- Strong writing skills and experience in managing and coordinating inputs are required; (5 points)

- Fluency in English is required; excellent written and verbal communications skills in English (5 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment -as part of the financial proposal submission.

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.

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