Programmes Coordinator (International Consultant), Damascus, Syria, 12 months

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, commitment

BACKGROUND (RATIONALE AND CONTEXT):

Children continue to bear the brunt of the 11-year-old conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic. The scale of children in need of humanitarian assistance is on the rise. In 2022, an estimated 14.6 million people across Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, an increase of 1.4 million from 2021 (this includes 6.5 million children aged 0-14). Over 10 years of conflict along with its consequences include significant destruction to civilian infrastructure and services and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. In 2021, the economic conditions further deteriorated and the impacts of climate change (e.g. erratic rainfall and low levels of water in the Euphrates River reduced access to water for over 5 million people) further compounded already existing vulnerabilities.

An estimated 6.9 million people remain internally displaced, including over 2 million people in informal settlements and planned camps; IDPs are often facing conditions of inadequate shelter and limited/hampered access to basic services. Families in already overburdened host communities and those that have returned to their communities of origin are unable to meet their most basic needs – this has become particularly pronounced with the deterioration of the macro-economic conditions.

To navigate the complex and continuously changing context in Syria and attain sustainable results for children, UNICEF – along with other UN agencies - seeks to make a shift in its programming towards early recovery while maintaining the delivery of humanitarian assistance based on needs on the ground. This will help strengthen the linkages between the needs-based emergency response and essential service restoration, socioeconomic resilience, and social cohesion.

As part of overall effort to ensure UN coherence and reform, UNICEF Syria continues to strengthen its engagement in joint programming with other UN agencies as well as exploring other opportunities to support the strategic shift towards early recovery and resilience. To support the office in this regard, UNICEF Syria is seeking an experienced Programme Coordinator (International Consultant).

How can you make a difference?

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT (PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT):

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative – Programmes or to whom she/he delegates, the purpose of the contract is to develop strategic documents and reports on behalf of UNICEF :

- Develop and test UNICEF Integrated Resilience Plan, including a results framework which builds onto and aligns with the existing programmatic results framework. The plan should also capitalize on existing programmes, good practices, the areas of collaboration and complementarity with other UN sister agencies (including the current UN Joint Programmes) and any other possible strategic partnerships (i.e. with INGOs).

- Review existing UNICEF-supported services in the field, as well as what may exist within clusters/sectors (e.g. referral system), and suggest ways to establish referral pathways for UNICEF programmes as well as with other UN agencies, starting with UN Joint Programmes.

- As part and in view of the UNICEF Syria Integrated Resilience Plan, provide technical assistance and produce technical, strategic and analytical documents to ensure and showcase results and position UNICEF Syria in the UN Joint Programmes and joint programming such as (1) UNICEF Syria consolidated plans for UN Joint Programmes, (2) communication, briefing and advocacy papers; (3) analytical narrative reports, adequately reflecting evidence-based impact through depicting resilience and integration, in coordination with partner UN agencies contributing to the same outcome; and (4) monitoring and tracking tool which will allow close monitoring of results and fund utilization and feed into communication with donors and other audience as necessary.

- Provide technical assistance to UNICEF Syria staff in the areas of integrated, resilience and joint programmes, and as part of this, participate in UN meetings, engage with relevant UNICEF staff, and advise and support Deputy Representative – Programmes.

LOCATION (GEOGRAPHIC AREA/ DUTY STATION): Damascus, Syria

On-site working days: 12 months (subject to VISA approval, otherwise the full assignment can be done remotely)

Off-site working days: 0

Field Missions/Travel: As per duty requirements

DURATION:

The selected consultant will work for the period of 12 months. It is envisaged most working days will be performed in country. The exact schedule of the activities will be agreed with the individual contractor based on the assignment implementation progress. The deadline for submission of final deliverables to UNICEF is at the end of the contract.

SUPERVISOR:

The consultant will be supervised and will report to the UNICEF Deputy Representative Programme, with technical supervision from the UNICEF Syria Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. On a day-to-day basis, the consultant is expected to work closely and liaise with field offices, sections, and the Country Office Planning Specialist.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT (TASKS, SMART DELIVERABLES, DEADLINES):

PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

By Deliverable:

1. Approval of current UN JP workplans by supervisor linked to 10% payment of fees;

2. Approval of response plans of the future UN JP by supervisor linked to 30% payment of fees;

3. Approval of workplans and M&E tools of the future UN JP by supervisor linked to 20% payment of fees;

4. Ability to adhere to submission of all UN JP reporting and knowledge management deliverables by October linked to 20% payment of fees.

5. Ability to adhere to submission of all UN JP reporting and knowledge management deliverables Nov- January linked to 10% payment of fees.

6. Ability to adhere to submission of all UN JP reporting and knowledge management deliverables by February-March linked to 10% payment of fees.

The above schedule is built on the estimated starting date April 1st, and will be subject to modifications based on the start of the contract.

The outlined instalments will be paid based on the approval of the deliverables by UNICEF SCO PM, inclusive of all fees, upon submission of the invoice.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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

1. Education: Master’s degree in Social Science, Public Relations, International Affairs or any other related field

2. Work experience: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the related field, i.e. programme coordination, project management, writing analytical reports, concept notes, briefing notes, and updates within the international humanitarian and development field. Experience involving joint programming with other UN agencies desirable.

3. Excellent ability to write analytical documents, make text succinct and persuasive, and have high standards for effective written communication and thorough understanding of and proven work experience in results frameworks and results-based management.

4. Technical knowledge/ competencies: Demonstrated experience in coordination and strong writing and analytical skills, proficient in use of MS Word, Excel and other related software packages.

5. Experience working in large-scale, protracted and complex emergencies is highly preferable. Experience related to working on Syria will be considered a strong advantage.

6. Language: Fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS (OF APPLICATIONS):

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application

2. Financial quote as daily rate for this consultancy;

3. CV.

4. At least 3 Referees.

5. The application should be submitted by UNICEF’s Talent Management System (TMS).

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for further technical / written assessment and interview. Final recommendation will be made based on “best value for money”, i.e. the hiring section/office shall normally select the individual who quoted the lowest fee from among the candidates who are assessed as suitable for achieving all tasks on time, as per the criteria stipulated in this ToR, and based on the outcome of the evaluation/assessment conducted.

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.

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.

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.