Re-advertised)Consultancy - Humanitarian Engagement Baseline Analysis, NYHQ, EMOPS, 11 months (Remote/Home based

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Estimated start date: 15 February 2023

Modality: Remote/Home-based

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, Hope

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

To conduct a baseline analysis of UNICEF’s country-level humanitarian engagement with Armed Non-State Actors (ANSAs) in selected complex and high threat environments during the past three years (2020-2022), resulting in conclusions and recommendations, aimed at helping to shape a proposed way forward in supporting Country Offices to undertake such engagement as necessary and in a risk-informed manner.

This consultancy will contribute to the EMOPS Humanitarian Policy Section’s ongoing and continuing policy advice and guidance to Country Offices, including UNICEF senior leadership and practitioners on the ground, and inform related capacity building initiatives and other support on the implementation of the UNICEF guidelines on engagement with ANSAs (December 2021).

Scope of Work:

1. Research/analysis phase, including: (a) the development of a typology of ANSAs relevant to UNICEF’s mandate and operations; (b) a confidential survey and series of Key Informant Interviews collecting baseline data on UNICEF engagement with ANSAs; and (c) the compilation of an analytical product bringing all this information together in a structured and accessible manner, taking into consideration data protection requirements. [50 per cent]

2. Good practices/lessons learned phase, including: (a) identification and articulation of overall challenges and lessons learned, and (3) three in-depth case studies/narratives of good practices; (b) the development of a in-house risk-analysis tool for UNICEF humanitarian engagement with ANSAs; and (c) the proposal of a series of recommendations for UNICEF to support Country Offices in undertaking such engagement (e.g., capacity building and/or guidance/tools based on support needs). [30 percent]

3. Consultation/presentation phase, including: (a) 10-page max. easily accessible summary report outlining the research/analysis observations, the challenges/lessons learned/good practices, and recommendations helping to craft a practical way forward to strengthen UNICEF’s capacities on this topic; and (b) a presentation format of the same and delivery of a presentation to an internal audience of UNICEF stakeholders. [20 percent]

The role of the selected consultant will be to undertake these three phases in an independent manner, with the support of and in close consultation with relevant HPS colleagues. The main substantive resource for the consultant will be selected staff from UNICEF HQ, ROs and COs, and where necessary UN and NGO partners at the global level (all facilitated by HPS but conducted by the consultant); as well as in-depth discussions with members of HPS (Complex and High Threat Environments, Protection/Advocacy/CAAC, HPS chief) and other colleagues from relevant UNICEF HQ Divisions.

The following elements will be considered during review of the consultant’s proposal: (1) the proposed methodology for the research/analytical component; and (2) a realistic work schedule to take forward both the information collection (surveys, KI interviews) and drafting parts of the consultancy. And (3) it is expected that the consultant provides solid first drafts, as per the timetable/workflow, for review by HPS and consultation as needed with relevant internal and external colleagues.

The consultant will finalize the outcome documents based on internal/external feedback and prepare a brief presentation, for first-time delivery by the consultant, in close cooperation with HPS, to the appropriate internal UNICEF audience for discussion and dissemination.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international relations, international law, political science, humanities, humanitarian affairs, international development, humanitarian action, social sciences, or another related field.
• A minimum of 8 years experience in working on humanitarian affairs and emergency contexts, from both a policy and practitioner’s perspective, including in complex and high threat environments.
• Hands-on experience in humanitarian engagement with Armed Non-State Actors is required (experiences with UNICEF, a UN agency, and/or other International Organization are desirable).
• A thorough understanding of the humanitarian normative framework and its practical application to humanitarian engagement with Armed Non-State Actors, as well as of humanitarian policy issues arising from such engagement, is required.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with demonstrated experience in conducting humanitarian policy research.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with research methodologies, including the use of confidential surveys and Key Informant (KI) interviews, is necessary.
• Fluent/excellent English writing, reading, and speaking skills. Working level of French is an advantage.

Financial Proposal:

Please submit your CV and indicate your ability, availability, and gross daily/monthly rates per (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Financial proposal must be included. Applications submitted without the financial proposal will not be considered. Also, please mention the earliest date you can start. Also include travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if travel is required as per TOR.

Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables. 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.

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.

Remarks:

This is a re-advertisement. Previous candidates need not re-apply.

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.