REMOTE Consultancy for Revision of UNICEF Procedure on Preparedness for Emergency Response

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, hope

Background:

The Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS) in EMOPS provides strategic and technical leadership on risk analysis and emergency preparedness, leading a change process to embed preparedness more firmly throughout UNICEF and the programme planning cycle. RAPS has introduced a more systemic approach that makes preparedness mandatory, supports linking humanitarian and development and risk-informed programming, and ensures that all COs, ROs, and HQ are ready to meet the CCCs in an emergency.

The UNICEF Procedure on Preparedness for Emergency Response outlines the organization’s corporate approach to preparing for and responding to humanitarian emergencies in a timely and effective manner. The existing procedure was last updated in March 2020 and requires revision to accommodate emerging priorities and the changing landscape of the humanitarian sector. The revision aims to ensure alignment with the findings of the humanitarian review report, the Emergency Procedures, the Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP), the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs), and other UNICEF procedures and policies.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The purpose is to comprehensively review and revise the UNICEF Procedure on Preparedness for Emergency Response, including the Minimum Preparedness Standards (MPS) for HQ and ROs, to ensure its fitness for purpose and the needs and aspirations of UNICEF country, regional and headquarter offices are captured and responded to in the revised procedure.

Main duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Risk Analysis and Preparedness Sections (RAPS) in EMOPS and working closely with Stretch Assignment and other stakeholders, the Consultant will comprehensively review and revise the UNICEF Procedure on Preparedness for Emergency Response, including the Minimum Preparedness Standards (MPS) for HQ and ROs, to ensure its fitness for purpose and the needs and aspirations of UNICEF country, regional and headquarter offices are captured and responded to in the revised procedure. The outputs of this work will provide inputs for the next year’s revision of the UNICEF Guidance Note on Preparedness for Emergency Response, an optional guideline document that aims to guide UNICEF offices to implement and adapt preparedness in various contexts including slow and sudden onset, recurrent, protracted, or acute; and to risks related to both manmade and natural hazards, including epidemics.

The specific tasks and responsibilities include:

a) Desk review and gap analysis:

- Conduct an in-depth desk review of the existing UNICEF procedure on preparedness for emergency response and synthesize findings into a comprehensive report.

- Review relevant international standards, policies, guidelines, and best practices related to humanitarian preparedness and response.

- Identify gaps, weaknesses, and areas of improvement in the current procedure, including in the Minimum Preparedness Standards (MPSs), and considering changes in humanitarian contexts, technologies, and methodologies since the document's initial publication.

b) Stakeholder consultations

- Work with RAPS team in engaging relevant stakeholders and technical experts at UNICEF Headquarters, regional and country offices to understand their perspectives, needs, and experiences related to emergency preparedness, and ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to preparedness. The consultation will input into the revision of the Preparedness Procedure.

c) Drafting revised procedure:

- Draft a revised UNICEF procedure on preparedness for emergency response that integrates outcomes and analysis findings from stakeholder consultations and that reflects a harmonized approach towards emergency preparedness.

Work Assignment Overview****Deliverables/Outputs

Delivery deadline****Desk review and gap analysis:

- Conduct an in-depth desk review of the existing UNICEF procedure on preparedness for emergency response and synthesize findings into a comprehensive report.

- Review relevant international standards, policies, guidelines and best practices related to humanitarian preparedness and response.

- Identify gaps, weaknesses and areas of improvement in the current procedure, including the Minimum Preparedness Standards (MPSs) for HQs/ROs, and considering changes in humanitarian contexts, technologies and methodologies since the document's initial publication

a) Inception report outlining the consultant's understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology. Sept. 15, 2023Stakeholder consultations

- Work with RAPS team in engaging relevant stakeholders and technical experts at UNICEF Headquarters, regional and country offices to understand their perspectives, needs, and experiences related to emergency preparedness, and ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to preparedness. The consultation will input into the revision of the Preparedness Procedure

b) Comprehensive report including findings from the desk review, gap analysis, and synthesis findings and recommendations from stakeholder consultations

Oct 6, 2023Draft revised procedure:

Draft and finalize a revised UNICEF procedure on preparedness for emergency response that integrates outcomes and analysis findings from stakeholder consultations and that reflects a harmonized approach towards emergency preparedness.

c) Draft revised UNICEF procedure on preparedness for emergency response, integrating outcomes and analysis findings from stakeholder consultations.

d)Finalize procedure, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and presenting a coherent and practical approach to emergency preparedness.

Oct 31, 2023

Nov 15, 2023

Nature of ‘Penalty Clause’ to be stipulated in Contract:

Penalties for Unsatisfactory Performance or Incomplete Assignment: Final payment of fees for this assignment will only be affected upon satisfactory completion of services to UNICEF’s satisfaction and certification to that effect by the Supervisor of this assignment.

Cost Estimations

Please include the financial proposal in USD (inclusive of all taxes).

The financial proposal shall be submitted in USD and must include the consultancy fee, the communication costs and all other individual expenses or applicable costs. The financial proposal must be broken down per deliverable.

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

• An advanced university degree in Social Sciences or similar background
• At least 15 years of relevant experience and proven expertise in humanitarian preparedness and response, with a strong understanding of international standards and best practices, including preferably a strong understanding of UN's relevant Programming Guidelines at field and HQ.
• Familiarity with UNICEF's mandate, organizational structure and procedures.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with a track record of producing high -quality reports and documents.
• Strong communication and coordination skills to engage effectively with stakeholders at different levels.

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:

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.