Remote Consultant - Review EMOPS Mid-Term Office Management Plan 2022-2025

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, hope

EMOPS leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organization is properly equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of the organization are prepared to deliver our mandate. The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) is in the second year of implementation of its approved Office Management Plan, 2022-2025 which contributes to and is aligned with the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2022-2025. EMOPS began the process of a mid-term reflection of its OMP 2022-2025, within the framework of the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 mid-term review. The mid-term review is aimed at producing recommended strategic adjustments for 2024-2025 in EMOPS OMP to influence or align with UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 Specifically:

• Assess progress towards expected results, including challenges, risks, and opportunities as set out in the OMP.
• Review of changes in the programming and operational context – internal and external to the division and the organization
• Identify emerging priorities and ways to address enduring and new challenges and risks.
• Review the existing capacity and fitness-for-purpose of EMOPS structure i.e., human and financial resources and skillsets, to ensure necessary skills and capacities to deliver agreed results.

Methodology: A participatory approach through intentional consultation with key partners of EMOPS will be conducted in conjunction with the 2022 EMOPS Annual Review. There are three (3) parts that are complementary to achieve the objectives:

• Part 1 (June 27, 2023). Management and results leads’ discussion on strategic changes (internal and external) in humanitarian context and identification of emerging and critical programming priorities.
• Part 2 (June to October 2023). EMOPS’ teams self-paced reflection at section/unit-level aimed at: a) analysis of results progress, key risks and opportunities; b) reflection on organizational changes or priorities known so far; c) initial review of section-level human resource capacities needed to deliver on the OMP (and emerging priorities identified by the section).
• Part 3 (November 2023 to Q1 2024). MTR EMOPS management reflection/workshop aimed at producing revised OMP document and proposed staffing structure.

To reinforce engagement across and among sections (and other key partners outside EMOPS), each team is encouraged to organise a brownbag session during this period to present their suggested actions and recommendations to the whole of EMOPS. These events will be an opportunity to have issue-based discussions, focus on common areas that need to be improved, and gather feedback from across EMOPS and partners on specific issues.

This consultancy will support all stages of the MTR process for an independent review and analysis of EMOPS current implementation of the OMP and subsequent proposed changes.

Following are the proposed key elements of the MTR, which the consultant should consider while preparing inception report:

- A well-structured and participatory programme review, which includes progress towards the expected results (outcomes and outputs) as listed in the EMOPS OMP 2022-2025

- Identification of the key stakeholders at country offices, regional office and HQ for MTR consultation

- Realistic diagnosis of affordability analysis and funding availability for staffing/function related changes and proposals, in consultation with the country offices, regional offices and other relevant stakeholders at HQ

- Governance structure to ensure representation of key stakeholders in oversight, decision making and technical inputs into the MTR process

- Communication plan to ensure that all key stakeholders, internal and external, are informed and also have their queries and concerns addressed throughout the process

- Detailed MTR roadmap encompassing key milestones, steps, and timeframes to ensure efficient and timely implementation

How can you make a difference?

The purpose is to support EMOPS in conducting various stages of mid-term review processes of its Office Management Plan (OMP) 2022-2025.

Work Assignment Overview

Deliverables / Outputs

Delivery Deadline

Inception report to provide conceptual MTR framework, the key MTR questions, and methodology, including information on data sources and collection including sampling criteria and key indicators. The inception report should also include the list of key stakeholders and a detailed MTR roadmap encompassing key milestones, steps, and timeframes to ensure efficient and timely implementation.

MTR Inception report

07 Sept. 2023 (5 days)

Review and analysis of all relevant background materials (see Annex A. MTR Concept Note) and draft a concise report to summarize findings vis a vis EMOPS OMP 2022-2025, UNICEF SP 2022-2025, annual progress reports, and key emerging challenges and priorities (internal and external) in humanitarian landscape.

Summary Analytical Report on EMOPS progress, relevance, and issues in relation to EMOPS OMP 2022-2025 result structure vis a vis UNICEF SP 2022-2025 and shifts in both internal and external humanitarian landscape.

15 Sept. 2023 (10 days)

Consultation and support with each section in EMOPS based on progress, challenges, risks, and opportunities against the OMP and outlook (2024 to 2025) including potential changes in staffing structure.

Synthesis of section/output level analysis of OMP progress, challenges, and opportunities including initial proposed staffing structure for 2024-2025

31 Oct. 2023 (20 days)

Consultation with EMOPS stakeholders with the following but not limited to REAs/ regional emergency teams; select country offices responding to emergencies; HQ offices (PG, DAPM, DED Humanitarian Office; Evaluation Office; Supply Office; etc.). This may be an online survey or dedicated discussion, or combination.

Documentation of EMOPS’ partners feedback on the type, timeliness, and quality of perceived EMOPS role/partnership engagement needs with partners.

31 Oct. 2023 (20 days)

Design and facilitate EMOPS management and key results leads reflection/meeting (to be held in Geneva by November/December 2023)

Documentation/Report on MTR discussion with EMOPS management and results leads.

15 Dec. 2023 (15 days)

Draft and present final report to management based on consultation and MTR meeting that will inform update to EMOPS OMP for 2024 to 2025

EMOPS MTR Final Report

30 Dec. 2024 (5 days)

Contingency Activities e.g., additional days needed for consultation, report development, analyses, or other follow-up.

Contingency days

30 Dec. 2023 (5 days)

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, Management, International Studies, or similar background
• At least 15 years of relevant experience and proven expertise with planning and development, including preferably a strong understanding of UN's relevant Programming Guidelines at field and HE, Gender Equality, Human Rights-Based Programming (HRBP) approach, and Results-Based Management (RBM).
• Excellent report writing skills, analytical skills as well as strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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.