Strategic Planning Consultant

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) Duty Station: Beirut Job Family: Social and Human Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 06-JUN-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- The International Center for Human Sciences (CISH) was established in 1999, at Jbeil in Lebanon. The center is mandated to implement UNESCO’s integrated strategy on Democracy: - to promote analytical and comparative research on Democracy; - to promote international dialogues on the future of the democracy and - to support post conflict countries by their research and capacity development. With an agreement between UNESCO and the Lebanese Government, signed in 2007 and ratified by the Lebanese Parliament in 2011, the CISH became UNESCO’s category II Center , under the tutelage of the Ministry of Culture and the auspices of UNESCO. Accordingly, UNESCO established the International Administrative Board as governing body of the Center, chaired jointly by the Minister of Culture and Director General of UNESCO, to meet at least once a year and to approve the programme and budget of the Center. The first Board meeting was convened in 2013. In 2015, at the recommendation of the Board, a Strategic Plan for CISH (2015-2020) was prepared guiding the center’s activities in a more holistic and strategic manner to position itself as a unique center with an international mandate on Democracy. In 2018, the new and current director has prepared a New Strategy Review (2019-2020) with an updated Vision statement. In 2017, the New Humanities Agenda for the 21st Century was adopted as the key outcome of the World Humanities Conference. It encompasses a set of calls for actions addressed to a wide range of stakeholders of humanities from higher education institutions, academia and research centers, foundations and councils and private funding partners and media as well as UNESCO and CIPSH in order to foster rethinking and reformulation of humanities and to establish new global and regional agendas with educational, research and policy-making implications. In this regard, CISH has been actively engaged since 2017 in regional and international humanities initiatives following the World Humanities Conference namely as co-organizer of the Arab Regional Humanities Forum (April 2021) and as member of a steering committee of the European Humanities Conference (May 2021). In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term impact on societies and econ-omies at their core, human sciences are irreplaceable helping contemporary societies to meet multi-dimensional challenges of the 2030 Agenda, which relate to meanings, values, understandings and long-term trends. CISH is also a member of BRIDGES – the international coalition for action in sustainability science, estqablished by UNESCO in 2019. CISH is also collaborating with CIPSH to organize a Symposium on Humanities: “ Rethinking Humanities for a Post-Pandemic World” (2021). **OBJECTIVES:** --------------- Within the framework of the UNESCO Beirut – Social and Human Sciences programme, UNESCO Beirut is seeking support from a senior expert in strategic planning of the CISH for 2021-2026. Concretely, the Consultant shall undertake following tasks and deliver corresponding outputs: **SCOPE OF WORK:** ------------------ TASKS: - To review key documents and to communicate closely with CISH Director to understand the vision, mission, values and functions of CISH as category 2 center of UNESCO, endorsed by the Board (2013) and in light of the New Humanities Agenda for the 21st Century (2017) - To review previous strategy documents, current workplans (2018-2021) and programme reports (2019/2020) to analyze the alignment and gaps in terms of thematic focus as well as funding and partnerships. - To review the recent & current fundraising and partnership building efforts (2018-2021) to understand the achievements and gaps in terms of programme delivery. - To meet 8-10 stakeholders to identify areas for programme enhancement of CISH. Physical meetings should take into consideration sanitary COVID protocols. - To conduct a SWOT analysis of CISH to identify gaps and find ways to address them. - To review, advise and update the draft Table of Contents for the new strategy document and the Staretgy Review (2019-2020) - To draft a 5 year strategy for CISH by setting GOALS and Key Actions to achieve the desirable outcomes. - To support in presentation of the draft strategy to the Board of CISH/ in a dedicated session and collect feedback - To revise and submit the final strategy incorporating the comments of Board. **OUTPUT(S)** ------------- Technical support to CISH in developping a five-year Strategy for CISH (2021-2026) by setting GOALS and Key Actions to achieve the desirable outcomes and identifying 3-5 thematic focus in light of its missions/ functions and the New Humanities Agenda for 21st century and 5-6 potential partners for funding support to full fill the international mandate of the center. **REPORTING** ------------- Throughout the assignment, the Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Director of UNESCO Beirut Office and will report to the Programme Specialist for Social and Human Sciences. During the fulfilment of his/her work, the Consultant will communicate and coordinate closely with the Director of CISH and the Programme Specialist for Social and Human Sciences prior to the delivery of expected tasks and strategy. **DELIVERABLES** ---------------- - List of persons to meet : Due Date: 10 July 2021 - Draft table of contents for a strategy document : Due Date: 20 July 2021 - Draft Strategy with a 5 page powerpoint slides: Due Date: 20 August 2021 - Presentation of the draft strategy to the Board members of CISH : Due Date: Sept (TBC) 2021 - Final strategy document: Due Date: 30 Sept 2021 **DURATION** The estimated duration of this assignment is 20 days between June 2021 to September 2021. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Advanced degrees (PhD preferable) in humanities and social sciences or related areas - Proven experience of minimum 5-10 years in managing academic/ policy research center preferably for a regional and international scope - Sound knowledge of humanities networks at international level - Experience in raising funds and building partnerships for a research center - Excellent analysis and strategic thinking skills - Strong intellectual leadership, analytical and report writing skills; - Familiarity of work with UNESCO and UN agencies in the Arab region is an asset; - Excellent communication and drafting skills in English. Proficiency in Arabic is an asset. - Residence in Lebanon and readiness to commute to CISH during the period of the consultancy **TRAVEL** ---------- The consultant is expected to be resident in Lebanon and to commute regularly to CISH premise in Jbeil. **ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:** The Consultant is expected to work in his/her residence and carry out the assignment in close consultation and collaboration with UNESCO team. The consultant will provide his/her own laptop and cell phone; The payment will be made against approved deliverables. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.