Technical assistance to support the learning agenda for the Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) Joint Programme, Kampala, Uganda ( 11.5 months) (Ugandan Nationals only)

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, a Trustable hand

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Background and Purpose

WFP in partnership with UNICEF, and the Government of Uganda (GoU), through the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM), the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MLGSD), Ministry of Health (MoH), and Ministry of Local Government is implementing 5 years (2019-2024) Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in West Nile sub region. The joint programme supports the GoU to make social protection and health systems more efficient, transparent, child- and nutrition-sensitive, and to scale up the coverage, effectiveness and efficiency of existing programmes.

The West Nile sub-region experiences a disproportionate burden of maternal newborn and child mortality and morbidity when compared to other regions in the country. These challenges are exacerbated by elevated poverty levels and strained healthcare services resulting from the significant presence of refugee population. The CSSP programme, in collaboration with existing government structures, has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues, encompassing social protection, healthcare, nutrition, and other vulnerabilities

The programme’s overall objective is to achieve improved health and nutrition of young children and enhanced community and household resilience among refugees and host populations in refugee-hosting districts of West Nile.

The three specific programme objectives include:

1. Improved economic inclusion of households–for households to enhance their participation in local economies by increasing their contribution to and benefits from markets
2. Improved maternal and child nutrition status; and
3. Improved maternal and child health.

The programme activities are organized around three components:

1. Social protection system strengthening – WFP-led
2. Health system strengthening – UNICEF-led
3. Cross-cutting activities including linkages to other programmes, market engagement and evidence generation – both WFP and UNICEF.

The learning component under the CSSP programme is intended the generate, synthesize and utilize evidence on the impact of the programme strategies. This component aims to enhance the involvement of various stakeholders, including development partners, civil society, government, academia, and beneficiaries, to promote the exchange of knowledge, collaboration, decision-making based on evidence, and shared learning. Given this background, UNICEF is seeking that support of a consultant to assist in developing relevant learning products.

Purpose of the assignment:

In collaboration with WFP’s programme learning officer, support the implementation of the child sensitive social protection program's learning agenda, including the development and dissemination of related products

Justification

The CSSP programme incorporates a comprehensive learning plan as an integral component, aimed at generating high-quality learning materials that showcase the program's strategies and achievements. These valuable resources will encompass collaborative bi-annual program updates, shared research papers, mutual progress reports, and collective success stories. This consultancy, therefore, is to facilitate the practical application of knowledge and expertise in crafting exceptional products while also aiding in their dissemination, both within UNICEF and externally among its partners.

Objectives

The consultant will work closely with WFP, MoH, District Local Governments, UNICEF Health, HIV, Nutrition, Social Behavioural Change and Communication Specialists, Gulu UNICEF Zone office teams and AVSI to:

1. Support the implementation of the learning agenda of the CSSP programme including the learning roadmap, in close collaboration with Gulu Zonal Office and content experts at National level and WFP
2. Coordinate joint learning activities including development and dissemination of learning products.
3. In collaboration with the programme learning officer at WFP and together with UBOS, oversee the development and publication of programme webpages, ensure timely updates and develop high quality content documenting key programme results and learning.
4. Support development and rollout of programme learning tracker to ensure implementation of programme learnings and recommendations.

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

Education

An advanced university degree required in communication and public health, development and humanitarian experience and in lieu of advanced degree, two additional years of required experience plus a first degree will be considered.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in writing and documenting, producing knowledge products for dissemination to various audiences in several formats including for publication.
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, research, and documentation of maternal newborn, adolescent health, Nutrition, Social Behavioural Change (SBC) programs or MNCH required – particularly in Ugandan context.

• Motivated, highly organized, critical thinker with strong analytical skills who can work as part of a team and independently.

• Exceptionally strong written communication skills with the capacity to produce near-final products

• Work experience with similar assignment and relevant publications
• Strong communication, advocacy, and facilitation skills
• Deep understanding of health systems and understanding
• Experience working with the national and district local governments in Uganda, and a strong understanding of the health system
• Proven ability to manage relationships with UNICEF partners, including UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector
• Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy and fundraising
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
• Strong writing and communication skills and the aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences
• Ability to travel and work in remote locations

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.