International Consultant at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: International Consultant to facilitate the development of Guyana and Suriname Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026

Reference No.: 538505
Location: Nigeria
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Programme Management
Position level: Senior P5 Level
Duration: 40 working days (between 1st April 2021 - 15th July 2021)
Reporting to: Area Representative for UNICEF Guyana and Suriname

Background
The UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Area Office, in collaboration with national partners, wishes to develop the new Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname and UNICEF.The overall goal of the current UNICEF country programme (2017 – 2021) is to support the efforts of the governments of Guyana and Suriname to promote and protect the rights of all children and to give all children equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

During the last two decades, both countries witnessed massive economic development and social transformation. Since 2017, the Governments of Guyana and Suriname have introduced many important national strategies, policies and Programmes to accelerate child centered Sustainable Development Goals.

Despite their qualification as "upper middle-income countries" and the progress realized in the last decades in Guyana and Suriname, inequities and inequalities remains the key factors for child deprivation, especially for children living in the hinterland and those who belong to the poorest quintile families. Under-5 child mortality rate is 39 (Guyana) and 19 (Suriname) per 1,000 live births. Access to education has improved, with an increase enrollment in primary school (95 percent/Suriname, 97/Guyana). However, challenges remain with retention and quality education. In Guyana, the Net Intake Ratio (primary) fell from 77.93 percent/male and 74/female in 2017-2018 to 68.81 percent/male and 65.17/female in 2018-2019. The main concerns remain at upper secondary, with 28% out-of-school children, 31 percent attendance and 24 percent completion rate. Students with disabilities start school later, have difficulty in accessing facilities and have the highest drop-out rate. Epidemic violence remains high: From 2010 to 2019, 70 percent of children (aged 2-14 years) reported experiencing violent discipline by an adult of the household in Guyana; in Suriname, the level increased from 84 to 87 percent. Access to water is high with 98 percent (Suriname) and 94 (Guyana); meanwhile access to clean drinking water remains only at 57 percent (Suriname). 89 percent of households (Suriname) and 87 (Guyana) use improved sanitation facilities.

Both countries are suffering from a severe economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a high level of debt (2020). The impact of climate change has also considerably affected social indicators in both countries.

The current program of cooperation (CPD 2017 – 2021) is coming to an end. The Situation Analysis of children and women is currently ongoing in both countries and will serve as the basis for the design of the new Country Program Document and will feed into the UN Common Country Assessment. These Terms of Reference (ToR) specifically  relate to the purpose, scope and process for elaborating a new human rights-based, SDG-centered, equity and life-cycle-focused, gender-sensitive and risk-informed Country Programme Document (CPD) between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname and UNICEF.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished
Under the supervision of the Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Representative and the Programme Manager, the international consultant will work with the M&E Specialists and Programme Staff in both countries.  The key tasks include;
Review of relevant documents on the Situation Analysis of Women and Children in Guyana and Suriname (Current SitAn, 2019 MTR report, UN Common Country Assessment, UN MSDF evaluation report, gender review, conflict analyses, recommendations from human rights treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review and other studies, research and evaluations conducted during the current programme).

• Facilitate and lead the consolidation of the key finding from the “Strategic Moments of Reflection” (SMR) with UNICEF Country staff and key Government stakeholder to validate Strategic Intent Memos.
• Undertake a series of consultations with key relevant stakeholders and partners.
• Support the development of the narrative of the Programme Strategy Notes and Theory of change formulation for each outcome/ priority area/ sector; and produce a concise next Programme Strategic Note.
• Using the standard CPD format and word limits, draft the new CPD that will be aligned to the UNMSDCF, national priorities, sector strategic plans and strategies, and UNICEF Strategic Plan as well as other global agenda for children and women (the document will also include the results and resources matrix and a costed evaluation plan).
• Prepare for, participate in and facilitate the high-level CPD validation workshop with Government and stakeholders.
• Finalize the 2022-2026 Country Programme Document incorporating inputs and comments from the validation workshop.

Qualifications and Experience
The International consultant should meet the minimum following criteria:

• Education: Master’s degree in social sciences, programme management, Demography, Economy or other relevant disciplines, with specialized training in areas such as social statistics, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A minimum of 12 years of professional relevant experience and proven expertise with planning and development, including strong understanding of UN’s relevant Programming Guidelines on UNDAF/UNMSDF process, Gender Equality, Human Rights Based Programming (HRBP) approach, Capacity Development, Environmental Sustainability and Results Based Management (RBM)).
• Strategic thinking and influencing decision making.
• Strong writing and analytical skills for quality report writing (sample of a recent analytical report will be requested.
• UNICEF experience in CPD Development required, UN Senior management an added advantage.
• Previous experience in facilitating meetings with large number of participants, including experience virtual facilitating of meetings.
• Strong presentation and communication skills in English (fluency required).
• Strong coordination skills and ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Previous work experience with UNICEF in a similar capacity is an advantage.
• Familiarity with integrated programme design is required.
• Previous experience in linking CPD with the new UNDAF/UNMSDF will be a definite asset.

Other competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.
• Demonstrated leadership, coordination and facilitation skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Application Closing Date
16th March, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for  Terms of Reference (ToR) for CPD Consultant UNICEF Guyana and Suriname

Note

• All consultants must include a technical and financial proposal in order to considered.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• 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.
• 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.