Consultancy – South-South and Triangular Cooperation, Learning & Knowledge Exchange (LKE), DAPM NYHQ (home based)

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant: South-South and Triangular Cooperation

Section/Division/Duty Station: Learning and Knowledge Exchange Section (LKE), DAPM NYHQ

Duration: October 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) is a powerful and low-cost tool which increases global access to development solutions successfully implemented in settings commonly shared by countries in the global South. SSTC complements North-South cooperation and is recognized under SDG 17 amongst different multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnerships models for delivering the SDGs. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly, recognizing the need to strengthen and further invigorate South-South cooperation (SSC), convened the second High-level UN conference on South-South cooperation commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) for promoting and implementing Technical Cooperation among developing countries. The Outcome Document from the Conference provided the basis for the development of the UN Strategy on SSTC which was finalized in September 2020.

Through many years now, UNICEF field offices engage in and facilitate horizontal learning, including South-South cooperation. In 2019, out of 157 programme countries that submitted COARs, 115 offices or 73%, reported that they were engaged in SSTC. UNICEF field offices reported having in place more formal and institutionalized arrangements for SSTC and that most requests for technical assistance (TA) were addressed through study visits. This consultancy will address findings and recommendations on improving efficiency and effectiveness of SSTC exchange and learning.

Enabling adaptation of solutions and good practices from country to country is at the core of SSTC. The main purpose of this consultancy is to develop and support the establishment of a Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) for SSTC in UNICEF. It will serve as a tool for more systematic provision of on-demand technical expertise globally. As highlighted in the UNICEF Tools and Support Services (TSS) on SSTC, a TAF for country-to-country learning and exchange is a major modality for SSTC and adds value by increasing the availability of relevant solutions and expertise, context-sensitive guidance and efficient technical assistance for improved programme implementation and services delivery beyond borders. A global TAF for SSTC in UNICEF is expected to a) make it easier to submit requests (demand-side); b) improve matchmaking of supply and demand; c) increase quality and effectiveness of SSTC exchange; and d) provide institutional memory.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

1. Develop proposal for the operational framework for meeting TA requests and the process for managing, delivering and documenting these requests in a systematic and effective manner.

• Undertake a comprehensive review of existing internal resources (IT and otherwise) available, potential needs and establish parameters of operation of a UNICEF TAF on SSTC.
• Consult and organize consultations with key stakeholders in the organization.
• Develop a draft of the governance relationships and roadmap guiding the development of a

2. TA Facility prototype, making use of existing resources in UNICEF, such as briefing notes and research on TA facilities, TSS, analytical reports of Strategic Monitoring Questions (SMQs) in UNICEF’s country office annual reports, as well as, existing digital infrastructure in the organization.

• Present proposal to the global SSTC working group in UNICEF for feedback.
• Develop and support testing of a UNICEF TAF on SSTC prototype, including online interface for submitting request for TA.
• Create and design the online interface with appropriate features responding to the needs and demand from UNICEF staff engaged in SSTC.
• Leverage knowledge of applications in MS Office Suite to design online platform with relevant

3. TA facility properties that are integrating relevant functions for streamlined workflow in processing requests for TA.

• Ensure that protype of UNICEF TA Facility on SSTC is available and easily accessible internally to UNICEF staff.
• Present the prototype to the UNICEF global SSTC working group for review and comments.
• Present prototype to key stakeholders for feedback before finalizing.

4. Organize launch of the TAF prototype and monitor/support operation for one month.
5. Finalize the TA Facility and hand-over.

• Incorporate feedback and lessons learned and finalize the TAF.
• Provide training to JPO for SSTC and hand-over management of the TAF.

Qualifications

(1) Education

• University degree in Social Sciences or International Affairs.
• Knowledge of the UN and UNICEF’s mandate and work done in the area of SSTC, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
• Knowledge and skills in IT design and use, including familiarity with SharePoint and other Microsoft Office365 tools.
• Advanced technical knowledge in managing networks and online platforms.
• The individual should be highly proficient in a range of PC/web applications, including but not limited to: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, and Lotus Notes.

2) Work experience

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management or project management, with experience in HR system configuration and launch, including communication to end users.
• It is preferable that the individual has experience with, or in, multilateral institutions. Knowledge of UNICEF context essential.  Knowledge of UN common practices in HR an added advantage.

3) Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.)

Requirements: 

• Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html 
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

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.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.