Consultancy: Education Consultancy, Advocacy and Partnerships – Education Section, PD, NYHQ/Home based – Req # 539756

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.

 

Consultancy Title: Education Consultancy, Advocacy and Partnerships

Section/Division/Duty Station: Education Section, PD – NYHQ

Duration: 7 months; ~150 days

 

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

The purpose of this consultancy is to fill a gap in the Education Section Management, Advocacy and Planning (MAP) team due to the upcoming maternity leave of the Education Specialist handling advocacy and partnerships. Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, Education, and in close collaboration with the Associate Director, Programme Division, the consultant will provide leadership and technical support for UNICEF’s engagement with key donors. The candidate filling the Education Specialist post will be a key team player to drive advocacy with donors for resource mobilization; supporting the achievement of planned objectives of the annual work plan, aligned with overall Education programme and the UNICEF Strategic Plan. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

In close collaboration the consultant will work under the supervision of the Senior Education Adviser and team leader of the Management, Advocacy and Partnerships team in the Education Section, and in close collaboration with other team members in a strategic and supportive role to deepen collaboration with key partners and advance advocacy and partnership efforts to achieve results for children as follows:

• Strategize with team leads on resource mobilization opportunities and pitch documents for key priorities in 2021 (Provide guidance on pitch and fundraising documents as required to team leads, colleagues and country offices.
• Strengthen bilateral relations with key donors for resource mobilization in close collaboration with Public Partnerships Division (PPD). This includes preparation of resource mobilization packages, analysis of resource mobilization opportunities, regular outreach to donors for bilateral discussions and the preparation and follow-up of donor meetings.
• Advocate for education resources with a specific focus on thematic funding advocacy. This includes demonstrating the use of thematic funds during Annual Partner Group Meeting; organizing a Virtual Field Visit for donors; sharing country-examples on the use of thematic funds.
• Lead, manage, and develop UNICEF Education Partner Group, and other high-level meetings, as a platform for influence and advocacy. This includes:  the organization of monthly Partner Group meetings in close collaboration with donors, team leads and country offices. Ensure that the Partner Group List is up to date; track partner engagement; keep good documentation of donor engagement and archive presentations, talking points; overview of donor priorities etc.
• Prepare and organize annual donor consultations in close collaboration with PPD, including preparation of talking points and briefing notes for donor meetings for the Associate Director.
• Promote donor visibility and recognition at HQ and on the regional and country office level (recognition in meetings, in publications and reports, in social media. Work with colleagues on donor engagement via social media).
• Guide communications consultant with regards to the development of newsflashes for donors (monitor strategic identification of topics and timing of newsflashes).
• Draft donor related correspondence for Associate Director, Programme Division.

Qualifications

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in international relations or another related field, including but not limited to the following fields: political science, health, education, economics or international business, business administration or international development.
• The individual should be highly proficient in a range of PC/web applications, including but not limited to: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook. 

Work experience

• A combined minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience, including experience of partnerships management, advocacy and resource mobilization at the national and/or international levels in the development field and/or in a global private sector company is required. 
• It is preferable that the individual has experience with, or in, multilateral institutions, UNICEF or another UN Agency, Fund or Programme. Knowledge of UNICEF context essential. 

Competencies

• In-depth understanding of the overall global education and development context.
• Strong education policy and sector analysis capacity and demonstrated results with education sector policy dialogue.
• Strong partnerships and advocacy experience.
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and meeting results.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English is required, a good working knowledge of another UN language is an asset
• 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
  • 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 core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious and ethnic backgrounds 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.