Consultancy: Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Consultant (10 months) – DOC, NYHQ – Requisition# 538073

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.

 

How can you make a difference?

Background & Rationale

The Strategic Planning and Field Support Section in UNICEF’s Division of Communication (DOC) is seeking an individual contractor to support with strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting functions. This also includes media and digital analysis of UNICEF’s global communication and advocacy initiatives as well knowledge management and exchange across the various levels of the organization. Under the overall guidance of Chief of Strategic Planning and Field Support Section, and direct supervision of Communication Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation, the consultant will support the Division’s planning, monitoring and evaluation activities. She/he will also conduct research and apply strategic insights and analytics to create snapshot reports that highlight the impact of UNICEF’s advocacy and communication work. This assignment requires regular coordination with all DOC sections – particularly Media, Digital, Content, Internal Communication, Youth Engagement and Advocacy sections – as well as with other relevant divisions, country and regional offices. 

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen capacity in the Strategic Planning and Field Support Section of DOC during a critical year as the new UNICEF Strategic Plan and DOC Office Management Plan are being developed. The section will continue to provide services to other sections in the Division, collaborate with relevant headquarter divisions and extend technical support to the field. The areas covered by this consultancy are planning, monitoring and reporting in the areas of communication, advocacy, supporter engagement, media analysis and fundraising.

Expected results: (measurable results)

This assignment includes several key deliverables related to planning and M&E function in DOC as outlined in the table below. The focus is strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in the broad areas of communication, advocacy, supporter engagement and fundraising. This will include campaign analytic reports, research and analysis of data, drafting of results frameworks, coordination and recording of planning meetings, development of guidance and training material, designing of online surveys, data analysis, survey reports and presentations.

Description of the assignment

1. Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
   1. Contribute to DOC’s inputs into the new Strategic Plan and Office Management Plan including through drafting the results framework with the aim of strengthening alignment between communication and advocacy results with programme goals and results
   2. Support Divisional planning meetings, mid- and end-year reviews, and strategic moments of reflection, and compile detailed reports on proceedings and resolutions.
   3. Update data collection systems and guidance (e.g. Strategic Monitoring Questions, RAM Standard indicators, etc.). Perform quality assurance, validation and analysis of data generated through corporate monitoring tools, generating key findings reports.
   4. Develop/update M&E guidance, tools and resources (PPP-X, KPI handbooks, etc.) and promote their uptake through webinars, and support to DOC sections, ROs, and COs.
2. Knowledge Management
   1. Support implementation of the Division’s knowledge management (KM) plan, working to strengthen KM for communication and advocacy within DOC and across UNICEF.
   2. Update the DOC SharePoint intranet site – home page, refresh links and liaise with DOC focal points to continuously streamline information.
   3. Work with field offices to curate lessons learnt and case studies for the global database and support the organization of webinars to facilitate knowledge exchange.
3. Research and Analysis
   1. Develop analytic reports for key communication and advocacy campaigns and initiatives. Serve as focal point for campaign reports, coordinate requests, develop guidance and templates, analyse results, and provide quality assurance.
   2. Design survey tools, analyse responses, and produce summary reports of trends, key findings and recommendations as the Division’s surveys focal point.
   3. Assist with the maintenance of global media monitoring and social listening tools.
4. Other Projects
   1. Support any other tasks related to planning, monitoring and evaluation activities and functions that may be requested by the supervisor, including for humanitarian response activities

Reporting requirements (If applicable)

This assignment involves providing ongoing technical support to DOC teams and the field. Each specific assignment will have its own deadline. Therefore, the consultant and her/his supervisor will agree on the amount of work involved in each project and the deadlines. The preferred language of all reports is English. In a few instances, other UN languages might be used in some assignments, particularly in media analysis and reporting. In this case, the consultant is not expected to know these languages.  Reports will be submitted electronically, and other services can also be provided online as agreed between the contractor and his/her supervisor.

Duty Station

This assignment can be fully delivered remotely with close collaboration between the consultant and supervisor. While meetings and presentations will form an essential part of the assignment, in-person meetings are not mandatory since face-to-face interactions can also be delivered remotely using virtual platforms such as Skype for Business, Zoom, Teams, GoToMeetings, etc. assuming there is adequate internet connectivity. The consultant will be given access to relevant UNICEF networks such as e-mail, SharePoint, and other online platforms. The consultant is expected to adjust to NYHQ working hours.

Travel (If Applicable)

No duty related travel is envisaged for the duration of this assignment due to current COVID-19 risks. ONLY, in case of unforeseen official business travel, actual costs, including the visa fee, vaccination will be reimbursed in accordance with UNICEF Policy/procedure on official travel.

FEE

Requests for services under an individual contract shall normally require the consultant / individual contractor to indicate their all-inclusive fees via daily rate for the professional services to be provided. Section will deem this rate to be commensurate with services required and available budget. When submitting their bid, the consultant is also advised to take into consideration as part of their bid for the assignment the cost of health insurance and/or photographic, video-graphic equipment if such equipment is needed to complete the deliverables of the assignment. 

Timeframe

Estimated Start date: 15 May 2021               

Estimated End date: 31 March 2022

(**All deliverables to be delivered on a continuous basis)

 

Deliverables	Duration (Estimated # of Days)
Strategic Planning and Reporting (40% time) – Ongoing Support to coordination, drafting and finalization of DOC’s inputs to new Strategic Plan and OMP including drafting of SP results framework, drafting of OMP IRRF, scheduling and minutes of routine meetings One in-depth analysis of SMQ results for advocacy completed, 4 DOC and inter-divisional consultation meetings supported One end-year review meeting supported; one SMR meeting supported with facilitation and reporting. All Strategic Monitoring Questions and RAM Standard indicators on communication and advocacy are reviewed and reported on in consultation with DOC sections One annual planning meeting is supported and reported on; all strategic prioritization meetings are fully supported and documented in meeting reports; all DOC weekly planning meetings are supported and documented. M&E guidance, tools and resources, including the PPP-X, KPI handbooks, etc. are developed and promoted for uptake and global use through at least one webinar	88
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (20% time) – Ongoing The Division’s knowledge management (KM) plan is regularly updated and maintained. DOC SharePoint intranet site is regularly updated with new content on the home page and related pages in consultation with DOC focal points At least one report is produced from curated lessons and case studies for the global database Organize one webinar to facilitate knowledge exchange.	44
Research, analysis and reporting (20% time) – Ongoing Analytic reports for key communication and advocacy campaigns and initiatives such as World Children’s Day are produced. Continuously serve as focal point and coordinator for requests, guidance and templates, analysis and quality review. Design all survey tools, analyze responses, and produce summary reports of trends, key findings and recommendations, starting with the organizational improvement survey. Continuously maintain the two main global media monitoring and social listening tools.	44
Other Planning/M&E Responsibilities (20% time) – Ongoing Produce one report from the analysis of RAM data on COVID-19. Support the analysis and reporting of RCCE indicators in collaboration with C4D colleagues in Programme Division. Support ad hoc projects and other priority requests as may be assigned by the supervisor or DOC leadership team in a highly evolving work context.	44
Total	220

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have the following key competencies, technical background, and experience:

• First level university degree in communication, marketing, monitoring and evaluation, public affairs, social sciences, international relations or other related discipline;
•  
• At least three years’ work experience in a professional capacity in monitoring and evaluation, report writing, communication/digital media preferably within the UN or similar organization, government or non-governmental organization;
• Knowledge of social media and web analytic platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) with advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel and collaborative tools;
• Demonstrates ability to collect information, undertake research, synthesize data and present findings related to communications and digital media;
• Demonstrates ability to build good working relationships across the organizational levels;
• Communicates effectively in writing and verbally to varied audiences, particularly in English;
• Sets a high standard of quality and productivity for self and others with clearly defined objectives;
• Seeks and quickly absorbs current information and techniques and applies them appropriately;
• Demonstrates good skills and relevant knowledge in own area of specialization and expertise;
• Demonstrates an awareness of changes in organizational strategy that impact on own work area;
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

This is a re-advertisement to extend the pool of applicants. All applications will be taken into consideration. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

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. At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage for the duration of the contract.

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.