Home-based consultancy: Global Education Cluster Strategy Development 2022-2025 (70 days)

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, results

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop the Global Education Cluster (GEC) strategy for 2022-2025, including planning and facilitating consultations, drafting the strategy and facilitating the validation process and finalization of the strategy. The full strategy document will likely include (i) a review and situation analysis; (ii) a strategic framework which defines the vision, mission, priorities, functions; and (iii) and a Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL) plan. The strategy will draw on key learnings from the previous strategic period as well as in-depth discussions with the GEC team, country education cluster teams, the GEC strategic advisory group and partners.

Background and rationale: 

GEC strategy development: This strategy development process and plan will draw on learnings from the GEC strategic revision period (2017-2019) which defined the current three priority areas – accountability, partnerships and humanitarian-development nexus. These were written in light of the Grand Bargain outcomes, which have recently been reviewed. Since the 2017-2019 GEC strategy revision, the humanitarian operating environment has continued to evolve quickly with unforeseen challenges raised by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The GEC developed a 2020-2021 bridging strategy which clarified short-term strategic direction while identifying areas for further consideration and  consultation during the development of this next 4-year strategic period (2022-2025). The findings of the GEC co-leadership evaluation and of the UNICEF Cluster Lead Agency Review Evaluation 2 will be finalized in the first half of 2021 so this bridging year also allows these to inform the future strategic direction of the GEC. This next strategic period (2022-2025) will align with the UNICEF and SC new 4-year strategies beginning in 2022, providing an opportunity to streamline direction, implementation, and reporting, where it makes sense to do so.

How can you make a difference?

Working with the Global Education Cluster Coordinators, and with input from the GEC team, country cluster and working groups teams, the strategic advisory group and members of the GEC partners forum, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review of previous strategy (including pillars, functions, and themes) and analyze current considerations, trends, challenges, and opportunities in light of developments within both the education sector and humanitarian system since 2017.
2. Based on extensive consultations with partners and other clusters, define GEC strategic priorities for the coming 4-year period and develop a strategic framework (eg. vision, mission, priorities, functions).
3. Develop results and actions for implementation within each priority and develop top-line indicators for these, as the basis for a workplan template and a clear monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning framework.
4. Compile a full draft of the strategy document, validated through consultations with CLAs, partners and other clusters, with the aim to have a final validation at the GEC annual partners meeting in February 2022.
5. Revise and finalize the full strategy, based on feedback received

Key Deliverables

Based on the purpose, methodology and tasks of this consultancy, the following deliverables are foreseen within these indicative timeframes for a total of 70 working days:

1. Inception report of the assignment (September 2021) , which is to ensure a common understanding of the assignment process, methodology, timeline, and deliverables between the consultant and GEC. The inception report will describe the methodology to be used for the strategy phases laid out above (or others as suggested by the consultant) and will present a work plan with key deliverables and milestones.  [10 days]
2. Draft section 1 – review and situation analysis (September – October 2021), including the review of previous strategies (namely the 2017-2019 Revised strategy, 2020-2021 Bridging Strategy, as well as annual reports), through documentary review and selected KIIs. [15 days]
3. Draft section 2 – strategic framework (November 2021) and consultations. Develop and consult with key stakeholders the strategic framework reflecting inputs received. [20 days]
4. Draft of full strategy document (December 2021-January 2022) which links the sections above and includes input from GEC team, cluster teams, SAG, partners, other global clusters and CLAs. Summary of input received during consultations on full draft.  This includes an Implementation and MEAL plan (January 2022) with results and actions aligned to strategic framework and indicators presented within a MEAL framework. [20 days]
5. Final full strategy document (March 2022) for formal launch at the which includes key revisions made at validation event. [5 days]

Contractual modalities:

• Duration: The consultant is expected to work 70 days between August 2021 and March 2022.
• Duty Station: The consultant will be home-based.
• Payments: The consultant will be paid upon timely and satisfactorily submission of deliverables. 

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in International Affairs, Political Science, Management or other relevant field
• Minimum of 10 years of work experience in the humanitarian sector and/or the education in crises sector, including  experience in the field.
• Significant experience in conducting reviews, assessments and/or evaluations of humanitarian issues.
• Previous consultant experience on projects that require a highly iterative and consultative inter-agency process, with capacity to incorporate a range of feedback and perspectives in final products.
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance and coordination.
• Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset. 

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.

To apply: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit: 

1. Letter of interest, including your approach to the assignment and proposed fees (daily) to undertake the above TOR. Please note that applications without a proposed fee will not be accepted.
2. A CV and/or Personal history form (downloadable from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). Alternatively, if a candidate profile in the UNICEF e-Recruitment System is available, you may download it and submit it as part of application.

Remarks:

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.