Consultancy: Support to produce a Synthesis Report for Gender Analyses. Req# 571629

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a synthesis report that compiles and analyses findings from various gender analyses conducted at country and multi-country levels.

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. 

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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Consultancy:  Support to produce a Synthesis Report for Gender Analyses

Section/Division/Duty Station: Gender Equality Section – PG - NYHQ

Duration: 15 May 2024 – 31 January 2025

Home/ office Based: REMOTE

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

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) underscores the urgent need to identify and address both direct and indirect barriers to accessing immunization services, including those influenced by the gender of caregivers and health workers. The agenda also calls for increased participation of women in decision-making processes across all levels. IA2030 Strategic Priority 3 (Coverage & Equity) emphasizes the significance of understanding how gender impacts access to vaccination services and leveraging gender-responsive strategies to address obstacles encountered by recipients, caregivers, service providers, and health workers.

In its commitment to gender-responsive/transformative programming, UNICEF undertakes gender analyses at both country and multi-country levels. Across numerous UNICEF country offices, proactive measures are being taken to identify and tackle gender-related barriers impacting marginalized communities and the healthcare workforce. These efforts aim to overcome obstacles hindering immunization, such as under-immunization, missed vaccination opportunities, and zero-dose occurrences.

The methodologies employed in conducting gender analyses vary across countries and regions. Some utilize national and international consultancy firms, review existing literature, gathering primary data, or a combination of these approaches. Additionally, the scope of gender analyses varies, with some conducted at national levels and others at regional levels. Certain countries adopt a broad national approach, while others concentrate on specific high-risk or zero-dose communities. Furthermore, integration with nutrition initiatives or broader health topics is emphasized in some countries, while others align with Behavior and Social Change Communication studies, capacity-building efforts, or policy review processes.

The process of gender analysis has involved a diverse array of stakeholders, including government ministries, mothers, fathers, adolescent mothers, UNICEF staff, civil society, adolescent girls and boys, etc. Government endorsement is pivotal for the success of these analyses, signifying a commitment to addressing gender disparities. Depending on the context, analyses may be led by external consultants, ministry officials, or a combination of both. A crucial phase in conducting the gender analyses has involved identification of specific interventions derived from the analysis findings. This process is followed by organizing a validation workshop, where a diverse group of stakeholders provides input to refine recommendations and finalize interventions.

To consolidate and evaluate these insights for strategic decision-making, UNICEF is soliciting a consultant to produce a comprehensive synthesis report. This report will serve as a crucial resource in guiding global efforts towards equitable immunization practices.

Scope of Work:

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a synthesis report that compiles and analyses findings from various gender analyses conducted at country and multi-country levels. The report will provide insights into existing variations of the gender analysis process within the countries or regions, the key themes, trends, challenges, and opportunities in gender equality programming, and offer strategic recommendations for upcoming gender analyses as well as UNICEF's future work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Literature Review: Review all available gender analyses conducted at the country and multi-country levels.
• Data Consolidation: Collate and organize data from various gender analyses, highlighting key findings and trends as well as assessing how the findings and recommendations from the gender analysis have been integrated into workplans.
• Analysis: Analyze data to identify common themes, challenges, and opportunities across the different contexts.
• Interview selected UNICEF staff/ stakeholder to verify information as needed ( this should be coordinated with UNICEF
• Report Writing: Produce a comprehensive synthesis report, including an executive summary, detailed findings, and provide recommendations, Theory of change for gender programming and strategic directions for future programming. The  report should also refer to some good practice related to the gender analysis or the consequent programming  that warrant documenting further .
• Stakeholder Consultation: Engage with relevant UNICEF staff and stakeholders to gather additional insights and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Presentation: Prepare a presentation of the report's key findings and recommendations for UNICEF staff and stakeholders.
• Revisions and Feedback: Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and revise the report as necessary.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. A plan outlining the methodology, timeline, and structure of the synthesis report. – By 31 May 2024.
2. A comprehensive draft report for review by UNICEF, including an executive summary and detailed findings with recommendations, TOC and strategic directions for future work. – By 30 June 2024.
3. A finalized synthesis report incorporating feedback from stakeholders, along with an executive summary and strategic recommendations. – By 15 July 2024.
4. A presentation of the report's key findings and recommendations. (PPT on 25 July 2024). – By 31 January 2025

Qualifications

Education:

An advanced master’s degree in gender studies, social sciences, international development, or a related field.

Work experience:

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, advocacy, areas of responsibility.
• International work experience, experience with public and private sector, expertise in international development and humanitarian response, and/or the gender equality ecosystem are strong assets.
• Experience with UNICEF in children’s rights, women and girls’ empowerment, gender rights is an advantage
• Experience in work environment of an international agency, UN, or international institutions is desirable; prior experience in UNICEF is an asset.
• Experience in developing country contexts and an understanding of development challenges from the field perspective is desirable.

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Must demonstrate excellent writing skills with specific experience writing on gender related issues and knowledge products.
• Be able to work independently as well as with a team in an international, multicultural, and interdisciplinary environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Knowledge of UNICEF/UN systems; familiarity with UNICEF's work and gender programming is an asset.
• Ability to communicate sensitively to different audiences.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.