Advocacy Strategy Consultant (Child Rights Advocacy Strategy Implementation & Adaptation), Advocacy Section, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA), NYHQ, hybrid Req# 587247
New York City
- Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
- Location: New York City
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Legal - Broad
- Political Affairs
- Environment
- Communication and Public Information
- Children's rights (health and protection)
- Climate Change
- Closing Date:
UNICEF’s Global Advocacy Section has developed a Child Rights Advocacy Strategy to strengthen the capacity of all UNICEF offices and teams to counter the global pushback on children’s rights. Building on this foundation, UNICEF now requires an experienced advocacy strategy consultant to deliver key activities, tasks and deliverables, in the multi-year implementation and refinement phase, ensuring that the strategy translates into measurable outputs and results at country, regional, and global levels. The consultant will also contribute to the further development and delivery of UNICEF's global advocacy strategy for centering child rights in digital governance, aligning UNICEF’s advocacy practice with the rapidly evolving digital and AI governance landscape. The majority of key stakeholders for this work are based in New York, and these deliverables require in-office presence on a regular basis to hold meetings and consultations on integration of the annualized workplan for global implementation into key teams and planning processes, including with OED, GCA and the PG Human Rights Unit, all based in the NY duty station.
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 fordeveloping 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.
Consultancy: Advocacy Strategy Consultant (Child Rights Advocacy Strategy Implementation & Adaptation)
Duty Station: Advocacy Section, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA), NYHQ
Duration: 15 December 2025 – 29 Dec 2027
Home/ Office Based: hybrid
BACKGROUND
Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:
UNICEF’s Global Advocacy Section has developed a Child Rights Advocacy Strategy to strengthen the capacity of all UNICEF offices and teams to counter the global pushback on children’s rights. Building on this foundation, UNICEF now requires an experienced advocacy strategy consultant to deliver key activities, tasks and deliverables, in the multi-year implementation and refinement phase, ensuring that the strategy translates into measurable outputs and results at country, regional, and global levels. The consultant will also contribute to the further development and delivery of UNICEF's global advocacy strategy for centering child rights in digital governance, aligning UNICEF’s advocacy practice with the rapidly evolving digital and AI governance landscape.
The majority of key stakeholders for this work are based in New York, and these deliverables require in-office presence on a regular basis to hold meetings and consultations on integration of the annualized workplan for global implementation into key teams and planning processes, including with OED, GCA and the PG Human Rights Unit, all based in the NY duty station.
Objectives
1. Contribute to the implementation of the Child Rights Advocacy Strategy at the global level, including by developing resources, and facilitating the sharing of challenges, best practices, learning and knowledge management among practitioners and leaders, through a curated and facilitated Community of Practice.
2. Contribute to the adaptation of the Child Rights Advocacy Strategy at the regional and country level, including by providing tailored advocacy and political-influencing strategy advice relating to child rights advocacy, for regional and/or country offices.
3. Contribute to the design and delivery of a Global Advocacy Strategy for Centering Child Rights in Digital Governance, aligned with UNICEF’s broader child rights & digital and AI policy agenda.
Specific objectives are set out over two phases of implementation. The First phase (fully funded) is 10.5 months, ending in 2026. The Second phase is 12 months and is subject to the identification of adequate funds.
Scope of Work:
Deliverable 1 – Implementation of the Child Rights Advocacy Strategy at Global Level
- Translate the existing global strategic framework, its 3 Pillars and associated initiatives into an annualized implementation plan over two years (2026 to 2027), with key milestones, objectives, and key performance indicators for delivery at the global level, working in close consultation with GCA, PFP, PG and other key HQ teams to ensure the workplan is embedded into delivery teams.
- In particular, and in accordance with the existing global strategic framework: Develop, deploy and disseminate an actionable toolkit for communicating effectively about child rights, and develop a mechanism for monitoring its implementation over two years (2026 and 2027), and curate up to 4 pieces of interactive content (e.g external speaker series, curated resources, interactive knowledge products) for the Child Rights Advocacy Community of Practice, per year (2026, 2027).
Deliverable 2 – Adaptation of the Child Rights Advocacy Strategy at Regional & Country Level
• Working with the ACBI team, and ROCO/NCs, facilitate the adaptation of the existing global strategic framework, its 3 Pillars and associated initiatives into regional/country-cluster contexts by undertaking consultations (x4 per year) and facilitating the development of 4 contextualized strategies per year, including the identification of key child rights advocacy priorities and theories of change.
• Provide up to 4 additional tailored and targeted technical advocacy support and strategy development sessions (in-person or hybrid) for to up to 4 regional or country office clusters per year (2026 and 2027), focused on tackling an emerging child rights issues amenable to targeted advocacy or seizing a time-bound opportunity to advance child rights in a regional or national context.
• Establish a monitoring and feedback system with key performance indicators for x4 regions/country clusters per year to enable the monitoring and reporting of annual results.
Deliverable 3 – Contribute to the design and delivery of a Global Advocacy Strategy for Child-Rights Respecting Digital Governance
• Working with the Chief of Advocacy, relevant HQ teams and ROCOs/NCs, contribute to the design and delivery of 2 consultation meetings or workshops with internal and external stakeholders per year, to contribute to the development of the strategy, theory of change, and an annualized workplan for 2026 (and if funding becomes available) an annualized workplan for 2027.
• Contribute to preparing at least one global convening event with external stakeholders.
• Produce briefing materials for UNICEF leadership participation in up to 3 related global meetings, events, meetings or fora, aligned with the strategy (e.g. UNGA, WSIS+20, Global Digital Compact, etc.).
• Document and disseminate a lesson-learned slide-deck with relevant data, analysis and findings by the end of 2026 and 2027 respectively to inform future planning and strategy.
Expected Results
UNICEF Global Child Rights Advocacy Strategy operationalized at all levels - annual results monitored and reported. Global Advocacy Strategy for Child Rights in Digital Governance is developed, approved, and integrated across HQ, Regional, and Country Offices.
There’s currently no sufficient funding to cover all planned activities that continue until Oct 2027. Some deliverables are planned to be completed if additional resources become available.
Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:
Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline
Preparatory Phase
15 Dec. 2025 to
30 Jan. 2026
1.1 Produce annual implementation workplan
1.2 Develop, deploy and disseminate an actionable toolkit for communicating effectively about child rights, and develop a mechanism for monitoring its implementation over two years.
3.1 Facilitate the design and delivery of 2 consultation meetings or workshops with internal and external stakeholders and an annualized workplan for 2026 on child rights in digital governance.
30 January 2026
Rollout Phase part one:
2 Feb. to 30 April 2026
1.1 Curate 2 pieces of interactive content (e.g external speaker series, curated resources, interactive knowledge products) for the Child Rights Advocacy Community of Practice.
2.1 Facilitate 2 regional/country-cluster workshops facilitating the development of 2 contextualized strategies
2.2 Facilitate up to 2 additional tailored strategy advice sessions with ROCOs.
2.3 Establish a monitoring and feedback system with key performance indicators for x4 regions/country clusters per year to enable the monitoring and reporting of annual results.
3.2
Produce a concept note, event plan & global outreach & engagement strategy for one global convening event with external stakeholders on child rights in digital governance.
30 April 2026
Rollout Phase, part 2
1 May to 31 July 2026
1.4 Curate 2 pieces of interactive content (e.g external speaker series, curated resources, interactive knowledge products) for the Child Rights Advocacy Community of Practice.
2.4 Facilitate a further 2 regional/country-cluster workshops facilitating the development of 2 contextualized strategies
2.5 Facilitate a further 2 additional tailored strategy advice sessions with ROCOs.
3.3 Produce briefing materials, including x1 BN, x1 Talking Points and x1 presentation deck for UNICEF leadership participation in 3 related global meetings, events, meetings or fora, aligned with the strategy (e.g UNGA, WSIS+20, Global Digital Compact, etc.).
31 Jul 2026
Monitor, Evaluate, Learn & Plan phase:
3 Aug. to 30 Oct. 2026
1.1 Document and disseminate a monitoring and evaluation report, and lessons-learned slide-deck with relevant data, analysis and findings, and hold 3 evaluation and dissemination meetings with ROCOs on the implementation of the child rights strategy.
3.4 Document and disseminate a monitoring and evaluation report, and lessons-learned slide-deck with relevant data, analysis and findings on the implementation of the child rights in digital governance strategy, and hold 3 evaluation and dissemination meetings with HQ teams
30 Oct 2026
Phase 2:
31 October. 2026 to 29 Oct. 2027
CURRENTLY UNFUNDED
Deliverable One TOTAL ESTIMATED $44,000 (currently unfunded)
1.1 Produce annual implementation workplan ($4,000)
1.2 Review the implementation of the toolkit for communicating effectively about child rights, and adjust and refresh as needed, producing updated resources. ($9,000)
1.3 Curate 4 pieces of interactive content (e.g external speaker series, curated resources, interactive knowledge products) for the Child Rights Advocacy Community of Practice.($16,000)
1.4 Document and disseminate a lessons-learned slide-deck with relevant data, analysis and findings by the end 2027 to inform future planning and strategy.($15,000)[AK1]
Deliverable Two: TOTAL ESTIMATED $40,000 (currently unfunded)
2.1 Facilitate 2 regional/country-cluster workshops facilitating the development of 2 contextualized strategies ($8,000)
2.2 Facilitate up to 2 additional tailored strategy advice sessions with ROCOs. ($8,000)
2.3 Establish a monitoring and feedback system with key performance indicators for x4 regions/country clusters per year to enable the monitoring and reporting of annual results. ($8,000)
2.4 Facilitate a further 2 regional/country-cluster workshops facilitating the development of 2 contextualized strategies ($8,000)
2.5 Facilitate a further 2 additional tailored strategy advice sessions with ROCOs. ($8,000)
Deliverable Three: TOTAL ESTIMATED $46,000 (currently unfunded)
3.1 Facilitate the design and delivery of 2 consultation meetings or workshops with internal and external stakeholders and an annualized workplan for 2027 on child rights in digital governance ($16,000)
3.2 Produce a concept note and event plan for at least one global convening event with external stakeholders on child rights in digital governance. ($10,000)
3.3 Produce briefing materials for UNICEF leadership participation in 3 related global meetings, events, meetings or fora, aligned with the strategy (e.g. UNGA, Global Digital Compact, etc.). ($9,000)
3.4 Document and disseminate a lessons-learned slide-deck with relevant data, analysis and findings by the end of 2027 to inform future planning and strategy.($11,000).
Qualifications
Education:
An advanced degree (master’s or above) in business, economics, political science, finance, education, international development, Public Policy, International Relations, Communications, or related field.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in global advocacy, government or international affairs, or strategic communications.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing advocacy strategies within complex political environments.
- Proven record engaging with UN agencies, governments, and civil-society networks.
- Experience designing digital advocacy approaches, including rights-based use of technology and AI.
- Strong analytical, facilitation, and coaching skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholders across multiple regions.
- Previous UNICEF or UN experience is an asset.
Requirements:
Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and
- Upload copy of academic credentials
- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
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- the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) 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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.