Consultancy: Policy Specialist, Foresight - DRP, Requisition # 503012

The Policy Planning Specialist will provide foresight support to UNICEF’s country and regional offices as they undertake strategic analysis and develop policy options drawing on latest research and expertise as well as field practical experience. S/he will keep abreast of the work of key regional thought leaders-leaders in the field of humanitarian and development, and interact with relevant think tanks, academia and other stakeholders. S/he will contribute to keeping UNICEF COs and ROs staff well informed of these developments, using appropriate knowledge management tools, innovating as needed.

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.

Background & Rationale

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. 

Job organizational context: 

The global development landscape is rapidly evolving and increasingly complex. As one of the major international organizations, UNICEF needs to closely monitor, systematically analyze and strategically influence changes in this landscape with the view to benefit children globally. 

Under supervision of the Chief of the Policy Planning Unit and working closely with country offices (COs) and regional offices (ROs), the Policy Specialist will provide forward-looking analysis and offer strategic guidance on emerging and long-term trends, their implications for child rights and wellbeing and relevant UNICEF's strategic positioning. 

Purpose

Engaging colleagues across the organization, the Policy Planning Unit scans and analyses emerging trends to facilitate positioning by UNICEF. 

Thinking about this long term positioning implies inter alia identifying peripheral trends that affect evolving areas of importance for children, developing scenarios of how these issues will impact children's well-being in the coming 10-15 years, using predictive analytics to complement our more "traditional" analysis of how these issues are evolving for children. 

The Policy Planning Specialist will provide foresight support to UNICEF's country and regional offices as they undertake strategic analysis and develop policy options drawing on latest research and expertise as well as field practical experience. S/he will keep abreast of the work of key regional thought leaders-leaders in the field of humanitarian and development, and interact with relevant think tanks, academia and other stakeholders. S/he will contribute to keeping UNICEF COs and ROs staff well informed of these developments, using appropriate knowledge management tools, innovating as needed. 

Expected results: (measurable results) 

The key results will strengthen the way that UNICEF undertakes scanning; debates emerging issues and their implications for its work; and integrates future thinking in its decision making and action as they relate to strategy, operations, and programming. 

1. Scanning. In collaboration with the PPU team, contribute to strengthening UNICEF's capacity to systematically and timely identify emerging issues and trends. Map and leverage COs and ROs scanning forces. 

1. Flagging and debating. In collaboration with the PPU team and relevant colleagues in ROs and COs, contribute to the production of thought-pieces and digests on trends and emerging issues relevant to child-wellbeing to inform field colleagues of latest development; and organize debates on key emerging issues and trends engaging thought leaders, UNICEF staff and other partners. 

1. Engaging field colleagues. Working closely with COs and ROs, support forward looking activities in specific sectors and contexts. Conduct deep-dive studies on future trends and scenarios to support UNICEF longer-term outlook, strategic planning and positioning. 

Duty Station

Most the work will happen at UNICEF Headquarters. However, some travel to regional and country offices may be involved.    

Timeframe

Start date:  15 March 2017  End date: 15 Sept 2017

Deliverables (See the last page for guidance on formulating deliverables)	Duration (Estimated # of Days)	Deadline
Scanning o  Map COs and ROs scanning capacities and needs o  Test relevant scanning tools to leverage their capacities and fill their needs,	20 days	31 May
Flagging o  Contribute to the production of 2 Horizons, o  Contribute to 2 deep dive studies.	30 days	31 July
Engaging o  With relevant partners, contribute to the development of two scenario planning workshops, and o  Support 3 country offices in the development of their next Country Development Programmes.	70 days	15 Sept
total	120 days

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced university degree in foresight, economics, political science, or other related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional work experience.
• Experience with foresight, trends analysis and system innovation.
• Experience in analytical work in organizations concerned with development issues, with a record of technical publications.
• An understanding of UNICEF's catalytic role in advancing pro-poor, child friendly economic policies.
• Excellent writing skills necessary.
• Experience with foresight exercises in developing or emerging economies an asset.
• Fluency in English and another UN working language required

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.