LAC-INFORM Project (Consultancy)

This consultancy aims to support UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean to enhance the use of risk data and analysis for risk informed programming at regional and national level and has the following objectives: 1. Ensure the dissemination of the results of the first version of the LAC-INFORM tool and enhance the use of risk information and analysis for risk informed programming by the thematic sections of the UNICEF Regional Office in Latin America and Caribbean and other UN agencies and regional organizations (UNDP, OCHA, among others) through the provision of orientations by thematic areas. 2. Coordinate, through focal points of UNICEF country offices, the provision of technical support (through teleconferences and revision of documents) to the development, implementation and promotion of the use of INFORM adaptations in national contexts in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and other priority countries to strengthen capacities of national actors and selected staff of UNICEF and other UN-agencies (OCHA, UNDP, among others). 3. Enhance the use of risk information provided by national INFORM adaptations or other risk analysis initiatives and risk analysis for risk-informed programme development by UNICEF and other UN-agencies (OCHA, UNDP, among others) at country level in at least one country through the facilitation of country meetings/ sessions. 4. Strengthen capacities of sub-regional intergovernmental bodies (CEPREDENAC in Central America and CDEMA in the Caribbean) to implement risk analysis for risk informed programming through the provision of support (including teleconferences and revision of documents and one or two support missions if required) to the adaptation the LAC-INFORM risk index and promotion of risk informed programming.

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:

RISK ANALYSIS AND RISK INFORMED PROGRAMMING IN THE LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN CONTEXT

In the framework of the regional initiative on the Index for Risk Management (LAC-INFORM), UNICEF, in close collaboration with OCHA and other regional actors, has led the adaptation of the global Index for Risk Management tool to the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) context. This first LAC-INFORM adaptation was implemented in 2016 with the aim to ensure that regional actors count with a risk tool, which incorporates a set of risk indicators that capture the realities of the LAC region.

Subsequently, a regional meeting on crisis and disaster risk analysis and the regional and national INFORM adaptations in the LAC region was conveyed in Panama in January 2017. During this meeting, participants from Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and regional organizations, including the sub-regional disaster management agencies CEPREDENAC and CDEMA, were familiarized with the INFORM risk tool, the results of the first version of the LAC-INFORM adaptation and the findings and advances of the INFORM adaptations of Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras.

This meeting allowed participants to get a better common understanding of risk in the regional context and fostered the dialogue between actors on the application and complementarities of tools and analysis for risk informed decision making and programming. The participants also identified concrete actions to promote the implementation and application of risk analysis tools and results and to link the initiative to policy and programming at regional and country level.

Based on the identified actions and UNICEF LACRO strategy to strengthen risk informed programming, the main objectives of the regional INFORM initiative for 2017 have been defined as follows:

• Support regional and national actors, including UNICEF country offices in disaster risk management and development planning through the adaptation and utilization of risk assessment tools such as INFORM.
• Contribute to on-going advocacy efforts to disseminate risk information and promote its utilization for planning in relevant regional, national and international disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives and occasions, in order to foster a programming culture, which takes into account disaster risks.

Purpose of the Assignment

This consultancy aims to support UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean to enhance the use of risk data and analysis for risk informed programming at regional and national level and has the following objectives:

1. Ensure the dissemination of the results of the first version of the LAC-INFORM tool and enhance the use of risk information and analysis for risk informed programming by the thematic sections of the UNICEF Regional Office in Latin America and Caribbean and other UN agencies and regional organizations (UNDP, OCHA, among others) through the provision of orientations by thematic areas.
2. Coordinate, through focal points of UNICEF country offices, the provision of technical support (through teleconferences and revision of documents) to the development, implementation and promotion of the use of INFORM adaptations in national contexts in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and other priority countries to strengthen capacities of national actors and selected staff of UNICEF and other UN-agencies (OCHA, UNDP, among others).
3. Enhance the use of risk information provided by national INFORM adaptations or other risk analysis initiatives and risk analysis for risk-informed programme development by UNICEF and other UN-agencies (OCHA, UNDP, among others) at country level in at least one country through the facilitation of country meetings/ sessions.
4. Strengthen capacities of sub-regional intergovernmental bodies (CEPREDENAC in Central America and CDEMA in the Caribbean) to implement risk analysis for risk informed programming through the provision of support (including teleconferences and revision of documents and one or two support missions if required) to the adaptation the LAC-INFORM risk index and promotion of risk informed programming.
5. For this purpose, the methodology and results of the first LAC-INFORM adaptation, existing guidance of the global INFORM initiative, and existing UNICEF guidance on risk informed planning will be used as a reference.
    

EXPECTED RESULTS (measurable results):

• Organize and facilitate five orientation meetings with thematic sections of the UNICEF Regional Office in Latin America and Caribbean and other UN agencies) to disseminate and analyze the results of the first version of the LAC-INFORM tool with a focus on its use for risk informed programming (for a maximum 7 working days).
• Provide methodological and technical support, in coordination with the global INFORM initiative and in close cooperation with UNICEF country focal points and other UN agencies (OCHA, UNDP, and others) and government actors, to the development and implementation of INFORM adaptations and use of its results in national contexts in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador (for a maximum 30 working days).
• Coordinate, through the national UNICEF focal point, the organization of and facilitate a meeting (including the preparation of the meeting methodology) with at least one country to enhance the use of risk information provided by national INFORM adaptations or other risk analysis initiatives, and risk analysis for risk-informed programme development by UNICEF and the United Nations system at country level (for a maximum of 15 working days).
• Provide methodological and technical support to sub-regional intergovernmental bodies (CEPREDENAC in Central America and CDEMA in the Caribbean) to adapt the LAC-INFORM risk index and promote risk informed programming. For this purpose, travel of 5 days is envisaged to the locations where each of these two organizations are based (for a maximum of 20 working days)

DELIVERABLES:

KEY QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University degree in statistics, computer science, communication or social sciences (with proven experience in data management);
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in working with international organizations related to humanitarian and development issues.
• Significant experience with management of database systems to obtain information for preparation of infographics and socio-economic analysis.
• Knowledge of the INFORM methodology and preferably with experience in the implementation of regional and country INFORM adaptations.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in the timely presentation of written reports, prepared in a precise and concise manner.
• Experience with preparation and facilitation of meetings.
• Familiarity with the United Nations System and the humanitarian partners in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with people of different nationality and cultural origin.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR'S WORKPLACE:

Individual contractor can work from his/her home base

FEES:

Payment of fees will be made according to the following time line:

HOW TO APPLY

The deadline to receive applications is March 5th 2017

In your application, please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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.