Consultancy: Consultant for Technology Planning - PRD, NYHQ - Requisition# 504581

The purpose of the consultancy assignment is to assist CSP in determining the key functionalities and specifications for a CRM/CMS solutions and a web platform for the volunteer initiative. This will be a short-term assignment and will not require any travel.

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

Millions of people all over the world support UNICEF and our cause. They raise money, they campaign and in some countries they volunteer to help children in myriad ways. There is an opportunity to build on this force for good and go to another level of engagement with a committed group of volunteer supporters. Our aim is to build a UNICEF membership cadre of millions who champion the change we need through their individual and collective commitment. A volunteer force would vastly extend UNICEF’s reach and help broaden and transform UNICEF itself.

By building a membership group of UNICEF volunteers, we can bring millions more people into UNICEF to take action for children -- locally, nationally and globally. They would help us:

• create a stronger connection, better communication, and more accountability between UNICEF and the communities we serve; 

• foster vibrant discussion, debate, and sharing of information about child well-being in the places where UNICEF operates, and 

• grow our presence in the places where we work, make our brand even more powerful, and allow us to include the advice and energy of millions of members across the globe. 


Members might volunteer their time and experience through:

• Service activities (from building a playground, helping with language learning, to participating in emergency response) in local communities and attending signature events;
• Organizing events and volunteer activities;
• Speaking about issues for children in their communities;
• Advocacy with governments and the private sector; and
• Fundraising to support children. 


As volunteers periodically take action in support of children, and come to identify with UNICEF, they will not only contribute to their communities but also contribute energy and advice to UNICEF. 


A workshop held in NY on 8-9 March involved the participation of around 30 UNICEF staff from HQ, RO, CO and Natcoms, as well as the Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Directors. The workshop helped to refine the vision, objectives, and risks, and sketched out a plan for 5-10 countries to pilot approaches to public engagement, building on existing volunteer efforts and collaborating to share resources and knowledge.

The Civil Society Partnerships Unit is conducting a planning phase to build upon our agreed vision, and to build the infrastructure necessary to support the further development or initiation of volunteer initiatives in participating UNICEF Country Offices and NatComs.

Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy assignment is to assist CSP in determining the key functionalities and specifications for a CRM/CMS solutions and a web platform for the volunteer initiative. This will be a short-term assignment and will not require any travel.

Expected results: (measurable results)

• Create diagram of current user flow and conduct audit to identify core functionality gaps 
• Identify stakeholders and conduct customer development interviews to identify user needs, key features, project constraints
• Conduct a competitive analysis of out-of-the-box CRM / CMS solutions
• Develop specifications for website design / CRM integration vendors in partnership with key UNICEF stakeholders
• Work with key UNICEF stakeholders to make a recommendation for a vendor and CRM / CMS solution 

Duty Station

The location of this assignment will be NYHQ, but the consultant will be able to work remotely when there are no in-person meetings.

Timeframe

Start date: 22 May, 2017                 

End date: 18 August, 2017           

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Master’s degree in relevant field or at least 5 years of relevant experience in addition to a Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent research, writing and communications skills
• Strong experience developing digital strategy for issue-based, advocacy, or political campaigns;
• Familiarity with a range of online campaigning tools and tactics; knowledge of trends and developments in digital organizing.
• Significant experience working with digital teams to establish front and back end systems, including web and mobile platforms, engagement tools, and efficient data capture and analysis.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills; meticulous attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines with a commitment to quality.

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.