Consultancy: Development of UNICEF Global Programme Guidelines for Adolescent Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing, Health Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition #512965

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF to advance adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing outcomes for long-term impact, by developing global guidelines which help define scope and key opportunities for UNICEF’s engagement in adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing programming based on UNICEF mandate, comparative advantages and experiences from ongoing country programmes.

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.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

UNICEF is committed to supporting adolescents to reach their full potential. The premise is that by protecting adolescent’s rights to health, wellbeing, education and full participation in society, adolescents can acquire the capabilities and opportunities they require to make a healthy, safe and productive transition into adulthood. Major causes of morbidity and mortality in adolescence comprise pregnancy related complications, sexually transmitted infections incl. HIV for girls while road traffic injuries and violence and, in many settings harmful tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse are critical to boys. Furthermore, for both girls and boy’s mental health problems contribute to self-harm incl. increased levels of suicide among adolescents. Social and gender norms are important determinants for adolescent’s health and are often associated with increased risk.

UNICEF outlines in its Strategic Plan (SP) and Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2018-2021 what the organization will contribute to advance adolescent’s survival and development. To articulate this further UNICEF has developed specific Programme Guidance for the second decade, Programming with and for adolescents (UNICEF PD, 2018) which articulates four objectives and will guide the work and contribute to the 2030 Agenda.

The focus of this consultancy is to develop guidelines to support UNICEF regional and country offices to operationalize the first objective of the Programme Guidance “Maximize adolescent’s physical, mental, and social well-being” as there is a need to strengthen adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing interventions and ensure they are gender responsive. A multi-sectoral approach has been identified as a comparative advantage as UNICEF currently addresses adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing in multiple sectors, but the methodology for this work needs to be defined. In addition, definitions, approaches and tools for appropriate gender analysis is required to better understand the needs of girls, boys and LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual and Intersex) adolescents both when they are young (10-14 years) and older (15-19 years) to enable UNICEF country offices to strengthen their gender responsive programming. The “gender lens” will also contribute to identifying underlying causes/determinants that are or reinforce barriers to adolescent’s health and wellbeing.

PURPOSE

UNICEF HQ is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical assistance and coordinate the development of the above-mentioned guidelines. These global guidelines will help define scope and key opportunities for UNICEF’s engagement in adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing programming based on UNICEF mandate, comparative advantages and experiences from ongoing country programmes.

The consultancy will generate a global strategic framework which is gender responsive and outlines key platforms and interventions to strengthen UNICEF adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing programming across the regions.

The consultant will in close consultation with the UNICEF Reference group (consisting of five Adolescent Specialists from Health, Nutrition, HIV, Gender and Child Protection Sections) develop guidelines (based on draft outline document, Annex 1).

EXPECTED RESULT

• UNICEF Global Guidelines on Adolescent Health, Nutrition and Well-being (maximum 25 pages excluding annexes);

DELIVERABLES

These deliverables are expected to be sent to UNICEF separately for comments and approval:

1. Inception report that includes, methodology, key documents for review and names of key informants to be consulted through calls or on-site consultations in New York, final document outline (based on draft outline document, Annex 1), as well as the time/work plan incl. document delivery plan for the assignment (see Annex 3. For proposed Workplan).
2. Strategic framework.
3. Final guideline document, including all elements listed in Annex 2, as well as the following sections:

  - An executive summary of no more than two (2) pages.
  - Methodology, limitations and consultation process of no more than two (2) pages (to be included in an annex).

4. Power Point Presentation presenting the guidelines.
5. It is expected that the consultant will participate in the validation meeting and contribute to the facilitation of discussions on the proposed strategic framework. The guidelines should be revised and finalized based on feedback received during the validation workshop.

The final products should be delivered in the English language.

Evaluation of the products will be based on timeliness and quality of the service provided.

The document will be developed according to the guidelines established in the UNICEF Style Book, to be provided by UNICEF

Duty Station: Remote based with travel to New York, USA.

Timeframe

Expected Start date: 4 June 2018
Expected End date: 30 November 2018

Payment Plan:
*Payment will be based on the deliverables accomplished, and on the actual number of days worked.
**This is an estimated deadline. Deliverables may be ongoing through the entire duration of the contract.
**Evaluation of the products will be based on timeliness and quality of the service provided.

Qualifications & competencies

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in Public Health, Social Science, Sociology, Development studies or related field
• At least 10 years of relevant experience working with public health and/or adolescent health, gender and operational planning at national and/or international levels.
• Experience of working with UNICEF, UN sister agencies or other partners.
• Experience in developing strategy documents, including policies and plans
• Expert knowledge of global adolescent health, nutrition and wellbeing programmes and policy environment.
• Knowledge of international human rights instruments and understanding of human rights based approach.
• Proven track record of translating knowledge into practical applications and developing programmatic guidelines and results frameworks/theory of change.
• Experience of designing tools to address gender and social exclusion
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and facilitation abilities
• Self-starter with ability to plan and execute projects in a timely manner

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.

Remarks

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.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Note: Documents related to guideline outline, guideline elements and proposed work plan can be found here: Annex 1 DRAFT UNICEF Guideline outline.pdf  Annex 2 Guideline elements.docx Annex 3 Proposed workplan.docx

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization