Consultancy - Programme Support (Individual Contractor), Global Education Cluster, GCCU/EMOPS, Geneva

Programme Support (Individual Contractor), Global Education Cluster, GCCU/EMOPS, Geneva

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

UNICEF’s role in emergencies is to protect children and women, ensure the rigorous application of international standards covering their rights and provide them with assistance. UNICEF works with many partners to ensure that the assistance is reliable, effective and timely. UNICEF integrates approaches to emergency programmes and policies throughout its Headquarters divisions, but concentrates coordination within the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), based in New York and Geneva.

Humanitarian reform seeks to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian response by ensuring greater predictability, accountability and partnership. The cluster approach was developed as a way to address gaps and strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian response through building effective partnerships and coordination mechanisms. The cluster approach aims to clarify the division of labor among organizations, and better define their roles and responsibilities within different sectors of the response.

UNICEF leads/co-leads 4 Clusters and Areas of Responsibility (AORs), namely Nutrition, Child Protection, WASH and Education, the latter co-lead by Save the Children.

The Global Education Cluster(GEC) brings together NGOs, UN agencies, academics, and other partners under the shared goal of ensuring predictable, well-coordinated and equitable provision of education for children affected by humanitarian crises.

The GEC provides support to Education Clusters and Education in Emergencies (EiE) working groups in countries before, during and after a humanitarian crisis to strengthen cluster readiness, planning, coordination and response. The GEC supports Education Clusters through a three-tiered approach: (1) Direct and remote field support to country Clusters; (2) Providing guidance and capacity through training, development of tools and procedures, and knowledge management, and; (3) Global engagement and advocacy with partners in the wider humanitarian and education sectors.

The aim of this assignment is to deliver time-bound support for the implementation of the GEC strategic plan 2017-19, which identifies accountability, partnership and the humanitarian-development nexus as three key strategic priorities underpinning the GEC support to Education Clusters. The focus of the assignment will specifically be on the global partnership project funded by Education Cannot Wait Fund to establish an evidence base and recommendations to improve education in emergencies interventions by the end of June 2019. The assignment includes targeted project management tools, advocacy and communication outputs, and partnership deliverables.

This is a Geneva based consultancy, anticipated to commence in mid-September, 2018 for 230 days over 11.5 months.

Scope of work

The Programme Support Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables:

1. Project Management Support
   • Assist with the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the GEC strategic plan and work plan for 2017-2019
   • Coordinate the development of a multi-partner communication strategy for the ECW funded Global Partners project and lead the development of associated communication products.
2. Advocacy and Communications Support
   • EiE Member State Briefings – Elevating Education in Emergencies
     • Support the development of the agenda, programme, concept notes and background papers for the second and third instalments of the series (November 2018 and June 2019)
     • Support the development of strategic messaging aligned with GEC priorities
     • Design communications products including infographics and report layouts
     • Develop key messages and communication package to be shared with partners
     • Manage online engagement with partners, attendees and other key stakeholders
     • Provide logistical support
   • Support organization of the GEC Annual Meeting
     • Assist in producing advocacy products and social media coverage of the event by drafting a communications and advocacy plan including key messages and content
   • GEC Online Presence
     • Oversees social media channels, liaise with country offices and other actors to coordinate online advocacy and communication campaigns, produce communication and advocacy materials to disseminate through online channels
   • GEC Website Re-design
     • Support management of the website re-design project, including input on the development of the country profiles webpages, icons, and input on the new GEC logo
     • Support GEC re-branding to ensure new website and messages are aligned with GEC priorities and activities
   • Country Clusters and Working Groups Support
     • Provide remote communications and advocacy support to country clusters if requested
     • Organize calls with country clusters and working groups, extracting top line areas for further support from the GEC
3. Business Development Support
   • Assists with internal (UNICEF) advocacy initiatives on the work of the Education Cluster
   • Create a mapping document with potential projects and initiatives within and outside of UNICEF
   • Support in identifying new funding and project opportunities, including assistance with proposal writing
4. GEC Internship Programme Support
   • Drafts ToRs, assists with recruitment and communication between the GEC and incoming interns, and provides other assistance as requested.

Location and timeframe:

Geneva based consultancy, starting mid-September 2018 for 11.5 months (230 working days)

Supervision:

The consultant will be reporting to the Global Education Cluster Coordinator 

Minimal Qualifications

• Minimum one year of relevant professional experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, communications and advocacy support.

Education

• University degree, preferably in International Relations/Affairs, Political Science, Social Sciences, Communications or Business Administration.

Language

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French is an advantage. 

UNICEF competencies:

• Technical – Very good analytical skills and ability to synthesize concepts and material into clear and concise thoughts (see also communication below)
• Managing resources - Organizes and manages information to achieve defined goals and optimum results.
• Communication - Effectively presents thoughts and ideas including complex technical concepts, in a clear, concise, and readily understood manner, both verbally and in writing. Listens to and acknowledges others' perspectives and views.
• Flexibility - Works effectively on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapts to changing demands and circumstances.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills – able to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to work independently

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Please indicate your daily fee in US dollars to undertake this TOR.