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Consultant - Development of Emergency Simulation Package

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Medical Practitioners
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • Nuclear Technology
    • Emergency Programme
  • Closing Date: Closed

UNICEF through its regional emergency teams and HQ emergency specialists conduct a variety of emergency simulation (table top) exercises (half day – 2 day) as part of its emergency response training and support to country offices in improving its capacity to respond to emergencies and be better prepared. Over the past five years, the approach to doing this has varied widely without any systematic consolidation or good practices identified, either within UNICEF as well as externally with partners (inter-agency) or by other agencies. As part of EMOPs humanitarian learning plan and in response to the requirements of country offices to be better prepared for emergencies under the new emergency preparedness procedure, EMOPS seeks to develop a global emergency simulation package of materials that can be used and adapted for Country Offices (COs) to test preparedness [ie plans in UNICEF’s emergency preparedness platform (EPP)] and improve response capacity as part of the broader emergency preparedness and response training carried out by Regional Offices (ROs) An initial design and scoping workshop was held in July 2018 to collate existing materials, define examples of good practice and identify needs of COs and ROs. The UNICEF preparedness and EPP lessons learnt workshop in November 2018 reaffirmed this need and a number of ROs / COs have since conducted a number of simulation exercises identified by COs as part of their preparedness actions. A consultant is required to bring specific skills, extensive experience and knowledge in the design and running of emergency response simulations (table top) to help UNICEF develop its package of simulation materials that can be used globally across its RO and COs.

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 through its regional emergency teams and HQ emergency specialists conduct a variety of emergency simulation (table top) exercises (half day – 2 day) as part of its emergency response training and support to country offices in improving its capacity to respond to emergencies and be better prepared. Over the past five years, the approach to doing this has varied widely without any systematic consolidation or good practices identified, either within UNICEF as well as externally with partners (inter-agency) or by other agencies.  

As part of EMOPs humanitarian learning plan and in response to the requirements of country offices to be better prepared for emergencies under the new emergency preparedness procedure, EMOPS seeks to develop a global emergency simulation package of materials that can used and adapted for Country Offices (COs) to test preparedness [i.e., plans in UNICEF’s emergency preparedness platform (EPP)] and improve response capacity as part of the broader emergency preparedness and response training carried out by Regional Offices (ROs)

An initial design and scoping workshop was held in July 2018 to collate existing materials, define examples of good practice and identify needs of COs and ROs. The UNICEF preparedness and EPP lessons learnt workshop in November 2018 reaffirmed this need and a number of ROs / COs have since conducted a number of simulation exercises identified by COs as part of their preparedness actions.

Objective and Targets

A consultant is required to bring specific skills, extensive experience and knowledge in the design and running of emergency response simulations (table top) to help UNICEF develop its package of simulation materials that can be used globally across its RO and COs. 

Expected Results: (Measurable Results) 

The consultant will report to the EMOPS Chief Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS) Chief and work closely with the Emergency Specialists in the RAPs team and Humanitarian Learning Specialist (HELS).

The consultant will:

  • Review existing emergency simulation (table top) materials and exercises and relevant associated emergency preparedness materials as provided by EMOPS to identify approaches, examples and practices, what has worked, not worked and what other options should be developed
  • Analyse existing contingency plans and preparedness plans held by COs in the EPP to identify commonalities/gaps/options for identifying and developing common scenarios/approaches for simulation exercises.
  • Collate and develop/adapt as required a package of simulation (table top) materials that can be used by ROs/COs to test preparedness in the EPP and be used as part of training to build capacity in emergency preparedness and response. The scope of these materials should include
    • 3-4 different typologies of risk scenarios (natural disaster, conflict, civil unrest) with examples of injects
    • Guides for simulation – “do it yourself” (reflecting longer and shorter exercises)
    • Tracking table for simulation
    • Examples of exercises for longer period (eg 2 days duration) for broader objectives and examples for shorter period (1/2 day) for specific objectives (ie testing plans in the EPP); 2-3 hours (eg examine specific procedures/issues such as rapid needs assessments, coordination meetings)
    • Exercise debrief guide

The consultant is expected to utilize existing materials as well as develop/adapt additional materials where gaps exist.

  • Coordinate closely in putting together these materials with a global UNICEF reference group led by the Humanitarian Learning Specialist. This group includes Regional Offices (regional emergency advisors and their teams), CO emergency specialists, other sections of EMOPs office in Geneva and New York, in particular, the Global Cluster Coordination Unit, the Humanitarian Action and Transitions Section (HATIS), and Emergency focal points in the Programme Division.
  • Incorporate good practices and latest learning tools, technologies and methodologies as appropriate.

As part of the development of materials, the consultant may be required to provide remote support and/or accompany a RO or CO mission to observe/support the development and conduct of a simulation exercise in country.

Deliverables

  • 3-4 different typologies of risk scenarios (natural disaster, conflict, civil unrest) with examples of injects
  • Guide(s) for simulation – “do it yourself” (reflecting longer and shorter exercises)
  • Tracking table for simulation
  • Example(s) of exercises for longer period (eg 2 days duration) for broader objectives and example(s) for shorter period (1/2 day) for specific objectives (ie testing EPP); 2-3 hours (eg examine specific procedures/issues eg Needs assessment, coordination)
  • Exercise debrief guide

Duty Station:

This Consultancy is home-based. (Preferably NYHQ)

Travel:

  • Should the consultant be required to travel to a country or regional office for a simulation exercise, the consultant will be required to book and pay for their ticket. UNICEF will reimburse the cost of a return economy flight to the duty station and pay standard DSA for the workshop duration.

Time Frame:

Estimated Start Date: 1 August to 30 October 2019

Duration: 30 Days

Key Competencies, Technical Background and Required Experience:

Education

  • University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, international or humanitarian affairs, education, learning and training, human resource management, social sciences or related area;

 Experience

  • A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in the area of humanitarian action, emergency preparedness and response, with specific experience in designing and running simulation exercises at agency and / or inter-agency level. UNICEF experience is highly desirable.
  • Experience as a facilitator in emergency preparedness and response training

Technical knowledge and skills

  • Demonstrated capacity in drafting and preparing emergency simulation exercises and learning materials for emergency preparedness and response. 
  • Knowledge of the UN and UNICEF’s system’s policies and procedures, including UNICEF’s emergency preparedness platform (EPP) and humanitarian response mechanisms
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the Transformative Agenda and the Cluster approach.

Competency

  • Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
  • Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment

Call for Proposals:

The proposal will need to include at least the following elements:

  • Past experience of the consultant (CV).
  • Timeline
  • Budget: Daily rate (
  • Sample of previous work

Payment schedule:  Payment will be paid as a lump sum based on the agreed daily fee for up to a maximum of 40 days upon satisfactory delivery of the package of materials. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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/individual contractor and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the individual contractor/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.

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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