Consultancy : Global Project Manager - Programme Division-Education Section - NYHQ - REQ# 525718

Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor of Education in Emergencies, and in close collaboration with education staff in UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country Offices, a consultant is required to provide project management services

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 & Rationale

Grounded in the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, UNICEF has teamed up with the University of Cambridge, Microsoft and key education partners and stakeholders to explore and test the feasibility of developing an internationally recognized education model for children on the move. Key elements would include a curriculum framework for Maths, Science and Literacy, associated learning materials, and an assessment approach that would ensure learning attainments are valid and portable. Together these elements are referred to as the 'Learning Passport.'

This ‘Learning Passport’ would enable children on the move, in emergency contexts, to have free access to an education that is valued and recognized – preferably as a bridge into national systems - but potentially as a stand-alone option. This work is built upon the recognition of the need for a global curriculum framework for these children that has points of alignment with national systems, can be easily contextualised and supported by appropriate teaching and learning materials, and is able to reliably benchmark and track learning outcomes.

Ultimately, a child on this pathway will study a quality curriculum; have her achievements tracked at every stage; and those achievements will be valid wherever she may eventually find herself. Vitally, this pathway is in no sense meant to be at odds with national education systems, and the crucial work done by governments to absorb displaced children. Rather, it aims to provide a structured way in which displaced children can, when the chance arises, successfully enter/re-enter national systems; and equally, provide a thoughtful and planned approach to complete schooling outside national systems, if that proves necessary.

In short, the key focus of this initiative is learning, quality and portability for children whose education has been disrupted by emergencies. 

This contract supports Activity 4.2, Education in Emergencies (EiE) in emerging priorities—integrate emerging priorities (i.e. adolescents, migration and learning/skills) into EiE to provide formal and non-formal education support to displaced children and adolescents

Purpose and Expected Results

Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor of Education in Emergencies, and in close collaboration with education staff in UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country Offices, a consultant is required to provide project management services and conduct the following activities and deliverables (outputs/results):

1. Provide overall coordination support in the development and implementation of the Learning Passport; this coordination includes UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country Offices, and external partners. (Deliverable: Monthly status report documenting progress, bottlenecks, challenges and actions taken in relation to the development and implementation of the Learning Passport)
2. Set up and update a project management tool that includes timeline, activities, milestones, budget, expenses, risks and mitigation actions, to track the overall progress of the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: Tool developed/updated).
3. Monitor progress according to the Learning Passport workplan.  (Deliverable: Monthly status report and memorandums/notes/emails as needed).
4. Support the identification of countries and the development of country proposals for the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: Monthly status report documenting country outreach and proposal support).
5. Draft reporting to internal and external stakeholders and funders of the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: grants’ reports, annual results report, needed updates, etc.).
6. Coordinate and organize internal and external facing events and meetings that showcase the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: Events and meetings are held with a clear communication and advocacy strategy).
7. Support the scoping of potential new partnerships for the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: Monthly progress report documenting this activity).
8. Ensure fit-for-purpose generation of evidence in the Learning Passport. (Deliverable: Generation of evidence plan is produced as part of the workplan).
9. Document the planning, testing, and delivery of the Learning Passport, including challenges, good practices, and lessons learned, in close collaboration with PD-Education, ICTD, Regional and Country Offices. (Deliverable: Two biannual report documenting challenges, good practices, and lessons learned).
10. Other activities needed to support the purpose of this contract. (Deliverable: Monthly progress report documenting this activity).

Expected results: (measurable results) 

Duty Station

The consultant will be based in UNICEF HQ in New York.                                    

Timeframe                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The consultant is required for a total of 9 months.

01 September 2019               End date:  31 May 2020  

As a long term consultancy with on-going responsibilities throughout the consultancy timeframe, the consultant will be paid on a monthly basis on submission of the monthly deliverables.  

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

Education:

• Advanced degree in education, economics, business, technology, statistics, communication, engineering, or other relevant field.  In lieu of a specific academic degree, relevant experience may be considered to meet this requirement.
• At least 5 years of mid-to-senior level professional work experience at national or international level in project management.  Project management of education programmes is an advantage. 
• Excellent communication abilities, in both written and oral forms.  Consultant should be at ease in presentations and meetings with D-level (UN) or C-level (private sector) executives.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, working with multiple stakeholders, and under pressure is required.
• Knowledge of technology trends, educational technology, and other related field would be an advantage.
• Fluency in English is a minimum requirement.  Fluency in French, Arabic, or Spanish would be an advantage.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

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

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. View our competency framework at : Here

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.