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Technical Advisor – SWA, Country Engagement and High-Level Political Dialogue, (Remotely Based)

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • International Relations
    • Political Affairs
    • Conflict prevention
    • Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Peace and Development
    • Water Resource Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

The SWA Secretariat is looking for a skilled professional to boost its capacity to support the engagement of partners in francophone countries and to contribute to the preparatory process and follow-up of the HLMs. The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen the engagement of partners around the SWA framework and to support government-led country processes for planning, implementation, follow-up and review of the SDGs in francophone countries. The consultancy will also: provide support to partners who are using the Mutual Accountability Mechanism; support the development and improvement of government-led multi-stakeholder platforms aimed at strengthening national processes; mobilizing partners to strengthen their advocacy to raise the political priority of sanitation, water and hygiene, promoting action to increase access, and fostering the exchange of experiences among SWA partners. Ultimately, the consultancy and associated activities are aimed at supporting the achievement of SWA’s vision of sanitation, water and hygiene for all, always and everywhere. The consultant will report to WASH Specialist, Country Engagement.

We work 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.

For every child, hope...

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership of over 200 country governments, private sector and civil society organizations, external support agencies, research and learning institutions and other development partners working together to catalyze political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively. Partners work towards a common vision of sanitation, hygiene and water for all, always and everywhere.

The Secretariat of the SWA global partnership is hosted by UNICEF at its Headquarters in New York. The SWA Secretariat is responsible for supporting the Steering Committee, Executive Chair and Chair, promoting the country-level engagement of partners, and organizing global High-level Meetings of finance and sector ministers.

The Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership promotes and supports ongoing, multi-stakeholder dialogue at national, regional and global level. As part of this process, SWA has held regular, global, High-level meetings (HLMs) involving ministers of finance (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2017) and ministers responsible for sanitation, water and hygiene. Sector ministers have convened four times in Washington, at the time of the Finance Ministers’ Meetings as well in Addis Ababa (2016) and San Jose (2019). Each of these meetings has been preceded by a preparatory process, coordinated by the SWA Secretariat, and follow-up has involved ongoing reporting on progress towards commitments made at the meetings.  The next major meeting is the Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Washington DC, in April 2020.

SWA is also increasing its focus to strengthening strategic government-led discussions involving all partners in each of its 64 partner countries. SWA’s focus is on mobilizing partners to develop and strengthen country processes for planning, follow-up and review of the water, sanitation, hygiene and related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The partnership uses it’s framework to analyze the sector, identify key bottlenecks and agree joint priorities and commitments around which partners hold each other accountable.

How can you make a difference?

The SWA Secretariat is looking for a skilled professional to boost its capacity to support the engagement of partners in francophone countries and to contribute to the preparatory process and follow-up of the HLMs. The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen the engagement of partners around the SWA framework and to support government-led country processes for planning, implementation, follow-up and review of the SDGs in francophone countries. The consultancy will also: provide support to partners who are using the Mutual Accountability Mechanism; support the development and improvement of government-led multi-stakeholder platforms aimed at strengthening national processes; mobilizing partners to strengthen their advocacy to raise the political priority of sanitation, water and hygiene, promoting action to increase access, and fostering the exchange of experiences among  SWA partners. Ultimately, the consultancy and associated activities are aimed at supporting the achievement of SWA’s vision of sanitation, water and hygiene for all, always and everywhere. The consultant will report to WASH Specialist, Country Engagement.

Expected results: (measurable results)

  • Support the implementation of the Mutual Accountability Mechanism among Francophone countries and provide detailed support to francophone pioneer countries
  1. Facilitate discussions to explain the SWA Mutual Accountability Mechanism to SWA partners – particularly those in francophone countries which have not yet tabled commitments
  2. Support pioneer countries to develop follow-up plans for the review of commitments tabled under the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  3. Mobilize partners to support, participate in, and document the implementation of the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  4. Follow-up francophone countries in the implementation of the commitments they tabled at the 2019 Sector Ministers’ Meeting as part of the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  5. Support documentation and research efforts of the SWA to better understand how the Mutual Accountability Mechanism is being implemented and adapted among francophone countries
  6. Organize the francophone webinar on the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  • Support preparations for the SWA Finance Ministers’ Meetings in francophone countries
  1. Work with the francophone countries to identify topics and experiences of interest for the Finance Ministers’ Meeting
  2. Support the development and dissemination of the guidance note for the preparations of the FMM
  3. Identify opportunities for countries to strengthen the use of the SWA framework prior to and after the FMM
  4. Background briefing materials are prepared and provided to participants, including templates for government and constituency preparations at country level
  5. Webinars, phone calls and other means of communication are used to provide information and gather information from participants about their expectations of the meeting
  6. In-country, multi-stakeholder dialogues are prompted, to prepare ministers to represent their countries at the meetings
  7. Multi-partner dialogues within constituencies are promoted (e.g. among and across constituencies including donors, private sector, civil society, research and learning and government SWA partners) to enable these groups to effectively participate in the meetings.
  8. The preparatory process and lessons learned are captured and documented for future meetings
  • Provide technical support to the Chief Operating Officer in engaging with the research and learning constituency and update the current SWA focal points in country
  1. Provide support and information to potential new countries including following up on Comoros as required
  2. Organize dedicated induction sessions for new partners in francophone countries including civil society, research and learning, private sector, CSOs, governments and external support agencies to allow them to participate in the Partnership
  3. Connect new partners to their peers who can offer insights and lessons and use these insights for the development of a knowledge management strategy.
  4. Finalize the process to update the list of national focal points, especially from non-government constituencies
  5. Provide induction support for focal points in francophone countries
  6. Support the Chief Operating Officer to ensure smooth operations of the research and learning constituency to implement the annual work plan and activities including by providing them strategic advice in mobilizing and actively working with all partners.
  • Country engagement, and related activities are well-documented and communicated
  1. Identify, document and disseminate partner experiences of the implementation of the SWA framework
  2. Contribute to preparation and identification of stories and key messages for communications and media
  3. Support the implementation of the peer-to-peer learning initiative
  4. Support preparations for in-country, multi-stakeholder dialogues and ensure that participants fully benefit from the meetings
  • Strengthen SWA government-led processes
  1. Support francophone countries to better understand and use the SWA framework
  2. Organize meetings with government and partners in Guinea as a follow-up to the organization of a coordination platform
  3. Identify country multi-stakeholder processes taking place in the francophone countries and provide them with information about the SWA framework including on how they can use the mutual accountability mechanism

Duty Station

The consultant will be based remotely.  Travel might be required to attend the Secretariat Meetings and/or Finance Ministers’ Meeting in 2020. This consultancy will include travel to Washington D.C., and a few countries such as Burkina Faso, DRC, and Guinea.  

Time-frame: 11.5 Months 

Start date:  1 November 2019                               End date: 15 October 2020

Installment

Deliverables

 

Duration

(Estimated # of Days)

Deadline

1

  • Facilitate discussions to explain the SWA Mutual Accountability Mechanism to SWA partners – particularly those in francophone countries which have not yet tabled commitments
  • Mobilize partners to support, participate in, and document the implementation of the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  • Follow-up francophone countries in the implementation of the commitments they tabled at the 2019 Sector Ministers’ Meeting as part of the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  • Organize the francophone webinar on the Mutual Accountability Mechanism

 

18

 

 

30 November 2019

2

  • Support documentation and research efforts of the SWA to better understand how the Mutual Accountability Mechanism is being implemented and adapted among francophone countries
  • Support pioneer countries to develop follow-up plans for the review of commitments tabled under the Mutual Accountability Mechanism
  • Work with the francophone countries to identify topics and experiences of interest for the Finance Ministers’ Meeting
  • Support the development and dissemination of the guidance note for the preparations of the FMM
  • Identify opportunities for countries to strengthen the use of the SWA framework prior to and after the FMM
  • Background briefing materials are prepared and provided to participants, including templates for government and constituency preparations at country level
  • Conduct the first francophone preparatory webinar for the 2020 FMM
  • In-country, multi-stakeholder dialogues are prompted, to prepare ministers to represent their countries at the meetings

18

31 December 2019

3

  • Multi-partner dialogues within constituencies are promoted (e.g. among and across constituencies including donors, private sector, civil society, research and learning and government SWA partners) to enable these groups to effectively participate in the meetings.
  • Support francophone countries to update focal points, and where necessary select new focal points including development partners’ focal points
  • Provide further support to countries on the implementation of the accountability mechanism in francophone countries
  • Finalize preparatory documents for the francophone countries for the 2020 FMM
  • Prepare materials for the COO to provide to the research and learning constituency focusing on their participation and preparations for the FMM

18

31 January 2019

4

  • Follow-up with pioneer countries on their road maps and plans for implementation of the MAM
  • Conduct regular bilateral calls with countries on SDG planning and financing
  • Finalize the update of the list of focal points for francophone countries
  • Support francophone countries in the preparations for the FMM through webinars, bilateral calls and writing briefings for country delegations and ministers
  • Document at least 2 country stories on their use of the MAM and SWA framework in preparations for the FMM
  • Identify country multi-stakeholder processes taking place in the francophone countries and provide them with information about the SWA framework including on how they can use the mutual accountability mechanism

19

29 February 2020

5

  • Facilitate cross-country experience sharing through webinars focusing on specific topics
  • Support francophone countries in the preparations for the Finance Ministers’ Meeting
  • Prepare general update on the progress of preparations for the FMM 2019
  • Conduct multi-partner dialogues within constituencies to facilitate their contribution to the FMM  (e.g. among and across constituencies including donors, private sector, civil society, research and learning and government SWA partners) to enable these groups to effectively participate in the meetings
  • Follow-up on preparations for the research and learning constituency
  • Organize and conduct the second preparatory webinar for the FMM for francophone countries
  • The preparatory process and lessons learned are captured and documented for future meetings

20

31 March 2020

6

  • Follow-up on the implementation of commitments tabled by partners at the SWA Sector Ministers Meeting and how they link to the FMM
  • Document the preparatory process for the Finance Ministers’ Meeting
  • Contribute to debriefing sessions and compilation of lessons learned for future meetings
  • Facilitate cross-country experience sharing through webinars focusing on specific the outcomes of the SMM
  • Provide technical input and support to the COO on engaging with the research and learning constituency

20

30 April 2020

7

  • Final preparations for the FMM
  • Attend the FMM to support francophone countries
  • Contribute to preparation of identifying stories and key messages for communications and media
  • Support preparation of post FMM peer-to-peer learning plan

15

31 May 2020

8

  • Facilitate cross-country experience sharing through bilateral phone calls focusing on specific topics
  • Compile partner experiences and country stories for the SWA peer to peer learning
  • Follow-up on commitments tabled prior to the FMM
  • Organize and facilitate the FMM Outcomes webinar on finance
  • Support countries which would have tabled new commitments to develop plans for follow-up and review

15

30 June 2020

9

  • Identify, document and disseminate partner experiences of the implementation of the SWA framework
  • Support francophone countries in the follow-up to the Finance Ministers’ Meeting
  • Support preparations for in-country, multi-stakeholder dialogues and ensure that participants fully benefit from the meetings
  • Prepare and share calendar of francophone multi-stakeholder platforms for the remaining half of 2020

15

31 July 2020

10

  • Organize and support a technical mission to Burkina Faso bringing together at least 5 francophone countries for cross-country learning on implementation of the SWA framework and follow-up to the mutual accountability mechanism
  • Conduct peer-to-peer learning webinar on a specific theme emerging from the FMM

15

31 August 2020

11

  • Organize meetings with government and partners in Guinea as a follow-up to the organisation of a coordination platform
  • Collate new commitments from francophone countries and update the global database
  • Support countries and partners which have tabled new commitments to learn from each other on their implementation
  •  

15

30 September 2020

12

  • Gather insights from the francophone countries on their experiences during webinars and the support from the Secretariat
  • Undertake a country technical visit to DRC to support multi-stakeholder processes for political mobilization
  • Conduct francophone global webinar

12

15 October 2020

 

  • Total

200

 


To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, communications, international development, sustainable development, poverty reduction, governance, integrity, elimination of inequalities, business, economics, water or sanitation engineering, or other relevant field.
  • At least ten (10) years of relevant mid to senior-level experience in international development.
  • At least seven (7) years of senior level experience of working with governments from low- and middle-income countries.
  • Experience in organizing high-level, multi-stakeholder meetings and consultations.
  • Experience of working with SWA or in the WASH field, and/or experience of organizing and participating in country processes such as regional sanitation conferences (LatinoSan, SACOSan or AfricaSan) desirable.
  • Experience working in global, multi-stakeholder partnerships desirable.
  • Outstanding listening, verbal and written communications skills in English, including the ability to express complex strategies in simple and actionable terms.
  • Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.
  • Strong client focus with flexible and creative approach to problem solving. 
  • Track record of consulting on complex tasks which require technical knowledge and experience, and submitting high quality and timely outputs.
  • Proven ability in delivering on self-managed work.
  • Fluency in English and French is required

To Apply 

Please send your application by October 24, 2019. Please include a cover letter and CV. Your application must also include a financial and technical proposal for the consultancy, including: the total consultancy fee (broken down into daily or monthly rate in US Dollars). Applications submitted without a financial proposal will be automatically disqualified from the process.

Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate.  They are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance. 

For every Child, you demonstrate the values of…

Care, Respect, Integrity, trust, accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

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

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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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