Governance & Reporting Consultancy- Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, New York

The Governance & Reporting Consultant will work directly with the Executive Director to support the effective functioning and strategic impact of the End Violence Board and Executive Committee, and to coordinate and implement decisions taken in response to the End Violence Business Model Review (BMR). Â This will involve preparatory work for regular and ad hoc governance meetings and calls and setting up systems to proactively leverage the Board and Executive Committee in support of the Partnership's strategic priorities.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultant - Governance & Reporting Specialist

January to December 2020 (11.5 months)

Background

Every year, over 1 billion children experience violence, abuse or neglect.  Violence in childhood undermines all other investments in children; in their health, education and development, often with negative lifelong consequences and intergenerational impact.

Recognizing the devastating impacts of violence against children, in 2015 world leaders committed to end all forms of violence, abuse and neglect by 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In July 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children and an associated Fund, to help accelerate progress towards SDG 16.2.

The Partnership includes governments, UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, faith groups, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, research practitioners, academics and children themselves -uniting their voices, actions and resources in a unique collaboration focused solely on ending violence against all children.

In its first three years, the End Violence Partnership has enrolled 27 governments as Pathfinding countries, grown its membership to over 350 organizations, helped develop and promote the INSPIRE solutions to end violence, awarded almost $38 million in grants to tackle online child sexual abuse and violence against children in conflict and crises, and galvanized those working to end violence, including through an inaugural End Violence Solutions Summit.

Building on this initial momentum, and in a global context of growing intolerance of unacceptable behaviours, the Partnership is in an exciting transition from start-up to having impact at scale.  Three overall objectives for 2019-21 are to 1) grow demand for change, 2) make a compelling investment case and mobilize new resources for everyone working to end violence, and 3) equip practitioners with solutions and expertise.

Purpose

The Governance & Reporting Consultant will work directly with the Executive Director to support the effective functioning and strategic impact of the End Violence Board and Executive Committee, and to coordinate and implement decisions taken in response to the End Violence Business Model Review (BMR).  This will involve preparatory work for regular and ad hoc governance meetings and calls and setting up systems to proactively leverage the Board and Executive Committee in support of the Partnership's strategic priorities.

End Violence Governance

A 23-member End Violence Board made-up of global leaders meets annually and provides high-level strategic direction and oversight of the Partnership. Board members are advocates for the Partnership, and help to mobilize resources.

A 16-member Executive Committee made-up of senior representatives of the Partnership meets twice yearly, and provides strategic, governance and financial oversight of the Secretariat, and connectivity to the wider Partnership. The Executive Committee has issue-specific sub-groups which form and connect as necessary. Ad hoc calls and sub-group meetings are held as required.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

The consultant is expected to perform the following key tasks:

1. Develop and manage the schedule of all face-to-face and virtual meetings of the governance bodies maximizing participation, inputs and agendas of the meetings aligned with strategic objectives of the Partnership;
2. Coordinate and manage preparatory work for all governance meetings - including consultations on priorities to be addressed, inputs from key constituencies, pre-read documents, in-room decks and materials, including appropriate follow-up such as minutes of the meetings, monitoring of action points, etc.
3. Play a proactive role and maintain continuous communication with executive offices/chiefs of staff/assistants of governance members in view of planning and leveraging their external engagements, fundraising and advocacy opportunities on behalf of End Violence Global Partnership;
4. Facilitate, coordinate inputs, and prepare briefing notes and talking points for members of the Governance bodies for their external engagement on behalf of the End Violence;
5. Manage, coordinate, support drafting and keep record of all incoming and outgoing communication by the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the ExComm;
6. Support the Executive Director of the End Violence Global Partnership in providing strategic advice in relation to the overall functioning of the End Violence governance;
7. Support the End Violence Business Model Review (BMR) by coordinating key meetings and conducting initial review of consultant deliverables, as well as support coordination and implementation of decisions taken by the Board and the Executive Committee in response to the BMR
8. Lead and coordinate preparation of periodic briefs, updates and internal reports for governance members 
9. Assist the executive office in reviewing and recommending external engagements for the Executive Director; work closely with the Executive Assistant in tracking and coordinating external engagements
10. Assist in the coordination of Pathfinding country visits involving governance members and partners

Expected results (measurable results)

The consultant is expected to deliver the following key results:

• Annual schedule of key governance meetings coordinated, agreed and approved;
• Relevant material for the governance meetings coordinated and prepared, as well as follow-up documents shared with relevant audiences; Workflow of governance outputs (e.g. meetings, pre-read, briefing) improved and established
• Support to coordination and implementation of decisions by End Violence Governance bodies in response to the BMR effectively provided
• Governance event calendar prepared and utilized by governance members
• System in place to manage and keep record of all governance communication
• Executive Director supported with appropriate advice and briefing notes;
• Internal reports for governance members prepared; all relevant inputs provided and coordinated in a timely fashion

Management and coordination of assignment

The contract is expected to commence on 15 January 2020 and end on 30 December 2020, for a total duration of 11.5 months. The consultant will be supervised by the Executive Director of the End Violence Partnership and will work closely the End Violence team.

Payment plan

• Monthly payment, based on monthly tasks and progress reports, approved upon monthly review with supervising unit.
• Consultant is responsible for their own health insurance.
• Consultant is eligible for standard DSA for all work-related travel.
• Consultant is responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international development, public administration, business administration or relevant social sciences (a first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree)
• At least 5-7 years of progressively responsible for coordinating governance bodies/structures of high-level multilateral and multi-stakeholder platforms and partnerships, including reporting;
• Passion for the Global Partnership's mission;
• Experience in coordinating work of multiple actors at the global and regional level, including government representatives, UN agencies, CSOs, etc;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and commitment
• Excellent communication skills
• Results-driven and people-oriented management approach, with proven ability to influence, manage and coordinate networks and partnerships internally and externally;
• Excellent diplomatic and team development skills, combined with an ability to succeed in a complex environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Preferred qualifications

The successful candidate will be highly responsive, results-oriented and proactive, with a flexible approach and a commitment to building a thriving work environment, as well as a desire to work in a highly-collaborative environment.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is highly desirable.

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Applying Technical Expertise
• Creating and Innovating
• Planning and organizing

Applications must include

Cover letter

CV

Please indicate your ability, availability and monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above  Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered.

Visa requirements

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 G-4. Please note that the G-4 visa is required to take up the appointment

To apply

Please send your application by 15 December 2019

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. 

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 will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks

End Violence 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.