Consultancy: Annual Results Report Writer / Coordinator - Education Cannot Wait, (Home-based) 4 months

The ECW Annual Result Reports outlines the organization’s results against the Strategic Plan to advance children’s right to education in humanitarian emergencies. The report should present an analysis on two levels: • ECW systemic results: resource mobilized, diversification of sources of funding, speed of response, etc.; • ECW grantees results: results achieved by ECW grantees versus the objectives in-country as well as versus the outcomes outlined in the ECW strategic plan, with a focus on results for children. The purpose of the consultancy is to support the preparation of the Annual Results Report (ARR) for 2019.

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the first global multilateral fund dedicated to supporting education for children and youth in countries affected by wars, disasters and crises. It was launched at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 by a broad coalition of international aid agencies and public and private donors to usher in faster and more sustainable education responses in crises settings. ECW inspires political commitment to financing education in humanitarian contexts, catalyzes financial resources, facilitates joint programming between humanitarian and development actors, empowers local partners and seeks to strengthen quality and accountability. ECW is hosted by UNICEF. The Fund is administered under UNICEF's financial, human resources and administrative rules and regulations, while operations are run by the Funds own independent governance structure that provides strategic guidance and oversight to its investments. ECW's day-to-day activities are carried out by a Secretariat under the direction of the ECW Director.

The ECW Annual Result Reports outlines the organization’s results against the Strategic Plan to advance children’s right to education in humanitarian emergencies. The report should present an analysis on two levels:

• ECW systemic results: resource mobilized, diversification of sources of funding, speed of response, etc.;
• ECW grantees results: results achieved by ECW grantees versus the objectives in-country as well as versus the outcomes outlined in the ECW strategic plan, with a focus on results for children.

 Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the preparation of the Annual Results Report (ARR) for 2019.

Tasks and Expected results

Under the supervision of the Chief of M&E team, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Based on the ECW background documents (ODI papers, strategic plan, previous ARR, etc.) provide a short analysis (indicatively two or three pages) of the 2018 ARR, highlighting:

  1. Strengths of the document
  2. Weaknesses of the document
  3. Recommendations for improvement, including any foreseeable data gaps and options connected with different approaches to report structure and messaging.
• Coordinate the production of the 2019 Annual Results Report by compiling ECW staff inputs and other materials and draft, copy-edit and fact-check the report. This includes the production of data tables and charts to be shared with the designer in relevant formats to support design. Note that the Secretariat will provide most of the write-up for each section of the ARR.
• Liaise and conduct consultations (by phone, skype, or email, as required) with key ECW staff and ECW partners (as required) to gather relevant information on 2019 results and other relevant information on trends in EiE;
• Prepare a first draft of the ARR, a semi-final draft and a final version*of the ARR; including editing, strengthening, fact-checking and proof-reading contributions from the ECW staff;
• Propose and develop stories on the impact of ECW’s work in 2019;

• Highlight main results and the successes/challenges for 2019 and develop an executive summary that can be used as a standalone document.

* Number and date of draft submissions required is subject to change pending forthcoming guidance and adjustments to timeline.

Duty Station

Home based. One trip to the ECW office in NY is strongly recommended.

Timeframe 

Phase 1: Analysis of 2018 ARR and workplan for production of the 2019 ARR

• Preliminary discussions with work streams focal points (especially M&E) and agree to plan of action/timelines and synthesis of existing data/relevant information from key documents

• Liaise and conduct consultations (in person, by phone/Skype, or email, as required) with key staff and grantees focal points (as required) to gather relevant information

   

Phase 2: final draft and revisions*

• Produce draft submissions as required of Annual Results Report and incorporate feedback from ECW staff

• Develop an executive summary that can be used as a standalone document.

   

Phase 3: Finalization

• Finalize Annual Results Report based on feedback from ECW staff, including final proofread, so that all required information and data is available in a suitable format for the design phase.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required

Consultants must offer the following demonstrated experience, knowledge and competencies: 

• Advanced university degree in social sciences or other related field, preferably with some specialized training in development studies;
• At least 7 years of senior level professional work experience in a relevant field;
• Previous annual results report writing experience, particularly with UN agencies or international NGOs producing global reports is mandatory;
• Strong knowledge in education aid programming and in relevant fields (policy analysis, statistical analysis or other social sciences);
• Strong knowledge of partnership principles in development and humanitarian work;
• Strong knowledge of results-based management;
• Outstanding demonstrated skills in copywriting, copy-editing and proofreading;
• Demonstrated experience and excellent understanding of standard requirements (file formats, writing style, data visualization, etc.) to produce a report suitable for professional design and publishing.
• High level proficiency in standard computer software, in particular, Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, of publication standard;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Persistence in follow up, tact and diplomacy to work with international personnel;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines;

• Familiarity with UN and international NGOs programming.

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to apply by January 31st 2020, 23:00pm EST.

Applications must include:

• Cover letter,
• CV, and
• Writing samples of reports or similar work.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above, including travel for a short mission to NY. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

NOTE: Files should not exceed 5.0MB limit      

ECW 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.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE – CONSULTANTS

LEGAL STATUS

Individuals engaged under a consultant contract serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other authority external to the United Nations. They are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and ECW policies and procedures nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention of 13 February 1946 on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. Consultants may, however, be given the status of “experts on mission” in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention. If they are required to travel on behalf of the United Nations, they may be given a United Nations certification in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

OBLIGATIONS

Consultants shall have the duty to respect the impartiality and independence of the United Nations and shall neither seek nor accept instructions regarding the services to be performed for ECW from any Government or from any authority external to the United Nations. During their period of service for ECW, consultants shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations or ECW and shall not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the discharge of their duties with the Organization. Consultants are required to exercise the utmost discretion in all matters of official business of the Organization. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, consultants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service. Consultants are to comply with the ECW Standards of Electronic Conduct and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, both of which are incorporated by reference into the contract between the consultants and ECW. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, consultants shall not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other authority external to ECW any information that has not been made public and which has become known to them by reason of their association with the United Nations. The consultant may not use such information without the written authorization of ECW. Nor shall the consultant use such information for private advantage. These obligations do not lapse upon cessation of service with ECW.

TITLE RIGHTS

ECW shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided to the Organization by the consultant. At the request of ECW, the consultant shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the Organization in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.

TRAVEL

If consultants are required by ECW to travel beyond commuting distance from their usual place of residence, such travel at the expense of ECW shall be governed by conditions equivalent to the relevant provisions of the 100 series of the United Nations Staff Rules (Chapter VII) and relevant ECW policies and procedures. Travel by air by the most direct and economical route is the normal mode for travel at the expense of ECW. Such travel will be by business class if the journey is nine hours or longer, and by economy class if the journey is less than nine hours, and first class by rail.

All Consultants and Individual Contractors and any family members, who are not United States citizens, regardless of their nationality, must qualify for and obtain a G-4 non-immigrant visa prior to their arrival in New York.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

Consultants expected to work in any office of the Organization shall be required to submit a statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that they have been fully informed regarding inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized.

INSURANCE

Consultants are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services on behalf of ECW as they consider appropriate. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. The responsibility of the United Nations and ECW is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

SERVICE INCURRED DEATH, INJURY OR ILLNESS

Consultants who are authorized to travel at ECW’s expense or who are required under the contract to perform their services in a United Nations or ECW office, or their dependents as appropriate, shall be entitled in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the performance of services on behalf of ECW while in travel status or while working in an office of the Organization on official ECW business to compensation equivalent to the compensation which, under Appendix D to the United Nations Staff Rules (ST/SGB/Staff Rules/Appendix D/Rev.1 and Amend.1), would be payable to a staff member at step V of the First Officer (P-4) level of the Professional category.

ARBITRATION

Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall, if attempts at settlement by negotiation have failed, be submitted to arbitration in New York by a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties. Should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, then each party shall proceed to appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall agree on a third. Failing such agreement, either party may request the appointment of the third arbitrator by the President of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

TERMINATION OF CONTRACT

This contract may be terminated by either party before the expiry date of the contract by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five days in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two months and fourteen days in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of misconduct by the consultant, ECW shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice.

In the event of the contract being terminated prior to its due expiry date in this way, the consultant shall be compensated on a pro rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work performed to the satisfaction of ECW. Additional costs incurred by the United Nations resulting from the termination of the contract by the consultant may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the consultant from ECW.

TAXATION

The United Nations and ECW undertake no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract. No statement of earnings will be issued by the United Nations or ECW to the consultant.