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Consultancy: Policy and Advocacy Consultant, Safe to Learn – Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children,New York

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Political Affairs
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Criminology, Extremism, Police Affairs and Anti-Corruption
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Gender-based violence
    • Public, Private Partnership
    • Drugs, Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism and Human Trafficking
  • Closing Date: Closed

End Violence is seeking an energetic, organized Policy and Advocacy Specialist with experience in advocacy, campaigns, events, and partner coordination to deliver major policy and campaign products to help deliver the ambitious goals of the Safe to Learn initiative. S/he should be a proven problem solver in complex settings, with a track record of delivering high-quality work across complex partnership models. This consultancy requires strong coordination and delivery skills across strands of communications, policy, advocacy and event management.

Policy and Advocacy Consultant, Safe to Learn - Consultancy

11 months (February - December 2021)

THE OPPORTUNITY

End Violence is seeking an energetic, organized Policy and Advocacy Specialist with experience in advocacy, campaigns, events, and partner coordination to deliver major policy and campaign products to help deliver the ambitious goals of the Safe to Learn initiative. S/he should be a proven problem solver in complex settings, with a track record of delivering high-quality work across complex partnership models. This consultancy requires strong coordination and delivery skills across strands of communications, policy, advocacy and event management.

SAFE TO LEARN

Safe to Learn was launched in 2019 as a global initiative to catalyse commitments and evidence-based action to end violence in and through schools by 2030.  As a joint initiative of the violence against children (VAC) and education sectors, Safe to Learn is an opportunity to unlock the multiple wins of ending violence in schools, improve learning outcomes, better leverage investments in education, and raise awareness and change attitudes towards VAC more broadly.

The Safe to Learn Call to Action, a high-level political tool, sets out five areas where change needs to happen to end violence in and through schools.  A strategic Roadmap details these areas and identifies how diverse partners can accelerate the achievement of Safe to Learn's ambitious goals. 

Safe to Learn is hosted by the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children (End Violence Partnership), which has guided its progress to date and engaged key education organizations and funders in its development.[1]  To deliver on its full ambition, Safe to Learn now needs even greater buy-in, co-creation and co-ownership from both the VAC and education sectors.

ABOUT THE END VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

Every year, over 1 billion children experience violence.  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. In July 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children and an associated Fund.

 

The End Violence 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 public-private collaboration focused solely on ending all violence against children.

In its first four years, the Partnership has helped develop and promote the INSPIRE solutions to end violence; enrolled more than 30 governments as 'Pathfinder' countries; launched an innovative initiative with education sector partners to end violence in and through schools; awarded over $45 million in grants to tackle violence against children online and in humanitarian situations; welcomed over 500 organizations as members; and galvanized those working to end violence through collective advocacy and events including the inaugural End Violence Solutions Summit.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put children everywhere at even higher risk of violence and abuse and threatens to undermine progress made in recent years. But COVID-19 has also heightened awareness, inspired new collaborations and ways of working, and demonstrated

the value of the End Violence Partnership as a global platform for collective and evidence-based advocacy, action and investments.  Together, we have a window of opportunity to start to translate the rhetoric of building back better into a reality for children in the coming years.

 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Working closely with the Safe to Learn Director, the consultant will have the following key deliverables:

  1. Identify and leverage global advocacy moments for Safe to Learn, utilizing partner networks and influence, including through the End Violence Solutions Summit Series.
  2. Build on and deliver the strategy for member state engagement and outreach to secure additional endorsements of the Safe to Learn Call to Action.
  3. Design, prepare for and support key Safe to Learn meetings and engagements, including a leaders event in the second quarter of 2021.
  4. Work with the Safe to Learn Secretariat and partner organisations to refresh the Safe to Learn Strategic Roadmap to raise the ambition level of the initiative.
  5. Progress and promote Safe to Learn priorities through the preparation of Safe to Learn briefings, talking points and statements for senior leaders at the Secretariat and for Safe to Learn partners.
  6. Coordinate engagement with, and strengthen the coalition of, Safe to Learn partners, including the consideration of additional members.
  7. Prepare for and contribute to monthly meetings and substantive discussions by Safe to Learn partners.
  8. Contribute to and/or lead the development of Safe to Learn strategy, work planning and products, such as recommendations, technical guidance, Strategic Roadmap updates and discussion documents.
  9. Prepare, working with Safe to Learn Director, at least four major funding/partnership proposals for bilateral donors, including input on pitch decks and Executive Director briefing packets (ongoing, approx. one per quarter).

 

MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF ASSIGNMENT

 The Safe to Learn Policy and Advocacy Specialist will be hired on a full-time basis on a UNICEF consultancy contract. S/he will report to the Safe to Learn Director and will work closely with other members of the End Violence Secretariat as needed. The consultancy is expected to commence in February 2021 and end in December 2021, for a total duration of 11 months.  S/he will contribute to a culture of professionalism that emphasizes curiosity, learning, collaboration and delivery.

COVID-19 has prompted remote and more flexible working, and we do not expect to return to full-time office-based working. Therefore, the consultant may be home-based.  Occasional travel may be required, in consultation with the supervising unit, including to New York if the consultant is based in another country. As and when business travel is possible, some international travel may be required. End Violence staff are encouraged to consider the impact of carbon emissions when making business decisions that may involve travel.

PAYMENT PLAN

Monthly payment, based on deliverables.

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.

 

VISA REQUIREMENTS

With the exception of 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.

 

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.
  • A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience working in international development, government relations, public policy, or advocacy.
  • A good understanding of the latest research and evidence-base behind effective strategies to end violence against children in and through schools.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent coordination and partnership skills;
  • Experience of outreach and engagement with multiple actors at the global and national level, including government representatives, UN agencies, CSOs, etc.
  • Ability to deliver at pace across a range of short-term deliverables and longer term strategic outputs.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and commitment to diversity;
  • Results-driven and people-oriented approach with proven ability to leverage networks ito get the most out of networks and deliver high-quality work products in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.
  • Excellent diplomatic and team development skills, combined with an ability to success in a complex environment;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Passion for the Global Partnership's mission.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  •  Experience in policy advocacy and campaigning, particularly within the context of a global partnership.
  • Experience working with UN agencies, donors or other international and civil society organizations, particularly at the field level.

 

LANGUAGES

  •  Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Core Competencies:

  • Communication
  • Working with People
  • Drive for Results

Functional Competencies:

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

TO APPLY

 Applications must be submitted to UNICEF's career website by 26 January 2021.

  • Please include a cover letter and CV and 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.

NOTE

 As a UNICEF-hosted partnership, End Violence 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.

End Violence 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. End Violence also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 



[1] Partners include UNESCO, UNICEF, UK FCDO (formerly DFID), UNGEI, the End Violence CSO Forum, World Bank, Education Cannot Wait, the Global Partnership for Education, WHO, Global Affairs Canada, the Global Business Coalition for Education, Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.

 

 

 

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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