Consultant – Humanitarian Learning Strategy, LACRO, Panama City (9 months)

UNICEF Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Office in Panama is looking for a consultant with expertise in producing a Humanitarian Learning Strategy. The consultant will develop the strategy, assess and analyze competencies, learning, and training needs to fulfill and to contribute to the implementation of UNICEF’s global humanitarian learning strategy.

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.

For every child, protection

How can you make a difference?

Background

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac).

Purpose of the Assignment

UNICEF Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Office in Panama is looking for a consultant with expertise in producing a Humanitarian Learning Strategy.  Under the overall guidance of the Regional Chief of HR and in close coordination with HR Specialist Emergency and Reg Adviser Emergency, the consultant will develop a humanitarian learning strategy, assess and analyze competencies, learning, and training needs to fulfill and to contribute to the implementation of UNICEF’s global humanitarian learning strategy. The incumbent will identify, develop, implement, and evaluate learning programmes, activities, resources and contents in the defined curricula (and other emergency-related needs); help develop capacity of specific Regional, and Country Office staff to prepare for and undertake humanitarian activities; coordinate and provide guidance in the implementation of learning programmes across the region associated with the rollout of humanitarian action, and to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness.

The strategy will cover 4 specific groups: (1) Representatives and Deputy Representatives, (2) LAC regional response roster (RRR) members, (3) Humanitarian Champions, and (4) LACRO Emergency Specialists.  This strategy will consist of a comprehensive learning needs assessment and a detailed proposal of the strategy, including advice and implementation on the roll-out and monitoring and evaluation of the learning programme. The assignment will also require conducting an induction session for the LAC RRR members and learning sessions for these 4 specific groups throughout 2022.

Specific Tasks

1. Conduct learning needs assessment and skills gap analysis identify risks and propose an integrated and comprehensive set of solutions to address the needs of these 4 specific groups in humanitarian learning. 

2. Identify the basic key performance indicators (KPIs) so that staff perform at the expected level during an emergency response.

3. Work closely with EMOPS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), LAC Regional Emergency Advisor and Emergency Specialists, and Regional Chief of HR and Country Emergency Learning Focal points to define learning goals and content and to manage the implementation of learning activities in LAC regional and country offices.

4. Produce a report on the findings from the learning needs assessment and gap analysis. 

5. Provide a learning strategy proposal containing the following elements:

1. Humanitarian learning strategy for emergency related soft and technical skills for these 4 specific groups. 
2. Recommendations, ranked in order of priority, for short- and long-term learning programme for each group: Representatives and Deputy Representatives, Humanitarian Champions, LAC RRR members, and RO Emergency Specialists.
3. A list of basic competencies and skills required for all members and the specific competencies and skills a staff in each functional area should possess to perform effectively in an emergency.
4. In collaboration with EMOPS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), RO Emergency Specialists, identify basic KPIs for each functional area.
5. An annual Learning Programme for inclusion in these 4 groups’ ACHIEVE developmental plan, focusing on using complementary solutions including but not limited to face-to-face traditional training, workshops, case studies, blended and modular learning solutions, e-learning, webinars, learning initiatives like stretch assignments etc.  The Learning Programme encourages a continuous learning culture, promotes collaborative forms of learning and knowledge exchange related to Humanitarian Programmes using social learning technologies.  This includes detailed timeline or learning schedule for inclusion in staff’s ACHIEVE report and developmental plan.  The learning content/instructional material and events should keep in mind the diversity of learners and groups of learners. Learning material should adapt to the 4 specific groups.
6. Step-by-step guidance on the implementation of the learning strategy. 
7. Provide measurement strategies that link the learning programme to tangible benefits and return on investment.  The report includes detailed guidance and sample tools to use for conducting the monitoring and evaluation of the learning programme.  This should be an on-going process to check that learning schedule is on track, and that the pace and content of the learning remain relevant to the 4 groups.

6. Roll-out the effective delivery of the humanitarian learning strategy in 2022 for each of the 4 specific groups:

1. 1. Using their newly-designed learning programme, conduct a learning/induction session for the LAC RRR members with focus on soft skills, basic KPIs and guidance on how to use the learning programme in Q1 2022. 
   2. Implement at least two learning sessions for each of the 4 groups based on the learning schedule created for these groups, including guidance on the use of the learning programme within the 1^st 6 months of 2022.

7. Monitor and evaluate the pace and content relevance of the learning programmes.  Ensure sustainability and effectiveness in the delivery of identified learning programme. 

8. Create a Learning database (Excel and PowerBI systems) on Learning activities, capturing lessons learned: both in terms of what lead to success and what did not work out as intended.

9.  Communicate on an ongoing basis on progress and challenges with Regional Chief of HR, Regional Adviser Emergency, and HR Specialist Emergency.

Expected Results

1. A detailed learning strategy and annual learning programme for (1) Representatives and Deputy Representatives, (2) LAC regional response roster (RRR) members, (3) Humanitarian Champions, and (4) LACRO Emergency Specialists.  
2. Learning database (Excel and PowerBI systems) on Learning activities and lessons learned
3. Induction session for the LAC RRR members in Q1 2022.
4. Organize at least two learning sessions for each of the 4 groups based on the newly designed learning programme during the 1^st 6 months of 2022.

Deliverables

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

Education

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources, Adult Education, Organizational Development or in a directly related technical field.

Work Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, at national and international levels, in communication and learning (design and delivery), organizational development and project management for a humanitarian organization.
• Field experience in complex emergencies and high threat environments is preferable.
• Hands-on experience in adult learning, distance and computer-based training and learning including specifically learning activities relating to humanitarian action in emergencies is required.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of Spanish will be considered an asset.

Technical knowledge

• Professional technical knowledge and expertise in emergency preparedness and humanitarian learning.
• Extensive knowledge of UNICEF programme work in the LAC Region in the areas of emergency programmes.

Other skills and attributes

• Ability to work well with others.
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated experience on UNICEF will be an asset
• Demonstrated experience on learning and development in emergency preparedness.

Administrative details

Supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Chief of HR and in close collaboration with the HR Specialist Emergency and Reg Adviser Emergency.

Workplace

This is a home-based consultancy.

Duration

This consultancy has a duration of 9 months.

How to Apply

Application should be submitted online and should include: Resume, Cover Letter and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

Travel

This consultancy does not involve travel.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

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.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.