Consultancy: Reference Checking Support to Senior Leadership Support Team, Division of Human Resources, New York (Home Based)

The Senior Leadership Support Team is looking to engage several consultants to conduct in-depth, qualitative reference checks that support the talent management process for senior staff positions.

For over 70 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leader for children, working in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF’s focus areas, with an emphasis on equity for the most marginalized children, are Child Survival and Development, Basic Education and Gender Equality, HIV/AIDS and Children, Child Protection and Policy Advocacy and Partnerships. In view of the above context, it is important to attract, recruit and retain the right profile of senior leaders.

UNICEF Division of Human Resources (DHR) has embarked on a reform agenda to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver results for children and young people. One of the primary goals of the reform is to achieve more effective leadership talent acquisition to ensure a flexible, highly skilled, competent and motivated workforce to deliver on organizational objectives. Senior leaders play a critical role in inspiring, steering and motivating the workforce to achieve strategic results. Therefore, high importance is attached to the selection of the right senior staff in the right place at the right time. To improve UNICEF’s effectiveness in assessing top talent, DHR is seeking to engage experienced individual consultants to provide expertise to ensure the quality of candidates being short-listed and the effective screening of the best talent relevant to the Senior Leadership portfolio.

The consultancy assignment is expected to be conducted remotely mainly through email, Microsoft Teams (or other similar means), or phone. It is on needs basis. 

The consultant will report to the Chief, Senior Leadership Support Team (SLST).

BACKGROUND

It is our intention to create a pool of qualified consultants who can support the SLS team with reference checks process, on an ongoing basis. Consultants in the pool can be approached for reference checks whenever such need arises. Depending on their availability, expertise and background, the consultants will be assigned specific cases. 

Under the guidance of the Chief, Senior Leadership Support team, the consultant is expected to carry out in-depth reference checks focusing on UNICEF core values, competences, and all areas related to effective people management. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables:

The consultant will perform the following functions:

• Reference Checking - This assignment is virtually carried out through Microsoft Teams, Zoom or phone. The contracted consultant will be called for service when there are cases requiring reference checking. The consultant will schedule and conduct comprehensive reference checks for the assigned cases in a timely manner (minimum of 7 references per case, including a combination of referees, such as current/former supervisors, current/former peers, and current/former supervisees. More reference sources may be required in exceptional circumstances. The reference checks will be conducted according to professional standards, and based on the specific guidance and training provided.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• A summary report, with details of the feedback on each conducted reference check process submitted to Chief, Leadership Support Team normally within 5 calendar days after the assignment of the case. The report should cover, at a minimum, the overall summary of the findings, and detailed content of the feedback provided by the individual referees. A case will be deemed complete upon submission and review by the Chief, Senior Leadership Support Team.

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

1) Education

• Advanced degree in Human Resources Management (HRM), Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a relevant social sciences field. A first university degree and additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree;
• Recognized professional certification in HRM is highly desirable.

2) Work experience

• At least five years of progressive experience in human resources management, specifically in recruitment and performance management. Experience in other similar areas such as programme management, administration, or executive management, with focus on confidentiality may also be considered. 
• Familiarity with UN entities and UNICEF is a distinct advantage.

3) Other skills

• Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is highly desirable. Candidates fluent in two or more UN languages will have a competitive advantage.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various audiences.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Good judgment, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Exceptional time management skills and an ability to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. 

Requirements:

• Cover letter and Financial proposal that will include:
  • Your rate per completed reference checks report.  Our estimate is that it effectively takes 6.5 hours per case, including to schedule and conduct seven reference checks calls, and prepare the report. 
  • Your availability (approximate hours/week and preferred overall duration)
• Completed Personal History Form (P11) or UNICEF Talent Management Systems profile. (One of these form is mandatory, and we can not accept only CV).
• Copy of academic credentials  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.  

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

We are 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:

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.