Consultancy: PROSPECTS Writing Consultant – Req.#572339

The Consultant will support the Migration and Displacement Hub to finalise the overall close-out of the first programme cycle writing a comprehensive Bilateral report which will cover the 5 years of implementation, while supporting also the writing of the first outcome document of the PROSPECTS phase 2 global Monitoring, Evaluation and learning session of the global and regional component of the programme as well as other relevant analytical and strategic papers. Working with the PROSPECTS team, the Consultant will have to complete these significant reporting duties and analytical pieces.

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, hope

Consultancy Title:  PROSPECTS Writing Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Migration and Displacement Hub, Programme Group – NYHQ

Duration: June 20, 2024, to June 10, 2025

Home/ Office Based: REMOTE

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

This consultancy will be responsible for writing the bilateral donor report of the 5 years of the PROSPECTS Partnership as well as writing the Outcome Global outcome document for the PROSPECTS 2 MEL session 2024.

Scope of Work:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. UNICEF’s Migration and Displacement Hub (MDH) in Programme Group (PG) provides global programme leadership to achieve results for the most disadvantaged and excluded children everywhere, in response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the international commitments related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the follow-up of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The MDH works to protect the rights of all children affected by migration by providing crucial programming support and policy guidance to country and regional offices, having a direct impact of the lives of children on the move. The MDH also guides policy dialogue with governments and civil society partners and supports corporate campaigns.

As a part of its portfolio, UNICEF’s Migration and Displacement Hub leads the strategic partnership, programme development and coordination for the Partnership for Improved Prospects (PROSPECTS). PROSPECTS aims to improve prospects for forcibly displaced persons and their host communities in selected countries in Africa and the Middle East, through a paradigm shift from a humanitarian to a development approach. Funded by the Government of the Netherlands, UNICEF operates PROSPECTS in partnership with five multilateral organizations: International Finance Corporation (IFC); International Labor Organization (ILO); United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and the World Bank (WB). In 2024, UNICEF will close out Year 5 of the first phase of PROSPECTS. In January 2024, the Government of the Netherlands officially launched a new cycle of the PROSPECTS Partnership for a duration of additional 4 years (2024-2027) – to help further transform the way governments and other stakeholders respond to forced displacement crises.

The Consultant will support the Migration and Displacement Hub to finalise the overall close-out of the first programme cycle writing a comprehensive Bilateral report which will cover the 5 years of implementation, while supporting also the writing of the first outcome document of the PROSPECTS phase 2 global Monitoring, Evaluation and learning session of the global and regional component of the programme as well as other relevant analytical and strategic papers. Working with the PROSPECTS team, the Consultant will have to complete these significant reporting duties and analytical pieces.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Support the development of tools and documents for governance of PROSPECTS within UNICEF and as a part of the broader partnership with other agencies, including communication and coordination protocols.

• PROSPECTS Operational Manual and Governance Chart.

28/6/24

Support the development of MEL sessions and review of MACPs at country level

• 2025 8 MACPs MEL Outcome documents (UNICEF part)

28/6/2024

Write the UNICEF part of the MEL Outcome document for the global and regional level and support the revision of the MAGRP

• 2025 MAGRP MEL Outcome document (UNICEF part) + review of MAGRP

28/6/2024

Analyze global, regional and country monitoring and reporting data, consult with teams as needed and draft final Bilateral Progress Report for PROSPECTS 1

• Summary analysis compiled and PROSPECTS1 Bilateral Report draft written.

28/6/2024

Support design of Opportunity Fund eligibility criteria and quality assurance of UNICEF proposals

• MAGRP proposals submitted on time

31/04/2025

Oversee revision process, eliciting input from various UNICEF teams into the draft of the Final Bilateral Progress Report for PROSPECTS 1, incorporate inputs and finalize report. 

• Final PROSPECTS1 Bilateral Report.

10/6/2025

Produce 5 analytical and strategic papers, including briefing notes for Senior management Staff.

• UNICEF contribution to ECORYS Opp. Fund lessons learned exercise; 5 BN for the Annual Consultation with the Netherlands and additional BN as needed.

10/6/2025

Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Political Sciences/Economics/ Development Studies and related disciplines

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in writing reports.
• Proven experience with the monitoring and/or evaluation of complex partnership programmes required.
• Proven experience with and a good understanding of data analysis, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting with UNICEF or other UN agencies, including UN (UNEG) reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Experience working with UN/multilateral institutions.
• Understanding of the Global Compact on Refugees, SDGs, and the SDG monitoring system.
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Experience with donor governments (Dutch Government, DFID etc.) preferred.
• Experience working in PROSPECTS Partnership is considered an asset.

Requirements: (DO NOT EDIT)

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

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 G4.  

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.