Content Development Consultant(s): FunDoo, Office of Innovation, One Year, Remote, REQ#561101

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. 

Yet the current pace of progress for children will not get us to children-related SDGs targets. This, if left unaddressed, will leave tens of millions of children behind. Unprotected. Uneducated. Unfed. Unable to reach their full potential.

For every child, innovate…

UNICEF has a 70-year history of innovating for children. We believe that new approaches, partnerships and technologies that support realizing children’s rights are critical to improving their lives.
The Office of Innovation (OOI) is a creative, interactive, and agile team in UNICEF. We sit at a unique intersection, where an organization that works on huge global issues meets the startup thinking, the technology, and the partners that turn this energy into scalable solutions.

UNICEF’s OOI creates opportunities for the world’s children by focusing on where new markets can meet their vital needs. We do this by:

• Connecting youth communities (or more broadly — anyone disconnected or under-served) to decision-makers, and to each other, to deliver informed, relevant, and sustained programmes that build better, stronger futures for children.
• Provoking change for children through an entrepreneurial approach — in a traditionally risk-averse field — to harness rapidly moving innovations and apply them to serve the needs of all children.
• Creating new models of partnership that leverage core business values across the public, private and academic sectors in order to deliver fast and lasting results for children.

How can you make a difference? 

This role will support our flagship innovation FunDoo – a digital life coach to equip young people with 21st century skills, employability skills, and provide access to information on careers, mental health, climate change and gender-based violence. Launched in 2020, funDoo is an initiative by UNICEF Office of Innovation and YuWaah which leverages UNICEF’s U-Report chat-based platform supported by RapidPro and is available on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. As a low-bandwidth solution, funDoo enables learning opportunities in areas with low internet connectivity. It has been created to provide young people and adolescents from 14 to 24 years access to holistic, quality education and learning opportunities. So far, more than 770,000 users have registered on FunDoo and FunDoo mini. FunDoo is currently active in India, Indonesia, Greece and Eastern Caribbean Area. With Jamaica, Uzbekistan, Uganda, and Mozambique launching funDoo in the first half of 2023.

The content developed for FunDoo is byte-sized and gamified; the tasks can be completed at home and follow the learning by doing principle. At present, there are more than 140 tasks with short and simple actionable prompts for users, which are tangible and reportable. FunDoo tasks are available on-demand and do not have a time limit, providing learners the agency to choose what they want to learn and when they want to learn.

Through FunDoo, UNICEF brings the following innovation to EdTech for young people:

1. A new way to look at 21st century skills learning: While most initiatives building 21st Century skills focus on a subset of specialized skills (such as communication skills, SEL, or financial skills alone etc.); with FunDoo, there is a wide focus on a cross section of these skills which includes employability skills, information on careers and mental health. The pedagogy and implementation approach are novel as FunDoo is an experiential learning platform.

2. Leveraging technology for education without deepening the digital divide: The platform design and delivery mechanism is such that a learner can use FunDoo even if they do not own their own device. All they need is access to a mobile device with WhatsApp (a device owned by someone in the family or extended circle)
Most of the learning that happens on FunDoo is off device. Since FunDoo is a chat-based learning solution, it is accessible even on low bandwidth. 21st century skills cannot be learnt through books alone, ‘Doing’ is an essential part of building these skills. The platform’s pedagogy, therefore, derives from principles of experiential learning implemented through tasks.

3. Keeping young people at the center: young people provide valuable feedback on task content, UI/UX, incentives etc. Through funDoo, young people can also become active changemakers in their society by referring other young people onto the platform through a referral mechanism.

FunDoo tasks are gamified interactions and challenge learners to do progressively complex tasks, while providing guidance & real-world nudges. To complete a task, the learner engages with the chatbot and carries out an activity in the real world, earning them U-points that they will be able to redeem later based on a social credit system along with giveaways, badges and learner boards to nudge users towards increased completion and engagement. The tasks have been tested and created via a consultative process, through Focus group discussions, polls and youth consultations with young people.

Scope of work

UNICEF Office of Innovation is seeking to obtain the following services from a consultant with extensive expertise of working on the RapidPro platform. Under the supervision of Innovation Manager (Youth) and FunDoo Global Deployment lead the incumbent will:

1. Content development: Creating and developing content for the funDoo chatbot based on approved pedagogical strategies, learning designs, and curriculums.
2. Test, learn, and iterate: Test the content with users and learners taking their feedback and incorporation of feedback.
3. Adaptation of Learning content: Adapting content and learning modules
4. Knowledge Management and Documentation: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the chatbot’s performance against the initial goals. Prepare a detailed report on the chatbot’s performance metrics, user feedback, and other key insights.

Main responsibilities:

1. Content development:

o Create, develop, design, upload and test content for the FunDoo platform in adherence to platform content standards and persona.
o Research user requirements and review previous content.
o Research and design of inclusive content mapping and development strategy
o Coordinate content mapping and development activities for existing 145 tasks and over 150 new tasks
o Coordinate content authentication, publishing, and promotional activities for the identified tasks
o Scope complementary tools and strategies for FunDoo platform
o Conduct needs assessment to support content development for FunDoo, including consultations with country offices/young people on their skill development, engagement needs, and with public and private entities on job market needs, Identify key topics for FunDoo content on a need basis.
o Develop templates and manage the content management system for funDoo.
o Develop new content in the areas of Immunization, Mental Health, Climate Change, Skills, Career Exploration, NCDs, Gender Based Violence and other focus areas of youth innovation portfolio.
o Adapt content from existing sources to a chatbot format.
o Explore and identify the content within UNICEF and existing content in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and achieve agreement in partnership of publicizing the content.
o Provide technical guidance on content development standards and quality control. Follow up with all partners to ensure content development deadlines are met.

2. Test, learn, and iterate:

o Test the content/Tasks on limited number of users to explore user experience and overall response;
o Run several tests to learn from the users experience and update the FunDoo content to improve the outcome based on findings;
o Develop a monitoring framework and tools to assess the access and effectiveness of the training by contents. Collect feedback and prepare monthly reports with analytical summaries.

3. Launch of the new tasks:

o Roll-out the new tasks via SMS/ WhatsApp/Viber and other digital channels;
o Run frequent monitoring and checks during the implementation phase;
o Provide reports with the data collected and analyze lessons learned;
o Statistical analysis of aggregated data shared UNICEF Office of Innovations

4. Knowledge Management and Documentation:

o Identify and document good practices and lessons learned.
o Develop Human Interest Story to demonstrate the results of the project.
o Develop FunDoo content Orientation toolkit for country offices including capacity building.
o Develop FunDoo content management system

Work Assignment Overview

The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely with travel to at least one country visit with a proposed timeline below. The deliverables will be carried out by one consultant or a team of two consultants (one lead content creation consultant and one content adaptation consultant).

Description of assignment

 

	Tasks	Delivery/Outputs	Delivery deadline	Percentage of payment
1	Research and onboarding	1. Review and develop content creation workplan of existing and upcoming funDoo learning modules called tasks. 2. Develop Research pedagogical strategy for funDoo content creation. 3. Develop content for new task flows on 3 selected topic. 4. User test the content created and develop an iteration strategy in 3 countries and submit report. 5. Finalize content creation workplan. 6. Develop first draft of content creation strategy.	Month 1-2	10%
2	Adaptation, creation, and development of new content management platform.	1. Design first draft of FunDoo content management system and Fundoo content toolkit for country offices. 2. Adapt content received from HQ, Country or regional offices for at least 20 new task flows (learning modules) 2. Submit report on analysis of the chatbot’s content performance data and user feedback. 3. Refine 20 conversation flows and dialogues to improve user engagement. 4. Four Capacity building sessions for country offices for content creation and adaptation.	Month 3-4	10%
3	User Testing, Content Creation and capacity building	1. Submit report on Defining and standardizing methods, parameters, and metrics to test content flows. 2. Creating and user testing 30 new task flows with country offices for both digital and SMS channels. 3. Capacity building of five country offices for content creation and adaptation. 4. Prepare a detailed report on the chatbot’s performance metrics, user feedback, and other key insights 5. Recommend new content based on user needs and preferences.	Month 4-5	20%
4	Content Creation, Adaptation and management system	1. Create and user test new conversation flows to expand the chatbot’s capabilities and features of at least 20 tasks. 2. Capacity building of five country offices for content creation and adaptation. 3. Deliver 2nd draft of content management system and content toolkit for country offices . 4. Conduct a thorough mid term evaluation of the chatbot’s performance against the initial goals.	Month 6-7	20%
5	Partnerships, Collaborations and Reporting	1. Explore and establish at least two new partnerships with relevant content creation organizations to develop content for funDoo. 2. Prepare a detailed report on the chatbot’s performance metrics, user feedback, and other key insights	Month 8-9	10%
6	Content Creation and finalize content management system	1. Create and user test new conversation flows to expand the chatbot’s capabilities and features of at least 20 tasks. 2. Submit and present final version of the content management system and content toolkit for country offices	Month 10-11	18%
7	Reporting and Evaluation	1. Submit final report on a thorough evaluation of the chatbot’s performance against the initial goals. The report should include recommendations to inform future content creation and chatbot development 2. Prepare a detailed report on the chatbot’s performance metrics, user feedback, and other key insights.	Month 12	12%
	Total			100%

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education, Social Science, public administration, public policy, communications, psychology, project management or other relevant field.
• At least 5+ years of job experience in related fields such as education, content creation, youth engagement, innovation etc.
• 3+ years of experience in content creation for youth focused interventions and products.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to write engaging, conversational content
• Familiarity with 21st century life skills, climate change, and career exploration topics
• Ability to conduct research and analyze data to inform content creation
• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment and ability to work in harmony with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent time management and strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Experience in UI/UX design.
• Respect and adherence to UNICEF Brand Guidelines
• Strong understanding of creating digital platforms in low-bandwidth settings is a plus.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Payment details and further considerations

Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed 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.

Travel

• The consultant is expected to travel to one FunDoo country for a stay of 6 nights.
• The consultant is responsible to arrange his/her own travel, including visa and travel insurance

Duty Station: Remote 

Duration: One year

Insurance:

UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the consultant’s service. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrollment in a health/accident plan prior to starting his/her work.

How to apply: 

• Interested applicant is required to submit a financial proposal with all-inclusive fee. Please complete your profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system.
• Financial proposal must include travel costs (economy class), daily subsistence allowance (limited to UN official rates), and other estimated costs such as visa and travel/health insurance. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above.
• Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

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. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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. 

Remarks:  

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. 

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.