Consultancy: WASH Narrative Consultant – Re-imagining UNICEF WASH in a New Narrative – Req. #573601

The purpose of this Consultancy is to support the WASH Team at UNICEF HQ in the development of this new narrative in a systematic manner, that would also contribute to and/or benefit from the following ongoing/upcoming processes:
1- The mid-term review of the Global WASH Strategy 2016-2030.
2- The preparations for the WASH component of the new UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
3- Other sector organizations and partners doing MTRs or reviewing their mandates (including WHO, SWA, IRC WASH).
4- The development of the common implementation plan (CIP) for the new UN-Water System Wide Strategy (SWS) on water and sanitation

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: WASH Narrative Consultant – Re-imagining UNICEF WASH in a New Narrative

Section/Division/Duty Station: WASH Section, Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: 1 August 2024 to November 30 2024

Home/ Office Based: NY HQ (remote)

 About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

UNICEF WASH PG has identified a need for re-imagining itself in a new narrative in light of the fast-changing global landscape which requires all organizations to clearly identify their offer to remain relevant, competent, and responsive to the needs of their partners and beneficiaries. This is also directly linked to the need for accelerating progress on Goal Area 4 (every child lives in a safe and clean environment) where the world is lagging behind, on each of the 3 Results Areas.

This “narrative” aims to explain the UNICEF WASH joined-up story; building on child rights and deprivations and assemble, where possible, new child related data. It explains WASH’s contribution to multiple outcomes for current and future generations.

The UNICEF WASH program strives to continue to be a key leader in the UN system on WASH service delivery, global thought leadership, the subject matter expert on climate resilient services, and the agency with the means and reach to implement the WASH triple nexus in a world where crises are becoming the new normal.

The new narrative should, therefore, offer a clear storyline thar re-imagines UNICEF WASH and its value added, not just for the WASH sector, but for the broader interlinked sectors that it influences and serves “children living in a clean and safe environment”. It is also essential to succinctly outline the UNICEF WASH offer for its partners so that it remains the partner of choice and maintains its global and local leadership status.

The narrative would, therefore, ideally answer the following questions:

1. Who/What is UNICEF WASH?

2. Who do we want to be?

3. What is our offer/added value in a changing global context, including linkages UNICEF Climate, Environment, Energy, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED) and its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP)?

4.  What structure and resources (human & financial) do we need to deliver this?

The purpose of this Consultancy is to support the WASH Team at UNICEF HQ in the development of this new narrative in a systematic manner, that would also contribute to and/or benefit from the following ongoing/upcoming processes:

1. The mid-term review of the Global WASH Strategy 2016-2030.

3. Other sector organizations and partners doing MTRs or reviewing their mandates (including WHO, SWA, IRC WASH).

4. The development of the common implementation plan (CIP) for the new UN-Water System Wide Strategy (SWS) on water and sanitation.

Scope of Work:

:This is a consultancy for an individual consultant (the Consultant) in communications/facilitation/writing.

All deliverables should be completed by 30 November of 2024.

The consultant will support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) team at UNICEF headquarters to develop products for two distinct audiences:

1. UNICEF WASH network.

2.  broader UNICEF management and external partners.

The final products/deliverables will be:

1. Overarching initial Draft 2-pager summarizing major trends in WASH and CEED and opportunities for Goal Area 4 (GA4) within the next Strategic Plan (SP).

2. A narrative document (~4 pages) for external communications/advocacy.

3. A longer internal product (5-8 pages) for UNICEF WASH audience.

This will require the development of several key milestones:

1. A mapping of activities across WASH-PG teams and the Global Technical Team (GTT).

2.  Interviews of Team Leaders (TLs) and Director.

3. Analysis and incorporation of partner feedback output from the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of the Global WASH Strategy.

4. Working with a graphic designer to build the conceptual infographics.

5. Developing recommendations on right sizing and right functioning to feed into the narrative document.

6. Validating the narrative document with the GTT prior to finalization.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Develop a 2-page (Draft) narrative document for GA4        

• Deliverable 1) A mapping of activities across WASH-PG and CEED teams and the Global Technical Team (GTT) and production of initial draft 2-page summarizing approach for GA4

31 Aug 2024

Develop a 4-page narrative document for external advocacy and comms

• Deliverable 2) Interviews of 5 Team Leaders (TLs) and Director WASH, Director CEED, Director PG

15 Sept 2024

• Deliverable 3) Analysis and incorporation of partner feedback output from the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of the Global WASH Strategy

30 Sept 2024

• Deliverable 4) Working with a graphic designer to build the conceptual infographics

31 Oct 2024

• Deliverable 5) Developing recommendations on right sizing and right functioning to feed into the narrative document

31 Oct 2024

• Deliverable 6) first draft of the narrative document (4 pager)

31 Oct 2024

• Deliverable 7) Validating the narrative document with the GTT prior to finalization

15 Nov 2024

• Deliverable 8) Final Narrative 4-page document

30 Nov 2024

Develop a longer internal narrative product (5-8 pages) for UNICEF WASH audience

• Deliverable 9) Longer internal narrative document 5-8 pages (draft for TLs)

30 Nov 2024

Travel

If not NY based will need to travel to NY for consultations and final delivery

Qualifications

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Communications, facilitation, creative writing, copy writing, social sciences, international relations, graphic design is an asset.

Work experience:

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

– Advanced university degree in International Development, Economics, WASH, Climate, a related relevant topic

– 10 years of relevant work experience in analysis, communications, report writing, strategic communications, with a strong preference for a background in climate, environment, WASH, and/or a related field.

– Ability to work collaboratively with multi-cultural teams and stakeholders.

–  Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills

– Experience in visual portrayal of complex concepts an advantage

– Fluency in English

– Proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic would be considered a strong asset.

Requirements: 

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.