Consultant (Governance and Mid Term Analysis of SWA Strategic Framework 2020-2030), Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), 95 Days (Feb-Sept 2024), REMOTE, Req#568810

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, Clean Water

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership of over 400 partners, including governments, private sector and civil society organizations, external support agencies, research and learning institutions, utilities and regulators working together to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively. Partners work towards a common vision of sanitation, hygiene and water for all, always and everywhere.

The Secretariat of the SWA global partnership is hosted by UNICEF at its Headquarters in New York. The SWA Secretariat, as the operational arm of the Partnership and of the Steering Committee, is responsible for supporting the implementation of the partnership’s strategy 2020 to 2030 that focuses on three objectives:

1. Build and sustain the political will to eliminate inequalities in water, sanitation and hygiene
2. Champion multi-stakeholder approaches towards achieving universal access to services
3. Rally stakeholders to strengthen system performance and attract new investments

How can you make a difference? 

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

Under the direct supervision of the Policy and Strategy Senior Adviser, the consultant will work within the Policy and Strategy team in the Mid Term Analysis of the SWA Strategic Framework 2020-2030.

Expected Results: In the context of the 2024 Mid Term Analysis of the SWA Strategic Framework, the consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Establish a system and tools to ensure smooth information flow within the Policy and Strategy Team, with other teams of the Secretariat as well as with key stakeholders within SWA’s governance structure;
• Develop background documents for at least 4 governance related meetings (PSSC, GFSC, task team, and SC) in the process leading up and during the Mid-Term Strategic Review;
• Research and draft talking points for team lead, and SWA leadership for events related to water and sanitation, linked to findings of the mid-term assessment
• Develop processes for new partners and governance elections
• Monthly updates to the governance portal and SWA website
• Develop 2 analytical briefs in the context of the mid-term review, including one for the purpose of resource mobilization
• Develop speaking points and briefing documents for 5 CEO engagements
• Draft 3 concept papers and communications related documents for the 2024 LAC and Asia Finance Ministers’ meetings

DELIVERABLES

Work Assignments Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Timeline
Establish a system and tools to ensure smooth information flow within the Policy and Strategy Team, with other teams of the Secretariat as well as with key stakeholders within SWA’s governance structure	Create information management tools for the policy and strategy team by establishing a reliable system of information flow Create and maintain meeting calendars for the Mid-Term Review project and other governance related matters by using internal project management tools Upload and update all relevant information related to interactions with other teams, key stakeholders and ensure information tools allow for efficient workflows	20 days, January 2023
Develop at least 10 background documents for various governance related meetings	Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources Conduct one assessment for the mid-term review process Develop at least 10 background documents for various governance related meetings	15 days, July 2024 5 days, May 2024   20 days, July 2024
Monthly updates to the governance portal and SWA website	6 updates to the governance portal and SWA website	2 days, June 2024
Develop processes for new partners and governance elections	Develop processes for new partners and upcoming governance elections	10 days, March 2024
Develop analytical briefs for the Mid-Term review process	Develop 2 analytical briefs for the Mid-Term review process, including one for the purpose of resource mobilization	10 days, June 2024
Develop speaking points and briefing documents for CEO engagements	Conducts research, and develops speaking points and briefing documents for 5 CEO engagements	3 days, June 2024
Preparing documents for the 2024 LAC and Asia Finance Ministers’ meetings	Draft 3 concept papers and communications related documents for the 2024 LAC and Asia Finance Ministers’ meetings	10 days, April 2024

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

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Business Management, Law or related area.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in project management, administration, executive management support or other related fields.
• Prior experience working with large volumes of data (entry and management) is required.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, revising, or editing sensitive documents is required.
• Knowledge of project management software is desirable.
• An excellent command of the English language is required.
• Previous experience working in a high-volume, changing environment on tight deadlines is required.
• Excellent attention to details is a must.
• Knowledge of additional languages is highly desirable. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is preferable. Language competencies will be strongly valued during the recruitment process.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Adaptability and willingness to handle changing priorities
• Strong attention to detail with a results-driven approach
• Proficient communication skills
• Experience working successfully in diverse cultural settings
• Self-motivated with a commitment to high-quality and productive outcomes
• Proficient in data analysis, including qualitative, quantitative, and other data types

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.