International consultant to support UNICEF Eswatini Country Office in the development of the 2026-2030 Country Programme Document and related documents, Mbabane, Eswatini, 4 months (Remote, with at least two visits to Eswatini to facilitate the CPD)

UNICEF Eswatini is seeking to engage an individual international consultant to support Eswatini Country Office to develop the 2026-2030 CPD. Under the overall leadership of the Deputy Representative the consultant will lead the development and submission of the CPD and relevant documents The consultant will regularly consultant with the Country Management Team (CMT) and ESARO Programme Planning and Monitoring section.

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, Education

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF Eswatini Country Office (CO) is seeking to hire an international consultant to support the development of the 2026-2030 Country Programme Document (CPD). The document will be aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDCF), Eswatini national priorities, including the National Development Plan (2023/2024- 2027/2028), United Nations Committee on the Rights of Children Observations for Eswatini, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Commitments for Children, and UNICEF Strategic Plan. In preparation for the CPD development process, Situation Analyses of children, and Situation Analysis of Children with Disabilities were conducted in 2023 which provide a basis for identifying key deprivations for children. In addition, key national household surveys with information on children were disseminated last year. This includes the Multiple Indicator Cluster survey (MICS) 2021-2022, Eswatini Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) 2023 and Kingdom of Eswatini Annual Vulnerability Assessment & analysis Report, 2024. These support UNICEF and Government to identify and prioritize key programming areas of focus for the new CPD.

The international consultant will support the CO in drafting the CPD and related documents as per the UNICEF Country Programme Planning (CPP) guidance. The consultant will engage in both internal and external discussions and workshops scheduled from November 2024 to gain insights into the key deprivations and priorities affecting children in Eswatini, the UNICEF Programme priorities, the main causes of deprivations and how UNICEF and its partners are going to address them.

The international consultant will participate in regular online consultations and meetings with UNICEF Eswatini team to discuss the provisions of the CPD and accompanying documents.

Scope of Work:

UNICEF Eswatini is seeking to engage an individual international consultant to support Eswatini Country Office to develop the 2026-2030 CPD. Under the overall leadership of the Deputy Representative the consultant will lead the development and submission of the CPD and relevant documents The consultant will regularly consultant with the Country Management Team (CMT) and ESARO Programme Planning and Monitoring section.

The intended assignment involves:

 Drafting the CPD based on Explanatory Notes (EN) and the Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF) following standard CPD format and word limits, aligned to the UNSDF, national priorities, UNICEF Strategic Plan as well as other global agenda for children.
 Ensuring adequate consideration of cross-cutting areas including gender, disabilities, equity, climate change and emergency preparedness and response.
 Drafting the costed evaluation plan in consultation with Eswatini CO team and ESARO Evaluation section.
 Drafting other accompanying documents such as “What’s at Stake” document as per the CPD guidance.
 Drafting of materials (e.g. PowerPoint Presentation) that needs to be used in briefing Implementing Partners, UN Country Team, and Development Partners on major programme areas and direction of UNICEF Country Programme.

Specific Tasks of the assignment include:

• In collaboration with CO and ESARO, draft the 2026-2030 CPD based on the EN and IRRF, in line with the standard UNICEF CPD format.

• Draft and finalize the Costed Evaluation Plan (CEP) of the Country Programme.

• In consultation with the CO, draft the What’s at Stake and necessary documents.

• Draft powerpoint presentation for engaging government, UN Country team, Development Partners on UNICEF Country Programme direction and priorities.

• Submit the 2026-2030 CPD in consideration of all inputs.

• Prepare a brief summary of anticipated implications and recommendations for the CPMP

Supervision of the consultancy:

The overall supervision of the consultancy will be provided by the Deputy Representative and will be working closely with PME Specialist, and Chiefs of Sections. The CMT will provide internal oversight of the CPD and ESARO PPM section will provide external oversight. The Deputy Representative will be the contract manager coordinating the performance of the tasks whilst PME Specialist will be responsible for providing necessary documents, arranging consultations and other steps necessary to complete planned deliverables.

 

Work Assignment Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery deadline	Estimated Budget and funding information (WBS, fund, grant)
Inception report with timeline, approach and format of drafting and finalization of CPD	Approved Inception report	2 days Feb 2025
Participate in Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMR) to gain insights and document key take aways	Key priorities for the new CPD, as well as potential challenges, bottlenecks and main cross-sectoral issues (gender mainstreaming, disability, inclusive education, climate, etc.) documented	4 days   Feb 2025
Prepare first draft of the new CPD (2026-2030) and Costed Evaluation Plan Incorporate the new Country Programme Evaluation recommendations	First draft of CPD completed in line with UNICEF Guidelines	10 days Feb – March 2025	30%
In consultation with the CO, draft the     What’s at Stake and necessary documents.	Accompanying documents compiled and finalized	2 days April 2025
Finalize and submit the new CPD (2026-2030)	Final CPD submitted to the RO	4 days May 2025	70%

 

NOTE: Any travel to Eswatini that might be necessary within the duration of the assignment will be handled by Eswatini CO.

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

Minimum Qualifications required*:

At least Master’s degree in relevant field (development studies, social sciences, international relations)

Disciplines:

In relevant field (international relations, development studies, business administration, social sciences, demography, economics, statistics)

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• At least ten years of strategic planning and programme design experience especially in middle income country context.
• Proven track record of experience in design of UN, especially UNICEF country programme documents and results frameworks is required.
• Sound and up to date knowledge of UNICEF guidance and practices in programme design is an asset.

Competency:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work adhere to stipulated timelines
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Fluency in English,

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility tendersglobal.net UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.