UNICEF recruits 01 Consultant

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, Happiness!

Lebanon country office is managing one of the biggest UNICEF office budgets in the world. It does so by implementing its country in partner shift with the Government, other UN agencies, private sector as well as national and international Civil Society Organizations (CSO) with whom a strong working relationship have been established. The agreement between UNICEF and the CSO is done based on the Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which is the legal (umbrella) agreement used to establish the partnership framework with a CSO, defining the rights and obligations of the parties and the partnership’s general terms and conditions over the duration of the Country Programme with no financial commitment from UNICEF.  To operationalize the PCA, at least one Programme Document (PD) is required where there is a transfer of UNICEF resources to a CSO and where all programmatic details are defined. The procedure outlines the requirements, accountabilities and processes for UNICEF offices when transferring resources to CSOs; and provide standard templates and detailed guidance for the development and effective management of the partnership with the CSO.

2018, the Lebanon country office made a shift to be more proactive in supporting the national CSOs and decided to invest more in funding capacity building activities of these CSOs. Given the funding provided by UNICEF is usually of short term nature, a challenge is created at the national CSOs level to sustain themselves and maintaining their organization’s capacity  while keeping with the regulatory requirements in Lebanon (e.g. Labor law), a flat rate overhead recovery cost of 2%  was paid out to national CSOs by UNICEF on a reimbursement basis as of 2018 to strengthen their capacity and mitigate against the risks of cash flow and low liquidity.

Each Program Document (PD) ) submission to the Programme Review Committee (PRC) now includes, as part of the PD documentation, the CSO Business Plan.  The progress on the implementation of the Business Plan is expected to be part of the regular activity reports and submitted in the 1st quarter to UNICEF.

Guidance on the Business Plan:

1. Partner Background – What we do

• Business idea ( scope and content of the CSOs work / Service and future plan)
• Mission Statement

2. Background on Board of Directors
3. CSO Strengths and Comparative advantage
4. Identify the services the CSO with projected budget and resource needs
5. Financial Projections:
   1. Identify the core fixed costs of the CSO operations
   2. Percentage of the salaries and operating expenses to working budget
   3. How would the risks of receiving less funds affect the organizations performance / sustainability?
   4. Fundraising strategy and/ or alternative resources of funds.
6. Comment of financial positions- including last audit reports (internal and external).
7. Identified risks / risk mitigation measures

UNICEF has been implementing the 2% flat rate and required the Business Plans from

CSO for over a year now. UNICEF LCO is looking for a consultancy to help assess how these two actions have affected the sustainability of national partners.

How can you make a difference?

The specific objectives of the assessment are:

1. Identify the actual expenditure of the 2% support to National CSOs, whether the expenditures include activities related to the submitted Business Plan.
2. Identify and assess the impact of the use of the 2% support to National CSOs in terms of sustainability and provide recommendations.
3. Review the quality and use of the Business Plans provided, identify gaps and provide recommendations

Work Assignment Overview:

Task / Milestone

Introduction Meeting 1 day

Review of submitted Business Plans 10 days

Interviews with relevant stakeholders + Analysis work 15 days

Meeting with UNICEF team to discuss preliminary findings 7 days

Working on the draft assessment report 7 days

Deliverables

Draft Report

Timeline

Total: 40 days

Task / Milestone

Submission of draft 1 of assessment report

Review of the draft report by UNICEF 0 days

Revision of the report based on UNICEF feedback 10 days

Submission of draft 2 of the assessment report

Deliverables

Report draft 2

Timeline

10 days

Task / Milestone

Second review of the draft report by UNICEF 0 days

Second revision of the report based on UNICEF feedback 5 days

Deliverables

Submission of Final Assessment Report

Timeline

5 days

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Humanitarian and development contexts.
• A solid experience in conducting evaluations, quantitative and qualitative assessment expertise.
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills in English;
• Knowledge of Arabic language will be an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programming strategies and organizational culture
• Previous experience in undertaking evaluations or similar work experience in the Region specifically in Lebanon will be an asset
• Strong inter-personal, teamwork and organizational skills
• Familiarity with information technology, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

For every Child, you demonstrate Integrity

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are¦.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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

Applicants should submit daily fees quotation and an all-inclusive financial offer.