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National Consultant to Design and facilitate the yoga sessions for LCO Staff in 2024,Maseru, Lesotho (3 months)

Apply now Job no: 575358
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Maseru
Level: Consultancy
Location: Lesotho
Categories: Health

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, resilience

How can you make a difference? 

Backround

The Lesotho Country Office (LCO) is a medium-sized UNICEF operation, comprised of over 42 dedicated staff members, including interns and consultants, working cohesively across multiple sections and teams. As we continue to advance UNICEF’s mission in Lesotho—working to ensure that every child is protected, educated, and supported—the role of effective communication and a robust ethical foundation becomes ever more crucial to our collective success.
 
In a complex, rapidly changing and at times stressful work environment, where collaboration across sectors and departments is not just beneficial but essential, the ability to maintain mental clarity, emotional resilience, and a positive work culture is crucial. The LCO is currently navigating a period of significant transition with the implementation of the new Country Programme Document (CPD) and the onboarding of new staff members. Such changes inevitably bring fresh dynamics and evolving expectations, making it imperative that all team members are well integrated and comfortable at the work space and in their teams. These elements are vital for fostering a workplace culture that is not only positive and healthy but also deeply aligned with our shared mission of delivering the best possible outcomes for the children and communities we serve.
 
UNICEF Lesotho is deeply committed to promoting the health and well-being of its staff. Regular physical activity, such as yoga, has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall physical health. Additionally, yoga can foster better team dynamics and team building through shared experiences and collective relaxation. Furthermore, aligning with the global celebration of International Yoga Day, which emphasizes the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being, UNICEF Lesotho aims to integrate these values into its workplace culture. By engaging a professional yoga consultant, we can ensure that our staff benefits from high-quality yoga instruction, contributing to their overall health, productivity, and effectiveness at work.
 
Purpose of the assignment
 
The purpose of this assignment is to design and facilitate the 2024 Lesotho Country Office (LCO) Staff yoga sessions, scheduled to be held weekly, scheduled from September to December 2024, at UNICEF LCO premises. These sessions will focus on leveraging yoga and mindfulness practices to enhance communication, ethical decision-making, and overall psychological well-being within the LCO. The sessions aim to strengthen the team’s ability to collaborate effectively, maintain mental and emotional resilience, and align staff efforts with UNICEF’s mission in Lesotho. Through these sessions, staff will engage in activities that promote mental clarity, emotional
balance, and a supportive work environment, ultimately contributing to the delivery of impactful and sustainable results for children and communities across the country.
 
Scope of Work
The primary objective of engaging a yoga consultant for UNICEF Lesotho is to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our staff, thereby improving their overall performance and learning capacity. Regular yoga sessions are intended to reduce stress, stimulate cognitive abilities, and foster a healthy work environment. These sessions will not only support individual wellness but also build a stronger sense of community and teamwork among staff members. Through shared experiences in a structured and professional setting, we aim to improve team dynamics and create a more cohesive, psychologically safe, and supportive work environment. This initiative aligns with our commitment to staff well-being and the global emphasis on integrating holistic practices into daily life.
 
Objectives:
  • To enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of UNICEF Lesotho staff through regular yoga sessions.
  • To stimulate learning and cognitive functions by reducing stress and improving mental clarity.
  • To strengthen team dynamics and foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
  • To provide a structured, professional, and inclusive approach to yoga practice that accommodates all staff members.
The scope of work for the yoga consultant includes conducting weekly yoga sessions tailored to the diverse needs of our staff. The consultant will design and lead routines that accommodate varying levels of experience and physical ability, ensuring all participants can benefit from the practice. Additionally, the consultant will guide staff through proper techniques to prevent injuries, create an inclusive environment that encourages regular participation, and offer advice on integrating yoga practices into daily routines for long-term health and psychological benefits. These efforts will contribute significantly to the overall well-being, cognitive performance, and team cohesion of UNICEF Lesotho staff.
  • Designing yoga routines that cater to varying levels of experience and physical ability.
  • Conducting weekly yoga sessions for UNICEF Lesotho staff.
  • Providing guidance on proper techniques to prevent injuries.
  • Creating a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages participation.
  • Offering advice on integrating yoga practices into daily routines for long-term benefits.

WORK ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Tasks Deliverable/Output Timeline/Deadline Payment Structure
Weekly yoga sessions (1 hour each) for a period of 3 months Monthly progress reports on staff participation and feedback October – December 75%
Final report summarizing the impact of the yoga sessions on staff well-being and team dynamics Final report December 25%

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

  • Bachelors

Enter disciplines:

  • Organizational Development
  • Communication
  • Ethics
  • Adult Education and Learning /Facilitation

Relevant work experience required (in years):

The consultant should possess the following skills and qualifications:
  • Certified yoga instructor with a recognized qualification.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in conducting yoga sessions, preferably in a corporate or organizational setting.
  • Strong understanding of yoga techniques and their benefits for physical and mental health.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to create a positive and inclusive environment
  • Experience in team building and group dynamics is an advantage.
Language
  • 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 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. 

Advertised: South Africa Standard Time
Deadline: South Africa Standard Time

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