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Consultancy Title: UNICEF Operations Centre (OPSCEN 2.0) Technology Review Consultant Section/Division/Duty Station:EMOPS, NYHQ

Duration: 15 October 2024 to 13 January  2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / 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 –  PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL DETAILS AND INFOMATION

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: 

Background

The review of  UNICEF's Operations Centre (OPSCEN) is part of the EMOPS initiative to improve support to field offices and enhance crisis response. Since its 1996 establishment, OPSCEN has provided 24/7 global information and communication services, starting with the Kosovo crisis in 1999. The upcoming “OPSCEN of the Future/OPSCEN 2.0” review will evaluate OPSCEN’s capabilities, services, and future needs to boost efficiency, strengthen partnerships, and support UNICEF’s senior leaders in decision-making for global Level 3 emergencies. This review will align with the “EMOPS 2.0” strategy and build on previous assessments to improve business continuity, knowledge management, and visibility.

Scope of Work:  PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL DETAILS AND INFOMATION

1. Assess Current Technology Utilization
2. Identify Gaps and Opportunities
   • Objective: Evaluate the interactions between OPSCEN and key internal and external UNICEF clients and partners. Identify areas where technology can streamline processes and explore opportunities for enhancement.
3. Benchmarking
   • Objective: Conduct interviews and research best practices and lessons learned from similar national and global emergency operation centers, including those within the UN system such as UNOCC, WFP, UNDSS, and others. Identify effective strategies that can be adapted and implemented within OPSCEN, with a focus on establishing a unique niche that aligns with and supports the priority objectives of the next UNICEF Strategic Plan.
4. Stakeholder Engagement
   • Objective: Conduct surveys and interviews with internal stakeholders to gather insights into their current experiences, anticipated needs, and expectations from OPSCEN, including technology use. Collect their suggestions for new services and technologies to complement the opportunities identified in Deliverable #2. This will ensure that the recommendations align with key OPSCEN client requirements.
5. Research on Social Listening Integration and Tool Identification for Enhanced OPSCEN Operations
6. Research on Cyberwarfare and its Impact on Humanitarian Needs
7. Research on the Use of AI for Threat/Risk Assessment, Analysis and Reporting
8. Final Report with Recommendations for the Current OPSCEN and OPSCEN of the Future (including Business Continuity and Risk Management).
   • Objective: Develop actionable recommendations to enhance the current and future use of AI, Data Automation, and Digitalization within OPSCEN’s operations, client services, and business continuity capabilities. Identify potential risks, such as responsible AI use in security, technology integration challenges, data privacy concerns, and outline mitigation strategies. Provide a forward-looking vision for OPSCEN of the Future (OPSCEN 2.0), detailing its future technological requirements to position it as a state-of-the-art crisis center.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview Deliverables/ Outputs Delivery deadline

1. Assess Current Technology Utilization

• Inception Report outlining the work plan, methodology, risks and opportunities and initial findings from preliminary assessments. By November 11 2024

2. Identify Gaps and Opportunities

• A Comprehensive Review, building on stakeholder engagement analysis with a detailed report on current technology utilization, identified gaps, opportunities/areas for improvement, and recommended solutions – By November 25 2024

3. Benchmarking

• Benchmarking Report summarizing findings and recommendations for applicable best practices from national and global emergency operation centers, including UN entities (e.g., UNOCC, WFP, UNDSS). – By December 16 2024

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• A Stakeholder Engagement Report that offers a strategic summary of findings, insights, and actionable recommendations based on consultations with internal stakeholders regarding OPSCEN's current and anticipated services. – By December 23 2024

5. Research on Social Listening Integration and Tool Identification for Enhanced OPSCEN Operations

• A detailed research report on social listening tools, including an assessment of their potential integration into OPSCEN's 24/7 operations. The report will identify suitable tools, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide recommendations for enhancing risk monitoring and reporting services. – By December 23 2024

6. Research on Cyberwarfare and its Impact on Humanitarian Needs

• Cyberwarfare Impact Report detailing the findings and proposed strategies for mitigating risks – By December 23 2024

7. Research on the Use of AI for Threat/Risk Assessment, Analysis and Reporting

• AI in enhanced 24/7 situational awareness monitoring summarizing research findings and recommendations for implementation of best practices and tools – By December 23 2024

8. Final Report with Recommendations for the Current OPSCEN and OPSCEN of the Future (including Business Continuity and Risk Management).

• Final Recommendations Report and presentation including an impact and feasibility analysis/estimated budget
• Performance metrics: Develop clear metrics to evaluate the impact of the implemented technologies on OPSCEN’s operations, including both quantitative measures (e.g., response time, error rates) and qualitative feedback from stakeholders
• Continuous improvement: Establish a framework for ongoing technology review and improvement, ensuring that OPSCEN remains adaptable and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities – By January 13 2025.

TRAVEL

The confirmation of the three weeks required for mission travel to NYHQ during the assignment will be determined during the inception meeting with the selected consultant. Note that these three weeks are in total and will not be consecutive, covering specific periods throughout the assignment. Approval for the exact travel dates will be granted at the beginning of the consultancy

Qualifications

Education: MASTERS

• Information Technology Focused on innovative technology integration and artificial intelligence applications.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Management
• Focused on crisis communication, Information Management, and business continuity
• Social Sciences Familiarity with key issues impacting effective humanitarian preparedness and response, as well as research in humanitarian emergencies

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

1. Experience: A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience within emergency contexts, ideally in the UN system.
2. Technical Expertise in Technology Utilization: Strong understanding of technology integration in operations centers, particularly in emergency management.
3. Research and Analytical Skills:  Ability to conduct assessments, benchmark best practices, and analyze data related to technology and operations.
4. Stakeholder Engagement Experience: Proven track record of effectively engaging diverse stakeholders to gather insights and align recommendations diverse stakeholders to gather insights and align recommendations.
5. AI and Data Analytics Proficiency: Knowledge of AI applications for risk assessment and real-time monitoring, including data analysis techniques.
6. Cybersecurity and Risk Management Knowledge: Familiarity with cyber threats and strategies for risk mitigation in humanitarian contexts.
7. Project Management Skills: Experience in managing multiple deliverables and ensuring timely completion:
8. Communication Skills: Excellent written skills for producing high quality reports and recommendations.
9. Experience with Emergency Operations: Background in emergency operations centers or similar operational environments, preferably within the UN system

Please find TOR attached Terms of Reference - UNICEF Operations Centre (OPSCEN 2.0) Technology Review Consultant.pdf

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. 

Remarks:  

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.