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For every child, HOPE

Consultancy Title: Advocacy Consultant, Polio Outbreaks

Section/Division/Duty Station: DGCA, NYHQ

Duration: 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

How can you make a difference? 

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

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

2025 is a significant moment for polio eradication efforts. The months ahead are high risk, but with important opportunities for UNICEF’s advocacy and to secure essential results. UNICEF is looking for a consultant for seven months to support key moments and initiatives which are part of UNICEF’s Global Polio Advocacy Strategy. Additional capacity is needed in the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, Advocacy Section, to undertake timebound projects and scale up polio advocacy results at a crucial moment in time. This includes delivering resources and materials for global advocacy moments, including World Polio Day (24 October).

UNICEF’s polio advocacy is supported by a leading Foundation. This role will support a number of key grant deliverables from April 2025 to October 2025.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will produce background research and analysis to inform advocacy and communication strategies and approaches (global, regional, and national levels); facilitate the development and delivery of at least two global advocacy moments, briefings and/or events; and deliver essential advocacy materials (including key messages, calls to action, and internal communications) to support the Global Polio Advocacy Strategy and essential polio advocacy grant deliverables

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1. Develop dissemination materials for a polio outbreak and campaign documentary 

• Produce an advocacy plan and associated materials for a polio outbreak and campaign documentary (filmed in 2024 and finalized in Q1 2025)
• A concept note and project plan for at least one advocacy event which utilises the documentary in support of UNICEF Global Polio Advocacy Strategy  
• A set of internal communications messages, materials, and resources to enable UNICEF offices to plan events and engagements with the documentary

31 May 2025

2. Global Polio Advocacy Brief  

• Development of the global polio advocacy brief, including document review and background analysis/research
• Develop a set of advocacy and communication resources (key messages, call to actions, and internal communications) to accompany the global polio advocacy brief

31 August 2025

3. Produce result reports for senior leadership and donors

• Create at least two results reports showcasing results from countries which are part of the Polio Advocacy and Communication Grant. This includes gathering information from offices and creating donor friendly and compelling documents which can be shared with senior stakeholders
• Produce a shorter spotlight report on UNICEF Polio advocacy engagement and successes from country, regional and global level for UNICEF senior leadership to draw from in meetings and public speaking engagements
• Produce summary report for World Polio Day advocacy and communication activities by UNICEF global, regional, and country offices

5 Sept 2025

31 Oct 2025

4. Preparation of event materials

• Prepare at least one concept note for moments in the 2025 calendar to advocate for polio eradication and/or strengthened routine immunization with a specific focus on equity and reaching ‘zero-dose’ communities
• Prepare associated project plan for agreed priority moments
• Produce a set of internal communications materials/documents to support the delivery of high-profile and high-impact events

30 Sep 2025

5. Communication and Advocacy Materials 

• Develop two sets of advocacy and communication resources (key messages, call to actions, and advocacy briefings) for up to two global advocacy milestones on polio. This will include World Polio Day and one other moment

31 Jul 2025

31 Oct 2025

6. Background research and produce key findings 

• Undertake background research and gather insights on key polio priority areas and countries required to support global, regional, and national advocacy strategies and activities
• Produce at least one briefings and/or key finding documents for advocacy team a month

31 Oct 2025

Qualifications

Education:

Advanced university degree in Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, International Relations, Public Policy, International Development, Human Rights, Global Health, Communications, Journalism or similar

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in sectors associated with global and/or public health, advocacy and communication At least two years of experience as trainer/facilitator.
• Excellent writing and research skills, including experience in writing short reports and briefings is essential Must be fluent in English. Knowledge of French or Spanish is considered an asset.
• Experience in developing and creating advocacy materials, key messages, event briefings and concept notes, talking points, donor reports, and advocacy briefings is essential
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct and engaging ways in advocacy and campaign materials is essential
• Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics with partners and including multiple teams. 
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects.
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.
• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.
• Experience working in the field of Polio eradication or a thorough understanding of challenges associates with Polio programs and outbreaks is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (especially Arabic or French) or a local language is an asset.
• Good working knowledge and experience across Microsoft SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, Excel is required

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. 

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 | 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.