Support to UNICEF DAPM/RMPS unit and Country Offices for the review of the IFI related Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) documentation/HQ, New York, RMPS/DAPM/Post #580522
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Job no: 580522
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: New York
Level: Consultancy
Location: United States
Categories: Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
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For every child, HOPE
Consultancy Title: Support to UNICEF DAPM/RMPS unit and Country Offices for the review of the IFI related Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) documentation
Section/Division/Duty Station: HQ, New York, RMPS/DAPM
Duration:1 April 2025 to 31 August 2025
Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote
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Purpose of Activity/Assignment: The Risk Management in Programming and Safeguarding (RMPS) unit – placed in the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) within Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) – was created in 2024 to contribute to the adoption of an integrated approach to risk management and safeguarding. The RMPS is structured around 3 pillars: i) Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in Programming and Safeguarding; ii) Complaints and Feedback Redressal Management; iii) Partnership Risk Management/HACT. In line with DAPM/PET’s mandate, and in collaboration with PG, the RMPS unit contributes to drive decision making and organizational learning, improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child. Furthermore, the RMPS unit works with the Risk Chief Officer to strengthen UNICEF’s enterprise risk management approach by fostering better coordination between different risk areas, integrated in programmatic, operational and strategic planning and decision-making. As part of the RMPS’s scope of action, the Policy and Procedure on Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in Programming is expected to be issued in March 2025, and rolled out jointly with the Policy on Safeguarding and Implementation Guidance later this year, to support the inclusion of ESS and Safeguarding in UNICEF programmes. However, in the meantime, institutional donor partners require UNICEF to apply ESS and Safeguarding to the programmes they contribute to through direct or indirect financing. In light of the above, the objective of this consultancy is to enhance the capacity of the RMPS and of their focal points in the Regional Offices (ROs) to support more efficiently Country Offices (COs) in reviewing ESS-related documents submitted by country offices, ensuring compliance with World Bank requirements and the Entity’s internal ESS policies, and providing recommendations to strengthen the quality of submissions and of their subsequent implementation. It is anticipated that there are three key technical areas of work under this consultancy:
The consultant will also ensure better alignment of the RMPS’s work with other risk areas within the risk management framework including AAP and data protection and support ESS/Safeguarding compliance across programmes and operations. The Risk Management in Programming and Safeguarding Unit (RMPS) is expected to manage this consultancy in close coordination and collaboration with other relevant units within DAPM and other stakeholders as needed. Scope of Work:
Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables: Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline 1. Review of ESS-Related Documents per IFI project - 11 Quality Assurance Reports on ESS-Related Documents per IFI project 30 June 2025 2. Analysis of documents submitted from 11 Country Offices - 11 Technical Analysis Reports on CO Submissions 30 June 2025 3. Analysis of documents submitted from 11 Country Offices 2 - 11 Generic ESS and Safeguarding Risk Mitigation Strategies 31 Jul 2025 4. Generic approach/workflow for the RMPS unit - Guidance Document for RMPS Support to Cos 30 Jul 2025 5. End Report - Final Summary Report 30 Aug 2025 |
Qualifications
Education:
Advanced degree in environmental science, social sciences, environmental law, law, public administration, human rights, or a related field, is required.
Work experience:
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:
- At least 5-7 years of experience in environmental and social risk assessment, preferably in projects funded by the World Bank or other multilateral financial institutions.
- Strong knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant safeguard policies.
- Sound knowledge of Safeguarding frameworks, inclusive but not limited to Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
- Sound knowledge on Complaint and Feedback Management.
- Experience in reviewing ESCPs, ESMF, ESMPs, LMPs, and other safeguard instruments.
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently and to meet tight deadlines
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English
Experience of working with UN agencies and knowledge of UNICEF mission and mandate is desirable
Requirements:
Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and
- Upload copy of academic credentials
- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
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- 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.
Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Deadline: Eastern Daylight Time