Consultancy: Hosting Review Senior Consultant - Req.#581054
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Job no: 581054
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: New York
Level: Consultancy
Location: United States
Categories: Fund Raising
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, hope!
Consultancy Title: Hosting Review Senior Consultant
Section/Division/Duty Station: United Hosted Funds, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), New York HQ
Duration: May 2025, to October 31, 2025
Home/ Office Based: 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 has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.
BACKGROUND
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. Through its investments, it supports and protects holistic learning outcomes for refugee, internally displaced and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so that no one is left behind. Since 2017, ECW has mobilized $1.645 billion and reached over 11.4 million children across 46 countries.
ECW is currently hosted by UNICEF, which means that it is guided by UNICEF’s financial, human resources and administrative rules and regulations. As the fund custodian, UNICEF also provides the necessary fiduciary services and has full fiduciary responsibility for the receipt, custody and disbursement of funds. However, primary accountability of ECW and its Secretariat is to a High-Level Steering Group (HLSG) and an Executive Committee (ExCom) on which the various (donor) partners and constituencies which came together to establish ECW are represented.
In 2018, the first hosting review recommended that ECW be hosted by UNICEF during incubation and that another review be carried out during the second strategic plan period. Consequently, the HLSG has requested the Secretariat to initiate a follow-up review to map out the various hosting options currently available to ECW and, based on a careful analysis and comparison of these options, make clear recommendations so that the HLSG and the ExCom can take an informed decision about ECW’s future hosting arrangements.
Scope of Work:
ECW is looking for a senior consultant to carry out the hosting review. This will serve as the most cost-effective and time-efficient approach in view of the comprehensive and forward-looking hosting review conducted by Mokoro in 2018.
Building on the work carried-out in 2018, the review is intended to clearly present the different hosting options available to ECW, analyse and compare these options based on a set of agreed-upon criteria, and present the HLSG and the ExCom with clear recommendations as to how and by whom ECW should be hosted in the coming period. The review should also include a clear timeline and a list of concrete actions that would need to be taken by both ECW and the recommended host to ensure a seamless transition (as appropriate).
It is expected that the review will be evidence-based and that it will triangulate different sources of information to verify and substantiate findings and recommendations. When different stakeholders or stakeholder groups have different views, these should be noted. Although it is expected to become a public document, available on ECW’s website, the ‘owners’ and primary audience of the hosting review are the HLSG and the ExCom.
Hosting criteria:
The criteria against which potential hosts will be assessed include:
• Value for money
It will be critical to keep the costs of the future hosting arrangement as low as possible and to ensure value for money, i.e., to ensure the best possible use of resources to achieve the desired result(s). This will require a careful review of both the fund administration costs and the costs associated with the actual hosting of the Secretariat.
• Hosting capacity
It will be equally important to ensure that the host has the capacity to support the effective delivery of ECW’s mission, while also affording the fund and its leadership a sufficient degree of autonomy.
This will require an in-depth analysis of both fund administration capacity (i.e., receipt and deposit of financial contributions from donors, grant contracting and disbursement, including to smaller local NGOs, production of annual and certified financial reports, etc.) and capacity to provide administrative support services to the Secretariat, including HRM, legal, accounting, information technology, travel services and security.
• Independence
The host needs to be able to offer ECW full independence on the work that it carries out to deliver on its mandate and not interfere or impede the design and implementation of ECW’s programmatic investments and operational modalities. ECW’s governance structure also needs to be respected.
• Position and branding
To maintain its position as the global champion for education in emergencies and protracted crises and to continue to raise its profile on the global stage, it will be critical for ECW to be able to retain an independent and distinct identity. As such, the branding of ECW’s communication products must be able to remain distinct and not include the logo(s) of the host.
• Continuity
With 107 active grants across 33 countries, it will be essential to ensure the continued uninterrupted operation of all programmes and investments, as well as a smooth transfer of all Secretariat functions and staff, including secondees, consultants and interns. To this end, it will be crucial to ensure continuity of existing contracts, including contribution agreements, grant agreements, institutional contracts, and staff appointments, while also considering the implications of a possible de-hosting from UNICEF.
• Flexibility
In order to meet its objectives, it will be important for ECW to (be able to) establish an expanded fund-raising model, for instance by setting up a separate legal entity to facilitate receipt of contributions or in-kind support from non-traditional donors, and/or by developing stand-alone innovative financing structures. It will be equally important to ensure flexibility when it comes to choosing or changing locations for Secretariat staff to work from.
• Framework for avoiding any (perceived) conflict of interest
Risks related to any (perceived) conflict of interest will need to be minimized by putting in place robust mitigation measures. This will require, at a minimum, keeping teams and information flows separate, and clearly delineating roles and responsibilities in areas such as fundraising, grant allocation, and accountability for grant utilisation (as appropriate).
Approach:
It is envisaged that the hosting review will be carried out in two phases as outlined below.
• Phase 1 (2 months)
- Review all relevant documentation
- Interview senior ECW stakeholders, as well as representatives of potential hosts and of other hosted organisations
- Prepare a longlist of potential hosts, both inside and outside the UN system
- Develop a set of criteria against which potential hosts will be assessed
- Put forward a shortlist of potential hosts for further consideration during phase 2
The criteria and the shortlist of potential hosts will have to be approved by the ExCom before phase 2 starts.
• Phase 2 (3 months)
- Liaise with the short-listed potential hosts to obtain authoritative information about their capacities and their offer
- Draw up a comparative assessment of the different hosting options available to ECW, using the criteria developed during phase 1
- Based on this assessment, make clear recommendations for consideration by the HLSG and the ExCom
- Suggest a clear timeline for the transition (as appropriate)
- Compile a list of concrete actions that would need to be taken by both ECW and the recommended host to ensure a seamless transition
Deliverables:
• A phase 1 report of maximum 25 pages plus annexes, which outlines the methodology and includes a set of criteria against which potential hosts will be assessed. The phase 1 report is also expected to include a shortlist of potential hosts.
• A phase 2 report of maximum 50 pages plus annexes, with an executive summary of not more than 5 pages describing key findings and recommendations. The report is expected to include a comparative assessment of the shortlisted hosting options as well as clear recommendations as to how and by whom ECW should be hosted in the coming period.
The consultant will be expected to help present both reports to different stakeholders, including but not limited to the HLSG, the ExCom and the Secretariat.
Governance:
The hosting review will be managed by the Chief, Humanitarian Liaison and External Relations, together with an advisory group comprised of selected members of ExCom. The advisory group is expected to include several donor representatives as well as a country constituency representative, a civil society constituency representative, and/or a representative from one of the UN agencies.
Terms of Reference / Deliverables
● Develop review methodology
● Conduct interviews with 40-50 key informants
● Develop and build consensus around criteria against which potential hosts will be assessed
● Draft and present Phase 1 report
Phase 1: Report, including methodology, criteria and shortlist (40%) 15 July 2025
● Obtain authoritative information about the capacities and offers of shortlisted potential hosts
● Draw up comparative assessment
● Draft and present Phase 2 report
Phase 2: Report, including comparative assessment, recommendations, and timeline (60%) 31 October 2025
Qualifications
(1) Education
An advanced university degree in management, finance, economics, statistics, social sciences, law, or related field
(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
- At least 20 years of progressive experience in carrying out organizational reforms and evaluations in humanitarian settings
- Strong UN/multilateral system expertise
- Experience with reviewing and evaluating multi-donor (trust) funds.
- Strategic vision, strong analytical capabilities, and sound judgement.
- Extensive contacts and outreach capabilities within the EiEPC community.
Competencies required:
- Excellent partnership skills; strong drive to achieve results
- Outstanding communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey concepts, findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
Requirements:
Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and
- Upload copy of academic credentials
- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
o 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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.
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: Eastern Daylight Time
Deadline: Eastern Daylight Time