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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Humanitarian Advocacy Coordination Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA) Head of Humanitarian Advocacy

Duration: September 2025 to June 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ/ Remote 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

The Humanitarian Advocacy Coordination Consultant will work with the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA) Head of Humanitarian Advocacy, to develop and roll-out implementation of required updates and revisions to corporate approaches to humanitarian advocacy as UNICEF and the humanitarian sector undergoes unprecedented change, and while UN agencies increase collaboration on humanitarian diplomacy.

Through these efforts, the Humanitarian Advocacy Coordination Consultant will work with the Head of Humanitarian Advocacy towards fulfilling GCA’s accountabilities to strengthen global capacities to develop, implement and monitor targeted, integrated and corporately owned humanitarian advocacy strategies and workplans in major crises and at global level; and strengthen leadership capacity on humanitarian diplomacy, in collaboration with EMOPS.

The Humanitarian Advocacy Coordination Consultant will be responsible for gathering ways of working across technical-level humanitarian advocacy crisis cells and working groups as well as the Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad,  and will be accountable to the Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and Humanitarian Advocacy team for conducting a review of ways of working, developing recommendations for strengthening a streamlined, coordinated approach, and based on feedback from recommendations, developing an updated, streamlined approach to humanitarian advocacy and diplomacy within UNICEF, focusing on building and testing ways of working across HQ Divisions and with COs and ROs in a context of a rapidly changing internal landscape within UNICEF alongside an evolving external humanitarian landscape.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Advocacy in GCA and in close coordination with EMOPS, PPD and PFP alongside relevant Country and Regional Offices, the consultant will review existing approaches to humanitarian advocacy, recommend changes based on learnings and best practice internally and externally, and develop recommended changes to humanitarian advocacy to feed into corporate reviews to UNICEF’s Emergency Procedures, Emergency Preparedness Procedures and Corporate Emergency Activation Procedures. The Coordination Consultant will advise on approaches to strengthen internal coordination on humanitarian diplomacy and political engagement to advance advocacy objectives including through UNICEF’s Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad; and will develop and pilot an effective system for incoming information and intelligence needed for real-time humanitarian advocacy, engaging across teams and in particular working closely within GCA, with the Emergency Operations (EMOPS) Division, Public Partnerships Division (PPD) and Private Fundraising Division (PFP) and in consultation with country and regional offices and other HQ Divisions.

As a starting point in these efforts, the consultant will review relevant existing ways of working within UNICEF and the humanitarian sector on real-time political engagement and diplomacy, as well as public advocacy, to develop and pilot ways of working that enable UNICEF’s humanitarian advocacy to be driven by real-time data and analysis, backed by evidence and informed by timely political intelligence and decision-making, in line with the Humanitarian Review and Humanitarian Review MTR.

The Humanitarian Advocacy Coordination Consultant will work closely with GCA’s Planning Manager for humanitarian advocacy and communications, with GCA’s humanitarian taskforce, and the Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad. This will include working with UNICEF’s Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad Secretariat to manage meeting minutes and scheduling, as well as advising other cross-team efforts on optimal platforms, mechanisms and approaches for collaboration as needed in the lead up to major moments for UNICEF’s humanitarian agenda.

She/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at headquarters to develop streamlined ways of working, in line with changing capacities and accountabilities across teams, to conduct effective, timely and coherent humanitarian advocacy. Within the scope of this consultancy, this should include:

-     Developing workflows, guidance and recommended approaches, based on stakeholder consultations, to ensure real-time, evidence based advocacy, while leveraging best practice and learnings available across UNICEF

-     Identifying and maximizing opportunities for strategic coordination, information-sharing and analysis across teams, recognizing the shared accountability across different parts of UNICEF for humanitarian advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy.

-     Bringing recommendations based on findings and analysis to inform UNICEF planning and coordination on potential changes or adaptations required to strengthen corporate and inter-agency approaches to humanitarian advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy.

-     Developing proposed changes to corporate approaches to humanitarian advocacy to feed into corporate reviews of emergency-related procedures and their implementation, such as UNICEF’s Emergency Procedures. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

- Review and update recommended changes  related to humanitarian advocacy, including as part of reviews of UNICEF’s corporate emergency-related procedures            

1. Comprehensive desk review conducted of existing relevant materials, including up to 15 source documents
2. Up to 15 initial stakeholder interviews conducted to inform updates and reviews to existing materials to inform upcoming reviews of emergency-related procedures
3. Comprehensive update of materials and recommendations for humanitarian advocacy components of up to 3 emergency-related procedures  

26 June 2026

Advise on coordination approaches for strategic humanitarian advocacy during transition context

1. Advise Head of Humanitarian Advocacy on optimal approaches to coordination for effective humanitarian advocacy in the context of transitions within the Humanitarian Advocacy team and across UNICEF, including changes required in light of changing accountabilities, team structure, work flow, field support approaches, team work planning, via production of one internal report with recommendation
2. Advise the GCA humanitarian advocacy team, GCA Planning Manager, and GCA humanitarian taskforce in transition period, including planning for major moments and cross-team collaboration required, via up to 30 weekly coordination meetings  

 26 June 2026

Develop, pilot and adapt: Develop and pilot updated ways of working on humanitarian advocacy, including through transition periods, document learnings and develop adaptations needed to streamline ways of working to support effective humanitarian advocacy

1. 1 Develop a series of up to 4 guidelines on ways of working across different working groups and/or workstreams, based on consultations and up to 4 pilots conducted with internal stakeholders engaging on UNICEF’s humanitarian advocacy agenda (1 pilot per guideline expected). Guidelines to include information flow, coordination, planning and documentation across major emergencies and UNICEF’s global humanitarian advocacy – based on findings from stakeholder consultations and desk reviews conducted.
2. 2 Feedback gathered on up to 4 pilots, and 1 consolidated pilot report produced
3. 3 Ways of working adapted and refined based on findings and recommendations, and reflected in final set of up to 4 guidelines.

26 June 2026

Coordination expertise for UNICEF’s Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad Secretariat and for major moments and initiatives as assigned      

1. Coordination expertise provided for effective running of Humanitarian Diplomacy Squad, including up to 18 Squad meetings scheduled, background materials produced and minutes shared
2. Coordination expertise provided for up to 6 Humanitarian key moments as assigned       

26 June 2026

Coordination expertise for UNICEF’s contributions to the UN Humanitarian Diplomacy collaborative initiative   

1. Coordination expertise  provided to the Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and other internal stakeholders in developing and piloting the collaborative Initiative on Humanitarian Diplomacy, via up to 30 internal coordination meetings and up to 20 inter-agency meetings     

26 June 2026

Qualifications

(1) Education

• University degree in Social sciences, international relations, public policy, humanitarian affairs, emergency response, international development, public relations, communication or a related field

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

•     A  university degree is required in International Relations, Political Science, Public Affairs, Emergency Management or a related area

•     At least five years’ experience in humanitarian advocacy or diplomacy, or in emergency response or information management, preferably on both a global and national level.

•     Proven track record in designing and managing multi-stakeholder projects, with strong project planning, monitoring, and coordination skills, adept at managing tight deadlines and using collaboration tools.

•     Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, to foster collaboration and drive impactful results, and adaptability and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

•     Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station

•     Experience in operating independently in providing expert advice and support to senior management, ideally on issues related to humanitarian affairs, international relations, or a related field

•     Experience working for an international organization on humanitarian issues e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization

•     Current knowledge of humanitarian issues and children’s rights.

•     Knowledge of the United Nations system and other international organizations within the humanitarian sector are a strong asset.

•     Experience working in an emergency environment is a strong asset.

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.

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 Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values 

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UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, are encourage to apply are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.