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Within the scope of UNICEF Brazil's Country Program Document (CPD) 2024–2028, the innovation strategy seeks to accelerate results for children and adolescents through scalable solutions, partnerships, and capacity-building, connecting with government, the private sector, STI ecosystems, and emerging technologies. At the global level, UNICEF (Office of Innovation/Ventures) is already exploring blockchain technology as a frontier for transparency, financing, and accountability, including initiatives such as Crypto Fund and investments in open-source solutions that improve the lives of children.

In this context, this consultancy will provide technical support to UNICEF Brazil to: (i) conduct an applied study and develop UNICEF Brazil's Blockchain/Web3 Strategy integrated with the innovation strategy, with principles, safeguards, governance, and prioritized use cases; and (ii) implement the Youth Challenge Blockchain by August, using the program as a platform to mobilize the ecosystem (government, CTI, startups, companies, foundations), consolidate a qualified network of partners, and generate evidence for adoption and scale.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Develop and support the Innovation team to operationalize a Blockchain/Web3 agenda for UNICEF Brazil, aligned with the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024–2028, through:

1. Blockchain/Web3 strategy integrated with the Innovation Strategy (vision, axes, governance, safeguards, portfolio of use cases, and 12–18-month plan); and
2. Implementation of the Youth Challenge Blockchain (by August) as a laboratory and platform for coordinating the ecosystem, producing evidence, a network of partners, and a pipeline of opportunities.
   
   

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DELIVERABLES:
1. INCEPTION REPORT AND DETAILED WORK PLAN

1.3. Estimate Budget: 20% of the general budget

2.1. Deliverables/Outputs

What:
· Implementation support package for the Youth Challenge Blockchain, including:

· Operational workplan and implementation roadmap for the Youth Challenge through its key stages.

· Support materials for outreach, engagement, onboarding, mentoring, selection, and final presentation moments.

· Documentation of the challenge journey, including key milestones, ecosystem engagement, and evidence generated.

· Systematization of lessons, opportunities, risks, and recommendations emerging from the Youth Challenge process.

How (Minimum Technical Approach Requirements):

· Provide technical support to UNICEF in the planning and execution of the Youth Challenge Blockchain process, without assuming direct management responsibility for the initiative.

· Support the preparation of materials, tools, criteria, and workflows for ecosystem mobilization, youth engagement, mentoring, and selection processes.

· Engage with relevant stakeholders from the blockchain/Web3 ecosystem, including government, private sector, civil society, innovation actors, and technical experts, to inform implementation and identify opportunities;

· Produce concise evidence and learning notes (máx 20 pages) throughout the process to capture insights relevant to UNICEF Brazil.

2.2. Deadline: By the end of month three
2.3. Estimate Budget: 40% of the general budget

Technical background and experience required  

UNICEF is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce should reflect the diversity of these children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socioeconomic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, assistance with travel missions, or personal assistants. We recommend that you disclose your disability during your application if you require reasonable accommodation during the selection process and subsequently in your assignment.

 UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct that is incompatible with the goals 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 protection principles. All selected candidates must adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic credentials and professional history. Selected candidates may be asked to provide additional information for the purpose of conducting a background check.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

• The consultant will work from home, using their own equipment and office supplies. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when necessary.
• The consultant's travel expenses shall be included in the consultant's fees.
• No contract may commence without being signed by UNICEF and the consultant and without the mandatory courses being completed.
• Consultants will have no representative, certifying, or approving authority, nor will they have any supervisory responsibilities or authority over UNICEF's budget.

• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis.
• Data Protection, Privacy, and Responsible Innovation: The consultant will comply with UNICEF policies and applicable Brazilian legislation on data protection (including LGPD), confidentiality, and information security. Any collection, processing, storage, sharing, or analysis of personal data—particularly data related to adolescents and young participants—must be strictly minimized, purpose-limited, and subject to UNICEF’s prior written approval. The consultant shall implement privacy-by-design and security-by-design approaches, including data minimization, access controls, and secure storage.
• The consultancy will not involve speculative activities or financial advice, nor will it require the consultant to custody or manage digital assets on behalf of UNICEF. Any proposed blockchain-related use cases must include a documented risk assessment (legal, reputational, safeguarding, financial, operational) and mitigation measures, aligned with UNICEF’s responsible innovation principles.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• The costs indicated are estimates. The final fee will follow the principle of "best value for money," i.e., achieving the desired result at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal must be submitted that includes the fee for the task based on the expected results and the number of days. Consultants must stipulate all-inclusive fees, including a fixed amount, administrative costs, travel costs, and living expenses, as applicable.
• Payment will be based on the presentation of the agreed results. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if the results presented do not meet the required standard or in the event of delays in the presentation of results by the consultant.
• Financial proposals from local consultants shall be submitted in the local currency in effect at the time of submission. UNICEF will evaluate and contract based on this amount, which shall remain fixed and not subject to adjustment due to subsequent exchange rate fluctuations.

INSURANCE AND HEALTH COVERAGE

• The contractor is fully responsible for providing, at their own expense, life, health, and other insurance deemed appropriate to cover the term of the contract.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance plans available to UNICEF and United Nations employees.

RESTRICTIONS

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract. 
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

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.

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.