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
UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is responsible for managing UNICEF’s relationship with National Committees for UNICEF.
National Committees for UNICEF are independent nongovernmental organizations who act in their countries to advance child rights and wellbeing domestically, regionally, and globally through fundraising, advocacy, and other activities in support of UNICEF’s global mission and universal mandate for children.
PFP’s Governance Team is responsible for the development of nonprofit governance guidance and technical support to National Committees in support of good governance through effective structures and processes with the objective to support board effectiveness, clear accountabilities, ethical environment, transparency, and an effective control environment.
The Policy Writing Consultant will support updating and writing of guidance documents specific to the technical nonprofit governance topic of Control Environment and conduct related research and consultations with stakeholders as needed.
How can you make a difference?
Scope of Work:
Under the guidance of the OIC Chief Governance, the individual consultant will:
- Update existing guidance documents on nonprofit governance topic related to the Control Environment (covering audit, risk, crisis, business continuity, etc.), and conduct related research and consultation with stakeholders as needed.
- Review or develop other guidance documents as agreed.
- Contribute to technical advisory and training resources on nonprofit governance as needed.
Work Assignment Overview:
Review, research, and update of the Control Environment (incl. audit, risk management, crisis management, business continuity, and more) suite of nonprofit governance documents, including guidance, information notes and templates.
Deliverables by By 31 May 2025:
- Review, research and update (to final draft stage ready for stakeholder consultation) at least six (6) thematic guidance documents and associated information notes and templates on effective control environment in a nonprofit/NGO context.
- In parallel with deliverable 1, align, in language and format, all relevant documents (including information notes, templates and samples) on ethical framework.
- In parallel with deliverables 1 and 2, prepare a list of references and materials referred to or consulted to as part of research and update.
- Review or development of other guidance documents as agreed.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in (corporate/non-profit) Law, Business Administration, Public Administration or Policy, International Relations, Finance, Risk, Audit, or other disciplines relevant to nonprofit governance is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or higher), in combination with additional qualifying 2 years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in policy or guidance development including research and writing is required.
- Demonstrated experience in developing corporate or nonprofit governance policy and guidance documents, and capacity building materials is essential.
- Knowledge of concepts related to organizational (nonprofit/NGO) governance structures, processes and requirements is required, with a specific focus on internal controls (audit, risk, crisis management, business continuity, etc.).
Language:
- Fluency in English is required spoken and written. Knowledge of an additional UN language is desirable Other’s:
- Excellent (policy) writing and editing skills is required.
- Proficiency with standard MS Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word, etc.) is required.
- Excellent research skills and strong organizational / strategic / analytical skills are essential.
- The ability to work independently and consultatively within a team, as well as in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, and follow established policies and procedures, is essential.
- Familiarity with UNICEF and National Committees is an asset.
Remarks: The application should include a short cover letter and at least one (1) sample of previous writing work. Sample work can include a document, a publication, etc. (please do not submit any documents with proprietary requirements or confidential elements). (To be uploaded online.)
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.
Remarks:
Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees in USD against the deliverables listed above. If there is a need for business travel, the travel costs will be covered by UNICEF separately. The office selects the individual based on best value for money.
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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.
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.
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.