VA Extended: National Consultant: Workforce Diversity Guideline Review, Kathmandu, Nepal (Only for Nepalese Nationals)

Job no: 575507
Position type: Consultant
Location: Nepal
Division/Equivalent: Kathmandu(ROSA)
School/Unit: Nepal
Department/Office: Kathmandu, Nepal
Categories: Human Resources

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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, result

 
UNICEF’s global commitment to have an organizational culture that demonstrates diversity, has been strongly advocated for and promoted for many years at global, regional and country office levels. This commitment has continued with a renewed focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), including persons with disability, through different mechanisms and initiatives. While some factors and issues of DEI cut across globally, some are unique to different country contexts.
 
Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The UNICEF Nepal Country Office (NCO) has actively valued and promoted a positive work environment with more inclusive, respectful, diverse and inclusive culture amongst all its personnel/people as an important enabler to positively impact on delivering results for children. One of the effective mechanisms put in place was to set up a Task Team that developed the NCO Workforce Diversity Guideline in April 2022.
Following two years of implementation and considering some emerging dynamics requiring attention such as the new focus of UNICEF global DEI and changes in Nepal government, NCO has decided to revise and update the Guideline. In this context, an individual consultant will be hired to lead Guideline review and update process in close consultation with the Workforce Diversity Guideline Task Team and Human Resources Specialist.
 
Scope of Work:
 
In revising and updating the workforce diversity guideline, the Consultant should obtain data and information from various reference sources. For instance, the following documents were reviewed when the original Workforce Diversity Guideline was developed in 2022. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Nepal Declaration of Joint Principles of Workforce Diversity of January 2010.
  • The UNDP Nepal Interim Workforce Diversity Policy, and consensus reached by the UN in Nepal, It categorized national personnel into the following three priority groups:
- Priority Group 1: Madeshi Women, Dalit women, religious minority women, disadvantaged Janajati women, women with disability.
- Priority Group 2: Madeshi men, Dalit men, religious minority men, disadvantaged Janajati men, advantaged Janajati women, Brahmin/Chhetri women, men with disability.
- Priority Group 3: Advantaged Janajati men, Hill Brahmin/Chhetri men.  Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Government of Nepal) which showed population size of various ethnic/caste groups based on nine social broad categories. These ethnic/caste groups were aligned with the three categories (priority groups) done by the UN in Nepal.
  • A comparison was done between the number of UNICEF Nepal national staff (as of date) categorized according to the UN grouping, compared with the population size of various ethnic groups as per data from the National Statistics Office (NSO). The trend of ethnic/caste representation for previous years was not available.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in recruitment – UNICEF document
  • Study on global policy on diversity and compare with national policy.
  • Data from seven constitutional commissions
  • Gender Equity and social inclusion Strategy 2021-23
While additional relevant resource documents and their links are listed here below, consultant can identify other latest relevant research documents including good practices from donor communities as well but will disclose these sources to the supervising task team:
 
Resource materials from International Development Partners Group
 
A detailed analysis of data needs to be conducted to review relevant trends and show disaggregation by intersectionality, offices, sectors, national/international positions/categories, and identify challenges encountered with the implementation. The Consultant will also need to review priority groups to align with changing dynamics in UNICEF office (people, culture, ethnicity, work environment, etc), changes at the UN inter-agency levels and in the external environment within which UNICEF operates. There is need to identify recent global diversity and inclusion changes/commitments/initiatives and if need be, re-focus NCO priorities and strategies towards continuous improvement for a sustainable and comprehensive positive work culture.

Duration of Contract: The total duration of the contract is for 3 months. 

Duty Station: The assignment will be home-based, but the consultant will be required to come to the Kathmandu office for coordination, meetings, and sessions.

Deliverables: 

 Tasks Deliverables Timeline
Review reference materials provided for a clear understanding of UNICEF global priorities on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), UN Nepal current diversity issues, current NCO diversity status reports, Nepal government statistics on ethnic/caste and geographic grouping etc Hold inception meeting with the Task Team Inception meeting held with tasks force after reading the referenced materials. Agreed workplan By 31st October 2024 2 weeks from start of assignment
Obtain the current Nepal government population statistics and seven constitutional commission’s data by ethnic/caste and geographic categorization and clearly align UN categorization of ethnic groups with it. Based on the desk review and in consultation with the Task team, propose alternative UN categorization, if need be, for more accurate and realistic alignment. Discuss with the Task Team to explain. Discussion with Task Team held to share the information obtained from the government and seek their views

By 15 November 2024

4 weeks from start of assignment
Using the government categorization, consult with responsible officers in UNDP/UN Agencies to clarify any overlap or confusion existing in the current UN classification of national personnels into the 3 priority groups. If the UN classification is outdated, what is recommended for UNICEF may be adapted by the UN, if need be Recommended categorization of geographic, ethnic/caste diversity for UNICEF properly aligned with that of the government.
Analyze NCO trend of gender and ethnic diversities from April 2022 till current date, disaggregates as per offices, sectors, national staff, including national consultants, national UNVs and UN trainees Comparison to be made from recruitments in 2022 (baseline) Analysed trend shown in both numbers and graphics representation.

By 30th November 2024

6 weeks from start of assignment
Develop an online/live tracker for quick update and instant generation of report on diversity of NCO for all types of personnel – showing as per different office locations and different sections/units. Make a presentation to task team on how to use the tracker.

Online tracker developed and presented to the task team.

Orientation session conducted to show its usage and application
Conduct a survey or use verbal interview with sampled number of diverse staff male/fema le from different caste/ethnic groups/office locations (virtual/in-person) and staff categories and hiring managers to gather feedback on past experiences challenges and lessons learnt in the course of implementing the guideline with regards to recruitment processes. Submission of an analysis of the result of the survey including graphic representation By 15 December 2024 8 weeks from start of assignment

Using all information gathered during research, Review current NCO workforce diversity guideline to update all the sections with current data obtained and analyzed and re-organize the format and graphic presentation of data for improved outlook.

Identify areas of the guideline that contradicts the principle of fairness and equity in any dimension including in recruitment as per global guidance/policy.

 Submission of draft comprehensive revised workforce diversity guideline that reflects all the areas of update for improvement is ready. By 25 December 2024 9 weeks from start of assignment

Keeping in mind the Nepal context, consultant will recommend measures to include in the revised guideline to increase outreach for a more diverse pool of candidates, particularly females, disability and people from under-represented ethnic groups, more focus on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) angle. clarify why GEDSI?

Propose measures that will help the under-represented ethnic groups upgrade their skills and competencies to a level they can compete well in their job applications.

Recommend specific initiatives or projects for overall office efforts for improved diverse, inclusive and positive work environment amongst personnel.

Recommendation of specific measures to source more diverse pool candidates.

Recommendation on ways to support under-represented ethnic groups for upgrade of skills and competencies.

Proposal of special projects to undertake to sustain efforts for improved DEI.

By 31st December 2024

10 weeks from start of assignment

 

Hold meetings with the Workforce Diversity Guideline Task Team to discuss the draft document.

 

 

Further update the document and produce finalized version.

Note: Consultant makes an ethical commitment not to share any information from the guideline with unauthorized external person (s).

Review sessions and discussions held with the Task Team.

 

 

Finalized guideline ready in soft copy and submitted to the Human Resources Specialist.

By 7 January 2025

11 weeks from start of assignment

 

By 14 January 2025 12 weeks from start of assignment

The consultant must submit proposed financial quotation in Nepalese currency based on the deliverables for this assignment.

To qualify as an advocate for every child the consultant will have… 

Academic Qualification:

  • Masters degree in Human Resources Management, Population Studies, Statistics or other related field of study

Work Experience:

Minimum 5 years working experience in human resources management which includes specific work undertaken in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion aspect of people management. -, and projects involving research and data analytics with at least 2 years national/international experience from international organizations.

Knowledge and ability to draw global / regional diversity perspective into realities to fit the Nepal context.

Experience in GEDSI and national level, an asset.

Experience in the UN will be an asset. Very good written and verbal communication and facilitation skills is required. Require competencies in effective collaboration, strategic thinking knowledge on IT would be preferred for Online tracker.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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:  

Request to submit financial proposal (Nepalese currency) based on the deliverables for this assignment. 

Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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: Nepal Standard Time
Application close: Nepal Standard Time

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