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] 

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: EMOPS OMP (2026-2029) Process Support Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: EMOPS NYHQ

Duration: 1 January 2025– 28 March 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 is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The EMOPS Division is in the process of developing its new Operational Managment Plan (OMP) for 2026- 2029/30. This is part of the wide UNICEF efforts into embarking on a new Strategic Plan (2026-2029/30) and other important initiatives that EMOPS is undertaking for the co-creation of a new vision for transformative Humanitarian Action and enhance more effectively and efficiently UNICEF preparedness and response to deliver relevant, responsive and adaptive interventions in emergencies in line with the evolving humanitarian situation and a world of complex polycrisis. As part of this important exercise is the development of EMOPS of key initiatives, such as the affordability analysis and the accountability framework, compact among EMOPS, HQ Divisions and Regional Offices on Humanitarian Action, review of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the revision of the Humanitarian Procedures (Emergency Procedures, Emergency Preparedness Procedures and the Activation of the Corporate Emergency Procedures (CEAP). A consultation is being sought to assist the EMOPS to support throughout the process of the development of the OMP for 2026-2029/30, ensuring that EMOPS effectively contributes to the achievements of the humanitarian results that have been set up in the new Strategic Plan and Humanitarian Appeal for Children and aligns its capacity, human and financial resources to meet the key results defined in the new OMP. In preparing the OMP, EMOPS needs to ensure that the expected EMOPS Programmes outcome and outputs results are matched by an adequate management structure and budget.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director and in close consultation with the EMOPS Director and collaboration with the HR manager, the OMP task force , the consultant will support the drafting and the editing of the narrative part of the OMP including the proposed outcome and outputs, proposed staffing structure, the affordability analysis, the review and update of the accountability framework of the office, in line with their roles and responsibilities. The consultant will be guided by the relevant strategic documents (Humanitarian review and its Mid-term review, the Mid-Term Review of the current EMOPS OMP (2022- 2025), the conceptual paper of the EMOPS Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action, the functional review and analysis, etc.)

Specifically, the major assignments of the consultant will be to

Review the new UNICEF strategic plan for 2026-2029/30 and other relevant documents or analytical pieces produced by the organization in preparation for the new OMP.

Get familiar with the overall strategic shifts that the new UNICEF strategic plan for 2026-2029/30 is proposing and support their consolidation and implementation.

Develop a participatory and inclusive planning process, including key elements and consultations, key stakeholders, deliverables, and timetables for the team workshops, and organize consultations. Facilitate an all-staff meeting focusing on the OMP process.

Develop the new vision of EMOPS contribution to the ·creation of the new generation of humanitarian action building on the new elements of the Strategic Plan, and the Strategic Dialogue conducted with external and internal stakeholders and EMOPS Staff.

 Assist HR, operations, and sections to review the efficiency of the staffing structure in line with required results for EMOPS to achieve in the point above with different programming focus and funding scenarios

Prepare the affordability analysis to support the staffing structure.

Conduct SWOT analysis of the management structure to determine its effectiveness to meet the required achievements of results within the evolving challenges and affordability analysis.

Review and update the office accountability framework.

Ensure coherence and compliance with UNICEF guidelines, lessons learnt from previous OMP and any others related documents.

Prepare and edit the narrative report of the OMP based on the guidance and notes provided by the Organization

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

• Desk Review of key documents. Finalization of workplan, including consultation schedule – Inception Report, Final consultation schedule – Mid January 2025.
• Prepare the affordability analysis - Analysis of office funding availability, predictability, trends, forecast options and leveraging strategy shared – Mid March 2025
• Prepare the overall vision of EMOPS contribution to enhance the achievement of humanitarian planned results with impact, quality and scale - Vision for EMOPS roles, responsibilities and contribution to the new Strategic Plan (2026- 2029/30) is developed and consensus reached – Mid March 2025
• Develop the EMOPS OMP 2026- 2029/30 Outcome and Output results and resources framework - EMOPS PBR Submission drafted, revised and finalized in consultation with EMOPS management. – Mid March 2025
• Ensure coherence and compliance with UNICEF guidelines, lessons learnt from previous OMP and other OMP related documents - Quality review report including checklist on key elements of the OMP document and its annexes, the affordability analysis document and updated accountability framework document. – Mid March 2025
• Prepare the narrative report of the OMP based on the guidance and notes provided by the office. - High quality OMP document aligned with the recommended guidelines prepared and available – Mid March 2025
• Deliver the all-staff meeting - All staff meeting organized - presentation of the Draft OMP narrative (proposed structure) – Mid March 2025
• Adjust and finalize the narrative report. - High quality OMP document aligned with the guidelines and final proposed office structure – 28 March 2025

 

Qualifications

Education:

At least a master’s degree.

Disciplines: Enter Disciplines: social sciences, international relations, government, and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field

Experience:

• An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, management, economics, business and administration
• At least fifteen years of professional development experience that combines technical and managerial leadership, and strategic planning related to development cooperation at the international level and experience in UNICEF and development of programmes or management plans is required. Directly related experience to the scope of this assignment is highly desirable.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the UN and relevant UNICEF planning, implementation, and monitoring
• . Knowledge of HR strategies, policies and organizational development including change management

Competencies/Knowledge:

             Proven competency and answering to the profile of commitment, handling diversity, integrity, strong in               communication and in working with people, drive for results

• Proven competency in leadership and supervision, formulating strategies and concepts, analysis, relating and networking and application of technical expertise
• Proven competency regarding a comprehensive understanding of various approaches and methods of programming, human rights, and its implications for programmes
• Fluency in English and proven writing skills
• Familiarity with UNICEF processes is an advantage

 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.

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 core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

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:  

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.