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For every child,

Scope of the Work:
The UNICEF Guinea Bissau Country Programme aims to contribute to the improvement of the equitable access, and coverage to quality of essential social services for Guinea Bissau’s children and their families living in resource limited contexts. UNICEF Guinea Bissau’s financial contributions are done with approximately 20% investments made with UNICEF core resource allocation from headquarters (HQ), and 80% form the contributions of a few donors whose allocations are specifically targeted and whose contributions UNICEF is appreciative of.
UNICEF Country Office has an obligation to complete an internal and an external end-of-year progress report which analyzes the overall performance of the country office and examines the contributions made by each of the country programme components. These document annual results, assess the strengths and limitations of the strategic choices and the implementation strategies tested during the year, and permit the sharing of lessons learned and innovations so that they inform future corrective actions and scale-up plans. It also provides the opportunity to analyze the value-addition of UNICEF’s contribution to the reduction of deprivations among children in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the UNICEF Country Programme Document (CPD).
The Country Office annual report (COAR), which is an important instrument for accountability and monitoring of the ongoing performance and for strengthening the trust of internal and external stakeholders and thereby enhance partnerships and expand UNICEF’s alliance building efforts, is produced based on HQ’s Instructions for 2025 Country Office Annual Reports (COAR) which was issued by the Division of Data Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DPAM) in September 2025. Inputs recorded on the Results Assessment Module (RAM), the UNICEF’s programme performance management and reporting platform, are concise and results centered narrative reports based on drafts done by the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Specialist, and Section and Unit Heads for sectoral programmes (Health and Nutrition, WASH, Acesse to Learning, Child Protection, and Social Inclusion), and cross sectoral programs (Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, Social Behaviour Change Communication and Programme Monitoring and Evaluation), Programme Effectiveness and Operations). The programmes also provide updated data on progress made by programme area through the Country Reporting and Validation Exercise (CRAVE) and Core Standard Indicators (CSI) reports which will be finalized by xx and xx respectively which will be used for the elaboration of COAR by UNICEF respective team ahead of the elaboration of COAR.
This consultancy will therefore support the country office team in editing and finalizing the internal and external versions of the UNICEF Guinea Bissau COAR.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE:
Under the supervision of the UNICEF Guinea Bissau Deputy Representative Programme and the PME Specialist, the consultant will 1) support the editing and finalization of the end-year summary narrative (EYSN) portion of the Country Office Annual Report (COAR) and 2) develop an external version of the UNICEF Guinea-Bissau Annual Report for publication as an advocacy and partnerships building tool to be shared with government and donors.

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL APPROACH:

- The consultant will familiarize himself/herself with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the UNICEF Guinea Bissau CPD 2022-2025, the end year 2024 UNICEF Guinea Bissau COAR report, as well as the annual management plan and the annual programme priorities for 2025 and 2026 and UNSCDF 2022-2026. This will be further refined in line with the guidance provided by the CO on the emphasis to put into the 2025 COAR to present programme results and the impact made by UNICEF’s technical and financial investments. The final output of this consultancy will be published report for the country office.

The consultant will also work closely with the Representative, the Deputy Representative Programme, the Deputy Representative Operations and the heads of sections to prioritize major results and lessons learned to be presented within the word and character limits imposed by the guidelines and the platforms.

The consultant will also maintain a folder with sub-folders by programme and ensure there is a clear system of version control as documents undergo various iterations of revisions based on feedback from the Representative. The first phase of the consultant will focus on the completion of the internal reports, the second will focus on the development of the annual public report complete with infographics, to be done in close collaboration with the Representative, the communication, advocacy and partnerships.

How can you make a difference? 

ACTIVITIES AND TASKS:

Development of the End-Year Summary Narrative (EYSN)
The end-of-year Summary Narrative should be succinct, with emphasis placed on the quality of data. It should be a concise narrative of 2025 programme results and management performance, reflecting cross-cutting analysis of Outcome/Output assessments. It is a 6,000-word analytical document, written primarily for use by both Country and Regional Offices, and to a lesser degree by HQ divisions, for programming, accountability and internal and external advocacy purposes. It consolidates the key strategic results identified in the RAM sectoral outcome reports and consists of the following components:

Update on the context (1000 words)
The office provides a concise analytical assessment of the current status of child rights in the country (for Country Offices), region (for Regional Offices), or world (for Headquarters Divisions), specifically referencing the impact and outcome indicators in the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. The office also examines relevant changes that emerged in the political and socio-economic landscape during the reporting period, which have implications for UNICEF’s programmes and operations and the office’s ability to deliver results at scale for children. The office is encouraged to undertake its reflection on the context through the lens of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, and the call to “leave no child behind.”

Major achievements and UNICEF contributions (3000 words)
This section presents an analysis, focusing on the key results achieved during the year. Rather than encompassing all programme and management results for the year, offices focus on a subset of results that are of strategic relevance for showcasing accountability and supporting UNICEF’s positioning with stakeholders and the wider public. The analysis highlights how the results advanced national priorities (such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework) or regional/global development priorities. Offices provide analysis of the key contributing factors to the results, including but not limited to the UNICEF Strategic Plan’s change strategies and enablers.

Partnerships (1000 words)
As outlined in the Strategic Plan, UNICEF places strong emphasis on fostering shared value partnerships with government, civil society, the UN, the private sector, and other stakeholders. These partnerships are central to UNICEF’s ability to mobilize resources and implement successful programmes to influence stakeholders and support the realization of children’s rights. This section provides a concise summary of UNICEF’s endeavors in harnessing partnerships and leveraging resources to benefit children in the country/region/world. Where relevant, highlight how flexible funding (e.g. Regular Resources or thematic funds) facilitated major achievements. In addition to contributions of key government and civil society partnerships, this section highlights engagement with UN collaborative mechanisms, International Financial Institutions, and other joint efforts. Where relevant highlights how partnerships supported innovation in programming.

Challenges, Lessons Learned and Future Outlook (1000 words)
In this section, the office analyzes what worked and didn’t work throughout the year, demonstrating that UNICEF manages adaptively and in an agile manner. The office reflects lessons learned in achieving or accelerating results on a scale, especially for the most marginalized children. The office reflects on the critical challenges and gaps that require innovative approaches and solutions to address effectively. This section concludes by presenting forward-looking statements, including how the office intends to use the insights gained during the year to adjust programme strategies, inform future actions, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
UNICEF Guinea-Bissau’s 2025 public facing annual report.

1. The public facing annual report of UNICEF Guinea Bissau’s actions in 2025 will be prepared by the consultant based on the internally produced country office annual report (COAR).

2. The drafting of the text and the supervision of the production of the layout and presentation, including infographics by graphic designer services vendor contract by UNICEF, will be done under the supervision of the consultant in line with the guidance provided by the Representative.

3. The consultant needs to ensure that the Summary Narrative is written in a style and content that is appropriate, credible, relevant, and understandable for external audiences and centered on advocacy and partnerships building. The consultant will seek clearance for all sections, images, and infographic presentations to avoid statements that may give rise to reputational risk to UNICEF in the public domain.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:  20 working days/ Remotely

Work Assignments Overview	Tangible Deliverables	Delivery Deadline
Délivrable 1: Drafting EYSN report	Draft version of the EYSN report approved Final version of EYSN report validated	15 January 2026
Délivrable 2: Develop light version of the UNICEF Guinea Bissau 2025 Annual Report.	Final soft version of the Annual Report, in the final design, ready to print	31 January2026

Payments will be made based on deliverables that are to be submitted on an agreed schedule.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master’s degree of the following fields is required: Journalism, publishing, literature, social sciences, or related fields.
• Work Experience: T
  - Minimum of five years experience in drafting, editing and proof-reading documents prepared by non-native English speakers, strategic communication, and external relations, with a focus on development reporting.
  - Minimum of one experience in writing Annual Reports for UNICEF Country Offices.
  - Excellent command of English and proven ability to work on editorial projects from concept to publication with diverse teams across various programme sectors. Familiarity with the language and terminology of the United Nations, and particularly UNICEF, is essential.
  - Familiarity and prior experience with the UN system, preferably with UNICEF, and good knowledge and understanding of development and human rights issues.
  - Knowledge of Adobe InDesign or other report design software.
  - Highly developed proficiency in the following competencies: communication, working with people and drive for results.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is a requirement;

The candidates to submit:

1. Cover letter
2. CV/resume
3. Sampling of a similar work
4. Financial offer

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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, eligible and suitable 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.

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.