Consultant to review and analyse civil society partnerghips

Activities and Deliverables:

1. 1.      Screening and approval of new ICSO partners for registration in VISION

Any entity receiving a payment by UNICEF is assigned a vendor code in VISION, UNICEF’s new accounting and administrative system. Programme partners from civil society are listed under two different account groups: PRG1 and PRG2. PRG1 concerns non-profit organizations that are headquartered in one country and operate programmes or projects in multiple countries. Examples include International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) such as Save the Children, global alliances, such as Caritas and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), as well as foundations, such as the Open Society Institute and Ford Foundation. PRG2 lists national civil society partners as well as national branches of international civil society partners. While country offices directly manage the PRG2 account group, CSP is responsible for approving the registration of new international civil society partners under account group PRG1.

The consultant will be responsible for receiving new requests of creation of new vendor codes under PRG1 and conduct a screening process on reputational risks, involving review of key available information on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including accreditation with ECOSOC, implication with terrorist activities, availability of annual reports and audited statements, and research on the organization’s reputation. After completion of the screening phase and after having requested all the necessary information to the country office and/or the partner itself, the consultant will grant the approval when appropriate.

The consultant’s allocation of time for this activity will vary depending on the frequency with which CSP will receive requests of registration of new ICSOs. Moreover, being the process of assessment of new partners currently under definition in coordination with the Division of Policy and Practice and the Division of Financial and Administrative Management, the amount of time expected to be necessary to accomplish this task may vary. However, it can be estimated to be on average of two business days per month.

Deliverable:    Approval for registration of new ICSO partners in VISION granted when appropriate.

Deadline:        Ongoing as requests are received by CSP.

1. 2.      Manage the list of ICSO partners in VISION (PRG1)

The consultant will be in charge of the periodic review of the database of UNICEF’s international civil society partners. In particular, the consultant will be responsible for periodically extracting the list of international civil society partners from VISION (account group PRG1) and identifying possible mistakes done in the registration of partners, such as multiple entries for the same partner or missing information on partners’ profiles. If necessary, the consultant will conduct the appropriate amendments to the database in VISION.

This process will contribute to the strengthening of recording and monitoring of partners profiles, facilitating the analysis of data on civil society partners extracted from VISION, and will therefore add significant value to the work of CSP, as well as UNICEF global, regional and country offices.

The consultant is expected to devote an average of two business days per month to the management of PRG1 list.

Deliverable:    List of ICSO partners always up-to-date.

Deadline:        Ongoing, on a monthly basis.

3.      Civil Society Partnerships Section (CSP) focal point for VISION

Following up on past engagement during the preparation in 2011 and roll-out of UNICEF’s new accounting and administrative system (VISION) in early 2012, the consultant will act as the Section’s focal point for all VISION-related issues. The consultant will be in charge of liaising with other divisions/offices (such as Division of Policy and Practice, Change Management Office, Division of Financial and Administrative Management and others) and participating in and representing CSP as appropriate at inter-divisional meetings on VISION. Frequency of the meetings will vary according to circumstances; however a total of 10 business days over the course of the entire contract is estimated to be the amount of time devoted by the consultant to this task.

Deliverable:    CSP represented at inter-divisional meetings on VISION.

Deadline:        Ongoing, when necessary.

1. 4.      Analysis of key partners in 2011 and previous years

The consultant will review the available data on expenditure for civil society programme partners for 2011 and previous years and produce in-depth analyses. The consultant will identify major trends for UNICEF’s key programmatic areas, geographical regions and source of funding and will elaborate a comparisons with previous years.

Moreover, the analysis will focus on few specific countries which the consultant will be able to identify after having completed the overall analysis for 2011, and whose expenditure for civil society will be analyzed more in depth. Such an analysis has proven to be extremely useful in informing decisions about global CSO engagements.

Deliverable:    Analysis of trends for 2011 and comparative analysis with previous years completed.

Deadline:        15 December 2012.

1. 5.      Analysis and presentation of findings from partner survey

As part of the implementation of the Strategic Framework, the Project Board and Implementation Team for the Strategic Framework for Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships have decided to conduct a partner survey in 2011-2012. This project, led by the Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships Strategic Partnerships Unit (PFP/SPU) and in collaboration with other Divisions at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, is currently being finalized by PFP/SPU. By March 2012, final Country and Global reports will be made available. Another report on lessons learned will provide information for the Project Board and Implementation Team members to decide on the Way Forward.

These reports will present key findings and disaggregate results by partner type. The consultant will be tasked to further analyse Country and Global reports to capture particular feedback from Civil Society Partners. The consultant will create a detailed matrix/document for mapping and addressing the Partner Survey results received from Civil Society Partners. This analysis will include proposed actions/responsibilities in response to the survey findings. The consultant will also develop presentation material for internal/external (to be decided) dissemination of results related to Civil Society Partners.

Deliverables: Detailed matrix/document to map and address the Partner Survey results developed. Actions/responsibilities in response to the survey findings proposed. Presentation material for internal/external dissemination of results developed.

Deadline:   31 May 2012.      

1. 6.      Research top INGOs partnering with UNICEF

The analysis of data provided by the recently replaced information management system (ProMS) has resulted in the identification of the top International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) partnering with UNICEF at global level. In order for CSP to have a better understanding of the specificities of such partners, research on the top 15 of these INGOs is needed. The consultant will be requested to expand existing research on these INGOs and create a detailed profile report for each of them, including description of fields of expertise, geographic presence and internal structure.

Deliverable: Profile report of top INGOs partnering with UNICEF compiled.

Deadline:     31 August 2012.

1. 7.      Update CSP Internet and Intranet

The restructuring and maintenance of CSP internet website and intranet has demonstrated to be critical for ensuring the Section’s visibility and ability to reach out to targeted public. Given the foreseen upcoming reduction of CSP staff capacities starting from 2012, the consultant will be responsible for the maintenance of CSP internet website and intranet, by collecting inputs from CSP staff and ensuring their timely update.

Deliverable:  Update of CSP internet and intranet completed

Deadline:      Ongoing, when necessary.    

1. 8.      Support the organization of meetings with key civil society partners

Meetings with key civil society partners represent a unique opportunity for CSP to establish and maintain strategic relations with them. In these regards, CSP identified the need to focus more resources on the organization of certain strategic meetings. Therefore the consultant will be requested to provide the Section with technical and substantive support to the organization of such key meetings.

Deliverable: Support to the organization of strategic meetings with key civil society partners provided.

Deadline:   Ongoing, when necessary.

1. 9.      Contribute to the identification of key civil society partners in the field of education

Within the framework of on-going Programme Division Education Section collaboration with key partners (Hewlett Packard, Brookings Institution, UNESCO, etc.) aimed at making the case for a new global education agenda focused on learning and building support for the inclusion of learning as a priority in the post-2015 global development agenda, support this effort by helping to identify and mobilize key civil society actors that can contribute meaningfully to the effort.  This task will include researching and analyzing UNICEF ProMS expenditures and partnerships with key civil society organizations on education-related priorities.

Deliverable: Through researching PROMS expenditures, partnerships with key civil society organizations on education-related priorities and partnership patterns with these organizations identified.

Deadline: 30 September 2012.

1. 10.  Manage the PCA Help Desk, an email-based service for UNICEF staff with technical questions on Programme Cooperation Agreements.

Given the foreseen upcoming reduction of CSP staff capacities starting from 2012, the consultant will be responsible for the management of the PCA Help Desk. The PCA Help Desk serves as a hub for technical questions from UNICEF staff, usually from the field, regarding Programme Cooperation Agreements. The consultant will filter requests and forward relevant inquiries to the appropriate office.

Deliverable: Management of PCA Help Desk

Deadline:     Ongoing, when necessary.

Duration and Estimated Days of work

May 14, 2012- March 18, 2013

Competencies

• University degree in the social sciences.
• 1-2 years professional work experience, ideally within UNICEF and/or other organizations from the UN system or non-profit sector.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis.  
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of civil society organizations both at international and national level.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and produce results.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to meet deadlines, often on short notice.  
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and Spanish are an asset.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a daily rate, cover letter, a CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to

‘+’pdconsultants’+’@’+’unicef.org’+’
pdconsultants(at)unicef.org
 with subject line “Civil Society Analysis Consultant”, by April 3, 2012. Please indicate your ability, and daily/monthly rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.