Consultancy: Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultancy - Req.#567645

UNICEF’s Gender Equality section is seeking an Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultant to develop, network, implement and monitor a learning agenda with supervision from the Senior Advisor, Gender Equality, and in close coordination with the Adolescent Girls’ Programme Specialist. The role will focus on advising on the internal learning and capacity-building agenda to deliver with and for adolescent girls (including a dynamic learning series, using different modalities to reach country-based staff with learning adapted to best suit their needs); developing specific outputs relating to gender-transformative social protection and care; and ‘extracting’ and synthesising learning in a light touch way from the ‘Skill4Girls’ portfolio. The Skills4Girls portfolio includes 22 countries working on different approaches to support girls’ on their learning to earning journeys, including a range of skills – especially in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. The consultancy will also develop the laying of foundations for a strategic, more externally oriented learning agenda, in support of better evidence-based, experience-driven action with and for adolescent girls.

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: Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultancy

Section/Division/Duty Station: Gender Equality Section, Programme Group NYHQ

Duration: 26 January 2024 to 10 December 2024 / 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 in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection, and development. 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.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

As described in UNICEF’s new Gender Action Plan (GAP), cross all five Goal Areas of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2022–2025, adolescent girls’ leadership and wellbeing are an organization-wide priority.

The GAP and its accompanying monitoring and evaluation framework articulate five key interlinked targeted actions for adolescent girls.  

UNICEF has recently launched a new Adolescent Girls’ Programme Strategy which aims to accelerate action against these commitments, and articulates a vision for moving forwards, with and for adolescent girls’. A quality, dynamic learning agenda is at the heart of the new initiative for and with adolescent girls. 

UNICEF’s Gender Equality section is seeking an Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultant to develop, network, implement and monitor a learning agenda with supervision from the Senior Advisor, Gender Equality, and in close coordination with the Adolescent Girls’ Programme Specialist. The role will focus on advising on the internal learning and capacity-building agenda to deliver with and for adolescent girls (including a dynamic learning series, using different modalities to reach country-based staff with learning adapted to best suit their needs); developing specific outputs relating to gender-transformative social protection and care; and ‘extracting’ and synthesising learning in a light touch way from the ‘Skill4Girls’ portfolio. The Skills4Girls portfolio includes 22 countries working on different approaches to support girls’ on their learning to earning journeys, including a range of skills – especially in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. The consultancy will also develop the laying of foundations for a strategic, more externally oriented learning agenda, in support of better evidence-based, experience-driven action with and for adolescent girls.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.  Support the delivery of ‘phase 2’ of our adolescent girls’ learning agenda, with a strategic and dynamic set of learning events focused around six major problem areas identified in October 2023;

2. Roll out newsletters with key resources on adolescent girls, including the most salient evidence and tools;

3. Provide support to the new UNICEF-Purposeful Adolescent Girls’ Learning Circle, including specifically on a workshop focused on learning and evidence in April 2024 (preparing summary of key papers, strategic partners and relevant leading researchers);

4. Deliver a learning brief summarising major achievements and lessons learnt from the 2022-2024 set aside funded countries and supported 3 key learning assets related to Skills4Girls;

5. Support strategic advocacy and learning event in March 2024 with a focus on adolescent girls and economic security;

6. Support the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group for a strategic advisory and capacity-building workshop (summer 2024).

7. ‘Extract’ and synthesise learning and best practices from adolescent girls programming with a particular focus on the ‘Skill4Girls’ portfolio and support information exchange and transparent, accessible resources

8. Provide technical advice on gender transformative social protection, including unconditional cash transfers and care work reforms for adolescent girls

9. Provide logistical and knowledge management advice on adolescent girls’ agenda, including girls’ empowerment, wellbeing, agency and skills.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

• Support the delivery of ‘phase 2’ of our adolescent girls’ learning agenda, with a strategic and dynamic set of learning events.      

1. Deliver a broader virtual learning series and smaller operational clinics, including assisting with logistics, coordination, invites, develop run of show, collaborate and manage inputs across multi-sectoral teams. Specifically ensure delivery of at least 6 learning events around six major problem areas identified in October 2023.         

10.01.2025

• Roll out newsletters with key resources on adolescent girls, including the most salient evidence and tools;

1. Develop draft content for 6 attractive, easy-to-read newsletters summarizing recent evidence, learning events and other relevant resources on adolescent girls. This will be stored in an online library of key resources, including learning series, events, tools and other useful content from internal and external stakeholders.

10.06.2024

• Provide support to the new UNICEF-Purposeful Adolescent Girls’ Learning Circle     

1. Organize at least 3 meetings with the new the Learning Circle with minutes, setting up appointments and inputs and advice to strategic direction of the group.

2. Support the organization of a workshop focused on learning and evidence in April 2024, including preparing summary of key papers, strategic partners and relevant leading researchers;       

10.05.2024

• Support strategic advocacy and learning event with a focus on adolescent girls and economic security;

1. Plan, design and deliver  strategic advocacy and learning event in March 2024 with a focus on adolescent girls and economic security  

10.03.2024

• Support the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group for a strategic advisory and capacity-building workshop.    

1. Plan, design and deliver with the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group a strategic advisory and capacity-building workshop during the summer 2024.        

10.08.2024 

Qualifications 

1) Education

• A bachelor’s degree is required, but the discipline is not specified.
• Some gender-specific aspect to academic study is desirable but not essential, such as a strong gender dimension to research undertaken or a module taken with a gender focus.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent English oral and written skills; proficiency in another UN language (Spanish, French or Arabic) desirable.

2) Work experience

•     At least 3-5 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in international development, including analysis and research.

•     Expertise in one or more of: capacity-building and events management (especially learning events with UN agencies), gender equality work and working with grassroots organizations all highly valuable assets.

•     Some experience in Skills4Girls and/or social protection sectors and/or humanitarian contexts a desirable asset.

3) Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1) 

Requirements: 

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Technical proposal with methodology for deliverables and timelines
• Financial proposal that will include:
• Cost per deliverable or lumpsum for the whole deliverables as indicated in 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

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 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. 

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the 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.