[Re-Advertisement] Consultancy – Migration Consultant, UNICEF LACRO, Panama City (4 Months)
Job no: 564872
Position type: Consultant
Location: Panama Division/Equivalent: Latin America and Caribbean Regional Off
School/Unit: Regional Services Div (LACR), Panama
Department/Office: Reg Serv – Prog Section, Panama
Categories: Programme Management
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, a hero
How can you make a difference?
Background
UNICEF has been increasingly responding to the migration crisis in LAC region during the last five years. In Central America and Mexico, the flow of migrants toward north is increasingly with more children and it has increased exponentially during the last two years. The movement has become mixed and multidirectional, with more families and children returning (both forced and voluntary) and traveling along irregular routes due to tightened border controls. The frequent changes in migration policies in the US have direct and strong impact on people’s movement, with recent example of the lifting of Title 42. The current main nationalities crossing the Darien gap from Colombia to Panama are: Venezuela, Ecuador and Haiti. The main drivers of migration include the multiple crises in countries, such as violence, civil unrest, climate change, the residual impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic, rising inflation, increase in energy and food prices and the slowdown in the region’s economic growth.
In South America, the ongoing Venezuelan situation has had a significant impact on migration flows in the region and remains one of the largest migration crises worldwide. According to the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), there are approximately 7.2 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the world, of which an estimated 6.1 million are in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
In December 2022, UNICEF launched two Humanitarian Actions for Children (HAC) appeals with a strong focus on migration: one in the South America and another in Central America and Mexico. UNICEF HAC appeals are aligned with interagency response plans including the country-specific Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP) and the Regional Migration Response Plans (RMRP).
In South America, UNICEF actively engages with various coordination mechanisms and spaces, such as R4V, governmental platforms and other UN coordination structures such as the Regional Conference on Migration (CRM), Quito Process, MIRPS, Iberoamerican Group on Migration and Development (SEGIB-OIM), the South America Conference of Migration (CSM), the Global Movement for Children-LACRED LAC, the Regional Collaborative Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean, IBC Human Mobility and the United Nations Migration Network. The coordination mechanisms in Central America and Mexico are less developed and the UN leadership in migration remains unclear.
Purpose of the Assignment
Under the general guidance of the UNICEF LAC Deputy Regional Director and Regional Director, the Consultant will conduct analysis and support coordination efforts in relation to UNICEF migration programming in LACR. Interventions related to children on the move are implemented across sectors in the LACR. As part of the ROMP MTR (Q3-Q4) and in preparation for the LAC RMT (week of October 2023), the consultant will conduct analysis to understand current Country Offices’ needs, RO and HQ guidance and support, and make recommendations to strengthen support to COs and coordination across sectors, at all levels, as needed.
Specific Functions/Tasks
1. Analysis
- Analyze the needs of UNICEF country offices in the LAC Region in relation to children on the move. Assess the support provided by the LACRO, guidance from HQ and level of coordination. Prepare a brief report with recommendations, to feed into the ROMP MTR and RMT meetings.
- Review and analyse relevant immigration decisions and policies and the changes in conditions in the countries. Advise the Regional Office on data gaps and potential tools to collect additional information.
- Analyse the trends in migration flows and their causes, and provide forward looking analysis.
- Share relevant analyses and information with all key stakeholders
- Coordinate the planning and implementation of situation analyses at regional and national levels
2. Strategic planning
- Lead and coordinate regional strategic planning and prioritization based on the Children on the Move Theory of Change for LAC as and other relevant materials.
- Develop LACRO strategy on UNICEF’s role related to children on the move / migration (for discussion at the RMT)
- Provide technical expertise and advice to LACRO sectors and relevant COs to ensure that UNICEF migration action is relevant, appropriate and in line with regional and global priorities.
- Coordinate with consultant preparing a paper on integrated package related to children on the move.
3. Resource mobilization and advocacy
- Support and coordinate the mobilization of adequate resources, in close consultation with the Partnership Unit, PFP Section, RAs, RD, DRD and HQ.
- Support the preparation of donor proposals and reports, as well as monitoring, analysis and communication of information about UNICEF financial situation and resource mobilization. Identify appropriate actions as needed.
- Support the finalization and future reviews of UNICEF advocacy strategy
- Support UNICEF LACRO networking with advocacy allies, and influencing decision-makers
4. Monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management
- Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the quality and progress of UNICEF programmes
- Plan and support UNICEF Programmes coverage and gap analysis and support LACRO and COs to make improvements
- Coordinate LACRO’s knowledge generation activities related to children on the move, and propose paths for an effective dissemination.
5. Advocacy, coordination, representation
- Building on existing coordination mechanisms/structures (at technical level and RO programme level), propose and help establish a regional coordination mechanism on migration. Involve all LACRO Sectors, relevant LAC COs and relevant HQ divisions as needed.
- Build partnerships with stakeholders including other UN Agencies, NGOs and authorities.
- Represent UNICEF in key forums/coordination groups, share inputs, make presentations, and support advocacy efforts, in cooperation with the Communications and Advocacy unit.
6. Other
- Other relevant tasks as they arise.
Expected Results
- Paper on the needs of UNICEF country offices in the LAC Region, the support provided by the LACRO, guidance from HQ and level of coordination. Prepare a brief report with recommendations, to feed into the ROMP MTR and before the LAC RMT meetings.
- At least four Issues Briefs, Notes and/or updates on relevant immigration decisions and policies and the changes in conditions in the countries. With advice to the Regional Office on data gaps and potential tools to collect additional information. Analysis of the trends in migration flows and their causes, and upcoming challenges and opportunities.
- LACRO strategy on UNICEF’s role related to children on the move. Ppt presentations, videos and other materials available to share relevant analyses and information within UNICEF and with key stakeholders
- Quality concept notes, Donor proposals and reports developed and submitted
- Inputs into office advocacy strategy
- Coordination mechanism in place to liaise with COs (Reps, DepReps, technical staff), RO and HQ. Developed Standard Operating Procedures, Flow chart and ToRs.
Deliverables
Description
Max in pages
Expected deadline
1. Paper on the needs of UNICEF country offices in the LAC Region, the support provided by the LACRO, guidance from HQ and level of coordination. Prepare a brief report with recommendations, to feed into the ROMP MTR (Q3) and before the LAC RMT meetings (week of October 23rd).
15
21st September
(30% of fees)
2. At least four Issues Briefs, Notes and/or updates on relevant immigration decisions and policies and the changes in conditions in the countries. With advice to the Regional Office on data gaps and potential tools to collect additional information. Analysis of the trends in migration flows and their causes, and upcoming challenges and opportunities.
6 each
21 September, 21 October, 21 November, 21 December
(4 issue briefs: 20% of fees @ 5% each BN)
3. Develop LACRO strategy on UNICEF’s role related to children on the move. Prepare Ppt presentations, videos and other materials available to share relevant analyses and information within UNICEF and with key stakeholders
10 pages
12 slides
21 September
21 November
(20% of fees)
4. Concept notes, Donor proposals and reports
Approx. 15
21 October
(10% of fees)
5. Inputs into office advocacy strategy
6
21 November
(10%)
6. Coordination mechanism in place to liaise with COs (Reps, DepReps, technical staff), RO and HQ. Standard Operating Procedure, flow chart and ToRs.
10
21 November
(15%)
7. Final report with recommendations
10
21 December
(10%)
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum Requirements and Qualifications
Education
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.
Work Experience
- At least 10 years of proven experience in effective leadership and management of diverse teams to deliver results toward a common goal.
- Experience in programming related to children on the move / migration is required, preferrably in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
- Experience in liaison with a range of stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies and INGOs, and authorities
Languages
- Fluency in English and Spanish required (written and spoken).
- Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese an asset.
Technical knowledge
- The candidates shall have very good:
- technical knowledge in relation to Children on the move / migration, Child rights, Programme management, advocacy, M&E, resource mobilization, coordination and related fields; and
- Analytical and report writing skills.
Other skills and attributes
– Excellent inter-personal skills – Very good coordination, facilitation and networking skills – Proven ability to display UNICEF core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability
Administrative details
Supervision
The consultant will work under the supervision of the LAC Deputy Regional Director and Regional Director, in cooperation with Regional Advisors.
Workplace
This is a home-based and office-based consultancy (Direct interactions with LACRO staff from all sectors would be very helpful, depending on the nature of the assignment).
Duration
This contract is expected to have an estimated duration of four months, starting approximately in August 2023.
How to Apply
Application should be submitted online and should include: TMS application form duly completed, Cover Letter and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to indicate an all-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the services to be provided, including all associated administrative costs.
Travel
Travel will be determined. Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.
- Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.
- For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts.
- Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.
- UN Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Official Travel, ST/AI/2013/3: Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e)
- For information on Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), can be found on the International Civil Service Commission website (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map).
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.
NOTE: This is a re-advertisement. Those who had already apply do not need to send again their application.
*****
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:
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: Aug 22 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Application close: Aug 27 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
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- Closes Aug 27 2023[Re-Advertisement] Consultancy – Migration Consultant, UNICEF LACRO, Panama City (4 Months) in Panama
UNICEF LAC Regional Office in Panama is looking for a consultant to conduct analysis and support coordination efforts in relation to UNICEF migration programming in LAC Region.
