Individual Consultancy - Support Emergency Preparedness - Panama City

Work Type :

Consultancy

Title Individual Consultancy - Support emergency preparedness in Countries and Territories with a UNICEF National Committee  Background
UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide. The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children. For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac).
Context and Rationale Climate-related disasters are occurring with increasing frequency, often with devastating consequences for children. It is widely acknowledged that countries with robust preparedness measures in place are more effective in their responses to mitigate and respond to these consequences. UNICEF has a critical role work with Governments and their partners for ensuring that these preparedness measures and systems protect and respond to children neds. However, UNICEF does not have programming capacities in all countries/territories at risk and in the context of the SDGs and its universal mandate, is obligated to explore how it can meet its obligations through operational models that are appropriate, feasible and effective and meet UNICEF’s policies and guidance in preparedness. One possible option is to work through UNICEF National Committees (NatComs) that have a presence is countries associated to territories at risk. Over the past two years, UNICEF has been working closely with the National Committees to reflect on lessons learned from earlier responses to crises and sudden-onset disasters in countries/territories where there is a National Committee. These reflections led to a drafting of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which aimed to describe a set of clear roles and responsibilities for both UNICEF and National Committees in contexts which faced elevated risks and there was an identified role for UNICEF. Given that the National Committees do not necessarily have the capacity and the expertise for emergency preparedness, UNICEF’s support is critical so that standards and procedures are met. Latest emergency responses in countries where UNICEF did not have a programme (e.g. The Bahamas, 2019 and Saint Marteen, 2017) have provided central lessons learned designed to support UNICEF in reinforcing preparedness measures. In 2020, these draft SOPs, which reinforce preparedness measures as a critical and necessary step, will be tested and further elaborated through practical application in several territories of USA, UK, France and the Netherlands in the LACRO region which face elevated hurricane risks. UNICEF and NatComs have identified a number of territories in the Latin America and Caribbean (LACRO) where the SOPs could be tested, i.e. Saint Marteen, Saba and Saint Eustatius for the Netherlands, Saint Martin for France and Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands for the USA and Bermuda for the UK. These face risk of earthquakes/tsunamis and hurricanes. This work will be conducted within the broader framework of UNICEF programming in High Income Countries (HICs). In the process of setting up a UNICEF-NatCom engagement to support and enhance capacity and to meet capacity gaps in emergency responses within UNICEF NatComs, UNICEF/EMOPs will be hiring an Emergency Response Team (ERT) focused on supporting emergency preparedness and response in countries/territories covered by NatComs. However, since the process will be requiring a few months, due to COVID, the UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACRO) is seeking a consultant to kick start the preparedness process for the four selected NatComs within the framework of the new SOPs.
For every child, a champion
Purpose of the Job
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to support NatComs in testing the SOPs and conduct emergency preparedness work in several territories in LACRO. He/she will also kick start the process of enhancing the capacity of UNICEF and the NatComs’ collective response to acute emergencies occurring in countries and territories where there is a NatCom. In co-ordination with LACRO, EMOPS HQ, and PFP provide technical support to NatComs on emergency preparedness and response in selected countries and territories in line with the UNICEF preparedness guidelines/Procedure (2020), the SOPs and UNICEF guidance i.e. revised CCCs. Geographic scope The first priority will be to support each NatComs to test the SOP in at least one territory Saint Marteen for the Netherlands, Saint Martin for France, Puerto Rico for the US and Bermuda for the UK. Depending on progress the consultant may also support some additional territories including Saba and Saint Eustatius for Netherlands and the US Virgin Islands for the US. Though not covered by a Natcom, the Bahamas could also be included among the countries. The person would ideally be bilingual (English/French), and/or have working knowledge of French.
How can you make a difference? 
Specific Tasks
PHASE I:

Meet with key UNICEF stakeholders and define the work plan

Contribute to the design and implementation of a “Kick Off” Planning workshop (including capacity building) in Panama under leadership of LACRO.

Provide support for the risk analysis and capacity gap analysis for the purposes of defining UNICEF’s role in preparedness and ensure specific measures are taken to ensure capacities in place in each location.

PHASE II – when traveling becomes possible

Define the UNICEF-NatCom operational model for emergency preparedness and response in the territory, including UNICEF and NatCom respective accountabilities, roles and responsibilities.

Identify opportunities for partnerships.

Identify administrative and logistic arrangements to ensure UNICEF-NatCom ability to operate in emergency. 

In consultation with the government and partners, start to define UNICEF-NatCom value added, programmatic niche and priorities for an emergency response; and develop anticipated response plan accordingly.

Visit each of the countries/territories and provide on-site mentoring and support.

Ensure that the preparedness is undertaken in line with national partners including other UN partners present in disaster preparedness and response.

Start engaging and advising UNICEF and NatComs on their respective roles and responsibilities in emergency preparedness and response;

Identify capacity strengthening opportunities for NatComs for emergency preparedness and response and facilitate this through UNICEF existing systems and trainings.

Contribute to the synthesis of learning and the revision of the SOPs through EMOPS, PFP and LACRO.
Expected Results (measurable) 

Deliverables Phase I - Deliverables:

Reviewed and agreed work plan for the consultancy.

Workshop agenda and methodology and report.

Draft proposal of the UNICEF-NatComs coordination mechanism established for the engagement with the territories, with defined roles, responsibilities and resources.

Situation and risk analysis for discussion at country level for each territory (hazards, exposure / vulnerability and expected scenarios, desk review and telephone interview with experts).

Description of different options for Hybrid (UNICEF/NatCom) work modalities (including governance and management system), based on the lessons learned, interviews with key informants and kick-off workshop.

Draft Mapping of potential implementing partners (i.e. national and international) to be involved in UNICEF humanitarian response (i.e. sectorial capacity analysis it’s human, technical, financial resources analysis and geographical coverage). 

Phase II - Deliverables:

List of partners identified

Description of the Operational model for each territory

Preparedness plan for each territory

Reviewed and agreed description of the UNICEF-NatCom Operational model for each territory

Agreed Preparedness Plan for each territory (i.e. sectorial capacity analysis with human, technical, financial resources analysis and geographical coverage)

Reviewed Mapping of potential implementing partners;

Proposal of standard logistics & administration arrangements for operating in emergency situations;

Final draft of Response plans for each country/territory with UNICE-NatComs programmatic niches, priority response actions and institutional arrangements with both local governments and potential implementing partners.

Final report of the consultancy with priority advices on strengthening opportunities for NatComs for emergency preparedness and response and Contributions to the synthesis of learning and the revision of the SOPs through EMOPS, PFP and LACRO.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications
Education: An advanced university degree in social or political science, international relations, management or another appropriate field is required
Work Experience; A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the areas of development of strategic public partnerships, external relations or child rights is required combined with work experience in or familiarity with the West and Central Africa region would be an asset.
Languages: The person would ideally be bilingual (English/French), and/or have at least a working knowledge of French.
For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEF…
Core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, and accountability. UNICEF competencies: building and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically, works collaboratively with others and nurtures, and, leads and manages people.
 
Supervision
The consultancy will be carried on under the supervision of the Regional Director, UNICEF LACRO with daily interaction with the Regional Emergency Advisor a.i. (REA). The consultant will also be interacting with focal points from the Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) division and EMOPS and a dedicated staff member in each of the UNICEF (Natcom) who will form a Task Force.
Workplace
Although the consultant does not need to be based in Panama, he/she will have to spent time for the induction phase, preparation of the “Kick off Planning” session to take place in July 2020 (could be subject to change due to COVID-19) and report back at the end of the consultancy. He/she will have to conduct several missions with NatComs.
Duration
The consultancy is expected to take place for a period of 6 months starting mid/end July 2020 (pending situation of COVID19) prior to the onset of the hurricane season that characteristically affects this region from June onwards. As noted above, the consultancy needs to be divided in two different phases given travel restrictions as the moment of drafting this consultancy.
How to apply
Consultants wishing to participate in this process should send an email with two (2) attachments clearly marked “technical proposal” and “financial proposal”. Deadline : 28th June 2020. Any questions on the TORs should be addressed to Mr Ivan Cunill icunill@unicef.org. The offers received will be scored giving an 80% weight to the technical offer and 20% to the economic proposal.

Financial proposal:

The proposal should include a detailed budget containing the following:
- Consultant fees per day and number of days of work planned.
- Other expenses (including insurance, etc.) and travels (airplane, daily subsistence allowances); including one-week Panama and four missions to countries/countries cited above. Payment Modalities
The consultant will receive a monthly payment. For doing so, he/she will have to submit a “monthly working sheet” to the Regional Emergency Advisor. Travel (if applicable)
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.
- Travel: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=ST/AI/2013/3 Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e)
- Accommodation (Daily Subsistence Allowance, DSA): http://icsc.un.org/ (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map)
Vacancy Announcement Remarks
Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF reserves the right to make additional assessment of the pre-selected candidates, if needed.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.