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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.

Background :

WCAR, ESAR and MENA have ongoing humanitarian crises which present simultaneous operating challenges for UNICEF and partners in the provision of timely, predictable and quality humanitarian assistance. The operating environment in countries such as Cameroon, CAR, Chad, DRC, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia,  South Sudan, Iraq, Libya and Yemen are high-threat, marked by active conflict in many instances, with significant risks to UNICEF staff and assets, potential reputational risk for UNICEF and partners, control by non-state entities over large numbers of affected populations and a general lack of security and predictability.

In this context, UNICEF staff are often unable to access programme sites to undertake programme and situation monitoring directly and in a systematic way; hence, UNICEF has been using third party monitors for validation and quality assurance of programme implementation.

In the context of humanitarian performance monitoring (HPM) guidance, field monitoring includes the following approach:

Third-party monitoring:  where UNICEF engages an organization/institution to carry out systematic field monitoring on its behalf. In this case, the third party should be contracted under an institutional Special Service Agreement (SSA), or Long-Term Agreement (LTA) or possibly a CSO collaboration agreement (SSFA/PCA & PD).

The purpose of this assignment is to review, synthesize existing knowledge, and capture in more depth the experiences in Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) of WCAR, ESAR and MENA Country Offices (COs) including documenting the various adaptations at country level, presenting some of the challenges and lessons learned, and analyzing the opportunities and risks presented by these modalities.

This assignment will also include discussions with EMOPs, FRG or other Divisions to contribute to learning within UNICEF about this modality and other related risk management tools in high threat environments.

Objectives :

WCARO seeks a Specialist to conduct a review of Third Party Monitoring (TPM) approaches that have been launched in the region (Cameroon, CAR, DRC, Mali and Nigeria), in three Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAR) countries (Somalia, South Sudan, and Kenya) and three Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries (Iraq, Libya, and Yemen).  The purpose of this assignment would be to

• Summarize the TPM systems, processes, and tools and its outcomes in different country approaches/models ;
• Conduct an analysis of the effectiveness and quality assurance of the TPM executed ;
• Review the costs related to each model to determine the sustainability ;
• Formulate specific models for various kinds of TPM .

Scope of work :

1. Conduct a desk review of available materials (ToRs, Programme Documents, existing guidance, case studies, reports and analysis) and Field Visits to the countries implementing field monitoring via third parties (with an ongoing TPM project) to review relevant documentation (contract or agreement, monitoring reports, costs) ;
2. Review use of technology in this work ;
3. Discuss with UNICEF staff (including KRC TPM Sub-Working Groups members) and third-party providers the work being done, the challenges encountered (and where possible, addressed), risks and mitigation measures, and the level of satisfaction with the work on the part of both parties.  Who carried out the work, under what kind of contract/costs, through what kind of approach was the monitoring done, what kind of activities/services/results were verified, what was the information management system/tools in place, how were TPM reports/data used for improving programmatic response, what was in place to ensure the quality TMP (credibility and validity of data – independence of TPM partners), what and how were challenges addressed, and what was the outcome of the TPM ;
4. Compile a catalogue of experiences and tools used based on the information collected during the field visits and key informant interviews ;
5. Prepare an initial report recommending specific models for different kinds of monitoring of activities/services/results ;
6. Present the results of this assignment at the KRC TPM Sub-working group meeting, where it would be further discussed and refined ;
7. Issue a Final Report which includes recommendation on next steps for refining existing TPM or for lunching new TPM projects .

Deliverables and Schedules :

The expected outputs are :

1. A brief inception report, which will clarify scope of work, methodology and the work plan ;
2. CO Dialogues/Missions to result in a catalogue of TPM experience to date in selected WCAR, ESAR and MENA countries –  ;
3. Initial draft report of the analysis of these experiences with the identification of specific approaches for different types/needs for TPM and recommendations on next steps – with accompanying PowerPoint presentation ;
4. Presentation of the results to the KRC 10 TPM sub-working group for refinement. (Week #9) ;
5. Final Report .

Timing :

The assignment will be for 12 weeks.

Reporting Requirements :

• Inception Report – scope of work, methodology and the work plan ;
• Catalogue/Review of existing TPM experiences in selected WCAR, ESAR and MENA countries to date ;
• Report on the analysis of the existing TPM, leading to recommendation of specific models for adaptation based on the activities/services/results intended to be monitored/verified in the format of a draft report ;
• Presentation for KRC#10 TPM sub-working group summarizing critical parts of the initial report ;
• Final Report (2 versions: French and English).

Administrative Issues :

Supervisor : Jennifer Taylor, Regional Partnerships Management Specialist

When not traveling, the consultant will be remotely based; and will furnish his/her own IT equipment.  The consultant will be traveling to Unicef COs in WCAR, ESAR and MENA Regions. UNICEF will facilitate working space and logistics for the consultant while on mission and for attendance to any additional meeting(s) as required.

Consultant will organize and pay for his/her air travel for 11 CO missions. Therefore, offer should be inclusive of costs for travel and per diem/DSA.

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

Education :

Advanced university degree in any of the following : Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations, International Humanitarian Law, Development Studies, Community Development, Anthropology, Public Health, Education or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.

Undergraduate degree with 5 years additional relevant work experience (monitoring & evaluation, humanitarian response & programme monitoring, field monitoring) will be considered in lieu of advanced degree

Work experience :

At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in international development including specific experience in monitoring and evaluation of development programmes (humanitarian response & programme monitoring, field monitoring preferred).

Good knowledge of results-based programme management and field monitoring systems;

At least two years prior experience in UN Humanitarian Response; knowledge of the HACT and CSO Procedures is an asset.

Languages :

Excellent writing and communication skills in English and French

Aditional guidance following questions received from the group of candidates :

1. The SoW mentions 12 weeks and suggested that the work would be sustained full-time during that period ;

We need the result in 3 months; we could be flexible on the start date but need the final products by 25 October. We are open to one person working in a full-time or periodic manner or a small team of people who work periodically and are coordinated by a team leader.

2. There were originally 11 COs targeted; this has been reduced to 10.  Upon reflection, we feel that it may not be necessary to have field visits to all 10 countries.  The consultant(s) based on their initial exchanges with the COs, review of TOR for existing 3PM contracts, and samples of reports from the work, will propose to Unicef the list of countries for which visits would add value and depth to the analysis.  We would come to an agreement on those countries ;
3. Travel costs therefore, would be covered on a real-cost basis at rates not exceeding UN standard rates.  Travel budgets would be submitted to Unicef for approval prior to initiation of travel and would be included in the contract in an amendment. We anticipate approximately 5 country missions; we will mutually agree on the final selection and number.
4. One of the listed purposes is to “Review the costs related to each model to determine the sustainability”. We envisage a quantitative approach to this review of cost-effectiveness or value for money as we need a value for money analysis and not simple qualitative narrative on how timely or large the expenses were over time ;
5. This assignment was budgeted at P4 level ;
6. The final presentation (week 9) is intended to be in-person in Dakar in the form of a workshop to discuss and disseminate the findings and products of the assignment.  Unicef will cover the costs of the workshop and the travel of the presenter.  We could be flexible on the date of the workshop to some extent ;
7. While the Final Report was planned for two languages (English and French) we can accept it in English.  However, the consultant(s) communicating with CO staff need to be bilingual.

For every Child, hope :

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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.”

Remarks :

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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