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For every child, hope

Background

Since its creation in 2015, the UNICEF West and Central Africa Gender Unit has been working with regional sector teams and with Country Offices to define the results, strategies and interventions for advancing gender equality and the empowerment of adolescent girls across UNICEF’s key sectors (education, protection, nutrition, WASH, health, HIV). This engagement led to the development of the Investment Case for Adolescent Girls in West and Central Africa in May 2017, with a focus on three key areas: (i) girls’ education and skills building, (ii) protecting girls from violence and marriage and (iii) girls’ health and well being.

A key set of tools are now being developed to support the Investment Case objectives, namely:

• Increase country and regional advocacy and partnerships with government, the private sector and key influencers to invest in and with adolescent girls’ and to scale solutions that address their specific needs, interests and barriers.
• Support countries across the region to resource, document and scale evidence-based solutions that advance gender equality and empower adolescent girls through integrated education, hygiene, nutrition and protection services so that they can make healthy and informed choices.

How can you make a difference?

Objectives

The Gender Section is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst, with expertise in gender data and policy analysis and with good knowledge of the West and Central Africa region, who will interpret data analysis produced by UNICEF and draft a 10-page data-oriented report to narrate the situation of adolescent girls in the region.

The data report will be published by UNICEF and will also serve as the basis for developing the 2-page infographic and the video animation for a broader audience.

Scope of work

As part of this work, the Gender team in WCARO is working with the Data and Analytics team in UNICEF HQ and with Regional Office sector teams to conduct a data analysis on the situation of adolescent girls   presenting levels, trends, and disparities across a range of key interlinked dimensions critical to the wellbeing of adolescent girls in the Region. This package brings together the analysis of issues faced by adolescent girls in different sectors (Education, Protection, Health, Nutrition, HIV) with the intention of building an overall narrative of the issues faced by adolescent girls in the region.

Based on the data analysis and visualization, the Gender team will develop the following communication products:

1. a 10-page data report on adolescent girls in the region for development policymakers and practitioners,
2. a 2-page infographic and
3. a video animation for external use.

Deliverables and Schedules

The Consultant will be responsible for drafting a data report on Adolescent Girls in West and Central Africa building on UNICEF data analysis and available evidence on adolescent girls (10-19 years old) with a focus on girls’ education, their sexual and reproductive health and their exposure to harmful practices, violence and HIV.

The key deliverables will include:

1. An inception note, outlining a clear timetable for deliverables, as well as a calendar of meetings and consultations required (5 November)
2. A concept note for the data report (by 22 November)
3. A data report, including policy recommendations (first draft by 20 December, final draft by 30 December)
4. Inputs on the design of the related communication products (2-page infographic and video animation)

Timing

The assignment will start on 1^st November 2018 and end on 31 January 2019. Timeframes are indicative and will be finalized between the consultant and the supervisor.

Reporting Requirements

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the WCA Regional Gender Advisor, and will interact with numerous colleagues in other WCARO Sections, and collaborate with the Data and Analytics team in UNICEF HQ in preparing the report.

UNICEF will provide data analysis, including charts and key messages, of the most recent MICS and DHS data across a wide set of indicators in education, sexual and reproductive health, protection, HIV, nutrition and WASH.

Building on the data analysis, as well as on the most relevant publications on the themes covered by the data analysis (UNICEF will provide a list of key publication), the consultant will interpret the data and create a coherent data driven narrative, including a key set of recommendations. Where necessary, the consultant may be requested to do some data analysis using MICS microdata and or DHS StatCompiler.

The proposed approach will include the following aspects:

• Review of all materials provided by UNICEF and submit a concept outline for the data report (by 20 November). The concept note will be reviewed by WCARO sections and by HQ Gender and Data and Analytics colleagues under the overall coordination of the WCARO Gender Advisor.
• The draft report, including policy recommendations, (approximately 10 pages) should be submitted in English by 20 December. The report will be reviewed by WCARO and comments will be shared with the consultant for integration in the final report. The final report (approx. 10 pages) should be submitted by 30 January.
• The consultant will be requested to provide inputs on the design of the related communication products (2-page infographic and video animation). This will include highlights of the most important data points and messages for the two products, as well as possible interaction with the design company that will develop the communication products.

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

• • At least 7 years of relevant professional work experience in policy analysis in international development, including preparation of policy publications and communication products
  • Excellent policy analysis skills, including data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), visualization and policy writing.
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills (of publication standard), especially in synthesizing complex information for multiple audiences;
  • An understanding of gender data and issues in international development and in the context of West and Central Africa in particular;
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work across different units and synthesize a range of different inputs and information
  • High degree of flexibility and initiative to adapt to multiple work flows
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle and complete multiple assignments with competing deadlines;
  • Fluency in English required (knowledge of French is an advantage);The ideal candidate will have excellent policy analysis, writing and data skills as they apply to social and economic development and a passion for applying these to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. S/he will have direct experience in using data and evidence to formulate policy recommendations and in producing high quality, data reports and policy publications in international development.
    • Master’s degree or equivalent in demography, social sciences, economics or related subjects.
    • Knowledge of the work of UNICEF and rights based approach.

Administrative Issues

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Gender Advisor, WCARO. The assignment is home based and does not require travel.

The Regional Office will provide all data charts and draft messages along with a list of key publications via email or Dropbox.

Regular progress meetings and consultations will be organised on the assignment will be managed via regular skype calls. No specific IT equipment is required for the consultancy.

For every Child, you demonstrate a calling

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

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.