Job Opportunities at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Job Number: 526385
Location: Nigeria
Duration of the consultancy: 60 working days spread over 11.5 months
Work Type: Consultancy

Background and Rationale
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of approximately 180 million with approximately 9% of the people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the country (UNAIDS, 2014) From 1985 when the first case of HIV was diagnosed in a 13 year old Female Sex Worker (Nasidi and Harry 2006), the HIV epidemic has since transformed from a concentrated epidemic, with only a few population groups with higher risk behaviours affected, to a generalized epidemic in all states.

All the three IBBSS conducted in Nigeria so far captured some elements of data analysis to understand what is happening among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years. However, the level of analysis and description of the situation of these members of the population have been very limited. It is very pertinent that National HIV programs begin to address the challenges of this dearth of strategic information in a very systematic way. Learning from countries like the Philippines and Indonesia who closed the data gap, Nigeria is poised to ensure that the issues of AYP are adequately addressed in the upcoming IBBSS 2019.

The Purpose of the Assignment
The proposed 2019 IBBSS will measure behavioural risk factors and HIV status among selected key and vulnerable populations in Nigeria. It aims to complement the knowledge gained so that viable education, prevention, and treatment programmes can be designed and implemented. This will provide valuable information for stakeholders for describing and understanding HIV dynamics and the effects of interventions.

This consultancy shall ensure that the issues of AYP aged 15-24 years are well addressed and articulated at every stage of the survey starting with the protocol development down to report writing and dissemination, with the aim of enhancing evidence-informed, strategic, and targeted funding allocations and programs toward ending AIDS among AKP.

Major Tasks to be accomplished: (estimated time required to complete tasks. Attach additional sheets, if necessary, to describe assignments) Strengthen national capacity for the integration of AYP in national surveys including conduct of analysis by national staff, putting in place measures/frameworks for inclusion of AKP in the IBBSS activities, counselling and ethical issues consent issues, addressing abuse, violence and other protection issues that might emerge, inclusion of older adolescents as part of the data collection and analysis team.

Develop products that provide will concisely provide strategic information to respond to the specific needs of AYP KP, age of initiation of drug use or sexual behavior for advocating new policies to benefit AKP, including overlapping risks (ie, adolescents who inject drugs and sell sex), sexual behaviors, barriers to service uptake, violence, as well as HIV- and non-HIV-related (ie, reproductive and mental) health needs

Develop a separate shadow chapter to capture the issues of AYP. Discussion chapter to provide detailed comparative analysis of the situation for AYP when compared with the general population.

Generate behavioural data to:

• Assess knowledge and beliefs of key and vulnerable populations about STIs, HIV & AIDS. Determine their current risk behaviours
• Assess key target population-level trends in risk behaviours over time Identify higher-risk sub-populations among these populations
• To determine the percentage of HIV positive persons who know their status
• To determine the percentage of HIV positive persons who know their status that are receiving ART
• Conduct trend analysis for key indicators using IBBSS 2007, 2010, 2014, 2019, disaggregate all existing data of adolescents in adult IBBSS and size estimations in the country into adolescent age groupings, disaggregate AYP data by state
• Provide technical support for the design and set up of ongoing AYP data analysis work of the Health and HIV section (trendlines, shadow score cards, dash boards etc).

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required
The proposed consultancy and assignment is at P4 level. The required qualification and experience for the consultancy are:

Experience and Skills:

• Advanced University Degree in Public Health, Medical Sciences, Development areas or related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in research in HIV and AIDS, adolescent programming
• Hands on experience in support of national systems in the conduct of surveys, specific experience in the conduct of IBBSS will be an added advantage.
• High quality analytic, report writing, documentation skills; development of abstracts, research manuscripts and policy papers
• Capacity building, facilitation and technical team leadership
• Flexibility and ability to work virtually
• Self-driven, able to under tight schedules meeting tight deadlines, and provide detailed regular feedback
• Experience in planning and managing technical meetings/workshops and engagements with governments, implementing partners, donors and young people.
• Knowledge of UNICEF and UN language, protocols, branding and publication standards.

Competencies:

• Communication - Speaks English fluently; presents information with skill and confidence; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way.
• Relating and networking - Easily establishes good relationships with external partners and staff; builds wide and effective networks; relates well to people at all levels.
• Drive for results Sets high standards for quality of work; independently monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm.
• Deciding and initiating action - Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people: takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activities and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions.

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Job Number: 526408
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Work Type: Temporary Appointment

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
Emergency Preparedness:

• Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
• Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
• Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including on programme management related issues. Provides advice to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.
• Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information, and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.
• Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office's staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

Emergency Response:

• In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF's presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verifies the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff, their dependents and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.
• Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff. Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-Ã -vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising and staff development) by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies.Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media and other partners to keep abreast of emergency situations.
• Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary, and identifies urgent staffing requirements and redeploys country office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds, monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

Emergency Project:

• Participates in the implementation of plans of action and work plans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or reprogrammes allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.
• Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Proposes a more regular operational and staffing structure to take over from the Emergency Response Team.
• Maintains continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency situation requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that the UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.
• Participates in all humanitarian and recovery related forum and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership.
• Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office's work plans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office's Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.
  

Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Law, Public Health, Nutrition, International Relations, Business Administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

Work Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, valuation and administration.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.

Language Proficiency:
Fluency in English and a local working language of the duty station; a second UN language an asset.

Competency Profile
Core Values (Required):

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
•  Integrity.

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Leading and Supervising
• Analyzing
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Persuading and Influencing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Planning and Organizing
• Adapting and Responding Change
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
• View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf