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

Purpose of the Consultancy

• UNICEF Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), in support of the National Technical Working Group on Ending Violence Against Children, require the expertise of an international consultant to provide technical assistance to develop a National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria, both at federal level and in 6 states (Lagos, Kaduna, Adamawa, Cross River, Plateau and Gombe).
• Nigeria was among the first countries to join the Global Partnership to End Violence against children in February 2017. Prior to that, it had already taken significant steps to address this issue as it was the first country in West Africa to undertake a Violence Against Children Survey in 2014, which indicated a high prevalence of violence with 6 out of 10 children had experienced some form of violence. Following the survey, President Mohammadu Buhari launched the Presidential Year of Action to End Violence Against Children in 2015. Later that year, Priority Actions were identified by a high-level technical working group (TWG) comprised of government agencies, civil society and faith-based organizations chaired by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. In 2016, a Presidential Campaign to End Violence Against Children by 2030 was launched, alongside a Road Map for Ending Violence Against Children, which included a commitment to develop a comprehensive national action plan. Nigeria also completed several rounds of the Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey, most recently MICS5 in 201 and NDHS in 2018, which provide additional data on VAC in Nigeria.
• End of 2018, a study on the drivers of violence was finalized to inform the development of a national action plan. It highlighted that many interventions are being implemented in piecemeal and institutionally siloed ways and that a more comprehensive approach on prevention was needed. It also identified gaps in relation to INSPIRE strategies, including parents and caregiver support, social norms (other than gender norms) and life skills programming. In the meantime, Nigeria continued to experience a humanitarian crisis, particularly in the North-East of the country, contributing to high level of displacements, vulnerabilities and violence experienced by children and their caregivers. As such, it became evident that a plan to address VAC also needs to take into account those specific risk factors and vulnerabilities while ensuring enhanced linkages between humanitarian and development actors and interventions.
• In June 2019, with the support of UNICEF and the FMWA, members of the TWG and partners were trained by the Global Partnership on ending violence against children through the INSPIRE framework. Key interventions were identified and prioritized along the seven INSPIRE strategies including the need to ensure that violence against children takes into account the specific needs of children in humanitarian contexts and to develop a National Action Plan which includes humanitarian contexts and gender-based violence. Further to this workshop, the Global Partnership to EVAC decided to provide seed funding to support this activity in Nigeria.
• Given the complexity, size and federal nature of Nigeria, the multiplicity of stakeholders represented in the TWG and beyond, the need to work across various sectors (including child protection, health, education, social protection and planning), humanitarian and development context and both at national and State level, it is imperative to develop an action plan on ending violence against children that is practical and implementable. It is therefore necessary to dedicate resources to facilitate the development of a comprehensive multi-sectoral National and State Plans of Action with specific targets, milestones and associated budget. As such, it is contemplated to have a team of consultants (one Nigerian and one international) to ensure that the state peculiarities and contexts are taken into account.

Main Tasks of the Consultant

• Inception report highlighting detailed and methodology and work plan and proposed consultations.
• Organize and facilitate stakeholder’s consultation and workshops including with the TWG at National level and in four states on priority interventions to integrate in the national/State action plan and ensure participation of relevant stakeholders and ministries and document the process in a report.
• In close collaboration with the TWG, the FMWA, UNICEF and relevant government ministries, draft a comprehensive multi-sectoral national/state action plan (6 States: Adamawa, Lagos, Cross River, Plateau, Kaduna and Gombe) on ending violence against children which takes into account the specific vulnerabilities of children in humanitarian contexts and link violence against children with women interventions.
• Support the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to organize a stakeholder’s consultation to review and validate the draft national/state action plans.
• Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation framework for the national/state action plans.
• Support UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to launch the national/State action plans on ending violence against children in Nigeria.

Expected Deliverables:

• Inception report submitted.
• Workshops at federal level and in focus states conducted.
• Draft plans of action shared with stakeholders for review.
• Review meeting conducted.
• M&E tool disseminated and stakeholders trained.
• Launch event conducted.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required
Education:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in development of programme implementation documents, such as plan of actions, work plans, response plans etc.
• Experience in research, studies, survey in social sciences, including in child protection, gender and human rights related interventions.
• Experience in consultative processes and multi-stakeholder initiatives, especially processes involving different government ministries and civil society.
• Knowledge of child protection and current thinking on child protection and ending violence against children in Nigeria, the region and at global level.

Others:

• Experience in development of Child Protection strategies and plans of action.
• Experience in facilitating multi stake holder’s processes.
• Experience in costing of public plans of action will be an added value.
• Experience in working with the UN will be an advantage
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Nigerian local an asset

Language:

• Fluency in English, knowledge of Nigerian local an asset

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.

For every child, Health

• In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally. In partnership with government, civil society, children and families, Click here to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria

How can you make a difference?

• Under the guidance of the Chief of Health and HIV, provide technical support to the health systems strengthening component of the health and HIV program with a focus on using data for action and results.

The Specialist will carry out the following activities related to the health systems strengthening component of the health and HIV portfolio in Nigeria:

• Work closely with the FMOH, NPHCDA, NACA and partners at federal and State levels towards improving systems for quality delivery of PHC programs with a focus on strengthening data and monitoring systems;
• Participate and provide technical expertise in related health systems strengthening forums and committees at federal level including health financing forums bringing in the use of data;
• Participate and provide technical expertise for assessing progress in MNCAH in ongoing and upcoming surveys and studies representing the health and HIV program;
• Support the ongoing work of a data architecture framework for the health and HIV portfolio towards streamlining link to results for women and children including bringing in difference data source and quantitative and qualitative data;
• Member of the data groups at FMOH, NPHCDA, NACA and providing oversight support to data groups at subnational levels for tracking results for MNCAH;
• Working closely with the health and HIV team provide high quality technical expertise bringing in up to date global evidence towards informing policy and programming for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health;
• Provide conceptual inputs and support finalization of systems towards synergizing data for MNCAH linking qualitative data (like death audits, supervisory data) with quantitative data (coverage, quality);
• Provide information to the health and HIV program for informed decision making including supporting tracking results across the program for key indicators at federal and sub national levels;
• Actively monitor results and support capacity building of the health team and key stakeholders towards using data for action and results;
• Support development of policy and program briefs, documentation of the work done including linking with academia and professional organizations and partners;
• Other activities and support towards health systems strengthening activities as needed.

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

• Advanced University Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Medicine. A Equivalent educational qualification in relevant areas (health systems, epidemiology) will be an added advantage.
• At least eight years of relevant professional work experience providing technical support using data for action and results. Prior experience in using data effectively, working with dashboards and using data from different sources like surveys will be an added advantage.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Deciding and Initiating Actions [II]
• Following Instructions and Procedures [II]
• Leading and Supervising [II]
• Planning and Organizing [II]

View our competency framework at:

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

Specific Technical Knowledge required (for the job):

• Understanding of using data for strengthening health systems
• Knowledge of relevant sources for analysing data
• Experience with child health related data.

For every child, Hope

• Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager and technical guidance of Chief Supply & Procurement in the country office, the Supply & Logistics Specialist will be responsible for the supply chain operations including planning, procurement, contracting, storage, distribution and monitoring of UNICEF’s supplies in the states of Borno and Yobe in North-East Nigeria.
• She or he will advise on all matters of supply and logistics and closely collaborates with programmes in defining supply interventions to meet programmatic needs, and provides technical and advisory support to government entities and partners on supply chain management issues.

How can you make a difference?

• Ensures appropriate processes and systems are in place to ensure efficiency of the supply and logistics operations.
• Responsible for procurement of commodities and services, and monitoring of all upstream supply activities at the Field office level.
• Participates in Country Programme planning at Field Office level to advice on supply and logistics requirements.
• Works closely with programme colleagues on forecasting. Provides technical advice on specifications/Terms of Reference, facilitating efficient procurement.
• Initiates procurement process at Field Office level and ensures development of appropriate evaluation criteria, solicitation, evaluation of offers, negotiation and formulation of contracts and long-term arrangements (LTAs) with suppliers and contractors.
• Establishes appropriate processes adjusted to emergency and local context, while respecting UNICEF procurement principles and policies.
• Maintains links with Supply Team in Abuja on transnational shipments, deliveries, claims and appropriateness of supplies.
• Ensures accurate evaluation of supplier performance on the basis of quality of services rendered, product acceptability and delivery record
• Plans design and implements appropriate logistics system including warehousing, transport and distribution. Supervises warehousing operations and ensure accountability on stocks.
• Guides and coaches section staff (Logistics, Construction and Procurement staff), provides strategic direction, ensures knowledge sharing in section as well as with programme sections, partners and UNICEF global supply chain community.  
• Conducts field visits to out posted offices or project sites, to monitor supplies and propose actions to improve logistics arrangements.
• Accountable fore supervision of the construction unit activities, contribute to the planning of construction projects, define and lead strategies of implementation of construction projects in an appropriate and effective manner as to safeguard UNICEF's interests.
• Ensures technical input/documents to bidding processes are developed and selection of suitable contractors, issuance of contracts including adequate contractual provisions are timely done appropriately.
• Coordinates and leads sites monitoring with construction Team, ensure timely and quality completion of works and lead arrangements for hand over to beneficiaries/Govt counterparts, and ensure proper reporting.
• Verifies contractors’ performance and oversees the management of construction contracts as expected.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Management, International Economics, Engineering, International Development, Contract / Commercial Law, or areas directly related to logistics operations or UNICEF programme areas.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience at the national and international levels in supply management operations.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Applying Technical Expertise
• Deciding and Initiating Actions
• Following Instructions and Procedures
• Leading and Supervising
• Planning and Organizing

View our competency framework at:

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