Consultancy, Religions for Peace Partnership on the Role of Religious Communities to Protect Children affected by Conflict

Religions for Peace Partnership on the Role of Religious Communities to Protect Children affected by Conflict

PROGRAM COORDINATOR Terms of Reference

***Start date: October 2013 End date: September 2014 **Duty Station: New York **Background UNICEF, the United Nation’s agency mandated to promote and protect children’s rights and Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition that works to advance peace, are in a unique partnership designed to strengthen the engagement of religious communities, particularly inter-religious mechanisms, and child protection actors to work in partnership to enhance the protection of children affected by conflict. UNICEF and Religions for Peace seek a uniquely qualified person to manage the program. The selected candidate will be seated in and administratively supervised by UNICEF, with technical supervision shared with Religions for Peace. Currently, UNICEF country offices and national inter-religious councils (affiliates of Religions for Peace) are partnering in Liberia, Kenya and the Philippines to implement local projects on behalf of children. At the global level, UNICEF’s partnership with Religions for Peace has resulted in the coordination of various consultations, the preparation of guidance and overall coordination across countries. A special grant has been set up to support these programmes. ***Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to coordinate the UNICEF-Religions for Peace partnership at the global level and to strengthen, expand and monitor work with religious communities to protect children’s rights at the country level.

***Responsibilities

1) Coordination of the UNICEF-Religions for Peace partnership at the global level a. Finalize the UNICEF-Religions for Peace action plan proposal for 2013-2015 b. Maintain regular communication with partner focal points at Headquarters, Regional and National levels c. Participate in key policy forums, providing documentation, making presentations, and participating in the incorporation of program learning into policy development d. Prepare regular reports and other communication for the program donor and partner senior management. e. Day-to-day oversight of programme implementation

2) Support to country-level UNICEF partnerships with inter-religious councils and other faith-based organizations a. Support countries in the preparation of Partnership Cooperation Agreements or similar proposals regarding allocation and implementation of funds. b. Coordinate allocation of funds from HQ to UNICEF country offices. c. Provide ongoing technical assistance to country pilot projects, ensuring good reporting and documentation, facilitating feedback and dissemination.

3) Expansion of UNICEF’s work with Religions for Peace and other faith-based organizations in selected countries a. Create a list of recommended countries for strengthened engagement based on a review of UNICEF annual reports, discussions with Religions for Peace colleagues, and other available resources. b. Select countries for strengthened engagement based on discussions regarding interest and capacity with UNICEF country offices.

4) Preparation of baseline and monitoring for programme evaluation a. Support UNICEF country offices to integrate monitoring and evaluation for the project within their overall country programme monitoring and evaluation plan. b. In coordination with UNICEF country offices, Religions for Peace and other stakeholders and experts, draft an M&E plan for the evaluation of UNICEF’s work with religious actors. Ensure the existence of a baseline and that practical indicators and monitoring mechanisms are in place and functioning.

5) Ongoing development and documentation of evidence-based knowledge and tools a. Collect, compile, and document short case studies demonstrating compelling examples of religious leaders or organizations playing a pivotal role in promoting children’s rights. b. Share promising practices and key messages to support country programmes and connect UNICEF programme officers and other stakeholders tackling similar issues. c. Update information on UNICEF’s existing work with faith-based organizations. d. Establish and maintain relations with key educational and other research actors in supporting the programme’s learning efforts

***Deliverables 1) Coordination of the UNICEF-Religions for Peace partnership at the global level including: a. Finalized UNICEF-Religions for Peace action plan for 2013-2015 b. Donor report finalized and sent 2) Support to country-level UNICEF partnerships with inter-religious councils and other faith-based organizations including: a. PCA proposals for 2014 completed by participating countries b. Funds allocated for country-level PCAs and related work c. Concise report of 2013 country-level results submitted with attached documentation from countries. 3) Expansion of UNICEF’s work with Religions for Peace and other faith-based organizations in selected countries including: a. Vetted list of recommended countries for strengthened engagement b. Proposals for new engagement submitted by selected countries 4) Preparation of baseline and monitoring for programme evaluation including: a. M&E for projects integrated into overall country programme M&E, baseline available, practical indicators and monitoring mechanisms in place and functioning i. (existing countries) ii. (new countries) b. Final draft M&E plan for the evaluation of UNICEF’s work with religious actors 5) Development and documentation of evidence-based knowledge and tools including: a. 5-10 one to two page case studies (as per TOR) finalized b. Updated database on intranet re. UNICEF’s work with FBOs

***Skills and Qualifications:  Advanced university degree in social work, international relations or related fields  5 – 8 years progressively responsible professional experience in child protection, ideally in conflict situations and in the development of policy and practice guidelines  Experience working within and/or engaging with religious communities (preferably inter-religious mechanisms)  Excellent writing, analytical, research, and communication skills (ideally related to advocacy initiatives and development of policies related to child protection in conflict)  Project management experience, including budget management, monitoring, and reporting  Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships  Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills in English, and, preferably, at least one other UN language

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

1. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

1. Title rights

UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

1. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

1. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

1. Insurance

The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

1. Service incurred death, injury or illness

If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

1. Arbitration

(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

1. Penalties for Underperformance

Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

1. Termination of Contract

This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

1. Taxation

UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor

How to apply:

Application Process

Interested persons are invited to submit their P11 (which can be downloaded from our website athttp://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html), CV along with a one-page cover letter summarizing relevant experience to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Consultancy, Religions for Peace Partnership on the Role of Religious Communities to Protect Children affected by Conflict” not later than October 17, 2013. Please indicate a lump sum amount for the delivery of the products. Note that any travel required as part of the project will be paid by UNICEF and should not be included in the lump sum total. Any applications without a lump sum amount will not be considered. Joint applications of two or more individuals will not be accepted.