Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS International
Target Start Date2025-06-01
Deadline for ApplicationsMay 30, 2025
Terms of ReferenceGENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The U.S. Governmentโs ongoing review of foreign assistance architecture and reorganization of the Department of State signals significant changes in how partnerships with UNHCR will be managed, particularly through funding modalities. During his Senate confirmation hearings, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, โEvery dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?โ
In this evolving policy landscape, UNHCR anticipates increased scrutiny of its operations, greater demand for evidence of added value, and a more rigorous monitoring of and emphasis on results-based management and projectized funding approaches. UNHCR must therefore adapt how it communicates its impact, aligns with US strategic interest, and structures it appeals for financial support.
U.S. foreign policy objectives- including promoting global stability, resolving conflicts, fostering economic development and responding to humanitarian emergencies are closely aligned with UNHCRโs mandate, operational strengths, and responsibilities within the UN system. While maintaining its core principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence, UNHCR must evolve its resource mobilization strategy to meet the expectations of the new U.S. Administration. In short, UNHCR must โpitch differentlyโ.
A number of highly qualified technical experts-with experience in U.S. government service, grants management, humanitarian and development programming, and monitoring & evaluation-are needed for short-term contracts to support UNHCR to strengthen its capacity to produce competitive, targeted, and policy-aligned project proposals and to refine messaging and capacities for a more projectized approach in light of the restructuring and the suspension of the U.S. foreign assistance programs.
While uncertainty remains regarding the scope and timeline of U.S. funding and policy reforms, it is evident that UNHCR must rapidly enhance its ability to engage the U.S. Government with compelling, evidence-based, and strategically aligned proposals to sustain its resource mobilization efforts.
CONTRACT DURATION: 80 Working hours for a period of 10 days
The consultancy is short-term, calculated at 80 working hours/10 working days. The deadline for deliverables will be jointly agreed between the consultant/DRRM and MCO Washington but within a six-week window. The consultant will work independently under the guidance of the US team in DRRM at HQ Geneva. MCO Washington will identify technical colleagues and support with political guidance when needed.
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS: Part-time, home-based
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT:
1) Timeline: This consultancy is envisioned as a short-term engagement 80 working hours / 10 working days, structured in three main phases:
Phase 1: Planning & Knowledge Management (Day 1-3), focusing on desk review, internal consultations, mapping of existing UNHCR proposals and results frameworks
Phase 2: Drafting and Design (Day 4-8), drafting of proposal template, US-specific pitches, indicator development, and theory of change models.
Phase 3: Validation and Finalization (Day 9-10), feedback incorporation, consultations with stakeholders, delivery of final products and recommendations.
2) Deliverables: Adaptable USG Proposal Template that is customizable for different operational contexts (emergency, stabilization, solutions) and includes sample narratives, logic models, budget structures, and compliance guidance
Three US-Specific Proposals, one each for a stabilization, emergency, and protracted situation (operations TBD by UNHCR) with clear executive summary, problem statement, activities, outcomes, and alignment with US strategic interests.
Strategic Framing Language, in the form of talking points emphasizing UNHCR's alignment with U.S. priorities (security, prosperity, stability) thats reusable for fundraising or policy engagement.
Draft Theory of Change Models (stabilization, voluntary repatriation, and reintegration operations) with Accompanying graphics/visual elements.
Customized Indicators- Indicators that reflect USG interest in results and accountability, while being grounded in UNHCRโs RBM framework, and should also increase proposed means of verification and potential data sources
Monitoring & Reporting Guidance - Recommended structure for M&E in US-funded projects, drawing on best practices in USG grant compliance.
3) Methodology:
Desk Review- Analyse existing UNHCR project documents, USG-funded proposals, and RBM frameworks. Review US policy documents, Congressional budget justifications, and strategic frameworks).
Stakeholder Consultations (Engage with former USG officials and external policy experts to align with current USG expectations, Conduct meetings with UNHCR operations, and sector leads who can support with refining content and to solicit during each phase to ensure alignment with internal priorities
Final Review of all deliverables by the head of US team and/or someone from the DC ER team with USG grant experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Develop a USG-Focused Proposal Template:
Create a flexible country-based proposal template for U.S. Government submissions that can be adapted for various operational contexts-emergency response, stabilization, and solutions activities in line with UNHCR's Global Results Framework.
Draft U.S. Specific Proposals (in coordination with UNHCR teams):
Research and draft with the support of UNHCR colleagues, US-specific pitches for three distinct operational settings:(1) a stabilization operation (ideally in the Western Hemisphere, TBD by UNHCR), (2) an emergency response operation (TBD by UNHCR), and (3) a protracted humanitarian situation (TBD by UNHCR).
Utilize USG Grants Knowledge to Frame UNHCRโs Work:
UNHCR will provide the identified consultant with the operational context, and activities to be included in the proposal. Based on their detailed knowledge of the US Government grants management and emerging foreign policy priorities in addition to consultations with UNHCR at HQ and field levels on UNHCR's current programme, budget and operational context, the consultant will:
- Draft UNHCR operational context narratives that would help frame UNHCRโs activities for a project based proposal.
- Draft original text/lines of argumentation as to why UNHCRโs work aligns with the strategic interests of the current US Administration.
- Articulate a theory of Change (for stabilization, volrep and reintegration) and develop adaptable visual elements.
- 'Reframe UNHCR Results Framework with clear and relevant indicators that measure the impact of US supportDraft related reporting templates and propose monitoring and evaluation activities that increase transparency and allow for internal oversight throughout the implementation period.
MINIMUM YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in the humanitarian or development contexts, grants management within the US Government, and/or prior experience developing/assessing/managing funding submissions/partnerships.
- Strong network within the DC policy community.
- Demonstrated Research/drafting skills
- Familiarity with Monitoring and evaluation
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo