UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, empowerment
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?ย
Purpose and Objective:
The purpose of this consultancy is to revise the existing ECE advocacy and communications strategy and plan, and upon finalization, facilitate the implementation of the strategy and plan, utilising the relevant available tools, partners and UNICEF staff and teams. The consultant will work in close collaboration with UNICEF Sierra Leone Education, Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and Communication/Advocacy sections and with relevant national stakeholders (the MBSSE, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Gender and Childrenโs Affairs, the ECE technical working group, and other organizations as needed) to achieve the below mentioned objectives.ย
The objectives of this assignment are to:
Revise and finalise the ECE advocacy and communication strategy and plan through consultations with relevant education stakeholders and partners, incorporating good practices and lessons learned. Support the coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Advocacy and Communications plan and strategy for ECE Contribute to the development and production of multimedia assets, knowledge products, and campaigns in support of the objectives of the ECE advocacy and communications strategy and plan.Methodology and Technical Approach:
Through remote and face-to-face consultations with UNICEF staff, relevant education partners and champions, including government, district and community stakeholders, the consultant will deliver the tasks listed below.
Develop an inception report detailing understanding of the ToR, methodology to be employed, activity plan and resource needs with a detailed workplan. Conduct desk review of the developed ECE advocacy strategy and plan, undertaking preliminary interviews with relevant UNICEF staff and relevant stakeholders involved in the development of the strategy. Conduct and facilitate a series of consultations and workshops with partners to co-develop the strategy and plan. Present finalised ECE advocacy strategy and plan to relevant stakeholdersโ workshop/meeting. Coordinate the implementation, performance monitoring and adaptation of the advocacy and communications plan. Facilitate the development of advocacy and knowledge products detailed in the advocacy and communications plan, including case studies and briefs.Please see attached ToR for detailed information.ย ย TOR_KIX-Advocacy Specialist_ Interntional_Consultancy.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
Advanced university degree (Masters, PhD) in, digital communications, international relations, political or social sciences, education, human rights.
Minimum of five years of progressively advanced experience in advocacy, which must include skills in conceptualizing and developing communication and advocacy strategies, materials, and action plans for implementation.
Demonstrated familiarity with the advocacy work of UNICEF and/or international development, humanitarian, and child rights issues.
Concrete experience of fostering open dialogue, building trust, and engaging key stakeholders.
Proven ability to think critically and seek out, synthesize, and interpret large amounts of information.
Excellent knowledge of English is required - strong communication skills (written and oral) in English are a necessity.
Experience in developing/implementing ECD/ECE advocacy and communication materials. Expertise in using MS Office software and carrying out research.
For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย
To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
UNICEF is here to serve the worldโs most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.ย
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.ย
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.ย
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.ย