NGO JOBS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy for UNICEF Child Protection Section Communication and Advocacy Strategy Advisor

Background

UNICEF’s Child Protection Section has developed an internal ‘Child Protection Advocacy and Communication Strategy’ and external ‘Concept Note for Leveraging Child Protection Globally’ to raise awareness, bolster fundraising, mobilize political will, and position and prioritize child protection leadership and goals on the global agenda.

Although UNICEF is viewed, within the UN system and beyond, as the global leader in the protection of children, it is clear that UNICEF and the sector overall must: (i) establish a more compelling, evidence-based investment case for child protection; (ii) reach new audiences and expand advocacy; and (iii) strengthen and extend strategic collaborations. Accordingly, UNICEF will leverage its strong partnerships within the child protection community, which is comprised of governments, international and national NGOs, foundations, the private sector, and faith-based coalitions to promote and implement a communication and advocacy strategy to leverage child protection globally over the next two years. Building an investment case for child protection, including building from work around the ‘cost of inaction framework’ (see details below) will be central to the communication and advocacy work.

There are a number of parts to this work, some of which are already underway and others which must be further strengthened and advanced. As outlined in the concept note, these are summarized as follows:

Building the case for investment:

1. Newly communicate the scientific research on brain science and toxic stress, in early childhood and adolescence. We must present this critical data not only as a collection of vital knowledge, but as a compelling story that demonstrates why children need to be protected from violence. The Bernard Van Leer Foundation is currently working on this.

2. Arguing the economic case for child protection is critical. The health and education sectors have been effective in this work, and child protection needs to learn from these experiences. It is proposed that a small group of economists be convened to be introduced to child protection and engage in economic modelling, and that the results be communicated to an audience that comprises finance ministers, the World Bank and others. Applying ‘the cost of inaction’ framework developed by Professor Sudhir Anand and others , for example, to violence prevention could help communicate the importance of violence prevention and family strengthening to new and important audiences in the public and private sector.Reaching new audiences and expanding advocacy:

3. A communication initiative targeting the Millennials, and affluent influencers, is already in progress, with a communication firm in New York. This will yield a communication platform and fundraising opportunities, in this case in particular for UNICEF, but it could – and should – extend to the sector as a whole.

4. Child protection “actors” with stature, credibility, clout and possibly even some with resources are essential to the success of even these initial two years of work. UNICEF and others should be able to secure these voices and institutions and work is already underway in this regard. National UNICEF Committees can play an invaluable role in this effort. Strengthening and extending strategic collaborations:

5. The USAID “National Plan of Action for Children in Adversity” is being endorsed by the office of the USAID Administrator. Internationally, this plan hopes to find its expression in the establishment of a global alliance – with public and private partners – for the development and protection of children. Concurrently, USAID, UNICEF and the Somerset Group of Foundations have also identified a need and desire for a global alliance for Child Protection. This confluence of intent is helping to propel discussions around the design and viability of such an alliance. UNICEF will work with an appointed coordinator (funded and designated by a number of private foundations), USAID and others to determine goals, objectives, foci and modalities.

6. In the margins of the 2012 September Executive Board of UNICEF, a child protection briefing was convened by the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations with supportive governments. During the briefing, developments in the sector and the role of child protection in the post-2015 agenda were discussed. As an outcome, the group expressed an interest to re-convene the group, possibly in 2013 with governments from all regions.

7. A plan is being developed for a high-level “convening” for the child-protection community, foundations and governments in particular. The first phase of the “cost of inaction ”work’ could be presented, and other major foundations could be invited who are not yet supporting child protection, or perhaps are not yet aware of how extending their support to child protection could leverage their other investments.

The high level event – or events – listed above will involve people, businesses, and foundations that have previously never considered themselves supporters of child protection as well. This is envisioned as the beginning of a concerted effort to draw greater attention to and prioritise support for child protection.

As a first critical step of this collective work, a small high level event was co-convened by UNICEF and Peter Bell of the Hauser Center for Non-Profit Organizations and UNICEF and the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University on 10 October 2012 to discuss the concept note and agree to an action plan moving forward to build the investment case. Among the key outcomes was a commitment made by UNICEF at a senior leadership level to advance the actions noted in the concept note in a global learning initiative and partnership, starting with work around the cost of inaction.

Activities and Expected ResultsA consultant is required to support the work of UNICEF NYHQ in leveraging child protection globally through a development and implementation of a communication and advocacy strategy that builds on the concept note and the outcomes of the planning meeting on the Costs of Inaction to translate the above- mentioned activities into a concrete action plan. This work is critical to get the work started and well-anchored so that longer-term funding can subsequently be identified for key tasks outlined in this TOR and which emerge subsequently as the work gets underway.

In consultation with the Programmes, Fundraising, Communications and Partnerships divisions of UNICEF the consultant willprovide strategic communication and advocacy support and advice to follow-up from the Harvard University event on the ‘Cost of Inaction’ and its relevance for Child Protection.

This work will involve the following tasks and require 90 working days. Specific tasks are:1. Develop and finalise an Advocacy and Communication Strategy to implement the ‘Concept Note on Leveraging Child Protection Globally’ encompassing key events and milestones, objectives, key activities, outputs and outcomes, dates, focal points and a tentative budget: This involves building on the outcomes of the Harvard meeting on the ‘cost of inaction’ along with communication-related work that already commenced in the section in partnership with the Division of Communication and informed by the work of the NY-based communication firm. The time frame is 30 days: 25 days - research and preparation of the first draft, 5 days - finalization after receiving comments on the draft). Specific tasks are:a. Identify and map the main Child Protection audiences including (i) general public and Millennials (ii) National Committees (iii) private and public stakeholders in Child Protection (iv) potential funders;b. Identify the key communication messages for each audience;c. Identify the communication mechanisms (social media, internet, newsletter, website, etc) and events (international conferences, MDG-related events, etc) for reaching each particular audience and required tool(s);d. Meet with/convene meetings with Child Protection colleagues at HQ and field level to inform the Strategy;e. Regularly review and update the strategy (ongoing as part of the subsequent activities in this TOR).

1. Prepare UNICEF communication and advocacy materials for the nascent global multi-stakeholder alliance and partners aligned with the cost of inaction work, including participation in related events/meetings. This will involve 25 working days. Specific tasks are:a. Research and develop a draft a comprehensive list of potential partners for child protection alliances among national governments, private foundations, private companies, nonprofit organizations, etc., including contact details and focal points. This will pay attention to criteria including South-South involvement and partnership; mix of gender etc.b. Develop communication, advocacy and media-appropriate materials, including concept notes, presentations about the work, etc., to be disseminated and presented before or during the high level ‘convening’ event for the child protection community, scheduled to take place before mid-2013.

2. Serve as a liaison and prepare all background and preparatory material for the participation of Child Protection in the UNICEF National Committee meeting and the ‘Friends of Child Protection’ meeting with UN missions, scheduled for February 2013. This will take 15 working days. Specific tasks involve:a. Work with PFP and the Section and develop communication materials, including concept note, communication and advocacy materials and presentation for the February meetings; b. Together with PFP, identify prospective individuals for child protection of significant clout, stature and resources who are expected to advocate on behalf of the child protection sector for UNICEF follow-up.

3. Broad communication and advocacy support for Child Protection in alignment with the concept note. This will take 20 working days. Specific tasks involve:a. Build on the work of an external communication firm to develop a strategy to mobilize and energize the Millennial generation for child protection;b. Support the development of partnership communication strategies (Together for Girls, etc.), including concept notes, press releases and other communication products as required for Together for Girls and other strategic partnerships;c. Write and edit press materials and releases, briefing notes, key messages, speeches and other communication materials for UNICEF spokespersons on these issues;d. Work with country offices to identify, draft and finalise case studies of programme innovations and results for advocacy (i.e. internet etc.), fundraising, etc.;e. Undertake media planning and outreach on key Child Protection initiatives, reports and ‘media moments,’ and other media-related activities and events;f. Research and prepare briefing materials to assist UNICEF spokespersons in preparing for meetings; andg. With inputs from technical experts across the section, develop and finalise communication materials for a general audience on the strategic approaches and results in child protection.

Duty Station

The consultant will be based at UNICEF NYHQ with some local and international travel as necessary.

Duration*

The consultant is expected to work full-time (5 days/week) over a period of 5 months, starting in mid-November. *NB: final dates to be determined after candidate identified.

Qualifications/Competencies:

• Advanced Degree in Communications, Strategic Development or a related field.

• At least 8-10 years of progressive professional work experience in communications, advocacy or strategic development.

• Demonstrated experience developing, delivering and successfully implementing a communications or advocacy strategy, preferably in a child-protection related setting.

• Demonstrated experience with writing analytical strategic communications or advocacy papers.

• Knowledge and experience managing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• Working knowledge of the child protection sector. Experience with UNICEF in the field (at the Country Office or Regional Office level) essential and experience with UNICEF HQ an added advantage.

• Excellent communication and writing skills.

• Excellent analytical skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural environment.

• Knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

A physician’s certificate of good health and proof of health insurance coverage must be provided by the selected candidate prior to commencement of work. Non-U.S. citizens working in the UNICEF New York office will be required to obtain an American G4 visa prior to taking up her/his duties.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE1. LEGAL STATUSIndividuals engaged under a consultant contract serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other authority external to the United Nations. They are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention of 13 February 1946 on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. Consultants may, however, be given the status of “experts on mission” in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention. If they are required to travel on behalf of the United Nations, they may be given a United Nations certification in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.2. OBLIGATIONSConsultants shall have the duty to respect the impartiality and independence of the United Nations and shall neither seek nor accept instructions regarding the services to be performed for UNICEF from any Government or from any authority external to the United Nations. During their period of service for UNICEF, consultants shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations or UNICEF and shall not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the discharge of their duties with the Organization. Consultants are required to exercise the utmost discretion in all matters of official business of the Organization. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, consultants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service. Consultants are to comply with the UNICEF Standards of Electronic Conduct and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, both of which are incorporated by reference into the contract between the consultants and UNICEF. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, consultants shall not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other authority external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to them by reason of their association with the United Nations. The consultant may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF. Nor shall the consultant use such information for private advantage. These obligations do not lapse upon cessation of service with UNICEF.3. TITLE RIGHTSUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided to the Organization by the consultant. At the request of UNICEF, the consultant shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the Organization in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.4. TRAVELIf consultants are required by UNICEF to travel beyond commuting distance from their usual place of residence, such travel at the expense of UNICEF shall be governed by conditions equivalent to the relevant provisions of the 100 series of the United Nations Staff Rules (Chapter VII) and relevant UNICEF policies and procedures. Travel by air by the most direct and economical route is the normal mode for travel at the expense of UNICEF. Such travel will be by business class if the journey is nine hours or longer, and by economy class if the journey is less than nine hours, and first class by rail.5. MEDICAL CLEARANCEConsultants expected to work in any office of the Organization shall be required to submit a statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that they have been fully informed regarding inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized.6. INSURANCEConsultants are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services on behalf of UNICEF as they consider appropriate. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. The responsibility of the United Nations and UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.7. SERVICE INCURRED DEATH, INJURY OR ILLNESSConsultants who are authorized to travel at UNICEF’s expense or who are required under the contract to perform their services in a United Nations or UNICEF office, or their dependants as appropriate, shall be entitled in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the performance of services on behalf of UNICEF while in travel status or while working in an office of the Organization on official UNICEF business to compensation equivalent to the compensation which, under Appendix D to the United Nations Staff Rules (ST/SGB/Staff Rules/Appendix D/Rev.1 and Amend.1), would be payable to a staff member at step V of the First Officer (P-4) level of the Professional category.8. ARBITRATIONAny dispute arising out of or, in connexion with, this contract shall, if attempts at settlement by negotiation have failed, be submitted to arbitration in New York by a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties. Should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, then each party shall proceed to appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall agree on a third. Failing such agreement, either party may request the appointment of the third arbitrator by the President of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.9. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTThis contract may be terminated by either party before the expiry date of the contract by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five days in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two months and fourteen days in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of misconduct by the consultant, UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice.In the event of the contract being terminated prior to its due expiry date in this way, the consultant shall be compensated on a pro rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work performed to the satisfaction of UNICEF. Additional costs incurred by the United Nations resulting from the termination of the contract by the consultant may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the consultant from UNICEF.10. TAXATIONThe United Nations and UNICEF undertake no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract. No statement of earnings will be issued by the United Nations or UNICEF to the consultant.