Consultancy: Security/Political and Humanitarian Access Analysis Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), Nairobi, Kenya, 7 Months

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

The Consultant, Security/Political and Humanitarian Access Analysis, will be based in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office in Nairobi and reports to the Regional Security Advisor (RSA). The position will have primary responsibility for leading security analysis in ESAR, contributing to the strategic management of regional security operations, and providing guidance and assistance to country-level managers and security focal points. Furthermore, the position will be responsible for supporting the Regional Security Advisor in strengthening a cohesive approach to security risk management processes and mechanisms, enabling the strategic implementation of related programmes throughout the region.

In this expert advisory capacity, the consultant will lead advanced security and political analysis across ESAR, providing high-level strategic inputs to strengthen regional security risk management and to inform decision-making. The consultancy will offer specialized support and technical guidance to country-level security managers and security focal points, ensuring they are equipped with timely analytical products and expert recommendations. Additionally, the consultant will advise and assist the Regional Security Advisor in fostering a coherent and harmonized approach to security risk management processes and mechanisms, enabling the effective and strategic implementation of related programmes throughout the region.

Scope of Work

1) Goal and objective:

a. Under the supervision of the ESARO RSA, the consultant will plan, develop, and coordinate procedures and modalities relevant to the collection, collation and analysis of security information in support of the UNICEF operations.

b. Collect and compile data related to evolving situations and events in the Region and analyse information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential situation that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises and assets throughout the Region and that may also impact programme delivery.

c. Provide analysis to understand country, and sub-regional, level dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of armed conflict, terrorism, inter-tribal conflict and population movements. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes, particularly in areas where Security and/or Humanitarian Access has been compromised.

d. Provide reporting on Security Planning and Emergency/Crisis Preparedness tailored to countries and regional specific situation and security requirements, necessary to inform strategic decision-making by the Regional Security Advisor (RSA), offering clear assessments, risk forecasts, and recommended actions aligned with evolving security requirements.

e. Undertake security risk assessments as directed by the Regional Director and/or the Regional Security Advisor.

f. Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security analytical reporting, procedures and systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

2) Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

This consultancy will strongly complement the work and analysis being understand at the Regional Security Section.

3) Activities and Tasks:

Provide detailed thematic briefing papers (10-15 pages) on Security, Political and Humanitarian Access dynamics across the ESAR

Provide regular inputs in ESAR Security Section Analytical Documents; Support the RSA in providing strategic guidance and insights during briefings and regular meetings

4) Work relationships: The consultant will undertake the research based on his/her own knowledge and networks across the ESAR countries.

5) Outputs/Deliverables:

• After the start of the consultancy, the Consultant will be responsible of producing a minimum of three thematic papers on Security/Political Analysis in hard to reach and at risks countries across the ESAR; producing two Quarterly Security Outlook covering selected countries of the ESA Region; and weekly thematic inputs in the Weekly Watchlists.
• Throughout the tenure of this contract, the Consultant will be responsible for developing an access strategy specific to country offices where humanitarian access was assessed as lacking.
• The RSA will ensure the timeliness, goals, and quality of work through management practices, regular touch-base conversations and/or via telephone calls and/or emails.

Payment Schedule

Payment is a lump sum on completion of deliverables and satisfactory completion of deliverables.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Security Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security, Counter Terrorism or another relevant technical field.
2. A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional work experience, proven crisis management and strong background in political and security analysis ideally in a regional context.
3. Experience working in the ESAR region, and established/varied network of contacts throughout the region is highly desirable
4. Analysis/information experience from a related background context (e.g. academic, military, police, government, news media, etc.) would be considered an asset.
5. Experience working with a UN Agency in a regional position is desirable
6. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Trust
5. Accountability
6. Sustainability

7. Competencies: builds and maintains partnerships; demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, thinks and acts strategically.
8. Strong oral and written command and experience of the English Language is required, knowledge of French desirable.

Administrative issues

• Provision of services will not commence unless a contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
• All materials developed are subject to Intellectual property considerations under the UNICEF General Terms and Conditions of contract.  
• The awarded consultant will work from own premises, and/or the UNICEF office.
• No travel is planned or included for this consultancy.
• The consultant will only be paid upon satisfactory submission of a deliverable in line with the contract and specified deliverables.   

Conditions

Please indicate any related conditions such as the following:

• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• 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.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered ‘staff members’ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will 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.
• 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.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.

Risks

All reasonable and risks associated with the consultancy assignment should be identified, and a relevant risk response and possible mitigation action defined.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV  their technical & Financial proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Provision of sample material and examples of two recent published pieces on South Sudan required.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.