(Re-advertisement) Consultancy to support the development of the Regional Office Management Plan (ROMP) 2026-2029/2030 for UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to support the preparation of the ROMP 2026-2029/2030, which entails: 1) compilation of key evidence, facilitation of internal and external stakeholder consultation, facilitation of strategic prioritisation and results; 2) matching results, office structure that is affordable and fit-for-purpose, and budget and the preparation of the related Programme Budget Review (PBR) submission in April 2025.

Work assignment (remote/home-based modality, not office-based), Expected deliverable and Delivery schedule:

The period of the assignment is between 18 November 2024 and 30 Apr 2025, and will consist of the following key tasks:

• Undertake a desk review of existing evidence outlined for the evidence synthesis phase, including the results of the regional visioning exercise and key trends in East Asia and the Pacific.
• Production of regularized internal communication per the agreed communication plan
• Facilitate consultations with EAPRO sections, including change strategies, cross-sectoral, and cross-cutting priorities, to articulate key priorities, strategies and results for 2026-2029/2030 (and beyond), aligned with the new draft UNICEF Strategic Plan.
• Organise and facilitate a one-day SMR with All EAPRO staff
• Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders (as appropriate), including the analysis of data through a client satisfaction survey and key informant interviews
• Consolidate inputs on EAPRO positioning, key emerging priorities and recommended strategies and functions of the regional office and present them to the ROMP development steering committee and regional office management team
• Compile the draft results and resources framework.
• Review and develop recommendations on office structure and facilitate consultation on required resources (as well as resource mobilization strategy), coordination mechanisms to deliver on the priorities and plans for ROMP 2026-2029/2030, and necessary adjustments in staffing structure as well as staff capacity.
• Draft the ROMP narrative.
• Coordinate closely with consultant(s) working on comprehensive analysis of Operation and People Culture functions supporting both RO and Thailand Country Office
• Make suggestions and propose staffing structure options in close collaboration with the RO Operations and People and Culture teams.

Key Deliverables

Deliverable

Timeline

1. Desk review of the situation of children and adolescents, and key trends in East Asia and the Pacific and the implementation of the ROMP

6 days (November)

1. Communication Plan and regular internal newsletters to all staff

1 day (November – March)

1. Summary note of consultations with partner and sections

12 days (November – January)

1. Draft brief (about 6 pages) and presentation on EAPRO positioning, key programme priorities and recommended strategies and functions of the regional office

5 days (January)

1. SMR session plan and 5-page report

3 days (January)

1. Draft results and resources framework

4 days (February)

1. Draft ROMP narrative

6 days (February)

1. Proposal for staffing structure options to implement ROMP priorities

3 days (March)

Note that some deadlines could be shifted, some flexibility expected from consultant.

Report Requirements

The following reporting requirements are foreseen for successful contractors:

• Brief workplan: The contractor should provide a brief work plan for the duration of the contract, outlining how it plans to approach key deliverables and timing of each tasks.
• Draft ROMP 2026-2029 and PBR submission will be in line with the global guidelines which will be issued by UNICEF Headquarters (tentatively in November/December 2024)
• Draft results and resources framework as well as programme development will follow UNICEF results-based management principles and practice, and in line with UNICEF draft Strategic Plan

Duration of Contract: 40 working days over the period from 18 November 2024 to 30 April 2025

Duty Travel: The consultant is expected to be in country during 3 weeks in January while the remaining consultancy can be done remotely.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Academic Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in social science, business administration, human resources, social sciences or similar.

Professional experience

• Work Experience: 8 years of experience in managing development programmes, including strategic planning, programme and organizational design, Documented experience in results-based management.
• Special advantage: Experienced senior professionals having an extensive experience and knowledge of UNICEF policies on Country Programme Management Processes and Change Management. Knowledge and experience in development programme in East Asia and Pacific region is an asset.
• Specific skills: Solid experience with UNICEF and UN policies and procedures will be an asset, with a focus on programmatic aspects. Solid experience in organizational development/change/design as well as experience in developing staff structures, profiles and assessments in different environments required.
• Competencies: Very good analytical skills in relation to development challenges and relevant transformation processes; very competent in conceptualizing complex management challenges; excellent writing skills.
• Fluency in English Language combined with strong facilitation, presentation and written communication skills in multi-cultural settings is required.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 17 December 2024.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s 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 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. 

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. 

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual 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 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. Consultants 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. 

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. 

Read Full Description