UNICEF vacancy notice geo/ssa/2013/001

Senior policy advisor/consultant, unicef georgia

TERMS OF REFERENCE

BACKGROUND

The more socially oriented agenda of the Government that came into power following the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia, has opened up opportunities to strategically reposition UNICEF in the country. Such repositioning will need to be firmly embedded in the long-term development strategy of the country.The country faces a number of adverse development trends, including a potentially unsustainable economic growth pattern, significant demographic risks, an unfavourable skills distribution in the labour force and one of the highest inequality levels in the region. At the same time, the share of public expenditures in health and education is lower than in most comparator countries resulting in some of the worst health indicators (second-highest infant mortality, highest maternal mortality) and education outcomes (as measured by the recent PISA and TIMMS surveys) in Europe. Consequently, UNICEF has a significant contribution to make in shaping the future development model of the country. Based on a review of the election campaign programme of the new governing coalition, UNICEF has presented a policy paper with ten recommendations to the new Government. Since then, some momentum has been generated which could potentially lead to the adoption of a National ECD Agenda to achieve universal access to pre-school education, a significant reduction in infant mortality (mainly by reducing malnutrition and enhancing continuity of MCH care), introduction of child benefits and ending institutional care for children under age 6. UNICEF has been requested by its key Government counterparts to support the commencing reform processes.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE FOR THE CONSULTANCY

The consultancy will ensure that UNICEF in Georgia has the capacity to rapidly respond to emerging opportunities while the Government is still in the process of defining its long-term development strategy. It will be particularly important to demonstrate the instrumentality of UNICEF’s programme for its contribution to address the broader socio-economic development challenges faced by the country. It will contribute to bridging the gap between UNICEF’s research and evidence-based policy making of the new Government.

WORK ASSIGNMENT, EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

In the context of the above, particularly in relation to the education sector, and in close collaboration with various stakeholders,the consultant will

  • Provide high-level policy advice and advocacy to Government, key development partners and other influencers on issues of relevance to UNICEF’s mandate;
  • Provide substantive programme and methodological guidance, quality assuranceas well as capacity development to the UNICEF office, promoting a multi-sectoral approach, including by reviewing and revising policy papers and concept notes prepared by the office;
  • Follow up to the high-level National Early Childhood Development Conference, in particular with regard to advancing progress on the commitments made by the Government, further developing respective partnerships and the establishment of and support to the state committee tasked with monitoring progress on the Government’s commitment;
  • Support the preparation of the Government’s 10-year development plan by promoting the instrumentality of UNICEF’s priorities for Georgia’s larger development agenda andpromote public policy dialogue on long-term development issues from a UNICEF perspective;
  • Build partnerships and mobilize resourcesin support of the above.

Deliverables

  • Policy papers on various issues prepared and presented to key stakeholders;
  • Government counterparts and other development partners provided with policy advice in support of key reform processes;
  • Government partners, key development stakeholders and other influencers provided with evidence supporting the instrumentality of UNICEF’s priorities for addressing key development challenges of the country;
  • New partnerships built to advance early childhood development;
  • State Committee on Children’s issues established and supported;
  • UNICEF inputs to the Government’s long-term development plan prepared and advocated for with the Government, in particular the Ministry of Finance and relevant line ministries;
  • Public policy dialogue on UNICEF’s issues within the context of the Government’s long-term development plan conducted;
  • Donor proposals prepared, new donors identified and resources mobilized.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Advanced university degree in social sciences, public policy or other related field
  • Minimum of 8years of international experience in providing high-level policy advice to Governments on issues related to UNICEF’s mandate within the larger socio-economic development context, public sector reform and regional development.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills
  • Excellent English Language skills

WORK SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

Assigned expert will be directly supervised by the Representative.

TIMING AND DURATION

Total duration of the assignment:until end of 2013 with the possibility for extension depending on funds availability.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae and Completed UN Personal History Form (P11) to UNICEF by e-mail at with ref. subject: Senior Policy Advisor

Application deadline: 2nd June 2013.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.