UNICEF is Hiring: Program Management Consultant (Apply Now)

UNICEF is Hiring: Consultancy: Program Management Consultant – Req.#580778

• Job no: 580778: This is a unique internal identification number for this specific job posting within UNICEF’s system.
• Contract type: Consultant: This indicates that the position is a temporary contract for a specialized expert, not a permanent staff position. Consultants are typically hired for specific projects or periods to provide specialized skills or knowledge.
• Duty Station: London: This is the official location of the role within UNICEF’s organizational structure.
• Level: Consultancy: This reiterates the contract type and likely refers to the level or grade within the consultancy framework, which can sometimes relate to experience and expected compensation.
• Location: United States, United Kingdom: This indicates that candidates from both the United States and the United Kingdom are eligible to apply. While the duty station is London, the job is listed as remote, suggesting flexibility in the consultant’s physical location within these countries.
• Categories: Fund Raising: This categorization might seem unusual for a Program Management role, but it likely indicates that the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) is closely linked to fundraising efforts, or that the consultant’s work will contribute to reporting requirements for donors.

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 fulfill 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, hope.

This is UNICEF’s core mission statement, highlighting their commitment to children globally, particularly those in vulnerable situations. It sets the tone for the organization’s values and purpose.

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

• Consultancy Title: Program Management Consultant: This is the formal title of the temporary position being advertised.
• Section/Division/Duty Station: United Hosted Funds, Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), London, UK: This specifies the organizational unit and location where the consultant will be functionally attached.
  • United Hosted Funds: This suggests that EOF is a fund hosted or managed by UNICEF, possibly a pooled fund or a partnership with other organizations.
  • Education Outcomes Fund (EOF): This is the specific program or initiative the consultant will be working within. Outcomes Funds are a type of innovative finance mechanism where payments are linked to achieving specific, measurable results (outcomes).
  • London, UK: As mentioned, this is the official duty station, although the work is remote.
• Duration: July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026: This clearly defines the start and end dates of the consultancy contract. It’s a one-year engagement.
• Home/ Office Based: Remote: This is a key piece of information, indicating that the consultant is expected to work from their own location rather than a UNICEF office. This aligns with the listed locations of the United States and the United Kingdom.

About UNICEF

This section provides a general overview of UNICEF as an organization.

• Mission and Impact: Reaffirms UNICEF’s dedication to children’s rights and well-being, working in diverse and challenging environments.
• Global Reach: Highlights their presence in 190 countries and territories, emphasizing their commitment to reaching all children.
• Areas of Focus: Lists key areas of UNICEF’s work, including health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and protection from violence and exploitation.
• Funding Model: Explains that UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions, emphasizing the importance of donor relationships.
• Staff Size: Provides a sense of the scale of the organization.

BACKGROUND

• Purpose of Activity/Assignment: This explains the core reason for hiring the consultant. They are needed to provide expert technical advice on EOF’s programs throughout their lifecycle (scoping, design, launch, and potentially ongoing phases).
• Scope of Work: This outlines the general responsibilities of the consultant. They will provide technical guidance and advice on the initial stages of EOF programs (scoping, design, launch). They will report to the EOF’s Program Manager and collaborate with the entire central EOF team.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

This section details the specific tasks the consultant is expected to complete and the tangible outputs (deliverables) that will be produced, along with their deadlines.

• Deliverable 1: Learning Sessions:
  • Task: Design and facilitate four learning sessions for the EOF team.
  • Content: The sessions should focus on lessons learned from designing programs.
  • Format: Each session should be 60-90 minutes long.
  • Expected Result: Four designed and facilitated learning sessions.
  • Deadlines: 31 December 2025 and 30 June 2026 (This suggests two sessions by the first date and two by the second, or possibly a rolling delivery).
• Deliverable 2: Narrative Reports for Donors:
  • Task: Draft narrative reports for donors on EOF’s programs.
  • Process: This will be done in consultation with EOF’s leadership and will incorporate feedback from the technical program and partnerships teams.
  • Format: Each report is expected to be 5-10 pages.
  • Expected Result: At least 10 narrative reports drafted.
  • Deadlines: 30 September 2025 and 30 June 2026 (This suggests a batch of reports by the first date and more by the second).
• Deliverable 3: Concept Development Report:
  • Task: Draft and finalize a concept development report for one specific EOF program.
  • Content: The report should include analysis of the political and economic context (political economy and sector analysis), how the program is expected to achieve its goals (theory of change), identification of key people and groups involved (stakeholder analysis), and plans for engaging with them.
  • Expected Result: A finalized concept development report.
  • Deadline: 31 January 2026.
• Deliverable 4: Finalized Program Design Document:
  • Task: Finalize the program design for one of EOF’s programs.
  • Process: This will be done in consultation with the EOF Programme Manager and will incorporate feedback from the program and partnerships teams.
  • Content: Topics will include designing the Results-Based Financing (RBF) mechanism (how payments are linked to outcomes), procurement plans, and materials for technical working groups and stakeholder meetings.
  • Format: The final document is estimated to be 50-60 pages.
  • Expected Result: A finalized program document.
  • Deadline: 30 June 2026.
• Deliverable 5: Executive Summaries and Updated Documents:
  • Task: Draft executive summaries for the EOF Program Manager and update associated documents for one of EOF’s programs.
  • Associated Documents: Program workplan, risk register, and decision log.
  • Process: Update these documents before finalizing the executive summaries.
  • Format: Executive summaries should be 5-10 pages.
  • Expected Result: Updated program workplan, risk register, and decision log, along with executive summaries.
  • Deadlines: 31 October 2025, 31 December 2025, and 30 June 2026 (This suggests updates and summaries at different points during the consultancy).
• Travel:
  • Estimate: Estimated three mission travels in total.
  • Duration: Each travel is estimated to be 8 working days. This implies potential travel to program locations or other relevant meetings.

Qualifications

This section outlines the necessary and preferred qualifications for the role.

• (1) Education:
  • Required: An advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field like political science, economics, finance, business, education, or international development is mandatory.
  • Alternative: A Bachelor’s degree with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be considered as an alternative to a Master’s degree.
• (2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
  • Required:
    • Professional Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is required. This experience can come from various fields including education, international development, public policy, think-tanks, charities, or management consulting.
    • Programme Management: Experience in managing programs, particularly in international development or global education contexts, is essential.
    • Language: Fluency in English is required.
  • Desirable:
    • Innovative Finance/Outcomes Funds: Experience with innovative finance mechanisms, especially designing and implementing outcomes funds, is strongly preferred.
    • Education Expertise: Experience in basic education, early childhood care and education (ECCE), or skills-for-employment programs is strongly preferred.
    • Country Experience: Experience working in one or more of the countries where EOF currently operates (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia) is preferred.
    • Evaluation: Experience in designing or managing program evaluations is preferred.
    • Other Languages: Fluency in French, Arabic, or Spanish is preferred.

Requirements:

This section details the documents and information candidates need to submit as part of their application.

• Completed Profile: Candidates must have a complete profile in UNICEF’s online recruitment system.
• Academic Credentials: A copy of academic degrees and certificates must be uploaded.
• Financial Proposal: A detailed financial proposal is required, outlining:
  • Deliverable Costs: The cost for each specific deliverable and the total lump-sum cost for the entire consultancy.
  • Travel Costs: Estimated travel costs and daily living expenses if the candidate is recruited internationally or if travel is required.
  • Other Costs: Any other estimated costs like visa fees, health insurance, and living expenses.
  • Availability: The candidate’s availability to start and complete the consultancy.
• Travel Expenses: UNICEF will cover emergent or unforeseen duty travel and related expenses.
• Health Insurance: The selected candidate must have current health insurance coverage when the contract is awarded.
• Payment Terms: Payment will be based on the satisfactory submission of the agreed-upon deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if deliverables are not to standard or are delayed.

U.S. Visa information:

This section provides specific guidance for candidates who are not US citizens but may reside in the United States and are applying for this role, which is based in London but remote. It explains the requirement to change to a G4 visa status and the process for household members to obtain work authorization.

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

This is a standard statement indicating that only candidates who meet the initial screening criteria will be contacted for further assessment (e.g., interviews, tests).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• UNICEF’s Values: This section lists the core values that UNICEF expects all personnel to uphold: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
• Competency Framework: Provides a link to UNICEF’s detailed competency framework, which outlines the skills and behaviors expected for different roles.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce…

This section highlights UNICEF’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• Equal Opportunity: Encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
• Inclusive Workplace Practices: Mentions support for paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
• Flexible Work: Strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
• Disability Inclusion: Explains UNICEF’s commitment to increasing the number of employees with disabilities and providing reasonable accommodation and accessibility support. Provides information on how applicants with disabilities can request digital accessibility support.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18)…

This section outlines UNICEF’s zero-tolerance policies and commitment to safeguarding children.

• Zero Tolerance: States a strict policy against conduct incompatible with UN/UNICEF aims, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
• Child Safeguarding: Emphasizes UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children.
• Background Checks: Explains that all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of credentials and employment history.
• Confidentiality: Mentions that candidates with disabilities may be asked to provide supporting documentation confidentially.

Remarks:

• Shortlisting: Repeats the information that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Consultant Status: Clarifies that consultants are not considered “staff members” and are not entitled to the same benefits as regular staff. Their terms are governed by their specific contract.
• Tax Liability: Consultants are responsible for their own tax obligations.
• Visa and Health Insurance: Consultants are solely responsible for ensuring they have the necessary visa (if applicable) and health insurance for the entire contract period.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: Outlines the requirement for selected candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-endorsed vaccine, unless they are working remotely and not interacting with UNICEF premises, programs, or communities.
• Advertised: 01 Apr 2025 GMT Daylight Time: The date the job was posted.
• Deadline: 11 May 2025 GMT Daylight Time: The deadline for submitting applications.

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