Terms of Reference
for
Consultant (SSA) to review and analyze civil society partnerships
Start Date:
14 May 2012
Length of Project:
10 months
Supervision:
Chief, Civil Society Partnerships Section, Programme Division
Overall Responsibilities (detailed below under Activities and Deliverables):
1. Screening and approval of new international civil society partners (ICSOs) for registration in
UNICEF’s new accounting and administrative system (VISION)
2. Periodic review, cleaning and updating of the list of international civil society partners (ICSOs)
in UNICEF’s new accounting and administrative system (VISION)
3. Focal point for Civil Society Partnerships (CSP) on upcoming issues and in meetings regarding
VISION.
4. Analysis of trends in expenditure from UNICEF to key civil society partners using data from the
new (VISION) and old (PROMS) UNICEF accounting system
5. Analysis of data on civil society partners and presentation of findings from information currently
being collected by the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division through a global partner
survey
6. Research and create profiles of the top International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
partnering with UNICEF
7. Update Civil Society Partnership Section’s Internet and Intranet sites
8. Support the organization of meetings with key civil society partners
9. Manage incoming inquiries from the field regarding Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCA
Help Desk)
Activities and Deliverables:
1. Screening and approval of new ICSO partners for registration in VISION
Any entity receiving a payment by UNICEF is assigned a vendor code in VISION, UNICEF’s new
accounting and administrative system. Programme partners from civil society are listed under two
different account groups: PRG1 and PRG2. PRG1 concerns non-profit organizations that are
headquartered in one country and operate programmes or projects in multiple countries. Examples
include International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) such as Save the Children, global
alliances, such as Caritas and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), as well as
foundations, such as the Open Society Institute and Ford Foundation. PRG2 lists national civil
society partners as well as national branches of international civil society partners. While country
offices directly manage the PRG2 account group, CSP is responsible for approving the registration
of new international civil society partners under account group PRG1.
The consultant will be responsible for receiving new requests of creation of new vendor codes under
PRG1 and conduct a screening process on reputational risks, involving review of key available
1
information on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including accreditation with ECOSOC,
implication with terrorist activities, availability of annual reports and audited statements, and
research on the organization’s reputation. After completion of the screening phase and after having
requested all the necessary information to the country office and/or the partner itself, the consultant
will grant the approval when appropriate.
The consultant’s allocation of time for this activity will vary depending on the frequency with which
CSP will receive requests of registration of new ICSOs. Moreover, being the process of assessment
of new partners currently under definition in coordination with the Division of Policy and Practice
and the Division of Financial and Administrative Management, the amount of time expected to be
necessary to accomplish this task may vary. However, it can be estimated to be on average of two
business days per month.
Deliverable: Approval for registration of new ICSO partners in VISION granted when appropriate.
Deadline:
Ongoing as requests are received by CSP.
2. Manage the list of ICSO partners in VISION (PRG1)
The consultant will be in charge of the periodic review of the database of UNICEF’s international
civil society partners. In particular, the consultant will be responsible for periodically extracting the
list of international civil society partners from VISION (account group PRG1) and identifying
possible mistakes done in the registration of partners, such as multiple entries for the same partner or
missing information on partners’ profiles. If necessary, the consultant will conduct the appropriate
amendments to the database in VISION.
This process will contribute to the strengthening of recording and monitoring of partners profiles,
facilitating the analysis of data on civil society partners extracted from VISION, and will therefore
add significant value to the work of CSP, as well as UNICEF global, regional and country offices.
The consultant is expected to devote an average of two business days per month to the management
of PRG1 list.
Deliverable: List of ICSO partners always up-to-date.
Deadline:
Ongoing, on a monthly basis.
3. Civil Society Partnerships Section (CSP) focal point for VISION
Following up on past engagement during the preparation in 2011 and roll-out of UNICEF’s new
accounting and administrative system (VISION) in early 2012, the consultant will act as the
Section’s focal point for all VISION-related issues. The consultant will be in charge of liaising with
other divisions/offices (such as Division of Policy and Practice, Change Management Office,
Division of Financial and Administrative Management and others) and participating in and
representing CSP as appropriate at inter-divisional meetings on VISION. Frequency of the meetings
2
will vary according to circumstances; however a total of 10 business days over the course of the
entire contract is estimated to be the amount of time devoted by the consultant to this task.
Deliverable: CSP represented at inter-divisional meetings on VISION.
Deadline:
Ongoing, when necessary.
4. Analysis of key partners in 2011 and previous years
The consultant will review the available data on expenditure for civil society programme partners for
2011 and previous years and produce in-depth analyses. The consultant will identify major trends for
UNICEF’s key programmatic areas, geographical regions and source of funding and will elaborate a
comparisons with previous years.
Moreover, the analysis will focus on few specific countries which the consultant will be able to
identify after having completed the overall analysis for 2011, and whose expenditure for civil society
will be analyzed more in depth. Such an analysis has proven to be extremely useful in informing
decisions about global CSO engagements.
Deliverable: Analysis of trends for 2011 and comparative analysis with previous years completed.
Deadline:
15 December 2012.
5. Analysis and presentation of findings from partner survey
As part of the implementation of the Strategic Framework, the Project Board and Implementation
Team for the Strategic Framework for Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships have decided to
conduct a partner survey in 2011-2012. This project, led by the Division of Private Fundraising and
Partnerships Strategic Partnerships Unit (PFP/SPU) and in collaboration with other Divisions at
UNICEF Headquarters in New York, is currently being finalized by PFP/SPU. By March 2012, final
Country and Global reports will be made available. Another report on lessons learned will provide
information for the Project Board and Implementation Team members to decide on the Way
Forward.
These reports will present key findings and disaggregate results by partner type. The consultant will
be tasked to further analyse Country and Global reports to capture particular feedback from Civil
Society Partners. The consultant will create a detailed matrix/document for mapping and addressing
the Partner Survey results received from Civil Society Partners. This analysis will include proposed
actions/responsibilities in response to the survey findings. The consultant will also develop
presentation material for internal/external (to be decided) dissemination of results related to Civil
Society Partners.
Deliverables: Detailed matrix/document to map and address the Partner Survey results developed.
Actions/responsibilities in response to the survey findings proposed. Presentation material for
internal/external dissemination of results developed.
3
Deadline: 31 May 2012.
6. Research top INGOs partnering with UNICEF
The analysis of data provided by the recently replaced information management system (ProMS) has
resulted in the identification of the top International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
partnering with UNICEF at global level. In order for CSP to have a better understanding of the
specificities of such partners, research on the top 15 of these INGOs is needed. The consultant will
be requested to expand existing research on these INGOs and create a detailed profile report for each
of them, including description of fields of expertise, geographic presence and internal structure.
Deliverable: Profile report of top INGOs partnering with UNICEF compiled.
Deadline: 31 August 2012.
7. Update CSP Internet and Intranet
The restructuring and maintenance of CSP internet website and intranet has demonstrated to be
critical for ensuring the Section’s visibility and ability to reach out to targeted public. Given the
foreseen upcoming reduction of CSP staff capacities starting from 2012, the consultant will be
responsible for the maintenance of CSP internet website and intranet, by collecting inputs from CSP
staff and ensuring their timely update.
Deliverable: Update of CSP internet and intranet completed
Deadline:
Ongoing, when necessary.
8. Support the organization of meetings with key civil society partners
Meetings with key civil society partners represent a unique opportunity for CSP to establish and
maintain strategic relations with them. In these regards, CSP identified the need to focus more
resources on the organization of certain strategic meetings. Therefore the consultant will be
requested to provide the Section with technical and substantive support to the organization of such
key meetings.
Deliverable: Support to the organization of strategic meetings with key civil society partners provided.
Deadline: Ongoing, when necessary.
9. Contribute to the identification of key civil society partners in the field of education
Within the framework of on-going Programme Division Education Section collaboration with key
partners (Hewlett Packard, Brookings Institution, UNESCO, etc.) aimed at making the case for a new
global education agenda focused on learning and building support for the inclusion of learning as a
priority in the post-2015 global development agenda, support this effort by helping to identify and
mobilize key civil society actors that can contribute meaningfully to the effort. This task will include
4
researching and analyzing UNICEF ProMS expenditures and partnerships with key civil society
organizations on education-related priorities.
Deliverable: Through researching PROMS expenditures, partnerships with key civil society
organizations on education-related priorities and partnership patterns with these organizations identified.
Deadline: 30 September 2012.
10. Manage the PCA Help Desk, an email-based service for UNICEF staff with technical questions
on Programme Cooperation Agreements.
Given the foreseen upcoming reduction of CSP staff capacities starting from 2012, the consultant
will be responsible for the management of the PCA Help Desk. The PCA Help Desk serves as a hub
for technical questions from UNICEF staff, usually from the field, regarding Programme
Cooperation Agreements. The consultant will filter requests and forward relevant inquiries to the
appropriate office.
Deliverable: Management of PCA Help Desk
Deadline: Ongoing, when necessary.
DURATION AND ESTIMATED DAYS OF WORK
May 14, 2012- March 18, 2013
Deliverables
Duration
(Estimated
# of days)
Deadline
Approval for registration of new ICSO partners in VISION granted when
appropriate
25
Ongoing as requests are
received by CSP
List of ICSO partners always up-to-date
25
Ongoing, on a monthly
basis
CSP represented at inter-divisional meetings on VISION
10
Ongoing, when
necessary
5
Deliverables
Duration
(Estimated
# of days)
Deadline
70
15 December 2012
15
31 May 2012
20
31 August 2012
15
Ongoing, when
necessary
10
Ongoing, when
necessary
10
30 September 2012
5
Ongoing, when
necessary
Analysis of trends and comparative analysis of engagement with CSOs
(including looking at 2011 data and that of previous years)
Detailed matrix/document to map and address the Partner Survey results
developed. Actions/responsibilities in response to the survey findings
proposed. Presentation material for internal/external dissemination of
results developed
Profile report of top INGOs partnering with UNICEF compiled
Update of CSP internet and intranet completed
Support to the organization of strategic meetings with key civil society
partners provided.
Contribution to the identification of key civil society partners in the field
of education
Management of PCA Help Desk
205
TOTAL
Competencies
 University degree in the social sciences.
 1-2 years professional work experience, ideally within UNICEF and/or other organizations from
the UN system or non-profit sector.
 Advanced proficiency in data analysis.
 Excellent analytical, research, writing, and communication skills.
 Knowledge of civil society organizations both at international and national level.
 Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
 Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and produce results.
 Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and
effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
 Ability to meet deadlines, often on short notice.
 Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and Spanish are an asset.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a daily rate, cover letter, a CV and P 11 form (which can be
downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to
pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Civil Society Analysis Consultant”, by April 3, 2012.
Please indicate your ability, and daily/monthly rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference
above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.
6