Terms of Reference for an Individual Contract (International):
Undertaking and Facilitating the Strategic Moment of Reflection of UNICEF
and GoL joint programme, the Kingdom of Lesotho
Title of Assignment
Section
Location
Duration
Start date
Consultancy to undertake and Facilitate the Strategic Moment
of Reflection of Joint UNICEF-GoL programme at its mid-term,
the Kingdom of Lesotho
Cross-sectoral
Maseru, Lesotho
20 working days
From: 15 July 2015
To: 15 Sept 2015
UNICEF Lesotho seeks an international individual with demonstrated capacities to undertake
and facilitate a Strategic Moment of Reflection exercise in the light of updated Situation Analysis
of Children and Women in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Background and Justification
In preparation for the mid-term review and Strategic Moment of Reflection, of the country
programme in 2015, the Lesotho Country Office is seeking international consultant to undertake
and facilitate the Strategic Moment of Reflection exercise, using the latest available Situation
Analysis of women and children, which shows the political and socio-economic landscape,
emerging trends and data, and the inequities facing children and women in Lesotho.
UNICEF Lesotho envisages a light but strategic process for reviewing its country programme.
The process is likely to involve a dialogue with select partners and stakeholders as well as
UNICEF’s regional and HQ advisors as appropriate. The strategic moment of reflection will be a
one day event, which will be attended by the selected Regional, sub-regional and country office
staff.
UNICEF’s country programme is centred on four sub-programmes: Social Policy, Planning,
Monitoring and Evaluation; Health and HIV; Basic Education; and Child Protection. Due
emphasis is given to mainstreaming cross-cutting principles and strategies, including but not
limited to, gender equality, a human rights based approach to programming, advocacy,
communication for development, and capacity development. In addition to evolving political
dynamics with potential implications for the country programme and its implementation, each
of the sub-programmes have experienced notable progress and shortfalls – all of which need to
be assessed during the Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMR).
UNICEF Lesotho will utilize this consultancy to ensure an evidence-based review of the UNICEF
and GoL programme is undertaken, to review the relevance of the current 2013-2017 country
programme and in light of the situation of children and women, suggest necessary changes to
the current programme in order to strengthens its efforts to direct limited resources (both
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technical and financial) to advance the greatest gains for the most vulnerable women and
children through its country programme.
General and Specific Objectives
The overall objective of the exercise is to review the current Country Programme Document
(2013-2017) in light of the latest evidence and emerging trends. As the results of the review, the
relevance of the current programme will be validated and if need be, necessary changes to be
recommended.
More specifically, the consultancy will:
1. Review and analyse the current CPD and its results framework in light of the latest data,
evidence and emerging trends affecting women and children
2. Verify whether the current programme is responsive to the current situation of women
and children or not?
3. If the current programme is not responsive to the latest needs of women and children,
suggest changes/adjustments to the current programme at its mid-point in order to focus
on emerging priorities, identified based on the Situation Analysis and causality analysis
of women and children in Lesotho
4. Develop a strategic programmatic note (10-15 pages) which contents strategic directions
and changes. This note should be developed in consultation of UNICEF programme staffs
as well as relevant Government stakeholders
5. Prepare a presentation in consultation with the technical staff of LCO and ESARO
6. Organize and facilitate a one day strategic moment of reflection, during which the latest
evidence and emerging trends will be discussed and each programme will be reviewed;
suggested changes and recommendations will be discussed and adopted
7. Prepare a final strategic report, documenting the process and suggesting the way
forward, including but not limited to, specific recommendations on recommended
changes to the Country Programme Document and its results framework (as part of the
LUNDAP)
Methodology
The consultant, under direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and close consultation
with the chief of sections will use the latest UNICEF Lesotho SitAn 2015 and other relevant
reference document; and review the current CPD:
1. Conduct a desk review using relevant sources and evidences ;
2. Conduct informational interviews with country office staff, identified partners, and other
stakeholders as advised;
3. Conduct thorough analysis of the programming environment and sub-programmes using
the desk review findings and stakeholder interviews;
4. Summarize and synthesize recommendations of the updated analysis to the country
office for validation;
5. Draft a strategic programmatic note (10-15 pages) to support discussions during the SMR
6. Facilitate a one day preparatory meeting of the Strategic Moment of Reflection in early
August 2015
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7. Finalize the Updated Report with feedback from the country office and relevant regional
advisors.
Work Assignments (Tasks) and Deliverables
The following table is the proposed key tasks, deliverables and timeline
Ref
Key Tasks
Deliverables
1.
Propose methodology for carrying Inception Report
out assignment
2.
Compile list of recommendations
against the country programme
informed by Updated Situation
Analysis, analysis of programme
environment and informational
interviews
Facilitate Discussion with CO re
Recommendations
2
3
4
List
Recommendations
July 15-17
3 working days
of July 20-24
5 working days
Documentation
feedback from CO
Prepare Strategic Programme Note 10-15
as Background to the SMR
note
Prepare and facilitate one day SMR
Timeline
of July 27-28
2 working days
PG Programme Prepared off-site by
Aug 14
5 working days
SMR report with clear TBD –
list of recommendations 3 working days in
and proposed actions
September
SMR Report expected
by 30 September
2 working days
Required Expertise
The recruited consultants will be reporting to the Deputy Representative of the Lesotho Country
Office. The Deputy Representative will call upon Country Office staff to support the work of the
consultancy as required.
Qualifications and Competencies
The consultant will lead the overall development of the initial review of the CPD and other data
including latest SitAn.
The required background and experience for the consultancy is as follows:

Advanced degree in the social science (sociology, economics, anthropology, development
Studies, etc.) or related fields relevant to the assignment;
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At least 8 years of relevant professional experience;
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the application of the human rights based
approach to programming (HRBAP), an understanding of the CRC, CEDAW and other
relevant frameworks, ability to conduct equity-focused research and analysis;
Ability to review and synthesize trends, data and information for varying audiences;
Demonstrated experience with research and participatory methods;
Strong writing and analytical skills for quality report writing;
Strong communication and presentation skills;
Strong FACILITATION, coordination skills and ability to adhere to deadlines;
Prior experience with the UN and UNICEF in a similar capacity will be an asset.
The international consultants will be asked to provide the following:
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Previous work samples that are relevant to this assignment;
Two professional references;
A cover letter expressing interest in the work. The cover letter should indicate relevant
experience, availability and daily rate;
Professional resume
Personal History (P11) form (available at www.unicef.org/employ)
Working Conditions and Proposal Evaluation
The assignment will be primarily Maseru based. The consultants will be provided with office
space to conduct the work.
The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:
Technical proposal (70%)
 Review of prior professional and relevant experience;
 Proposal summarizing ability to conduct the proposed assignment.
The financial proposal (30%)
 The financial proposal will be reviewed separately from the technical proposal and
should reflect all the costs that will be incurred in order to complete the assignment.
Payment Schedule
Ref
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Deliverable
Inception Report
% Payable
10%
Receipt of Background Document from SMR (including list of 45%
recommendations with inputs from CO)
SMR Report with all recommendations and action points from consulted 45%
stakeholders.
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Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form
(http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) quoting an all-inclusive fee (consultancy
fee and DSA) (Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered) with subject
line “Lesotho SitAn” to: lesothohr@unicef.org or
UNICEF Office, UN Building, UN Road No. 13
Private bag A171
Maseru Lesotho
All applications should be sent by 30 May 2015
UNICEF does not charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the selection
process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature
allegedly made on behalf of UNICEF are fraudulent and should be disregarded.
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