Result of Service

• A concise baseline report resulting in learning objectives which will serve to educate ECA staff on behavioural science to achieve introspection as well as interpersonal and inter-group dynamics characterized by mutual accountability, co-creation processes and trust. • Thirty hours of behavioural science training developed with intersession assignments to provide ECA staff with tools to apply behavioural science knowledge and skills for internal and external stakeholder processes in alignment with the new Values and Behaviour framework. Preliminary training outline – to be finetuned by the consultant: o Introduction to behavioural science 15 hours (equal to 2 days) o Intersession Assignments (group or individual – 1 hour) o Utilizing behavioural science for introspection – looking inwards for nurturing co-creation and trust internally in the spirit of UN 2.0 hours (6-6.5 hours, equal) o Intersession Assignments (group or individual – 1 hour) o Utilizing behavioural science for interfacing with external clients and member states (6 -6.5 hours) o Total of 30 hours of learning activities • Examples and activities integrated to elicit a high level of engagement and interaction • Report on initial training feedback, observations and recommendations submitted within one week of training implementation • Impact assessment and final report submitted by mid-December 2024

Work Location

Home based or Virtual

Expected duration

4.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: In 1999, the UN ‘Competencies for the Future’ were launched with a view of enabling UN staff to contribute to their maximum potential”. For twenty years these competencies have provided the Organization with the base on which to define its organizational culture. The ‘UN Values and Behaviours Framework’ released in October 2021 and developed via a co-creation process involving about 4500 staff, builds on the strength of the earlier competency framework. Furthermore, it expands the competencies to better reflect the goals of the organization for the next decade. It considers the constant changing nature of the world and renews the collective commitment of the UN personnel to the beneficiaries they serve. A modernized and agile United Nations can better address the ever more complex and interconnected global challenges. This change must be driven 360, with buy in and engagement of all layers of the organization. Implementing the new UN values and behaviors is a complex system-wide transformation and modernization process. It requires deep self-reflection, internalization, ongoing practice and commitment to learn and grow. This process will equally impact the way ECA staff communicates and plans with each other as well as how the house interacts with external stakeholders and member states. Gaining a foundational understanding of behavioral science is expected to benefit planning and communication processes, ultimately leading to increased efficiencies for implementing the ECA mandate. ECA staff are expected to self-reflect and further grow to evolve as genuine role-models and inspiration for the new framework and the current and incoming generations of UN workers. The organization aims for staff relations between different levels to move from transactional relationships towards relationships of mutual accountability and co-creation. Utilizing understanding of Behavioural Science for internal processes and team dynamics then need to be taken a step further and applied to relationships with ECA’s clients and partners. By undertaking this pilot project, ECA aims to achieve deepening understanding of our current practices and a clear way forward towards effective application of Behavioural Science in relation to ECA staff embracing the new Values and Behaviours. REPORTING: The Behavioral Science Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Chief of HRMS and the Chief of the Organization Development Unit (ODU). S/he will also have the opportunity to consult with ECA leaders who previously participated in a change clinic driven by the United Nations Secretariat Headquarters. PHASE 1: BASELINE SETTING AND ANALYSIS OF GAPS IN REALTION TO THE DESIRED OUTCOME • Conduct a baseline assessment across ECA divisions and sub-regional offices utilizing at least two assessment methodologies. The baseline assessment aims to elicit data on both internal and external organizational culture and communication practices in the context of behavioural science and the ability to collaborate and effectively advocate. This may include interviews, focus groups and surveys • Identify common internal challenges observed by staff within the house • Identify best practices and common challenges substantive and non-substantive staff experience with external clients, including member states. • Assess the current degree of buy-in for the new Values and Behaviour framework • Prepare a preliminary report on findings and define learning objectives for the training. Preliminary report must include how behavioural science can help to address to increase capabilities for mandate implementation • Conceptualize two post training assessment tools – (a) training reaction /satisfaction elicited at the end of the training; (b) impact assessment strategy to be implemented 2-3 months after the training has concluded. PHASE 2: Development of LEARNING MATERIAL DESIGN AND IDENTIFICATION OF BEST INTERACTIVE TRAINING METHODOLOGIES • Development of learning material including objectives and interactive methodologies to engage ECA staff and involve them in defining how to utilize behavioural science to support UN 2.0 vision for both internal and external communication processes. • Facilitation of 30 hours of virtual training for a maximum of 24 participants (session length and number of sessions to be mutually agreed), with the training targeting staff in supervisory functions disregarding of levels. • Provision of self- and/or group reflection assignments in between sessions. • Training feedback elicited, analysed and shared with the project team PHASE 3: IMPACT ASSESSMENT (AFTER 2-3 MONTHS) • Implement the Impact Assessment and report on the findings in comparison to the previously established baseline. • Identify progress, success examples / success stories and analyse any challenges that may benefit from further addressing

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in behavioural science, organizational behaviour or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum of five years of professional experience in the field of behavioral science and/or organizational transformation Minimum of three years of experience working with UN or other governmental or humanitarian focused organizations. Proven experience and training design skills for adult engagement and facilitation skills related to behavioural science.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the ECA. For this position, fluency in English will be required. Functional knowledge of French will be an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.