Consultant – evidence-based corporate analytical report drafting
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Translation / Interpretation / Writing
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-AUG-2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background
Every four years, UNESCO produces a corporate “Strategic Results Report (SRR)” to provide its Governing Bodies with a strategic assessment of UNESCO’s results in terms of achievements, challenges and lessons learned from the programmes implemented. The SRR is to include proposals for continuation, reorientation, exit strategies or termination of its programmes. It is also to inform UNESCO’s Executive Board’s discussions and recommendations to the General Conference on the future direction of the programmes and UNESCO Secretariat’s Preliminary Proposals on the future Programme and Budget. The first SRR was published in 2016, followed by the second edition in 2020. The third SRR will be submitted to the Executive Board of UNESCO in Spring 2024.
Over the years, UNESCO’s corporate reporting has evolved, as the Organization transitioned to a results-based management of its Programmes and Budget. While important improvements have been made, there remains a significant need to provide more results in terms of outcome and self-critical analysis of how and why results were achieved or not achieved.
In this context, the third SRR (SRR 2024) is an opportunity for advancing, in an innovative manner, UNESCO’s strategic assessment and presentation of its performance, added value and contribution to change.
Long Description
Scope of Assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to assist the UNESCO Secretariat in its preparation of the Strategic Results Report 2024, by reviewing all relevant evaluation and audit documents provided by UNESCO Secretariat, and assessing performance of the Outcomes envisaged for 2020-2023, disaggregated by UNESCO functions, according to clear evaluation criteria . The results of this review would be submitted to UNESCO in the form of an evidence-based analytical report, with clear references to the audit and evaluation documents.
The assignment also seeks to gather beneficiary feedbacks about UNESCO’s impact on the ground and UNESCO’s added value in Member States, to be generated through surveys targeting UNESCO’s institutional partners (such as National Commissions, government ministries, Category II centres, UNESCO Chairs, International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, NGOs with official relations with UNESCO) and through deep dives targeting direct and end-beneficiaries of selected programmes/projects (for which end users are already identified), focusing on selected Member States and thematic areas to obtain country-level impact of UNESCO’s action, with the aim of developing case studies per UNESCO region.
Further to the findings of this review and responses to the surveys, the Secretariat will prepare a Strategic Assessment of UNESCO’s performance to be presented according to the five functions of the organization (see Annex I for a draft table of contents). It is expected that future trends, challenges and opportunities expected to impact UNESCO during the period 2026-2029 be identified during the assignment.
Long Description
Duties and Expected Deliverables
Under the overall supervision of the chief of the Programme Monitoring and Reporting Section of the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP/PMR) and in close collaboration with relevant UNESCO colleagues, the Consultant shall:
1. Self-assessment/corporate evaluations of UNESCO programmes/annual Synthesis Report
a. Provide inputs to the internal guidance note addressed to UNESCO Programme Sectors, the IOC , Category 1 institutes, Field Offices, Intersectoral Programmes, Global Priorities and Priority Groups on how to prepare the self-assessment reports, as a contribution for the elaboration of the SRR 2024.
b. Review all relevant corporate evaluations of UNESCO programmes, annual synthesis reports, audit documents, as well as documents and information on UNESCO’s responses to Covid-19 provided by UNESCO, in preparation of Article 3 below.
2. Collection of stakeholders’ feedback
a. Conceptualize and design draft survey/questionnaires targeting different UNESCO’s institutional stakeholders/partners (such as National Commissions, government ministries, Category II centres, UNESCO Chairs, International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, NGOs with official relations with UNESCO, UN systems) to receive their feedback on the added value of UNESCO’s intervention in Member States, highlighting specific examples of interventions that worked well and where improvements could have led to better results. The survey/questionnaires should also collect feedback on the impact in Member States of UNESCO’s COVID pandemic related intervention, if relevant.
b. Conceptualize and design a set of framing questions to be used for deep-dives targeting direct beneficiaries and end beneficiaries of selected programmes/projects (identified by the Secretariat), focusing on selected Member States and thematic areas to obtain country-level impact of UNESCO’s action, with the aim of developing case studies per UNESCO region.
c. Analyze responses to the survey/questionnaires and data and information obtained through deep-dives in preparation of Article 3 below.
3. Evidence-based analytical report
a. Draft and submit to UNESCO an evidence-based analytical report, with reference to all the data and information collected under Articles 1, and 2 specified above. In preparing the analytical report, both primary and secondary research methods may also be used to provide additional information on programme performance by UNESCO’s five functions, including consultations with Executive Officers of UNESCO programme sectors, the IOC, Category 1 institutes, Field Office Directors and Heads, and other relevant stakeholders. The evidence-based analytical report should be presented by four Strategic Objectives and corresponding Outcomes, disaggregated by UNESCO five functions. It should also include a dedicated section on the impact of Covid-19 on the UNESCO Programmes, by analyzing documents and information provided by UNESCO Secretariat under Article 1.
b. Submit a revised analytical report, further to feedback of UNESCO, and consultations held with the National Commissions for UNESCO.
4. Consultations with National Commissions for UNESCO
a. Contribute to the consultation meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO to be held at the UNESCO Headquarters (November 2023), a summary of the evidence-based analytical report. Feedback from this consultation would contribute to a further refining of the analysis of the performance assessment, added value and future trends to be included in the final Strategic Results Report 2024.
Long Description
Delivery Dates and Payment Schedule
This is an output-based consultancy. Payments will be made in the following installments:
1. First payment upon acceptance by UNESCO of inputs for internal guideline and draft survey questionnaires (ref., Article 1.a)
Submission Deadline: 15 September 2023
2. Second payment upon acceptance by UNESCO of the preliminary analytical report, based on the review of UNESCO corporate and decentralized evaluation reports and audits (ref. Articles 1.b)
Submission Deadline: 20 October 2023
3. Final payment upon acceptance and approval by UNESCO of a final analytical report (ref. Articles 2, 3, 4).
Submission Deadline: 15 December 2023
Supervisory Arrangements
The consultant will work remotely, but in close collaboration with BSP/PMR, including participating in meetings with BSP as well as with Programme Sectors, Field Offices, coordination units for the Global Priorities, Priority Groups and Intersectoral teams.
During the assignment, the consultant will be under the overall guidance of the Director, BSP and direct supervision of Chief, BSP/PMR. The Consultant will also work closely with designated UNESCO staff, including the IOS , Directors and Heads of Field Offices, and the Executive Officers of the Programme Sectors and IOC. The consultant may also be required to work with other partners and stakeholders as necessary.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of competence of UNESCO and/or in a related field.
Work experience
• At least three (7) years of international experience in the field of research, communication, monitoring, reporting, international development;
• Experience in managing corporate reporting;
• Experience in working in developing countries through UN agencies;
• Experience in designing tools for stakeholders’ feedback survey of development programmes/projects.
Skills and competencies
• Excellent knowledge of regional and international development agendas and commitment;
• Excellent capacity to conceptual, organize and manage stakeholders’ feedback;
• Excellent interpersonal and interviewing skills
• Strong analytical and drafting skills;
• Strong database management skills;
Languages
• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other languages
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work experience
• Experience in managing communication with Member States
Skills and competencies
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the UN system
• Sound judgement and decision-making kills
Languages
• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other languages
SELECTION PROCESS
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
In place of the Employment History Form, please upload the following documents as a single PDF document:
1) An updated detailed curriculum vitae,
2) A cover letter including a financial proposal based on the three deliverables as indicated below and daily/monthly fees, and
3) Writing samples
Please submit your documents in English.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
