Purpose of consultancy:
Triggering Anticipatory Action (AA) in response to early warnings has demonstrated to have tangible benefits in terms of strengthening resilience and protecting lives and livelihoods from the impact of disasters. In addition, it is also a smart investment, since stepping in early to take anticipatory action can also significantly reduce the costs of emergency response.
UNFPA draws upon decades of accumulated expertise in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, population data and youth empowerment. With the three transformative results to end preventable maternal deaths, end unmet need for family planning, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices, UNFPA is in a unique position to enhance the resilience of women and girls through Anticipatory Action. To this end, UNFPA is currently developing an Anticipatory Action Mechanism to translate forecasts and early warnings into anticipatory action. By protecting assets and access to essential services for women and girls, UNFPA will help women and girls become more resilient to threats and crises.
The UNFPA Anticipatory Action Mechanism will be developed in two phases. Phase 1, which started in January 2023 and runs until June 2024 includes the development of technical tools and funding modalities, field testing, partnerships building, and resource mobilization. Phase 2 from July 2024 – Dec 2025 focuses on conducting a return-on-investment study as proof of concept and the global roll-out of AA.
Phase 1 can be further divided into 3-sub phases:
- The Planning Phase which includes the development of a concept note and a programme management plan.
- The Development Phase which includes the development of country guidance, a global compendium of Anticipatory Action activities in the areas of SRH and GBV, a global financing modality for AA activities, an agency-wide accountability framework for AA, of an advocacy/communication and donor engagement strategy and sustainable partnership and network building with other UN and NGO partners as well as in inter-agency AA fora and working groups.
- The Testing Phase which includes the implementation of AA mechanism in three pilot country offices, conducting a Comprehensive user survey post pilots and the revision of the AA mechanism based on user survey feedback.
Phase 2 will include the commissioning of a Return-on-investment study on the cost-effectiveness of Anticipatory Action in SRH and GBV, the development of training materials, a global launch workshop and 5 regional trainings and implementation of the new AA mechanism in additional 15-20 UNFPA offices.
The purpose of the consultancy is to support specific deliverables related to the Development and Testing Phases of the UNFPA Anticipatory Action Mechanism during Phase 1.
The consultant will report to the Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action Specialist within UNFPA’s Humanitarian Response Division.
Scope of work:
The consultancy focuses on delivering the following services and outputs under the Development Phase of the UNFPA AA mechanism:
1. Development of a guidance document for Country Offices on how to plan, develop, and implement Anticipatory Action for women and girls at country level in the areas of SRHR, gender-based violence and women and youth empowerment.
Part of the Development Phase of the UNFPA AA mechanism is the development of guidelines for COs on how to plan, develop and implement AA. The consultant is expected to undertake a desk review of existing guidance/documentation and conduct consultations with selected UNFPA regional and country offices. The guidance document is expected to be short and practical and focuses on the key elements for setting up Anticipatory Action, such as identification of hazards, analysis of existing early warning mechanisms and development of triggers and thresholds, development of AA plans once triggers have been surpassed, and implementation and monitoring arrangements.
2. Development of a repository of Anticipatory Actions for different types of risks in the areas of SRHR, gender-based violence (GBV) and women and youth empowerment.
In addition to the development of the AA guidelines the consultancy will also support the identification, prioritization and compilation of suitable Anticipatory Action for specific hazard types in the SRHR and GBV sectors as well as on women and youth empowerment. A desk review and consultations with technical experts both at HQ and in the field will precede the development of the AA repository.
In addition, the consultancy also focuses on the following deliverable under the Testing Phase of the AA Mechanism:
3. Support AA guideline testing in three pilot countries and document lessons learned.
Concurrent to the development of the AA CO guidance and the AA repository in the SRHR and GBV sectors, the consultancy will support the testing of the AA guidelines in three selected pilot countries (countries are still to be confirmed). Working closely with CO management, Regional offices and the AA focal point in the selected CO, the consultant will support the CO in conducting a risk analysis, identifying EW indicators and triggers and developing AA implementation plans. At the end of the CO pilots, the consultant will conduct a lessons learned survey and adjust the AA guidelines accordingly.
Duration and working schedule:
The consultancy is scheduled for 9 months with the following schedule:
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Expected travel:
One trip to Geneva at the beginning of the consultancy to meet with the supervisor to discuss work details and meet other relevant HRD colleagues, in particular technical experts on SRH and GBV in emergencies. Three trips of approximately one week each to the pilot countries (countries still to be confirmed).
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Academic Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in health, management, international relations, public administration, social sciences or another field relevant to UNFPA’s mandate and/or anticipatory action; a first-level university degree (Bachelor) may be accepted with two (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience.
Experience:
- At least five (5) year of postgraduate professional experience in anticipatory action, early warning, emergency preparedness planning, disaster risk management and/or risk analysis.
- Fluency in English with excellent drafting and editing skills.
- Experience and familiarity with sexual and reproductive health and/or gender-based violence in emergencies is an advantage.
- Previous work experience in a field position is desirable.
- Understanding of UNFPA’s mandate and organizational structure.
Competencies:
- Excellent analytical skills and a constructive approach to problem solving.
- Ability to write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively.
- Ability to deliver outputs by agreed deadlines.
- Ability to manage her/himself and others with minimal supervision.
- Strong organizational skills.
Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English. An additional UN language is desirable
How to Apply:
Please send your application and a short letter of motivation, including expected fees, with “Anticipatory Action Consultancy” quoted in the subject line to ho-recruitment@unfpa.org by 10th September 2023.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced to the next stage of the selection.
process.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
