Individual Consultant (2.5 months) At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Office: UNHCR Regional Bureau for the Americas
Title of project: Development of a region-specific toolkit for the development and effective management of Multi-Functional teams, in the context of the new Results Based Management approach (COMPASS).
Purpose of project: Develop a region-specific toolkit in English and Spanish, to facilitate cross functional work and enhance the effectiveness of how multi-functional teams are managed, especially in the context of the new Results Based Management approach (COMPASS).
Location: Home-based
Duration of the assignment: 2.5 months
Condition: Full-time (40 hours per week)

General Background of Project or Assignment:

In 2021, UNHCR renewed its approach to implementing results-based management (RBM), and introduced COMPASS a new approach for planning, managing, showing concrete results and positive changes in the lives of persons of concern. This renewed approach includes a multi-year strategic planning cycle, a new global results framework, and a new software tool for planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting on results involving the active participation of the operations’ multi-functional team and a wide variety of stakeholders.

The strategy planning process consists of the following elements to be developed by the operations jointly with other partners and stakeholders, using a multi-functional team approach at every stage: situation analysis, strategic direction, results frameworks, monitoring and evaluation plans, and resource and management plan. Operations under the delegation of authority of the Representation and with active participation of the multi-functional team (MFT), are required to conduct all of these steps and develop the related elements to submit a coherent and solid strategy to the Regional Bureau. This new approach requires increased levels of work through multi-functional teams across various sectors and areas of work. However, several Operations have faced challenges in the development and management of MFT work at field level.

The UNHCR Programme Manual identifies the MFT as one of the five key approaches to programme management in UNHCR. To effectively plan, monitor and report on programme activities, it is essential to use a multi-functional approach to ensure involvement of the necessary skills, knowledge, and functional expertise. The MFT ensures that managers are advised based on the best interested of the organizations. In this regard, it is critical to document the MFT’s efforts and activities to ensure follow-up and improve UNHCR’s accountability towards our persons of concern. At its core, the MFT requires the participation of colleagues from several functional units such as UNHCR’s Protection and Programme, Administration, Finance, Project Control, Supply and others depending on the operational context and the purpose of the MFT. For certain exercises UNHCR should expand the MFT to include a wider range of actors, such as governmental counterparts, sister UN agencies, NGOs, donors, persons of concern and other partners. In the context of the Global Compact on Refugees and the multi-partner spirit it promotes, this is more than ever of utmost importance.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://www.nc.cdc.gov/travel
Specific Occupational Safety and Health Considerations to this assignment (if applicable):N/A

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
-Design of a proposal to facilitate the involvement of MFT members, promote exchange and validation of ideas, ensure evidence-based decision making and efficient documentation, at the various stages of strategic planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the country plans.

Activities:
1) Design a proposal on how to address the gaps identified, that will include a recommendation for a capacity building initiative with a specific group of people, an initial targeted assessment and follow up bilateral online sessions.
2) Develop a lesson plan proposal for two in person training sessions
3) Develop the structure and format of a possible toolkit, which should include tools, recommendation and tips:

• What is a multi-functional team in the context of change management
• How to develop and build effective MFTs/cross-functional teams
• How to manage MFTs to achieve common goals, within the organization and with actors outside the organization

Required level, qualifications and work experience:

• The assignment is for an Individual Consultant
  Qualification and experience required (degree required, years of work experience, field of expertise, language required):
  (i) Degree required: The consultant must have a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. Desirable but not required: postgraduate studies (master’s) in social sciences/ project management/humanitarian aid/development.
  (ii) Years of experience: A minimum of 6 to 8 years work experience with national and / or international organizations, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) related to the subject. The candidate must have experience in delivering training sessions – training of trainers is a plus (in development, humanitarian work, and/or international protection), and proven experience in evidence-based strategy development and stakeholder consultations
  (iii) Field of expertise: change management, project management, partner management
  (iv) Language: Excellent level of Spanish essential, solid knowledge of English

Monitoring and Progress Controls (report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines):
a. The final product (e.g. survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research documents produced specify): toolkit developed
b. If it is to result in a written product specify:
Number of pages: 25 max
Language(s): English and Spanish
Number of copies: 1 per language

Please note that this position is offered under Individual Consultancy contract.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and might be requested to sit for a test. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training.)

The closing date for submission of applications is 9 November 2021 (mid-night Geneva time).