UNICEF India is undergoing preparations for the next five-year Country Programme cycle 2027 - 2032. The consultancy will support the systematic review and repositioning of advocacy priorities to align them with the continuing and emerging priorities in the Country Programme Document (CPD), programme strategies and results framework. The consultant will synthesize evidence from evaluations, reviews, lessons learned, policy developments and stakeholder perspectives to identify strategic advocacy opportunities for the next programme cycle. The assignment will support integrating advocacy strategies into programme design, results frameworks and implementation approaches, positioning strategic advocacy as a deliberate accelerator for achieving results for children.
Contract Duration: 17 Months
Working arrangement: Office Based
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNICEF India is undergoing preparations for the next five-year Country Programme cycle 2027 - 2032. The consultancy will support the systematic review and repositioning of advocacy priorities to align them with the continuing and emerging priorities in the Country Programme Document (CPD), programme strategies and results framework. The consultant will synthesize evidence from evaluations, reviews, lessons learned, policy developments and stakeholder perspectives to identify strategic advocacy opportunities for the next programme cycle. The assignment will support integrating advocacy strategies into programme design, results frameworks and implementation approaches, positioning strategic advocacy as a deliberate accelerator for achieving results for children
UNICEF India is preparing for the development of its next Country Programme (2027–2032), which presents an important opportunity to assess and strengthen the organization’s strategic advocacy agenda in support of results for children. Building on the current Country Programme and responding to India’s evolving policy, social, economic and environmental landscape, UNICEF seeks to ensure that advocacy remains a deliberate and evidence-driven accelerator of programme outcomes. Over the past programme cycle, UNICEF India has advanced advocacy efforts across key child rights priorities through engagement with government institutions, parliamentarians, civil society, development partners, media, private sector stakeholders and young people. As the organization embarks on the next planning cycle, there is a need to systematically review existing advocacy priorities, approaches and achievements, while identifying emerging opportunities that can further enhance UNICEF’s influence and impact. The consultancy will support a comprehensive review and repositioning of advocacy priorities to align them with the evolving priorities of the forthcoming Country Programme Document (CPD), programme strategies and results framework. Drawing on evaluations, programme reviews, lessons learned, policy developments, stakeholder consultations and global best practices, the assignment will identify strategic advocacy opportunities and pathways for change. It will also support the integration of advocacy considerations into programme design, implementation approaches and results frameworks, ensuring that advocacy is embedded as a core strategy for accelerating progress for children in India. Scope of Work Under the broader guidance of the Section Chief and oversight by supervisor, the consultant will:
•Review evaluations, assessments, programme reviews and relevant evidence generated during the current Country Programme cycle and synthesize implications for future advocacy priorities.
•Conduct political economy analyses to gauge child rights enablers and barriers vis-à-vis stakeholders; thorough policy analyses to gauge opportunities, constraints and entry points for advocacy in the next Country Programme cycle.
•Develop analytical inputs and strategic options to support the positioning of advocacy within the emerging CPD and programme strategy discussions
Prepare advocacy frameworks, thematic position papers articulating clear advocacy asks aligned with priority programme outcomes and results.
•Develop tools and guidance to facilitate the integration of advocacy approaches into programme planning, implementation and monitoring frameworks.
•Produce knowledge products and synthesis reports capturing lessons learned, good practices and
recommendations for future advocacy programming.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0004178 External ToR.pdf
Minimum requirements:
Education: Masters Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Communications, or a related field.
Work Experience: Minimum 7 years in advocacy, public policy, governance, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, or related fields
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Understanding of child rights advocacy, public policy processes, and the Indian policy landscape
Demonstrated analytical skills and approach to political economy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and evidence synthesis
Ability to translate evidence into strategic advocacy priorities, influencing pathways, and programme integration approaches Communication, presentation, and facilitation skills
Language Requirements: Fluent in English is a must and Hindi or any regional language most welcome
Desirables: Demonstrated experience conducting policy analysis, political economy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and strategic assessments
Experience developing advocacy strategies, frameworks, influencing plans, and policy engagement approaches for development organizations
Experience working with UN agencies, UNICEF, government institutions, or international development organizations
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template): TMC0004178 financial proposal.xlsx
- A detailed technical proposal
Remarks:
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.