Consultancy to Support the Development of the new UNICEF Area Programme Document for the Gulf Area Office (APD 2026-2030)- Remote with Two in-Country Travels to Saudi Arabia and UAE - (12 Months)

The UNICEF Gulf Area Office (UNICEF GAO) is unique in its mandate. It is accountable for providing programmatic support to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, it identifies, cultivates and sustains partnerships with Gulf-based partners to generate resources for the organization globally. UNICEF has a role to play in ensuring rapid development in the Gulf is child sensitive and child focused and that children remain at the heart of the national development dialogue.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Protection 

The Gulf States covered by the 2019-2023 subregional programme of cooperation are in the UNICEF Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and represent five of the six member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf: The Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

A two-year extension of UNICEF Area Programme (2019-2023) of the Gulf region was approved by the Executive Board during the second regular session in September 2023. While significant progress and achievements were made during the first four years of the UNICEF Gulf Area Office cycle (2019-2023), the two-year extension (2024-2025) will allow alignment with national development plans, UN frameworks and the fast-evolving political dynamics. The extension will give sufficient time for consultations on the new Area Programme Document at various levels.     

UNICEF Gulf Area Office (GAO) is now in the process of developing its new Area Programme Document (APD) covering the period 2026-2030. The UNICEF APD summarizes UNICEF’s contribution to the realization of the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged or vulnerable. The APD covers for the duration of the country programme cycle (generally five years) anchored to national development priorities and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework as well as the UNICEF Strategic Plan and Gender Action Plan. It is planned to be submitted to UNICEF Executive Board for approval at the Second Regular Session in September 2025 . Informed by the Situation Analysis, Common Country Analysis, multi-hazard risk or conflict analyses, recommendations from human rights treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, and national policies and strategic visions, the APD provides a convincing summary and strategic representation of the rationale and scope of the entire Area Programme, as well as how measurement and reporting on progress and achievements will be undertaken to deliver results for children.

In the context of the ongoing UN-Reform, the UNICEF APD should be aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (“Cooperation Framework”) in the countries that will be covered by the APD (and where it exists). The Cooperation Framework, co-designed and co-signed by the UN development system and the Government, represents the UN development system’s collective offer to support countries in addressing key Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) priorities and gaps. The Cooperation Framework serves as a core accountability tool between the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the host Government, as well as between and among UNCT members for collectively-owned development results. It is therefore important that the UNICEF GAO APD roadmap is aligned with that of the CFs.

Given the complexity and heavy time investment in the APD process, UNICEF GAO is seeking an international consultant to support the development of the new APD under the overall direction of and guidance from the Deputy Representative.

 

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the process of development of the new UNICEF Area Programme Document for the Gulf Area Office (APD 2026-2030).

Scope of Work:

 

• Goal and Objective:

 

The objective of the assignment is to support the Gulf Area Office in the development of its new APD (2026 – 2030), including updating the evidence synthesis completed in 2022, supporting the planning and convening of a series of internal and external consultations in addition to the prioritization exercise and the development of all planning documents in support of the new APD 2026 – 2030. 

 

•  Activities and Tasks:  

 

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the international consultant will work closely with the Planning Focal Person, relevant Chiefs of Sections (Programme & Partnership & RM) , Operations and the Core Management Team (CMT) to carry out the following activities: 

 

• 1. Preliminary task
• Support the finalisation of the Area Programme Document (APD) development roadmap and timelines which outlines the key steps in the drafting of a new APD and the Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP), including consultation process etc..
• 2. Analysis

 

• Gather and update existing and emerging evidence, including monitoring and data, that identifies vulnerable children in the country, the multiple deprivations they face, the prevailing social and behavioral drivers of these deprivations, and the barriers that must be surmounted to address them.
• Sources of information for the Analysis include but are not limited to: Situation Analysis (SitAn), Common Country Analysis (CCA), Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR) analytics, research and studies, Evaluations, Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC), Quantitative data sources including the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), SDG databases, UNICEF data sources, and national and sub-national surveys and State Parties’ reports.
• Consultant will utilize the UNICEF Analysis Framework to update the existing analytical synthesis which provides an overview of overarching contextual issues, political dynamics, the economy, demographics, public finance for children, child rights governance and the stakeholder landscape in the countries including the five cross-cutting areas: gender equality, disabilities, climate action, peacebuilding and resilience to undertake the analysis. The framework also takes into account multiple risks affecting children, including those related to conflict, climate change and social inequities.
• Collect information to draft lessons learned from the current APD.

3. Prioritization

 

• Engage key stakeholders from the national to local levels: Prepare the design of the consultations and provide guidance to the team on the process.  The consultant will also participate in the consultation and prioritization workshops, including Strategic Prioritization Workshop with key partners. These workshops will involve UNICEF, Government, Development Partners, Academia, NGOs/CSOs and donors as necessary. The Consultant will take stock of the discussions and summarize the outcomes of the deliberations during the drafting of the APD.
• Engage key stakeholders from international parties: prepare the design of the consultations and provide guidance to the team on the process. These consultations will include international parties i.e member states that work closely wit the GCC o key agenda for the child on the global stage.

• Prioritize deprivations and bottlenecks identified in the Analysis using the criteria set in the Funnel. Consultant will further review prioritized deprivations and their underlying bottlenecks on the basis of emerging new information coming from other sources and learning activities.
• Design and facilitate prioritization during an ‘internal visioning exercise (Strategic Moment of Reflection). The result of the internal visioning exercise is to define the strategic intent or overarching purpose of the new country programme, which articulates the prioritized child rights deprivations and bottlenecks.

 

4. Explanatory Notes (including Theories of Change (ToC)

 

• For each programme component, the consultant will provide the necessary support to the GAO Outcome Leads in drafting succinct Explanatory Notes that explain the rationale for the programmatic choices made and the vision for change backed by an analysis of risks, opportunities and assumptions and supported by selected change strategies.

• The consultant will support the outcome leads in effective use of the prioritized child rights’ deprivations and bottlenecks as the basis of the Theory of Change for each programme component.
• Reflect on the roles and main contributions of partners, wherever applicable.

• Highlight intersections with other programme components.
• Explanatory notes ought to be concise, not exceeding 2,000 words per programme component.

 

5. Results and Resources Plan (RRP)

• The Consultant will develop a detailed Results and Resources Plan for each Programme component.
• The RRP unpacks the specific contributions and responsibilities of UNICEF and its implementing partners. It connects UNICEF’s results at the country level to Strategic Plan results and to the SDGs at the global level, as well as to the CRC, the UNSDCF and national priorities.
• This activity will involve consultation with CMT, Programme Sections, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization and other relevant staff and stakeholders, incorporating feedback from various review process including those by the Regional Office.
•  

6. Additional tasks (APD, CEP and CPMP)

• Draft the 2026-2030 UNICEF GAO Area Programme Document (APD) of 6,000 words and ensure alignment with relevant UNSDCF, regional and UNICEF global Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Throughout the process, support GAO to liaise and coordinate with MENARO and HQ as required 
• Draft the 2026-2030 Costed Evaluation Plan (CEP) in consultation with the CMT, Programme Sections and other relevant staff and stakeholders, incorporating feedback from various review process including those by the Regional Office. 
• Draft the 2026-2030 Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP) in consultation with CMT,  Operations Section and Regional Office.
• Support with any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced degree in social sciences, project/programme management or other relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of professional relevant experience and proven expertise with planning, analytical work and CPD development. Previous experience in working with the UN organizations is preferred.
• Proven and demonstrated experience of the formulation of a Country Programme Document/ Area programme documents
•  Knowledge of UNICEF’s Programme Planning Processes (PPP) (RBM and HRBAP)
• Previous experience in facilitating meetings with large numbers of participants
• Strong writing and analytical skills for quality report writing and documentation
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Strong coordination skills and ability to adhere to deadlines
• Previous work experience with the UN is an advantage.
• fluency in English (spoken and written) and proficiency in the Arabic language is an asset.
• Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

 

 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

  

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.