Consultant to Support the Implementation of the Transition Plan in Preparation for APRO Establishment, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office

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 fulfilling 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, a better future
UNICEF Works To Ensure The Rights Of All Children In The East Asia And Pacific Region. This Means The Rights Of Every Child Living In This Country, Irrespective Of Their Nationality, Gender, Religion Or Ethnicity, To

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?
UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to facilitate the compilation and review of current and existing processes and procedures; coordination, committees, and governance structures; communication, advocacy, knowledge management, and share points; standard operating procedures (SOPs); etc., and provide recommendations to the working group on best practices for the new APRO.

Work assignment
(mainly remote/ home-based modality, with duty travel)
, Expected deliverables and Delivery schedule:
Assignment 1:
Consultation and mapping of processes and procedures

• Support the two Deputy Regional Directors (DRD) to facilitate and coordinate consultations between the two regional offices on major processes and procedures that are aligned with the new UNICEF Strategic Plan and the new APRO structure;
• Support the working group, including but not limited to updating of the transition plan, taking minutes from the meetings, supporting preparation of meetings with RDs and all staff;
• Interview the teams from the office of the RD and DRD, planning, operations, people & culture (including staff counselling), communication & advocacy, partnerships, evaluations, emergency, digital impact, and security of both ROs on key processes, governance structures, and SOPs that are in place;
• Map those processes and compile all available documents and resources;
• Follow up on milestones, ensuring timelines of the transition are met, and tracker is updated.

Expected Deliverable 1

• Detailed workplan with specific timeline of the assignment
• Inception report and updated transition plan

Delivery Schedule

• Detailed workplan with specific timeline of the assignment: within 1 week after the start date of the contract/assignment.
• Inception report and updated transition plan: mid December 2025

Assignment 2:
Facilitate the review of processes
In close collaboration with the transition working group, the consultant will facilitate the review of existing processes in the two regional offices and ensure they are aligned with the global guidance, the new SP, and the new APRO structure.

The consultant will also conduct focus group discussions and interviews with teams from the two regional offices to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in current practices, and will share these findings with the working group to recommend the processes that APRO should use. This could be by choosing the ROSA OR EAPRO process, by adapting or combining the two into one, or by writing something new under the guidance of the ROSA/EAPRO transition working group.

This process will follow the Phase II transition plan activities (post-PBR – 1 July 2026).

• Alignment related: internal share points, SOPs, committees, and governance structures, security procedures, humanitarian response mechanisms, etc.
• Communication and Advocacy related: internal & external communication, stakeholder engagement, work processes, etc.
• Planning and Monitoring related: scorecards, result monitoring, SOPs, guidelines, etc.
• Operation-related: review Operations related SOPs and tools, including tools to support country offices.
• People and Culture related: talent acquisition and management, performance management, career progression, capacity development, staff well-being, office culture, etc.

In order to fulfil this part of the assignment, the consultant is expected to spend time on site in EAPRO (Bangkok) and ROSA (Kathmandu) for about two weeks in each place to meet in person with key stakeholders and review processes, tools, systems together with relevant colleagues in the two offices.

Expected Deliverable 2

• Mapping and compilation of processes of the two ROs
• Report on consultation outcome with respective teams of the two regional offices on the strengths and weaknesses of current practices, and areas for improvement

Delivery schedule:
February - March 2026

Assignment 3:
Recommendations of best practices for APRO
In close collaboration with the transition working group, the consultant/stretch will prepare the recommendations for the new APRO on the best practices of processes, coordination committees and governance structures, communication and advocacy, knowledge management, change management, standard operating procedures, etc.

The transition working group will explore opportunities to discuss further with HQ, other ROs, and COEs on aligning certain procedures and processes.

Expected Deliverable 3

• Report containing recommendations of best practices for the new APRO

Delivery schedule:
June 2026

Duration of Contract:
November 2025 – June 2026

Duty Travel:
Consultant is expected to travel to Bangkok and Kathmandu for about 2 weeks in each place. S/he is

required to submit a proposal for the lumpsum travel cost that covers all types of expense.

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

• Master's degree in relevant thematic areas or research qualifications.
• 5 years of experience in the development, implementation and/or support of the country, regional, or global plans or programmes,
• Good understanding of UNICEF policies, guidelines, processes, procedures, and SOPs
• Familiarity with UNICEF systems and SharePoint
• Experience in providing strategic guidance, conducting assessments, and office/organizational restructuring/designs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs in a timely manner.
• Previous experience with change management processes is an asset

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter highlighting expertise and skills relevant to the assignment as well as proposed approach to the assignment, CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and financial proposal that indicates the total lumpsum, the daily professional fee, and breakdown of travel cost in USD by
24 November 2025.
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 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. Consultants 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. 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.