BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF has partnered with leading public and private organisations to launch a global partnership dedicated to expanding opportunity for young people, aged 10-24. Generation Unlimited (GenU) is centred on finding new ways to help every young person to get into school, learning, training or employment by 2030 — with a focus on those in the greatest danger of being left behind, including girls, the poorest, those with disabilities, young people on the move and those affected by conflict and natural disasters.

GenU brings together leaders from governments, UN agencies, the private sector, academia, international and civil society organizations, and young people.

As one of GenU’s global solutions, imaGen Ventures has provided young people with access to entrepreneurial skill building opportunities in 60+ countries since it was set up in 2018.

imaGen Ventures equips young people with the entrepreneurial skills to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, by setting up enterprises that bring about social change. The initiative also equips youth with skills to catalyse social impact and create a more sustainable future for humanity and the planet. It encourages and supports young people to become changemakers and have an impact in their communities, in their countries and even around the world.

Scope of Work:

The consultancy focuses on optimizing imaGen Ventures’ global impact by strengthening the entrepreneurial component of the programme focusing on incubation activities and support for young innovators.

Consultant’s Responsibilities:

The imaGen Ventures Delivery Consultant , will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the entrepreneurial landscape of the program. Responsible for developing a comprehensive Results Report, the consultant will meticulously analyze metrics from the Host Country Tracking Tool and feedback from Challenge Judges and Global Partners, emphasizing the impact of the initiative. Additionally, the consultant will expand the program’s global reach by securing the participation of current and new countries, focusing on nurturing entrepreneurial talent on a global scale. Through innovative thinking, the consultant will design and implement thematic tracks on pressing issues such as climate change, waste management, biodiversity, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, infusing entrepreneurial solutions into these critical areas. The consultant will strengthen the program’s measurement and reporting system, ensuring a robust documentation of entrepreneurial outcomes and social impact. Providing technical expertise, the consultant will support Country Offices in integrating entrepreneurial principles within institutional systems, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial education. Facilitating peer-to-peer learning, the consultant will establish a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange among participants, emphasizing entrepreneurial best practices. Through the implementation of a blended learning approach, combining a strengthened curriculum with immersive digital experiences, the consultant will foster an entrepreneurial mindset and skills among participants. Active engagement with Youth from the Generation Unlimited Network and program participants will ensure that entrepreneurial insights are incorporated into program documentation, highlighting success stories. Furthermore, the consultant will conduct remote technical capacity building sessions for Country Offices and partner organizations. Organization and accessibility of program documentation will be a key focus, enabling the seamless execution of imaGen Ventures.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

• Produce a Comprehensive Evaluation Report detailing imaGen Ventures 2023 impact and progress by 29.02.2024.
• Draft a Planning document outlining strategic initiatives, goals, and timelines for the upcoming 2 years and deliver a Content Update for imaGen Ventures, incorporating recent trends in entrepreneurship by 25.04.2024.
• Facilitate the Global Incubation Week for 2023 winning teams, providing a platform for project presentations by 30.05.2024.
• Develop action plan for introduction of the imaGen Ventures Learning Series for Generation Unlimited to introduce to Host Country Office by 27.06.2024.
• Develop strategy for initiation of the imaGen Ventures Global Challenge for Generation Unlimited to introduce to Host Country Offices by 23.08.2024.
• Draft the plan for the recognition of enterprises that stem out of imaGen Ventures by 20.09.2024.
• Enhance the existing curriculum with specialized 5 modules on emerging technologies, sustainable business practices, and innovation strategies tailored for imaGen Ventures participants by 30.10.2024.
• Establish a structured mentorship initiative connecting experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts with incubating teams to provide guidance, advice, and networking opportunities by 22.12.2024.
• Provide entrepreneurship incubation and networking training and support for 10 startups to effectively engage with potential investors by 24.01.2025.
• Organize 4 online workshops focusing on critical aspects of entrepreneurship: 1. financial management, 2. market research, 3. Productization, 4. pitch development, tailored to the specific needs of each incubating team by 30.2.2025.
• Design and deliver 3 training sessions covering essential skills like negotiation, leadership, and resilience, equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools needed for long-term success by 23.03.2025.
• Identify and facilitate partnerships between 10 incubated youth-led teams and research institutions to encourage innovation and knowledge exchange, leading to the development of cutting-edge products and services by 25.4.2025.
• Develop a landscape analysis document to evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impact of the 10 incubated teams, measuring job creation, community engagement, and sustainability efforts by 28.6.2025.
• Develop progress plans for the 10 incubated teams to create sustainable business models, emphasizing social and environmental impact, ensuring their long-term viability by 31.07.2025.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following: Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, or similar.

Work experience:

• 3 – 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship and related efforts on skills and employability in the global South
• Experience in the roll-out and adoption of digital solutions and in the development and design of innovative financing mechanisms is an asset.
• Experience in youth-led programming, youth partnerships, or adolescents and youth in development and humanitarian contexts desirable.

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Additional language skills (e.g., Arabic, French, Spanish) are an asset.
• Ability to research, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information pertaining to issues related to youth entrepreneurship, or youth-led innovation in development and humanitarian contexts.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

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: 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. 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.