Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants as Facilitators and Coaches for Talent Management, Division of People and Culture, UNICEF

Background

For over 70 years, UNICEF has been working in 190 countries and territories to promote the survival, protection and development of children, young people, and women. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

Since 2015, UNICEF has provided coaching, workshop and webinar design and facilitation services globally through contracted firms and individuals. Given positive feedback and increased demand, UNICEF's Division of People and Culture (DPC) is seeking to renew and expand this roster of qualified individual consultants.

Purpose

UNICEF is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals with expertise in one or more of the following service areas:

• Executive Coaching Individual and Team Coaching
• Design and development of learning interventions
• Facilitation of workshops, webinars, and other learning and development interventions
• Design and delivery of country and regional briefings for newly appointed Representatives and Regional Directors

Key Tasks

Under the coordination of the Integrated Talent Management Section, Division of People & Culture, selected consultants may be engaged to deliver one or more of the following:

• Executive coaching for senior staff, including leadership development, managing complex challenges, and supporting values-based culture.
• Individual and/or team coaching: goal setting, performance culture, development planning, accountability, growth mindset and behaviour change.
• Design and development of learning interventions (face-to-face and virtual) on topics such as leadership development, performance culture, career development, team effectiveness, as well as country and regional briefings.
• Facilitation of workshops and webinars tailored to the specific needs and culture of UNICEF offices globally, including Country and Regional briefings.
• Provision of a brief bi-annual summary of key themes, lessons learned, and recommendations based on services delivered.

Deliverables

# | Service Area | Typical Deliverables | Timeline | Travel

1 | Executive Coaching | Leadership development support; capacity-building on competencies; resolution of complex leadership challenges; enhancement of team culture and dynamics. | As requested | Not required

2 | Individual & Team Coaching | Goal setting; individual development insights and action plans; accountability follow-up; values-based behaviour support, growth mindset. | As requested | Not required

3 | Learning Intervention Design & Development | Learning programmes for face-to-face or virtual delivery; online modules; team/group collaboration interventions. | As requested | Not required

4 | Facilitation | Workshop/webinar facilitation tailored to office culture, team performance needs, and individual growth objectives. | As requested | May be required

The consultant will be home-based. Travel may be required for specific assignments; in such cases, travel costs will be agreed at the time of individual contract issuance and reimbursed based on actuals.

The LTA will be for an initial period of two (2) years, with an option to extend for one (1) additional year on the same rates, terms and conditions, subject to satisfactory performance and continued need. The maximum total duration is three (3) years.

Requirements

Applicants may apply to one or more categories. UNICEF will award an LTA to the highest-ranked candidates under each category. A candidate may hold an LTA in more than one category.

Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications below does not guarantee selection. All applications are subject to full technical evaluation.

Category 1: Executive Coaching

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or relevant field.
• Certification from an internationally recognised professional coaching body (certificates to be included in the technical proposal).
• Minimum 8 years of post-qualifying experience providing executive coaching to senior leaders.
• Demonstrated track record working with C-suite or equivalent senior leadership.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in coaching.
• Experience in UNICEF, the UN Common System, or other international organisations is an asset.

Category 2: Coaching

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or relevant field.
• Certification from an internationally recognised professional coaching body.
• Minimum 5 years of post-qualifying coaching experience.
• Experience in the UN Common System or international organisations is an asset.

Category 3: Design & Development of Learning Interventions

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in curriculum development and instructional design.
• Demonstrated knowledge of established learning theories and design methodologies.
• Experience designing interventions across topics such as leadership, performance management, and career development.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems, e-learning tools, and virtual classroom platforms.
• Expertise in Organisational Design and Development is an asset.
• Experience in UNICEF, the UN Common System, or other international organisations is an asset.

Category 4: Facilitation of Learning Interventions

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience facilitating workshops and webinars.
• Proficiency with online collaboration tools and virtual classroom platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in UNICEF, the UN Common System, or other international organisations is an asset.

Category 5: Design and Delivery of Country and Regional Briefings

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience researching and synthesising complex political, historical, social, and economic information into high-quality written or presentational outputs for senior audiences.
• Demonstrated experience delivering briefings, presentations, or advisory services to senior leaders at Representative, Director, or equivalent level.
• Strong command of at least one UNICEF programme region, with evidence of contextual expertise across multiple country or regional contexts.
• Proficiency with virtual delivery platforms and the ability to facilitate engaging, content-rich sessions within time-constrained formats.
• Prior experience in senior leadership within the UN Common System, including in a Representative, Director, or equivalent field-based capacity, is a strong asset.

Evaluation Criteria

Selection will be based on a combined technical and financial evaluation in the ratio of 80:20. The technical evaluation will be conducted in two stages:

Stage 1 — Document Review (maximum 75 points): Evaluation of the cover letter, educational qualifications, relevant work experience, and work samples. Candidates scoring below 53 points will not proceed.

Stage 2 — Interview (maximum 5 points): Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview. UNICEF experience/context-fit may be assessed here.

Minimum qualifying score: 56 out of 80 (technical). Only technically qualified candidates will have their financial proposals considered.

Evaluation Criterion | Min Score | Max Score | Notes

1. Cover Letter Motivation and fit for assignment; clarity on categories applied to. | 5 | 7 | Must address all applied categories.

2. Education Relevance and level of academic qualifications. | 8 | 13 | Coaching certificates assessed here for Categories 1 & 2.

3. Work Experience Relevant experience per category | 15 | 25 | Reviewers score only the categories the applicant applied to.

4. Work Samples Coaching philosophy, client testimonials, tools/resources, publications, training materials, or equivalent. | 25 | 30 | Minimum 3 samples required per category.

Sub-total (Stage 1) | 53 | 75 | Shortlisting threshold.

5. Interview + UNICEF/context experience | 3 | 5 | Stage 2 only.

TOTAL TECHNICAL SCORE | 56 | 80 | Minimum to be considered technically qualified.

Financial Score | — | 20 | Reviewed only for technically qualified candidates.

OVERALL TOTAL | — | 100

Financial proposals will be assessed against UNICEF’s best value for money principles.

The LTA will specify a fixed day/session rate for the duration of the agreement. UNICEF does not guarantee any minimum volume of work. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of each assignment and submission of invoices.

When a specific assignment arises, UNICEF will approach LTA holders in ranked order. Consultants who are unavailable will be passed over for that assignment, without prejudice to future engagements. A separate contract will be issued for each assignment. Work should not begin, unless and until a contract is in place, signed by both parties, and fully funded.

Joint applications from multiple consultants will not be accepted. Each candidate is required to submit their proposal as individual service providers.

Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting any applicable tax obligations in their country of fiscal residence.

14. HOW TO APPLY

PART A — TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (submitted via online portal)

Upload the following documents through the online application portal:

# | Document | Upload Location in Portal

1 | Cover letter — motivation and fit for all categories applied to | "Cover Letter" tab

2 | Curriculum Vitae (CV) | "Resume" tab

3 | Qualifications, coaching credentials, and certificates | "Highest Level of Education Certificate" tab

4 | Work samples — minimum 3 per category applied to, compiled into a single document | "Other Applicant Documents" tab

5 | Two (2) references from the past 2 years from clients that received similar services for which candidates are applying. | "Other Applicant Documents" tab

PART B — FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (submitted by email)

Please use this template to prepare your financial proposal.

• Include your full name in the PDF filename (e.g., "FinancialProposal_JohnSmith.pdf").
• The email subject line should read: "LTA Talent Development — Financial Proposal — [Your Name]".

For every Child, you demonstrate...

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.