International Consultant: Baseline Survey for KOICA-funded Climate Action for the Last Mile: Reaching the Most Vulnerable Children in East

Background and Justification
Changing climatic conditions in the East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) have compounded environmental degradation and contributed to the increased displacement and migration with 86 million internal climate migrants recorded in the ESAR, further reducing access to basic social services, increasing gender inequality, and deteriorating livelihoods and food security.

The two targeted countries by the programme, Comoros, and Zimbabwe, are very vulnerable to the impact of climate change, which has been evident both through evidence, data and projections by e.g.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) but also through climate-related events in the last years. Comoros is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is amongst the Least Developed Countries (LDC) and according to World Bank Classification can also be described as in a Fragile and Conflict Affect Situation (FCS). Zimbabwe due to its economic situation characterized by high and/or hyper-inflation, is also in a Fragile and Conflict Affect Situation (FCS). Challenges faced by FCS countries, translate into major adaptative capacity issues resulting in heightened susceptibility to climate change's increasing impacts.

The impacts of climate disasters affect women and children differently due to diverse intersectionality, such as their gender, age, religion, orphanhood, or disability. Climate change disproportionately affects
women and girls
by limiting their access to resources, increasing their workload in the home and in sectors like agriculture, disrupting critical social services, and elevating exposure to gender-based violence and health risks.
Persons with disabilities
in Zimbabwe (9.2 % of the population) face challenges accessing healthcare, jobs, education, and justice, with women and girls with disabilities particularly vulnerable. This is worsened during extreme climate events.

To improve the current situation, UNICEF in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) supports implementing partners in respective countries to implement a programme named "Climate Action for the Last Mile: Reaching the Most Vulnerable Children in East and Southern Africa Region". The programme started in November 2024 and is scheduled to end in April 2027.

The overarching objective of the programme is to provide the most vulnerable children with climate-smart social services and infrastructure (C3SI) in target locations in Comoros (Ngazidja, Mwali, Nzduwani) and Zimbabwe (Chipinge in Manicaland province, Beitbridge and Mangwe in Matebeleland South, and Harare in Metropolitan Province). The programme finances C3SI as a new asset class in climate finance, and this is in line with the IPCC's Shared Socio-Economic Pathways developed in the Sixth Assessment Report and the new indicators on climate-smart social services from the Global Goal on Adaptation endorsed at 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Outcome 1: Children and their communities are less vulnerable to climate change through enhanced access to Climate-Smart Social Service and Infrastructure (C3SI).
Outcome 2: Transformational institutional and capacity development is leveraged to scale up C3SI.
UNICEF therefore, is seeking a consultant to review the existing logical framework including indicators, overall and yearly targets, existing means of verification (MoVs), source of data, and frequency of data collection for each indicator as well as Theory of Change (ToC) in the project to finalize the logical framework; propose Outcome level indicators (especially Outcome 2 indicator/s) including its indicator definitions; develop/propose proper MoVs where deemed necessary; propose data collection methodology; and supervise baseline data collection for all indicators that require data. This work must be done in consultation with implementing partners and relevant UNICEF staff. Also, engaging in consultations with KOICA's M&E team is expected as necessary.

Scope of Work
The objective of the consultant assignment is to facilitate finalization of the existing logical framework of the KOICA-funded Climate Action for the Last Mile: Reaching the Most Vulnerable Children in the East and Southern Africa Region, and to conduct a baseline survey based on the final logical framework. Under the supervision of the Regional Office the consultant will work to fulfill these:

• Review the existing logical framework including all the Output indicators, overall and yearly targets, and existing MoVs for each indicator, source of data, and frequency of data collection as well as ToC to finalize the logical framework by identifying missing elements (i.e. some yearly targets and MoVs are marked as 'TBD');

• Review and validation of ToC and final logical framework consists of desk review and a consultative workshop with implementing partner as a 'learning event'.

• This task also includes thorough review of discrepancies in the Logframe.

• This task includes reflecting suggestions and recommendations from KOICA M&E team (interactions such as virtual discussions are expected).

• Identify missing elements of Outcome indicators including its indicator definitions, overall and yearly targets, and existing MoVs for each indicator, source of data, frequency of data collection and assumptions and risks, as well as propose data collection methodology;

• This task includes reflecting suggestions and recommendations from KOICA M&E team (interactions with the KOICA M&E team such as virtual discussion are expected).
• Supervise baseline data collection for all outcomes and output indicators.
• Submit the final baseline report including the finalised logical framework with the baseline data collected.

Activities And Tasks
Under the supervision of RO and in coordination with the Programme Specialists in UNICEF Centre of Excellence on Climate Resilience, the consultant will provide expert guidance and direct support to CO and the RO for the following key deliverables:

Objectives
Tasks

• Submit inception report with consultancy work plan
• Develop a workplan detailing the activities to be implemented, partners contacted and strategy for each work to achieve the planned results;
• Submit the inception report.
• Review the existing logical framework including all the Output indicators, overall and yearly targets, and existing MoVs for each indicator source of data, and frequency of data collection as well as ToC and identifying missing elements in the existing logical framework

• Review all the elements of the existing logical framework to validate if the overall and yearly target of each indicator is realistic;

• if MoVs, source of data, and frequency of data collection of all indicators are adequate to measure the indicators; and if the existing ToC is adequate.

• To identify all the missing elements in the logical framework currently marked as 'TBD' in the logical framework.

• This work must include organising a learning event (i.e. a virtual or hybrid consultative workshop) to review, update, and validate the existing logical framework including its ToC and to identify missing elements. This learning event needs to include a discussion related to Outcome indicators which is described below as the item 3.

• This work can be done during the consultant's

travel to each country.

• To review and identify any discrepancies in the Logframe.
• Identify Outcome indicators including its indicator definitions, overall and yearly targets, source of data, frequency of data collection, and assumptions and risks
• To identify a clear indicator definition; overall and yearly targets defined; source of data defined; frequency of data collection defined; and assumptions and risks of both Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 indicators.
• The consultant is expected to conduct this work through desk review of relevant documents including UNICEF's strategic indicators, and face-to- face and virtual consultation with UNICEF staff as well as key implementing partners including staff from line Ministries. As described above, this discussion needs to be included in the abovementioned learning event.
• This work can be done during the consultant's

travel to each country.

• Submit a summary report on learning events (i.e. consultative workshop)
• To submit a summary report on learning events which are part of the work item 2 and 3 above, capturing the summary of key discussion and recommendations.
• Some learning events were already organised in

each country at the very beginning of the project and reports are available. The consultant is

expected to review these reports to draft the summary report.

• The draft report will be shared with UNICEF for comments before finalisation and final submission.
• Finalise logical framework including ToC
• To share the updated version of logical framework with all missing elements identified together with the updated ToC with UNICEF for agreement and discussion if required,

after the work item 2 and 3 above. After this task is completed, the consultant will collect baseline data.

• Propose data collection methodology
• To provide a proposed data collection

methodology/modality with a detailed plan based on the finalised logical framework.

• Supervise the collection of baseline data
• Supervise the collection of the baseline data of all indicators, using the finalised logical framework.
• The data collection is based on the methodology proposed by the consultant. The detailed plan and methodology for the baseline data collection will

be discussed and agreed based on the finalised logical framework.

• Submit a final report including the final logical framework with the baseline data collected
• To consolidate the results of the baseline work including key discussion and recommendations generated during the consultancy work.
• The final report must include the final logical framework with the baseline data collected. The detailed outline of the report will be discussed and agreed with UNICEF. The draft report will be

reviewed by UNICEF before finalisation.

Work Relationships
The baseline survey consultant will be supervised by the RO and work in close collaboration with colleagues from all relevant sections of Country Office, as well as ESARO Climate Hub. The consultant will engage with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure the final logical framework including its indicators and MoVs are agreed and validated by key stakeholders.

Outputs/Deliverables
The baseline survey consultant will be responsible for delivering specific deliverables that align with the stated objectives and tasks described above. The following table outlines the timeline for the initiation and completion of the assignment.

Deliverables
Duration (Estimated
#
of
days)
Timeline
Schedule of payment

• Inception report with a

detailed work plan for the consultancy

5 days

10th November 2025

10%

• Summary report on all learning events in both countries (i.e. a consultative workshop on reviewing,

updating, and validation of the existing ToC)

10 days

28th November 2025

15%

• Draft version of updated

logical framework with identified missing elements

20 days

15th December 2025

20%

• Report on proposed data

collection methodology with a detailed plan

10 days

31st December 2025

15%

• Final baseline report including the final logical framework with the

baseline data collected

20 days

30th June 2026

40%

Payment Schedule

The payment schedule is outlined above and is linked to approved deliverables. Payment is upon satisfactory completion of deliverables.

Requirements
Desired competenices, technical background and experience

• Education: Minimum Master's degree in M&E, programme management or relevant social discipline
• Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in M&E and programme management in developing countries;
• Engaged at least 1 project on multi-sectoral development programme, preferably related to climate change;
• Possess at least 5 years of working experience and knowledge in any of social sector (i.e. education, health, nutrition, etc.) preferably in Comoros and Zimbabwe.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French.

The UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…

• 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
• Works collaboratively with others

Administrative issues
The consultant will work remotely in principle with 1 travel each to Comoros and Zimbabwe, under the supervision of the RO. Each visit is expected to be for 1 week (5 working days) to consult with UNICEF colleagues as well as key implementing partners such as staff from line Ministries. The learning event (i.e. consultative workshop) needs to take place during this visit. The consultant must include the estimated cost for these travels.

The logistics to organise a learning event (i.e. renting a meeting venue, arranging snack etc.) will be handled by UNICEF office.

Progress meetings will be scheduled throughout the duration of the contract to discuss status, challenges, and the next steps. The consultant will use their own office equipment.

Conditions
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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 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.

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.

Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.

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.

Risks
Unforeseen circumstances like extended data collection or travel restrictions may cause delays. Mitigation involves creating a detailed project timeline with buffer periods, regularly monitoring progress, and maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders.

Insufficient or unreliable data can impact proposal and report quality. Mitigation involves establishing strong communication channels, providing data collection guidance, and implementing a system for cross- verifying information and addressing data gaps.

How To Apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances, and local transportation and communication.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.
Link to Terms of Reference: TOR - KOICA Baseline