HR Consultant - Performance Management

Terms of Reference for Consultancy

DHR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT UNIT (PMU)

UNICEF NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS

July 2014

Background

As part of its talent management strategy, UNICEF has embarked on the development and launch of a revised approach to performance management. In this context, a number of initiatives are being put in place to move the organization towards a more open and feedback oriented performance management culture.

As a first step, UNICEF is selecting a new Performance management system for all staff. In parallel, and from a people point of view, a change management process is being implemented globally. This includes support to all staff on application of performance management guidelines; training to both staff and HR practitioners on effective performance management soft skills; as well as launch of additional corporate programs (i.e. performance coaching) to link performance management to staff development and growth.

Given the temporary field deployment of the PMU HR Manager between July and end August 2014, this TOR seeks the services of an individual consultant for the aforementioned timeframe to provide key support for the continued development, implementation and evaluation of various deliverables related to above initiatives.

Details of the Consultancy

Title:Consultant

Section:Performance Management Unit (PMU)/OLDS, DHR

Level:$ 750 daily rate

Duration:1 July – 30 August 2014 (up to 20 working days in this period).

Type of Contract: Individual SSA

Supervisor(s):Dawn Denvir, Chief, Organizational, Learning and Development Section (OLDS), DHR

Working language: English

Location: UNICEF NYHQ office-based consultancy combined with remote work. No additional travel costs associated with this consultancy as consultant shall be located within the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).

Tasks and Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Learning, OLDS, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

a) Needs assessment of the new performance coaching programme: Taking as a basis the needs assessment conducted for the program pilot in 2012, as well as the external evaluation of the pilot results, design and conduct a new needs assessment with HR stakeholders and staff to ascertain the new programme’s audience, coaching focus, format and expected goals. Conduct the needs assessment with the support of the HR assistant. The needs assessment results will drive the programme implementation from 2014 onwards.

b) As part of a broader strategy to systematize evaluation of learning programmes in UNICEF, work with specialized vendor to implement the evaluation of the Managing Performance for Results face-to-face training Programme (MP4R). The MP4R focuses on equipping supervisors and supervisees with the soft skills to have effective performance discussions and practices to impact results. To date, more than 4,000 staff have completed this training. The deliverable consists of completing a systematic evaluation of the initiative, with a view to make recommendations for continuous improvement, as well as select most valued training contents to be offered through other formats in the future (i.e. e-learning).

c) Provide input into the ongoing work of the HR officer designing two new e-learning courses on “how to do effective performance planning”, and “how to effectively assess my own performance as well as my supervisee’s performance”.

Deliverables

The Consultant will complete the following deliverables within the contract timeframe:

Needs assessment of the new performance coaching programme (12 days = $9,000)

• Upon reading of background documents, design new needs assessment
• Launch needs assessment to balanced and diverse UNICEF audience
• Analyse needs assessment data
• Compile a findings report including identified audience, scope, format, as well as coaching approach for the new programme.

Complete the evaluation of the Managing Performance for Results (MP4R) Programme (5 days=$3,750)

• Co-design evaluation questions and approach with specialized vendor.
• Identify audience to receive evaluation.
• Analyze evaluation results and make recommendations to maximize learning impact, as well as select most valued contents to be offered through other formats in the future, such us e-learning

Provide input into the ongoing work of the HR officer implementing e-learning courses on performance planning and performance assessment (3 days=$2,250)

• Review and make recommendations on-going content, making sure that it is aligned with the MP4R learning outcomes.

Grand Total $15,000

Qualifications and requirements

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources, Education, social development or a relevant field.
• Proven knowledge and skills in instruction and instructional design as applied to adult learning.
• Proven quantitative and qualitative research skills as related to learning.
• Knowledge of UNICEF context essential
• Knowledge of UN common practices in HR an added advantage
• Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute learning programs as well as transfer knowledge and skills based on evaluation outcomes
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in multicultural environment
• Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills

How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should send an up-to-date CV/resume, as well as a brief cover letter explaining their interest in and suitability for this consultancy, to: mbarnett@unicef.org (email subject “Application HR Consultant”) by 29 May 2014, 2 pm (New York time).