What's Happening?
UNICEF is inviting applications for a PCHP Framework and Process Harmonization Consultant to support its Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) team. This 12.5-month home-based consultancy, with Geneva, Switzerland, as the duty station, aims to strengthen People-Centred
Humanitarian Programming (PCHP) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP). The consultant will be responsible for finalizing the PCHP Framework, consolidating existing technical guidance and resources, and integrating AAP and PCHP principles into UNICEF's humanitarian policies and operational procedures. This includes developing practical examples of AAP implementation across various UNICEF program sectors such as education, health, nutrition, child protection, WASH, social protection, and climate resilience. The role also involves strengthening the capacity of UNICEF personnel and deployment partners through standardized profiles, assignment descriptions, and training materials. The application deadline for this position is November 4, 2026.
Why It's Important?
This consultancy is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of UNICEF's humanitarian responses globally. By harmonizing frameworks and processes for People-Centred Humanitarian Programming and Accountability to Affected Populations, UNICEF aims to ensure that humanitarian aid is designed, implemented, and monitored based on the expressed needs and priorities of affected populations. This initiative will lead to more responsive and dignified aid delivery, particularly benefiting vulnerable children, adolescents, families, and communities in crisis situations. The integration of AAP and PCHP principles into policies and procedures will standardize best practices, reduce duplication, and improve the overall quality of humanitarian interventions. Strengthening capacity among UNICEF staff and partners will also ensure that these principles are consistently applied in the field, ultimately leading to better outcomes for those impacted by humanitarian crises.
What's Next?
The selected consultant will prepare an inception report outlining the methodology, analytical questions, stakeholder engagement plan, workplan, timeline, risks, and deliverables. Following this, they will support the finalization of the PCHP Framework through a participative, inter-divisional process. The consultant will also consolidate and harmonize existing PCHP-related technical implementation guidance, tools, and capacity-building resources, identifying gaps and opportunities for simplification. A key deliverable will be a consolidated, user-friendly PCHP global package. The role also involves supporting country-level testing of new or amended guidelines and tools, and integrating AAP and PCHP principles into UNICEF humanitarian policies and operational procedures. The consultant will develop comprehensive sectoral examples of practical AAP implementation and strengthen capacity and deployment arrangements for AAP and PCHP.
Beyond the Headlines
The emphasis on 'People-Centred Humanitarian Programming' and 'Accountability to Affected Populations' signifies a broader shift in humanitarian aid towards more ethical and rights-based approaches. This move acknowledges that affected communities are not merely passive recipients of aid but active participants whose voices and needs must shape interventions. The initiative's focus on inclusion, covering aspects like gender, disability, and youth participation, highlights a commitment to addressing systemic inequalities within humanitarian contexts. By developing robust frameworks and capacity, UNICEF is not only improving its immediate response capabilities but also fostering long-term resilience and self-determination within vulnerable populations. This approach could set a precedent for other international organizations, promoting a more collaborative and equitable global humanitarian ecosystem.
