Consultancy, Namibia UPSHIFT Evaluation (for Non-Namibia Nationals only)

Consultant Programme & Policy

Overview

Evaluate the UPSHIFT programme for youth engagement in Namibia

You have:

• Master's or higher in social sciences, education, or related field
• Five years of relevant professional experience in youth empowerment, education, or social innovation
• Fluency in English; knowledge of UN language or local language is an asset
• 10-12 years of evaluation experience
• Strong knowledge of OECD/DAC evaluation criteria
• Demonstrated experience in integrating gender, age, and equity perspectives into evaluations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to facilitate participatory evaluation processes
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing circumstances

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Youth engagement and social entrepreneurship in Namibia

Background UNICEF recognizes adolescence as a period of opportunity, growth, exploration, and creativity. The UNICEF UPSHIFT programme supports young people to become social innovators, focusing on the most disadvantaged young people. The programme combines social innovation workshops with mentorship, materials, and seed funding. It equips young people with the skills and resources to identify their communities' problems and challenges and create human-centered entrepreneurial solutions. UPSHIFT accords an opportunity for adolescents and youth to become a force for positive social and economic change, contributing to a competitive labour force, sustained economic growth, improved governance, and vibrant civil societies. UNICEF kickstarted UPSHIFT in Namibia, with the pilot phase in 2021 in the Khomas region with 85 young people in partnership with Physically Active Youth (PAY), a local civil society organization (CSO) benefitting young people, working closely with the Ministry of Sports, Youth and National Service (MSYNS) as well as private sector partners. By end of 2021, more than 55 adolescents benefitted from UPSHIFT's social innovation workshops and boot camps. Almost half of these have undergone social media training and participated in social innovation and enterprise workshops. Guided by experienced mentors from the business sector, they are now developing their ideas into viable solutions with seed funds. To date, Namibia’s pool of Trainer of Trainers (ToTs) consists of 25 facilitators. In 2022, UNICEF Namibia expanded the implementation of the UPSHIFT programme to Kavango East, Omaheke. Thus far, the programme has reached over 450 adolescents and youth through intense community mobilizations, building, social innovation boot camps, pitching and exhibition events and facilitating access to direct and indirect seed funding for over 100 adolescents

How can you make a difference?

UPSHIFT PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

UPSHIFT is implemented in line with the UNICEF Strategic Plan (2022-2025) Goal Area 2, which aims to increase access to quality learning opportunities, skills, participation, and engagement.

UPSHIFT looks different in each country, depending on identified needs. In Namibia, it is being contextualized to target adolescents and young people aged 14-24 years, focusing on - but not limited to - the following:

1. Building transferable skills for boys and girls, including problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. 2. Adolescent and youth empowerment, including confidence, resilience, and a sense of agency. 3. Civic engagement, with young people engaging in their communities and earning respect. 4. Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, as both a skillset and a mindset.

The long-term objective of the programme is to promote resilience and civic engagement in a multi-pronged gender-sensitive approach: 1. To strengthen the psycho-social and socio-economic resilience and to foster agency of young people (with a focus on youth from disadvantaged groups) through social innovation skills building and mentorship. 2. To develop the resilience of communities in Climate, Energy and Environment through solutions, products and services created by young people in partnership with the local innovation hubs.

For the duration of the current country programme, UNICEF aims that by 2023, an estimated 1,000 adolescents aged 14 to 19 and young people up to 24 years will benefit from the project. They will benefit directly through participation in training, workshops, and youth-led social ventures and indirectly through campaigns and advocacy activities. Furthermore, UNICEF will support 100 youth-led projects throughout implementation, focusing on mentorship and project development. This cohort will benefit from the knowledge, skills and projects developed through the programme. The action will specifically target socially excluded and otherwise vulnerable groups of girls, boys, and young people

EVALUATION APPROACH

The evaluation of the UPSHIFT programme in Namibia will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. This approach will ensure a comprehensive understanding of the programme's implementation, outcomes, and impacts while considering the perspectives of various stakeholders.

The following principles will guide the evaluation:

• Participatory: The evaluation will actively involve key stakeholders, such as UNICEF, PAY, MSYNS, Project HOPE Namibia (PHN) private sector partners, and programme rights-holders, in the evaluation process to ensure their insights and experiences are considered.
• Youth engagement: The evaluation will specifically engage young people in all stages of the evaluation process.
• Utilization-focused: The evaluation will produce actionable findings and recommendations for decision-making and future programming. • Gender, age and equity-sensitive: The evaluation will pay particular attention to gender, age and equity issues, examining how the programme has addressed the needs of both boys and girls, as well as other vulnerable groups, and their access to benefits and opportunities.

Scope of Work:

The scope of the evaluation will encompass the following aspects:

• Geographical Scope: The evaluation will focus on the UPSHIFT programme implemented in Namibia, considering the pilot phase's targeted locations in the Khomas, Omaheke and Kavango East regions.
• Temporal Scope: The evaluation will cover the period from the inception of the UPSHIFT programme in Namibia, including the pilot phase in 2021 and subsequent implementation, up to the present date. This will enable a comprehensive assessment of the programme's progress, achievements, and challenges.
• Thematic Scope: The evaluation will cover all components and objectives of the UPSHIFT programme in Namibia, including the four primary focus areas: transferable skills, adolescent and youth empowerment, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship and social innovation. Additionally, the evaluation will assess the long-term objectives related to resilience, civic engagement, and climate change advocacy.
• Target Group Scope: The evaluation will consider the different beneficiary groups targeted by the UPSHIFT programme, including adolescents and youth aged 14-24 years, with a particular focus on socially excluded and otherwise vulnerable groups of girls, boys, and young people. The evaluation will also examine the involvement of key stakeholders, such as UNICEF, PAY, MSYNS, and private sector partners.

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Work Assignments Overview

Key Activities and Tasks

Deliverables/Outputs

Delivery deadline

Estimated Budget

1.

Develop an Inception Report that (i) articulates the theory of change and revised M&E framework; (ii) recommend an evaluation design detailing the sampling approach, data collection tools and instruments; and (iv) proposes a detailed timeline and stakeholder consultations.

Inception report

15 Sept

20%

2.

Design and Implementation of Evaluation: Data collection, analysis, report writing and stakeholder engagement by using proposed and approved methodology to investigate the effectiveness of the UPSHIFT programme as per the scope of the TOR

Draft Evaluation Report - UNICEF GEROS and

30 Oct 2023

30%

3.

Participate in one or more validation workshops of evaluation design and evaluation findings and recommendations with the steering committee and other stakeholders

Validation workshops report

15 November 2023

4.

Produce a final evaluation report in line with UNICEF GEROS requirements

Final evaluation report (UNICEF GEROS)

15 Dec 2023

50%

5.

Evaluation advocacy brief: For the dissemination of evaluation findings.

Final Advocacy Brief

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Qualifications required

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as social sciences, education, international development, or a related discipline like Youth empowerment, education, social innovation, or similar sector
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience as indicated above
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

The consultant shall minimally meet the following requirements:

• Evaluation Experience: A minimum of 10-12 years of experience in conducting evaluations, preferably in the fields of youth empowerment, education, social innovation, or similar sectors. Experience in using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is essential.
• Knowledge of the Context: Familiarity with the socio-cultural, economic, and political context of Namibia or similar countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Experience working in the region is highly desirable.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria and a proven track record of designing and conducting evaluations based on these criteria. Familiarity with ethical considerations and procedures when conducting evaluations involving young people is essential. Demonstrated experience in engaging young people in programme monitoring/evaluation.
• Gender, age and Equity: Demonstrated experience in integrating gender, age and equity perspectives into evaluations, as well as analyzing differential impacts on various beneficiary groups.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and concise evaluation reports in English. Strong interpersonal skills to engage with various stakeholders, including youth, government officials, and implementing partners.
• Facilitation and Coordination: Proven ability to facilitate participatory evaluation processes, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and manage diverse teams. Specific experience in facilitating data collection and analyses with and for young people.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and draw relevant conclusions and recommendations.
• Adaptability: Ability to work independently and adapt to changing circumstances, including potential travel restrictions or other logistical challenges. Professionalism: A high level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to ethical standards throughout the evaluation process

How to apply

Suitable and qualified candidates can submit an online application before the closing date of the advert.

Application must include: • Detailed curriculum vitae including a description of relevant main achievements. • Minimum three references that include the name and contact person, title, and contact information. • A comprehensive technical proposal outlining the methodology the consultant will apply, and highlighting relevant assumptions • A detailed financial proposal quoted in US Dollars. The financial proposal must include all expected costs such as travel costs to Windhoek, living allowance and administrative costs for the consultant. UNICEF will not cover any additional costs outside the approved financial proposal.

Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual 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 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org