Consultant – Development of a Comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the Piloting of Integrated Services for Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), UNICE

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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Adolescent Development and Participation section, UNICEF Thailand Country Office is seeking an individual consultant to support the NESDC, UNICEF as well as local partners to develop a Theory of Change (ToC) and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for the pilot project in the target locations and ensuring that the capacities of implementing partners are strengthened to collect relevant data, monitor implementation and report on progress towards desired outcomes and outputs. The consultant is also expected to consult the EU’s Indicator Framework for Monitoring the Youth Guarantee document[1] and adapt this framework to the context of Thailand. Additional useful resources to identify relevant indicators can be found in the VET toolkit for empowering NEETs by CEDEFOP[2], particularly the Evaluation Plan for Policy Makers and the Evaluation Plan for Learning Providers.

[1] 2 European Commission and International Labour Organization. (N.D.). See: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_546506.pdf and https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_583560.pdf

[2] VET toolkit for empowering NEETs | CEDEFOP (europa.eu)

Work Assignment:

The consultant is expected to complete the following tasks:

A. Develop a Theory of Change and M&E Framework for the Pilot of Integrated Services for NEETs.

In consultation with key stakeholders at the national and provincial levels (as a minimum, the NESDC, the Ministry of Labour, the local administrative offices – namely, Na Phu Sib-district Administrative Office and Lamthamainchai District Office), the consultant will develop a ToC and a M&E framework for the pilot of integrated services for youth NEET project. The consultant will be expected to participate in at least one multistakeholder meeting in each target location and to consult the EU’s Indicator Framework for Monitoring the Youth Guarantee and the VET toolkit for empowering NEETs by CEDEFOP.

• The ToC, both descriptive and visual, shall be developed based on a shared vision of key stakeholders at national and provincial level. The ToC will include a causal pathway for change and should describe specific interventions and processes required to bring about the desired outcomes and outputs.

• • The M&E framework shall include a minimum set of indicators to assess the success of the pilot model, identify bottlenecks and recommendations for a successful scale up. As part of this task an inception report (5-10 pages) shall be produced to set out the methodology, including:
  • • Indicators: the indicators should be SMART, including quantitative and qualitative metrics to track progress towards results.
  • A M&E matrix which presents the relevant indicators of the pilot project’s outputs and outcomes, their baseline values (or plan for collecting baseline), annual targets, end-of project targets, data disaggregation, unit of measurement, definition of indicators and method of calculation, means of verification and reporting frequency.
  • Data sources: sources of information to feed data related to the indicators. Data sources can include government data, reports, focus groups discussions, surveys, interviews.
  • Data collection and data quality assurance methods, including data collection protocols, standards and methodologies to ensure sufficient data quality so the relevant agencies can effectively manage the pilot project and report on the progress, achievements and results.
  • Data storage, security and integrity; database and management system; data cleaning, maintenance, review and record; and data privacy and security protocols to adhere to the ethical principles governing collection of data on human subjects.
  • Data analysis methods and reporting: guidelines on the methods to compile and analyze the data. Different methods could include descriptive statistics, histograms, data visualization, content analysis, etc.
  • Definition of roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders to ensure the collection and reporting of indicators of the pilot.
  • An estimated budget allocated to M&E activities for the duration of the pilot project.

B. Conduct a test of the data collection with at least one sample stakeholder group to assess the relevance and feasibility of the M&E framework.

C. Develop a user-friendly reporting mechanism for regular monitoring of the integrated services model, for instance a tool or platform, to be used by relevant stakeholders to include baseline data and report progress towards results, based on the M&E framework.

D. Convene a full-day workshop (can be online or offline upon agreement with NESDC and UNICEF) with key stakeholders at national and sub-national level, responsible for data collection and reporting, to build their capacities on the ToC and M&E framework, and on the use of the information management system/platform/tool, to ensure shared understanding among all parties.

Expected deliverables and delivery schedule:

Expected deliverable 1: A ToC, both descriptive and visual, and the draft pilot M&E framework (By 10 November 2023)

Expected deliverable 2: A finalized comprehensive M&E framework for the piloting of integrated services for youth NEET (By 30 November 2023)

Expected deliverable 3: A user-friendly tool or platform to be used by relevant stakeholders to include baseline data and report progress towards results, based on the M&E framework (By 20 December 2023)

Expected deliverable 4: A full-day workshop (can be online or offline upon agreement with UNICEF) with key stakeholders at national and sub-national level, responsible for data collection and reporting, to build their capacities on the ToC and M&E framework, and on the use of the information management system/platform/tool, to ensure shared understanding among all parties (By 31 January 2024)

Duration of Contract: 15 October 2023 – 28 February 2024

Duty Travel: The consultant will be expected to participate in at least one multistakeholder meeting in each target location (Na Phu Sub-district in Udon Thani and Lamthamainchai District in Nakhon Ratchasima). It is estimated that the consultant will travel for approximately 7 days during the project.

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

• Advanced university degree in social science with demonstrated knowledge in research, M&E, data analysis and development planning
• Demonstrated experience in designing M&E systems and conducting assessments/evaluations
• Demonstrated experience in project planning and design, project management, results-based management
• Previous work experience with government, development agencies or UN agencies
• Excellent writing and analytical skills in drafting concept notes and reports
• Proficiency in spoken and written Thai and English

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD/THB by 29 September 2023****.

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.