Consultant (Project Manager) to lead the development of the early childhood development (ECD) mobile application and capacity building of service providers in the area of healthcare, social

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Type of contract: Consultant Duration: 90 working days during 15 August 2021 to 31 December 2021 Workplace: home-based/remote-based

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 fair chance

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Background

For more than two decades, UNICEF has been working closely with the national government, local representatives and civil society to improve the situation of children in Kazakhstan, ensuring equal access to quality social services, and primarily, healthcare and education. The Government of Kazakhstan and UNICEF are currently implementing another five-year program of cooperation. Along with those national priorities and strategies, however, the country has also taken its international obligations, including attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, into account.

Being a parent is the most important job in the world. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the foundations of optimum health, growth, and neurodevelopment across the lifespan. Parents want to give their children the best they can. Evidence shows that the right nourishment, stimulating care and a loving and safe environment – or eat, play, love – are critical to giving a child the best start in life. Parents need time and support to give their children the best start in life. Many parents also miss out on opportunities to support development of their babies and children because of the lack of knowledge and information on what are adequate practices. The mobile app developed by UNICEF and being transferred to the Ministry of Health is a handy reference instrument for parents synchronized with the perinatal period of pregnancy and aligned with the age of the child and gives parents the correct information and geolocation of all ECD services available at their location. Following the finalization of the content and testing of the ECD app functions with the focus groups, UNICEF will support the Ministry of Health and other relevant state bodies with it’s piloting, building the capacity of the specialists, integration with other state databases and applications, and a full fledge roll out.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection have joined the efforts to enhance the psychosocial services for children with HIV and other chronic diseases. Moreover, UNICEF and its partners have developed national recommendations, standards and a number of training and learning resources on the provision of psychosocial services for children with HIV and other chronic diseases and on prevention of stigma. The standards were endorsed by the national government and UNICEF will roll them out in coordination with the local authorities to further strengthen the capacities of the service providers and children themselves.

How can you make a difference?

Upon the urgent request to UNICEF from the Ministry of Health to expedite the process of development of the ECD mobile app for parents aimed for its integration with the patronage nurse mobile app and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to expedite the implementation of the activities under the tied grant expiring in December 2021, the Country Office in Kazakhstan has decided to engage the consultant to lead these work. UNICEF in Kazakhstan is seeking for a consultant to lead the implementation of ECD mobile application for parents and support the capacity building of the service providers to children with HIV and other chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Assignment

UNICEF Kazakhstan is looking for a consultant to lead the finalization of early childhood development (ECD) mobile application for parents and providing support to build the capacity of service providers at the local and national levels working with the vulnerable children in support of the programmes implemented jointly with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The ECD mobile application will be rolled out allowing parents to find answers to their questions about pregnancy, child development, nutrition, a safe environment, prevention of domestic violence and prevention of COVID-19. The consultant will be also providing guidance to Nur-Sultan city authorities and supporting the Semey city authorities in building the capacities of the specialists of the AIDS-centers, PHC facilities and educational specialists on psychosocial services provision to the children with HIV and other chronic diseases.

The objective and major tasks of the consultancy:

Develop/update the ECD app project implementation plan and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities and progress; advise UNICEF on issues that may impact the achievement of the project outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance). ● Act as a primary focal point for coordination with the subject matter experts such as health specialist, nutrition specialist, copywriter and implementing partner “Republican Electronic Healthcare centre”(RCEH) under the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, participating regional health departments and UNICEF Kazakhstan team to ensure quality assurance and update of the existing app content as well as technical integration. ● Review the available content of the UNICEF Regional Office database of ECD materials for parents, identify useful products and lead the team of experts to adapt them to the context in Kazakhstan and produce high quality new content per the agreed content structure with the Ministry of Health; Ensure a comprehensive quality adaptation of all content into Kazakh language; ● Establish productive engagement with the Republican Electronic Healthcare Centre, provide critical inputs and facilitate the joint workplan timely implementation, including technical testing and the focus groups with the beneficiaries. ● Provide guidance and facilitate effective coordination with the national and local authorities in developing the capacities of Semey: - 90 specialists of AIDS centers and PHC facilities on psychosocial support services for children and adolescents living with HIV or other chronic disease; - specialists of AIDS centers on effective transition of adolescents living with HIV to adult care (based on the national methodological recommendations); - children and adolescents living with HIV and Diabetes on self-management of chronic disease (based on the national methodological recommendations); - 30 pilot schools on stigma prevention and support of children Living with HIV (LWHIV) (based on the national methodological recommendations). • Support procurement components of the workplans in coordination with the responsible UNICEF staff.

Deliverables: 1. Effective facilitation of finalizing technical documentation and handing over the mobile application to RCEH; 2. Comprehensive content of the application is developed in consultation with the experts and approved in line with UNICEF quality assurance standards; 3. Co-lead and closely interact with RCEH and other relevant stakeholders on completing integration works between patronage nurse mobile application and ECD mobile application for parents; 4. Co-lead and closely interact with RCEH and other relevant stakeholders on integration works with all required databases and information system of MOH; 5. Focus groups are conducted with the beneficiaries to test the app and necessary improvements are introduced in coordination with the RCEH experts before a full fledge roll out of the ECD app; 6. Activities on development of capacities in the framework of the workplan with the Department of Employment of Semey city is facilitated in coordination with MLSP and UNICEF teams; 7. Three online trainings for 90 specialists of AIDS centers and PHC facilities on psychosocial support services for children and adolescents living with HIV or other chronic disease are organized; 3 online trainings for specialists of AIDS centers on effective transition of adolescents living with HIV to adult care (based on the national methodological recommendations) are organized; 3 online trainings for children and adolescents living with HIV and Diabetes on self-management of chronic disease are organized; 8. Three online trainings for 30 pilot schools on stigma prevention and support of children LWHIV (based on the national methodological recommendations) jointly with the MLSP and UNICEF partners are organized; 9. Timely guidance and support on the procurement components, including checking the documentation of the partners, specifications, adherence to the procedures are provided per the approved project workplans; 10. Submit the progress reports upon request and recommendations on further scale up of the ECD mobile app and capacity building of service providers in the area of health, social protection and education.

All the deliverables are implemented under the supervision of Health and Nutrition Specialist and in close collaboration with Innovations Officer, Community Engagement Officer and relevant programme officers.

Work Assignment Overview

1. Tasks/Milestones: 1. Facilitate preparation and handing over the technical documentation on the ECD Mobile Application from the International IT University (they tested the MA in 2020) to the Republican E-Health Center under the Ministry of Health for finalization aimed for the national scaling-up; 2. Lead the engagement of subject matter experts on ECD content improvement and ensure it is in line with the UNICEF Quality Assurance standards; 3. Supporting the Semey city authorities in engaging trainers for strengthening the capacities of the AIDS center and PHC facilities on psychosocial support services for children and adolescents living with HIV or other chronic disease ensuring competitive process. Deliverables/Outputs: 1. Report with the description of the process and status of the technical documentation finalization in line with the Kazakhstan standards and handing over from the ITTU to REH Center provided; 2. Terms of References for the subject matter experts (nutrition, health, copywriting services) developed and advertised; 3. Terms of reference for trainers on strengthening capacities of the Semey city AIDS center and PHC facilities staff developed. Date: By the end of August 2021

2. Tasks/Milestones: 1) Co-lead and closely interact with the Republican E-Health Center and other relevant stakeholders on completing integration works between the Patronage nurse mobile application and ECD mobile application for parents; 2) Co-lead and closely interact with RCEH and other relevant stakeholders on integration works with all required databases and information system of MOH; 3) Comprehensive content of the application is developed in consultation with the experts and approved in line with UNICEF quality assurance standards; 4) Administrative support provided to the Department of Employment of Semey city in organizing 3 online trainings for 90 specialists of AIDS centers and PHC facilities on psychosocial support services for children and adolescents living with HIV or other chronic disease. Deliverables/Outputs: 1) Report with the description of the process and the status of the integration interaction of the ECD mobile application with the Patronage nurse mobile application; 2) Protocols/minutes of the meetings and decisions on the integration of the ECD mobile application with all required databases and information systems of the Ministry of Health; 3) The structure of the ECD mobile application (articles, information pieces, new functionality of both mobile applications is developed by REHC); 4) Training report on supporting 3 online trainings for 90 specialists of Semey city AIDS centers and PHC facilities on psychosocial support services for children and adolescents living with HIV or other chronic diseases submitted jointly with experts engaged. Date: By end of September 2021

3. Tasks/Milestones: 1) Co-facilitate the focus groups with the beneficiaries to test the ECD Mobile application for parents and introduce necessary improvements in coordination with the experts from the REHC before the final roll out of the ECD MA; 2) Co-facilitate activities on development of capacities on effective transition of adolescents living with HIV to adult care (based on the national methodological recommendations) and for children living with HIV and Diabetes on self-management of chronic disease in the framework of the workplan with the Department of Employment of Semey city in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and UNICEF; 3) Facilitation the updating of the content of the ECD MA after the focus groups discussions and testing. Deliverables/Outputs: 1) Report with the outcomes and description of the focus groups discussions provided; 2) Content of the ECD mobile app is ready for uploading; 3) 3 online trainings for specialists of AIDS centers on effective transition of adolescents living with HIV to adult care supported; 4) 3 online trainings for children and adolescents living with HIV and Diabetes on self-management of chronic disease are organized; 5) Content of the ECD MA is updated in line with the recommendations of the focus groups discussions. Date: By end of October 2021

4. Tasks/Milestones: 1) Facilitate approval of the content of the ECD mobile application ensuring it is ready to be uploaded. 2) Support presentation of the ECD mobile application for parents and Patronage nurse mobile application for health workers at the national level. 3) Provide administrative support in organizing three online trainings for 30 pilot schools on stigma prevention and support of children LWHIV (based on the national methodological recommendations) jointly with the MLSP and UNICEF partners. Deliverables/Outputs: 1) The content of the ECD Mobile App for parents is ready for uploading. 2) ECD and Patronage nurse mobile applications presented at the national level; 3) 3 online trainings 30 pilot schools on stigma prevention and support of children Living with HIV supported. Date: By end of November 2021

5. Tasks/Milestones: 1) Provide recommendations on further scale up of the ECD mobile application and capacity building of the service providers in the area of health, social protection and education to use the ECD mobile application in Kazakhstan and beyond; 2) Facilitate the process of finalization the technical documentation after the industrial testing of ECD mobile application to be ready to be taken on MOH’s balance. Deliverables/Outputs: 1) Report with recommendations for scaling up of the ECD MA and training of the relevant service providers submitted; 2) The minutes of the meetings and the MoH’s official notification on taking the ECD MA on their balance is received. Date: By end of December 2021

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… • University degree (in technology, business administration or management, public relations, international development or other relevant fields. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 3 years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. • Experience in managing projects in the international development field is required; • At least 3-year experience in project development and management; • Experience in monitoring, reporting and coordination in either public or private sector organizations is an asset; • Experience in the delivery of projects that specifically relate to health or Early Childhood Development is desirable; • Experience in procurement would be an asset; • Fluency in English and Russian is required. Knowledge of Kazakh language is an asset. • Previous experience with UNICEF or the UN is an advantage. • Competencies: 1. Managing projects, including in the international development field; 2. Project development; 3. Working with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skill; 4. Relating and Networking 5. Persuading and Influencing 6. Analyzing 7. Planning and Organizing • Additional skills: 1. Good familiarity and comfort with failure. 2. Strong familiarity with the cultural and political context of Kazakhstan. 3. Proven capacity to work with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skill. 4. Strong negotiation skills, including with the governmental and international partners. 5. Ability to meet the deadlines and follow the established procedures and rules.

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture) View our functional competencies framework Functional Competencies.pdf

Remarks: • Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract. • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. • 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. • UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. • All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. • The Individual contractor or Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures. • The successful candidate will be required to have medical insurance (at his/her own cost), covering the whole period of contract, including travel. • 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. • Payment upon completion of each deliverable according to schedule. 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.