Deadline Extended - Individual consultant: Identification of the profile of children, adolescents and youth who are out-of-school - UNICEF Moldova

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

UNICEF’s mission in Moldova is to make sure every child in the country is healthy, educated and safe from harm, therefore having the best start in life and a fair chance to reach her or his full potential and benefit from the country’s prosperity. We believe children have a right to live in a more equitable society, where their voices are heard, and needs met as a matter of priority in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. More information on what we do in Moldova is available at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova/

How can you make a difference?

1. Purpose of the contract

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Government of the Republic of Moldova in reducing the rate of early dropout rate from education and the number of out-of-school children, by:

• improving the statistical information, analysis and monitoring regarding out-of-school children and early school leavers;
• identifying bottlenecks and analyzing existing interventions related to enhanced school participation;
• informing policies and strategies for accelerating and up-scaling enrolment and sustaining attendance rates and continuation of studies for the excluded and marginalized.

2. Activities and tasks

• Review the mechanism for collection of data and identify areas for improving data collection on OOSC, absenteeism, drop-out and early school leaving.
• Provide recommendations for the development of a monitoring system based on an improved data gathering process that is regular, transparent and follows the same methodology for children and adolescents out of school and those at risk of non-returning to school, dropping out or of leaving school early with definitions, indicators – that will cover a wide range of dropout predictors, including non-engagement in distance or blended learning, mental health and psychosocial support risks, protection risks and overall socio-emotional risks due to the COVID-19 crisis – and benchmarks in line with international, mainly European standards, and contextualized to the country situation.
• Provide technical assistance for measuring selected indicators of students’ school drop-out and early school leaving.
• Based on the existing methodological frameworks, research and on the country context and situation, develop a methodology, collect the data and draft data analysis report that profiles the OOSC in Moldova and supports MECR to identify priority groups of children and adolescents who miss school, drop-out of school or are at risk of dropping out or of early school leaving.
• Develop a methodology at the school and community levels for the identification of children at risk of non-returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic or summer vacation or of dropping out of school and out of school children and adolescents.
• Develop an ‘early warning system’ based on the best international practices contextualized to the country situation.
• Propose a few low-cost, sustainable school and community-based interventions for children at risk of drop-out or early school leaving (based on the analyses of international, mainly European good practices) in order to reduce drop-out and early school leaving.
• Support the government’s efforts to develop an Action Plan to reduce the numbers of OOSC, drop-out and early school leaving.

*While the tasks listed are the primary tasks, the consultant is expected to also assist with other related tasks, even if not stated explicitly on this list.

3. Working arrangements and reporting requirements

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF and will only be executed following approval from UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the work-plan electronically (in Word format) in English and Romanian. At each stage, deliverables shall be sent to UNICEF Education Specialist by email. The consultant will closely collaborate with MECR and other relevant state and non-state institutions and coordination groups.

4. Work location and travel involved

The work will require local travel in mutually agreed locations including in Chisinau. The consultant is expected to cover costs, arrange and schedule such visits, including transportation. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

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

• Advanced degree in relevant field, preferably education or social sciences.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience at the national or international level in relevant field, preferably in the education sector.
• Proven experience in the area of OOSC is a requirement.
• Strong background in education policy and systems development, monitoring and evaluation, education statistics, 2-3 peer-reviewed publications an asset.
• Experience to work with central and local authorities in the field of education, child protection and other relevant fields as well as with relevant CSOs and with the schools.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent command of English, Romanian both oral and written.
• Experience with UNICEF or other UN Agencies will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

ToR OOSC profile in Moldova_va.pdf

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain two separate attachments: Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

Technical Offer_OOSC profile.docx

Financial Offer_OOSC profile.xlsx

Applications for this assignment must be received no later than: 7 September 2020

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.

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.

Remarks:

Individual Consultants and Contractors are responsible for paying own taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.