Field monitors based in Gomel and Brest*, Consultant (National, Belarus) - Req

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Consultancy Title: Field monitors based in Gomel and Brest*, Consultant (National, Belarus)

Section/Division/Duty Station: Emergency section, UNICEF Belarus CO

Duration: October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024

Home/ office Based: Remote – Brest and Gomel (with visits to Minsk upon request/needs)

* Consultant based in Brest will cover entire Brest and Grodno region. Consultant based in Gomel will cover entire Gomel and Mogilev region as per agreed plan with the supervisor

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. Over 75 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

BACKGROUND

The Role of UNICEF in Belarus and the Program Scope

UNICEF in Belarus’s cooperation with the Republic of Belarus is based on long-term 2021-2025 Country Programme. It is based on the national priorities of the Republic of Belarus in the field of social development, health care and education. UNICEF in Belarus works very closely with the relevant government, civil society, private sector and mass media at the national and subnational levels for better well-being of children in Belarus. UNICEF has been strengthening its support to regional programmes and priorities based on programmatic areas and priorities included in the workplans with Brest and Gomel regions policies and results for children through systematic policy analysis and knowledge management, distillation of lessons from past and ongoing national reforms, successful and unsuccessful policy work including from demonstration projects, and the adaptation of good practices from within Belarus and across borders. Through this work, the CO’s collaboration at the regional and municipal levels is strengthened and provides greater evidence-based responses for advocacy to take programmes to scale.

Refugees and migrants' influx to Belarus

Since end of 2021 and beginning of conflict in Ukraine in early 2022, Belarus has experienced a significant influx of refugees and migrants, with over 117,550 Ukrainian individuals seeking safety within its borders. Out of these refugees, approximately 32,430 Ukrainians have officially registered and are residing in Belarus, with most of them being registered in Gomel and Brest regions, followed by other regions and Minsk city. The situation poses challenges in terms of addressing the urgent needs of these people and providing them with appropriate support and assistance. In response to this humanitarian crisis, UNICEF in Belarus has been actively collaborating with national and regional partners at the national level with more focus in the regions, especially in Brest and Gomel regions. Partnerships in this region includes Regional Executive Committee, regional departments of education, health, social protection, internal affairs, emergency situation, Red Cross, other civil society and mass media organizations.

Taking into consideration the importance of presence at subnational level for better coordination, monitoring and response to affected population, UNICEF in Belarus is looking to two consultants based in Brest and Gomel.

Purpose and objectives of consultancy:

These consultancies are intended to strengthen UNICEF presence at subnational level and provide support in coordination, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF programmes and emergency interventions at the indicated regions. Specific objectives for these consultancies are:

• to support coordination, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF interventions with regional partners among government and non-government organisations and other partners in the assigned regions;
• to maintain existing and identify new partnerships that can effectively contribute to the identified programmatic and emergency priorities;
• to remain up to date about the situation of children in the regions and inform UNICEF on a regular and timely basis.
• to outreach and identify the needs of the affected population (vulnerable families, refugees and migrants) using tools and communicate them to relevant teams in the UNICEF office on a timely manner.

Scope of Work:

Responsibilities

Under supervision of Emergency Coordinator and in consultation with other sections, the consultant’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Programme coordination, capacity development and support

• Liaison with the relevant partners in the regions on programmes based on the partnership agreements (such as rolling work plan, programme cooperation agreement and others)
• Identify and propose the mechanisms to discuss the achieved results and establish reporting mechanism to UNICEF and main implementing agency
• Support in organizing coordination meetings and other programmatic events
• Capacity development: field monitor may be involved in providing training and capacity-development support to partners and local stakeholders

Field Monitoring on vulnerable child groups, especially in humanitarian/ emergency context

The consultant’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment and monitoring: conduct rapid assessments of the situation on the ground and through social listening in traditional and social media. Collect and analyse data related to the needs of refugee and migrants' families with children, as well as the availability and functionality of essential services like healthcare, nutrition, education, social protection, and WASH.
• Emergency response coordination: coordinate UNICEF’s development and emergency programme interventions, collaborate with various partners, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other UN agencies to ensure a coordination and efficient emergency response.
• Child protection: report on child rights violations, case of exploitation, abuse, and separations from families to ensure that children are provided with the necessary support and protection to prevent further traumatization. Support implementation of psychosocial support and functionality of child-friendly spaces and corners.
• Advocacy and communication: convey urgent needs of refugees and migrants’ families with children to decision-makers, participate in Country Office efforts to garner support and resources for the emergency response, ensure proper visibility
• Quality assurance: ensure that partners’ interventions meet high UNICEF standards of quality and align with the organization’s principles and guidelines. Provide technical support and guidance to partners serving as a liaison between Emergency, Child Protection, Communication Teams and partners.
• Reporting and documentation: timely and accurate reporting on the emergency situation, progress of interventions, and challenges faced using developed indicators and making contribution to reporting tools such as SitRep
• Logistics and supplies: distribution of essential supplies such as goods certificates, tablets, hygiene kits.
• Community Engagement: work closely with affected and host populations to do outreach work, conduct needs assessment and collect feedback
• Partnership: Support the office in establishing new partnerships and strengthen existing one to foster sense of ownership

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables / Delivery Deadline:

1. Arrange regular meetings with partners and two review meetings
   • Regular meetings with the implementing partners in the region and two (2) review meetings organized, involving regional partners, UNICEF and regional administration (every 6 month), with summary report and follow up actions documented

October 2023 - September 2024

2. Collect data, report on project interventions, track indicators, and provide advice or suggestions for improvement according to objectives
   • Twelve (12) monthly reports submitted to UNICEF on development of project, project interventions, progress of partners, assessing PCA indicators and tasks with recommendations for adjustments October 2023 - September 2024
   • 36 program monitoring visits to implementation sites/trips as per approved plan with detailed trip report from each

October 2023 - September 2024

3. Negotiate with partners and local authorities on project implementation and interventions
   • Three (3) PCAs developed and concluded with implementing partners for 2023-2024 October 2023 - September 2024
   • Regular follow up on programme interventions on a regular basis as per separate action plan developed in consultation with programmes

October 2023 - September 2024

4. Outreach and support to affected population and Distribution of humanitarian aid
   • Regular outreach to affected population through partners, channels, messengers are conducted and new beneficiaries referred to the relevant services. At least 1200 beneficiaries are expected to be reached

October 2023 - September 2024

5. Regular situation analysis by assessing local mass media
   • Weekly reports of local mass media screening

October 2023 - September 2024

Travel (if required as per TOR):

Local travels in Belarus, based on the scheduled activities (to be included in the fees with condition of at least 3-8 working days travelling per month)

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree in the social/behavioral sciences including but not limited to development, economics, communication, social work, management, international relations or in a related technical field.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in Russian is required.

Work experience:

• More than 5 years of practical experience in project management and monitoring implementation at the local level.
• Experience of establishing partnerships and facilitation of the dialog with the local authorities on the project implementation.
• Experience of work with UN entities in Belarus is an advantage;
• Availability to perform the ToR requirements and meet deadlines;

Skills:

• Decent skills in working with vulnerable groups of population, especially with families with children;
• Good communication skills and ability to liaise with national, international and SCOs partners;
• Good managerial and organizational skills in arranging events with and for children and adolescents;
• Experience in facilitation of training activities;
• Ability to engage with vulnerable groups, especially families with children;
• High level of responsibility and ability to meet deadlines.

Competencies:

• Builds and maintains partnerships: Develop a network of formal and informal contacts through participation in networks or consultations with others.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness:• Display sensitivity and adjust language and tone, ensuring it is not demeaning or aggressive; Recognize own strengths and limitations, learning from mistakes made; Display appropriate ethical behaviours, refraining from discriminatory* language and actions.
• Drive to achieve results for impact: Plan and take ownership for delivering tasks with minimal supervision; Pay attention to detail, producing work of a high standard; Monitor activities on a regular basis, reviewing work plan to ensure progress and delivery; Ensure the completion of tasks, while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Innovates and embraces change: Review work practices, analyzing evidence-based trends to apply new methods and techniques; Respond flexibly to changing circumstances, priorities and deadlines; Display creativity, experiment with new approaches and demonstrate openness to changing existing practices.
• Manage ambiguity and complexity: Demonstrate resilience and composure, get things done despite challenges and maintain performance levels in pressured, adverse and uncertain environments.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Interested consultants should provide a letter of interest describing how they can contribute to the interventions listed under roles and responsibilities and why they should be selected for this position. In addition, they should share their latest CV and financial proposal to undertake this job.
• Financial Offer template Financial Offer template_Filed monitors_UNICEF Belarus.docx
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal should be submitted using the financial offer template and must:
  • Reflect the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment period (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • Include travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. Consultants are responsible for arranging their own transportation arrangements. UNICEF can provide office vehicle for some duty travel missions with prior agreement as per monthly travel plan approved by the supervisor
  • Include any other costs: visa, health insurance, payment of an incidental expenditure (such as bank charges, insurances, etc.) and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory 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.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

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:

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.