Individual National Consultancy for Supporting MoLSP in development of institutional architecture and structural changes

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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.

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The system of formal social services in Turkmenistan had not changed substantially since Soviet times and is still highly centralized with most services provided by state institutions. Access to social services is limited and category-based, with mechanisms slowly developing for the individual needs of service users to be taken into consideration[1]. In addition, social work as a profession is not yet developed and the social service workforce is not equipped with the competencies to execute social work functions to address the needs of vulnerable children.[2]

Considering the above, the SDG Funded Joint programme on the introduction of community-based social services established social work practice supporting the most vulnerable. Newly recruited and trained social workers conducted needs assessments and developed support plans for connecting the vulnerable population to the existing services in 20 districts of the country.

Additionally, in 2021, UNICEF conducted a functional assessment of the existing child protection system in Turkmenistan to support institutional changes and frame an effective provision of integrated social protection, social services, and child protection services through referral bodies. Following the recommendations of the assessment, in 2022, the Ministry of Justice, in consultation with the social and justice sector ministries and UNICEF, has prepared a package of legal documents including the draft Regulations of the Commissions on Child Protection and Family Support at all levels, which provides opportunities to reform the child-care system of the country. Under these regulations, ministries and agencies, as well as child protection bodies should ensure that every child is protected against violence and has a safe and nourishing family environment.

Based on the analysis of the findings from over 800 cases, a variety of scenarios for the integration of a model of inclusive community-based services in the existing social protection system was presented to the government. The preliminary analysis also set the ground for the launch of 12 specialized social services for children, youth at risk, women facing gender-based violence, families with substance use abuse, persons with disabilities, and older people in need of support with basic everyday care. The data generated from the pilots provided evidence for socio-economic analysis and the Final Analysis and Recommendations for social service system development in Turkmenistan and the Roadmap for the government on the further scale-up and development of the community-based social services until 2030. To ensure the sustainability of the JP results, the key deliverables of the Roadmap, including preparation of the National Social Services Development Plan till 2030 were reflected at the National Presidential Program of Social and Economic Development 2022-2028.

In order to implement the tasks set for the Presidential Socio-Economic Development Programme for 2022-2028, and the Law on Social Services, a draft NSSDP was developed by the MoLSP with UNICEF support. Immediate next actions are needed to support the development of the institutional architecture of the proposed reform, facilitating structural changes and ensuring fiscal space allocations for the efficient scale-up of the community-based social services into each etrap (district) of the country starting from 2024.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) task force, including the Social Provision Division, Methodology, and International Departments and in close consultation with the UNICEF-supported international consultancy organization Partnership for Every Child, the national consultant will be responsible for providing technical support in the development of institutional architecture and structural changes in line with the National Social Services Development plan to ensure the sustainability of the social services reform.

The consultant will be implementing his/her tasks under the guidance of the Social Policy Specialist and Child Protection Officer, and in collaboration with the NGO Partnership for EveryChild (P4EC) contracted by UNICEF to support the Government of Turkmenistan in social and child protection system reform.

Work Assignment Overview: National Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks in cooperation with the MoLSP and other related ministries leading the social and child protection sector reforms:

Tasks/Milestone:

1. Support in structural change and fiscal space creation

1.1. Support the Ministry in reinforcing the adoption of the revised Statutory documents of the MoLSP to create an enabling environment for the necessary structural changes and scale-up of services to every etrap

1.2. Arrange and facilitate consultations with the partners to draft costed scenarios of institutional architecture for the necessary structural changes of community-based social services to every etrap

1.3. Support MoLSP in preparation of scale-up proposals into the 2024 draft state budget with necessary fiscal space expenditures assigned for the proposed structural changes for the efficient scale-up of community-based social services (creating relevant subdivisions/branches of social service institutions at the level of etraps and cities with the rights of etraps)

2. Support in the creation of a High-level Intersectoral Coordination Committee

2.1. Support in the creation of a High-level Intersectoral Coordination Committee for social protection to reinforce cross-sectoral cooperation and referral mechanisms among the Social Protection, Health, Education, Law enforcement, local authorities and other relevant players in consultation with the international technical team

2.2. Development of regulations to support the creation of intersectoral coordination mechanisms/strengthening of the social protection and child protection systems at the velayat and etrap levels

2.3. Support the Ministries to reconsider the structure of the child protection system and prepare supporting documents for strengthening the system with consideration of the UNCRC recommendations

2.4. Provide assistance to the Ministry of Adalat to convene two high-level round tables to discuss the improvement of the structure and functions of the Commission on Minors and Guardianship and Trusteeship Authorities

3. Support in the revision of policies and adoption of SOPs, instruments, reporting tools and forms

3.1. In collaboration with the MoLSP and with guidance from the International technical team, support the Social Provision division in:

- final revision of internal norms and provisions taking into account emerging practice;

- revision of the social work Standard operation procedures (SOPs) and instruments at the primary level (universal community-based social services) and secondary level (specialized services), including in relation to standardizing referral mechanisms from the primary to secondary and tertiary level services;

- facilitate the adoption of the SOPs and instruments by MoLSP

3.2. In collaboration with the MoLSP and with guidance from the International technical team, support the Social Provision division in the revision of reporting and needs assessment forms and tools with the goal of structuring the monitoring and evaluation system for daily analysis

3.3. In collaboration with the MoLSP and with guidance from the International technical team, support the Social Provision division in the development of policies related to planning, promotion, supervision and continuous professional development of social work specialists and social workers

3.4. Support the development of a multi-sectoral referral protocol for coordination among statutory referral organs to respond to violence against children

Submission of applications:

The technical proposal should include

• A cover letter, including
  • Assessment of suitability vis-à-vis the requirements of this TOR. TOR for NC on Structural changes_for posting.pdf
  • A summary of experience in similar assignments.
  • Links to/attachments of examples of similar work.
• CV of the candidate and P11 form
• Contacts of 3 References

Financial Proposal: Candidates need to submit a financial proposal as a separate attachment to complete the entire assignment based on the terms of reference. The consultant will be responsible for arranging his/her own travel and should submit all invoices to UNICEF for payment. Consultancy fees should be broken down to show the detail for the following:

Consultancy Fee: 120 working days

Unit cost:

Total in USD:

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

• Minimum Qualifications required: Bachelors Disciplines: social sciences, law, economics, or other related fields. Advanced University degree in Social Sciences will be an asset .
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the area of social sciences /development or related field, including the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks, project management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, methodological support, and research.
• Strong familiarity with economic analysis, and budget forecasting, as well as the ability to state the analysis in the format relevant to the MoLSP.
• Proven knowledge and/or professional experience in the methodology and legal document development.
• Relevant experience in/with government institutions and structures
• Proven strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the national social protection sector.
• Proven analytical and report-writing skills.
• Fluency in Russian and Turkmen; knowledge of the English language will be an asset.

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.