International Consultant for Comprehensive Social Protection Assessment (CODI) and Shock Responsive Social Protection, 60 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Consultant Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead assessment of Tajikistan's social protection and develop a responsive framework.

You have:

• Advanced University Degree in Law, Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics or related field. Social Protection qualifications would be desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in Social Policy (social protection, child protection, labour, cash transfers, M&E, Shock Responsive Social Protection, etc.). Work experience in social protection is a must.
• Expertise in developing countries and/or CEE/CIS are an asset. Familiarity with the local context in Tajikistan is a distinct advantage.
• Experience of influencing and negotiating with senior government officials and staff of international aid agencies will be an asset. Good knowledge of social protection floor framework.
• Demonstrated international experience in facilitating participatory processes and consensus building with diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding values, perspectives, and sustainable outcomes with the realities of current challenges across stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik an asset.

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,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Government of Tajikistan endorsed Strategy on Development of Social Protection of Population for the period of up to 2040 (hereafter Strategy). The Social Protection Strategy is a framework document that reflects comprehensive vision of Tajikistan’s prospects for the social protection sector and its development priorities. It focuses on required institutional reforms, need for sustainable social development, necessity for ensuring social security for people throughout life cycle, as well as fosters enhancements of social justice.

The Strategy draws attention to pressing challenges and problems and is aimed at developing and implementing specific measures for the most priority directions in the medium- and long-term perspectives. Priority directions based on three stages of life cycle: a) pregnancy, childhood and adolescence, b) working age and c) old age. Disability & inclusion, shock responsiveness during emergencies and crises, gender and governance are identified as priority cross-cutting areas.

With the aim of achieving above-mentioned priorities, key government organizations of Tajikistan and Development partners in charge of social protection have initiated an in-depth assessment of the social protection system of Tajikistan using robust tool i.e. Core Diagnostic Instrument, to be done from July to December 2023 (hereafter CODI).

CODI is unique in providing a unified framework to carry out a comprehensive assessment of social protection system performance, allowing governments to identify duplications, fragmentation, and inefficiencies across schemes and programs.

The Core Diagnostic Instrument (CODI) has been specifically designed to:

• Map the elements of a social protection system in a given country, including national objectives, strategies, policies, programs, and schemes of the social protection system.
• Analyze social protection system performance against national social protection objectives and track progress against a standardized set of performance criteria over time.
• Serve as an evidence base for country dialogue on how to strengthen a social protection system and identify a set of entry level policy reform options, considering local conditions.
• Promote exchange & coordination between national & international partners.

Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) being lead ministry on Social Protection has requested UNICEF to provide technical and capacity support to conduct CODI which will support MoHSP, relevant ministries and development partners to develop a framework to make social protection system responsive to shocks and crises as well as to support in costing anticipatory action for selected recurring emergencies and undertaking modeling to assess the impacts of the preparatory actions.

How can you make a difference?

The overall objective of the Consultancy is to lead the comprehensive assessment of the social protection system (CODI) in Tajikistan and development of Shock Responsive Social Protection framework. The Consultancy aims to provide high quality technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population in coordinating the process of assessing selected social protection programmes and developing framework that would enable to link social protection with preparedness, response and recovery before, during and after emergencies.

The Consultant will lead the assignment and work in a team of local consultants engaged by UNICEF and other development partners i.e. WB and WFP.

Specific objectives include:

• Facilitate work of the interagency Task Force lead by Office of Prime-Minister to carry out diagnostic of the Social Protection System in Tajikistan.
• Guide team of local experts to i) assess the social protection programmes and policies; ii) analyse different types of social protection programs and schemes; iii) conduct in-depth analysis of different implementation of social care services.
• Develop detailed recommendation on how to strengthen Social Protection System in Tajikistan.
• Develop shock responsive social protection framework, specifically focusing on strengthening preparedness, response and recovery phases in emergency.
• Support in costing anticipatory actions for selected recurring emergencies by undertaking modeling to assess the impacts of the preparatory actions.
• Develop a transparent and robust M&E system that is aligned with minimum standards of care/ SP floor, methodologies, processes and procedures to provide protection to the vulnerable.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 60 working days between July 2023 to May 2024

Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervisor: Social Policy Specialist

1. Implementation level and duration

The assignment will be implemented predominantly at national level, involving relevant stakeholders and government partners. The overall duration of the assignment would tentatively be from July 2023 to May 2024, with possibility of extension as required. Maximum of two in-country missions for total of 20 days are envisaged.

2. Scope of the work (Description of the assignment)

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the consultant, in close cooperation other national consultants, and under the guidance of UNICEF will:

CODI

• Analyse relevant statistics and key laws, government decrees and other legal documents on the social protection of Tajikistan.
• Based on reviewed information, assessment questionnaires, prepare final draft of the CODI report
• Coordinate team of experts engaged in data collection for different SP programmes.
• Through a consultative process involving team members, draft policy briefs on current challenges, policy gaps and administration issues and prepare practical recommendations for selected social protection programmes.
• Facilitate and present outcomes of the CODI in a validation workshop and, based on received inputs from other stakeholders, make relevant inputs to finalise the report.

Shock responsive Social Protection

• Carry out series of consultation meetings with the stakeholders and develop a framework that links social protection system with nature- and man-made crises and emergencies, specifically focusing on strengthening preparedness, response and recovery phases in emergency, including linkages between humanitarian cash transfers and social services.
• Jointly with the team of experts contribute to identifying and costing anticipatory actions for selected recurring natural emergencies. Partake in undertaking modeling to assess the impacts of the preparatory actions with the focus of climate change.

Social Protection M&E framework

• Recommend an architect and develop a robust M&E system/framework, including feedback mechanisms, that are aligned with minimum standards of care/ SP floor, methodologies, processes and procedures to provide protection to the vulnerable.
• Carry out series of meetings with stakeholders to explore possibility of aligning existing databases into unified registry of vulnerable people ensuring interoperability between databases.

1. Methodology

The selected consultant will apply the adapted CODI methodology to the national context of Tajikistan and develop a detailed implementation plan with specific timelines and targets. In consultations with national and international stakeholders will produce high-quality reports and recommendations for each identified priority areas.

The assignment needs to be implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MOHSP), Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of Population (MOLMEP), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Education and Science, Agency on Social Insurance and Pensions as well as to liaise with the Task Force established by the MOHSP.

2. Ethical considerations

The assignment will be guided by UNEG Ethical Guidelines[1] and UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards[2. The common guiding principles will be used to ensure ethical safety during the ethical review process:

• Privacy and confidentiality
• Informed consent
• Harm and benefits
• Conflict of interest

3. Management and supervision

The consultant is expected to work under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist (Social Protection) who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF Chief Social Policy, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist and MOSHP. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the work plan electronically (in Word and/or Excel formats) in English language.

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[1] http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/102

[2] UNICEF PROCEDURE FOR ETHICAL STANDARDS IN RESEARCH, EVALUATION, DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS, April 2015

8. Reporting requirements

Lists of the reporting guidelines and the reports to be prepared during the assignment as well as deadlines for submission; it includes requirements such as contents, number of copies, language, who should receive the reports and whether they should be submitted electronically (specify the file format; e.g. "pdf"), in hard copy, or both.

Examples of potential types of reports are:

• • Progress reports and minutes of meetings
  • Technical and Study Reports
  • M&E framework
  • Final report
  • Policy briefs
  • Presentation materials.

  Tasks/Milestone:

1. Conduct social protection analysis of the related technical reports, laws, decrees and statistics etc. (CODI)
2. Develop technical briefs for selected social protection programmes (CODI)
3. Carry out series of consultation meetings with the stakeholders and develop a framework that links social protection system with nature-and man-made crises and emergencies, specifically focusing on strengthening preparedness, response and recovery phases in emergency, including linkages between humanitarian cash transfers and social services
4. Partake in identifying and modeling assess to the impacts of the anticipatory actions with the focus of climate change, including costing of proposed actions
5. Recommend an architect and putting in place a transparent and robust M&E system for social protection, including feedback mechanisms, that are aligned with minimum standards of care/ SP floor, methodologies, processes and procedures to provide protection to the vulnerable

6. Carry out series of meetings with stakeholders to explore possibility of aligning existing databases into unified registry of vulnerable people ensuring interoperability between databases Tasks/Milestone:

   Deliverables/Outputs:

   Timeline

   Payment

   Conduct social protection analysis of the related technical reports, laws, decrees and statistics etc. (CODI

   Del. 1. 1

   1. Inception Report: The consultant should provide inception report detailing clear approach, methodology, workplan for the assignment. This is normally done by the consultant after the desk review.
   2. First Draft CODI Assessment Report
   3. Final CODI Report

   Policy Brief

   July – December 2023

   40%

   Develop technical briefs for selected social protection programmes (CODI)

   Del. 1.2

   a) Summary of challenges, policy gaps, administration issues and recommendations included in the technical briefs

   August – September 2023

   Carry out series of consultation meetings with the stakeholders and develop a framework that links social protection system with nature- and man-made crises and emergencies, specifically focusing on strengthening preparedness, response and recovery phases in emergency, including linkages between humanitarian cash transfers and social services

   Del.2.

   a) Final draft of the shock responsive social protection framework

   August – November 2023

   30%

   Partake in identifying and modeling assess to the impacts of the anticipatory actions with the focus of climate change, including costing of proposed actions

   b) Draft costing of the anticipatory actions for selected recurring natural emergencies

   November 2023 – May 2024

   Recommend an architect and putting in place a transparent and robust M&E system for social protection, including feedback mechanisms, that are aligned with minimum standards of care/ SP floor, methodologies, processes and procedures to provide protection to the vulnerable

   Del. 3.

   a) Final M&E framework and feedback mechanism

   January- May 2024

   30%

   Carry out series of meetings with stakeholders to explore possibility of aligning existing databases into unified registry of vulnerable people ensuring interoperability between databases

   b) Final set of recommendations to align existing databases into single social protection registry

   January-May 2024

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

• Advanced University Degree in Law, Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics or related field. Social Protection qualifications would be desirable;
• Working experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in Social Policy (social protection, child protection, labour, cash transfers, M&E, Shock Responsive Social Protection, etc.). Work experience in social protection is a must;
• Expertise: Work experience in developing countries and/or CEE/CIS will be an asset. Familiarity with the local context in Tajikistan is a distinct advantage;

• Skills:

• Experience of influencing and negotiating with senior government officials and staff of international aid agencies will be an asset. Good knowledge of social protection floor framework

• Demonstrated international experience in facilitating participatory processes and consensus building with diverse stakeholders
• Understanding values, perspectives, and sustainable outcomes with the realities of current challenges across stakeholders
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment
• Languages: Excellent written and verbal communication in English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Financial proposal specifying all-inclusive (lump sum) fees against the deliverables listed above, including all associated travel costs (if applicable), requested for the tasks described in the Terms of Reference in USD.
• Short sample or links to related work( per TOR) previously conducted by the consultant
• Contact of three referees (recent direct supervisors)
• Specific date to start assignment
• Applications without a financial quote will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 21 June 2023 on UNICEF website.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org