International Consultant to conduct capacity building of Academia and Government entities on data analysis and using data for policy and decision making

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, an advocate

Policy briefs are useful tools for conveying the implications of empirical and scientific evidence for policy and practice. Developing effective policy briefs requires a specific set of analytical and communication skills. Given the limited use of data for policy planning in Turkmenistan, including in the area of child rights, UNICEF Turkmenistan CO aims to develop the national capacities of academia and line Ministries to use the data for effective policy planning and evaluation. Policy briefs can be used to inform and influence policy makers of the importance or urgency of children’s issues identified, and the need to adopt certain actions outlined that help realize the rights of children, especially of the most marginalized.

Having recognized the importance of policy briefs UNICEF would like to mainstream this practice in national processes. In this regard, a training course is proposed to be developed and piloted at the selected academic institutions and SDG working group. This training course will contribute to increased capacity of academia and line Ministries to use the data in public and policy advocacy, and programme reporting, implementation and evaluation.

Considering that Census was completed in 2024, and MICS 7 is being finalized, line Ministries and Academia have an opportunity to use these sources to conduct further data analysis and develop evidence-based policy briefs and submit them for further consideration of the Government.

How can you make a difference?

Consultant will work in close coordination and guidance of UNICEF Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and cooperate with other staff members.

Methodology

This consultancy will focus on 2 main goals:

1) Review the current approaches in policy planning and evaluation and develop a vision for UNICEF and partners on capacity building in this area through academia and Line Ministries

2) Conduct 2 trainings: i) For 20-30 representatives from Academia, and ii) for 20-30 line Ministries from SDG working group. Training may contain the following:

- Definition of evidence-based policy making and evaluation and understanding the use of data;

- Use of available data from MICS and other surveys and studies for data analysis and development of policy briefs on gender equality, people with disabilities, violence (depending on the relevance and choice of the participants).

It is expected that varying participatory methods will be applied in order to maximize participant involvement and learning while accommodating for diverse learning styles.

- Group work and brainstorming should be used for every conceptual session to ensure full engagement and their knowledge gaps are addressed

- Hands on data analysis session using data sources available, such as MICS, Census and other survey and studies

- Policy briefs writing practice based on key programme advocacy priorities should be extensively used in order to equip participants with skills.

- Peer review and constructive feedback are important to facilitate peer learning and knowledge exchange among participants.

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline:

Design a 4-day training outline, agenda and training handouts which include lecture and practice exercises for 2 types of trainings

• A training outline, agenda shared with UNICEF CRM-E Specialist for inputs and comments before the training taken place.
• Training materials including handouts and soft files prepared shared with participants.

5 days

Facilitate 4-day trainings on effective policy briefs for 2 groups of people

• 2 trainings of 4 days each will be facilitated.
• Exercise will be conducted for participants to prepare, practice, and demonstrate the skills taught.
• Feedbacks and recommendations to be shared with individual participants for further improvement and practice after the assessment.

8 days

Develop a proposed mid-Term vision

• Develop a mid-term vision with specific steps for expanding capacity building on data analysis and use for policy making

2 days

Please read the attached TOR for the details on the required submission package and selection process.

TOR_Capacitybuilding_PolicyBrief revised 11 July 2024 Final for adv.pdf

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

• Advanced degree in statistics, demography, social sciences, international development or related fields relevant for the assignment
• Previous similar experience conducting data analysis and use capacity building with UNICEF is an advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in data analysis and development of analytical reports and policy documents related to children;
• Proven experience in using data for policy briefs and training on evidence-based policy planning and evaluation.
• Knowledge of human rights-based approach to programming
• Experience in facilitating consultations with government representatives, NGOs, academia, children, adolescents and other stakeholders.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Russian language will be an asset;
• Excellent data analysis, interpretation and writing skills

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.