International consultant to provide technical support to the Government of Kazakhstan on Shock Responsive Social Protection

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Type of contract: International consultant Duration: 60 working days starting from 30 April 2023 to 30 June 2023 Workplace: remote-based with in-country level

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, a fair chance

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Background SRSP.docx

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The overall purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to UNICEF Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Kazakhstan, and other engaged key stakeholders in strengthening social protection of families with children during emergencies with a focus on cash transfer program design, lessons learned and way forward.

The specific objectives of the assignment include the following: • Assessing and documenting Kazakhstan’s experience during 2019-2022 (including, but not limited to, the experience of the Government’s social support measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, response measures the inflation crisis and price shocks on global markets in 2022-2023, as well as the experience of humanitarian transfers of the Red Crescent and the local philanthropist and private sector organizations in case of emergencies) • Supporting the Government in the identification of the populations vulnerable to different types of emergencies (natural, technogenic, epidemiological, etc.). It is expected the selected consultant to pay particular attention to those categories of people that might be most easily missed in efforts to scale up social protection benefits in a humanitarian context: people on the move; people who are undocumented or do not have a legal status; separated/unaccompanied children; those in institutions; people who are digitally excluded due to lack of phones/tablets or due to lack of internet connectivity. • Providing expert support in reviewing the existing regulations, systems, and practices and generating evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the national shock-responsive social protection system (based on the current needs of the affected families). Particularly, the consultant has to look into whether and how the Digital Family Card, the Government’s innovative MIS, may be used to scale social protection benefits horizontally or vertically in humanitarian scenarios. • Technical support to develop a legislative package to institutionalize Humanitarian Response through a national system, such as the “Targeted Social Assistance” Program.

Scope of work SRSP.docx

Methodology Proposed and Implementation Phases: For this assignment, the selected consultant is expected to ensure that the proposed methodology includes, at least, the following phases and activities. A detailed methodology should be developed by the consultant in the inception phase of this assignment to be approved by UNICEF before implementation, and should as a minimum include the below methods: • Desk review ‐ detailed review of relevant literature and existing data and practices, as well as policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework in place in Kazakhstan, data and statistics available • Field research via key informant interviews with key stakeholders at national and local levels

Inception phase: The consultant will be responsible for undertaking the below major tasks: • To collect with UNICEF support and analyze data and information on social protection system in emergency context including legislation, policy and strategy documents, action plans, evaluations, institutional arrangements, capacities, and practices of the social protection mechanisms during emergencies and other crisis situations; • To review available data/ information, legislation, studies, and relevant documents to inform development of the methodology of the assessment and documenting and undertake stakeholder identification. • To develop, present and finalize a methodology of the work toUNICEF to facilitate an in-depth common understanding of the framework

Formulation Phase: Based on the methodology validated by UNICEF and in close consultation with UNICEF team, the consultant/s will undertake bilateral and group consultations and policy dialogue sessions with relevant ministries and actors to assess and discuss the resilience and capacity of the national social protection system to respond to shocks, identify and build consensus on the gaps and measures needed to enhance the system’s shock responsiveness. These discussions will help define the response model and the roles and responsibilities of relevant key actors and promote linkages between local and national levels as essential pillars for future responses.

The minimum list of key stakeholders includes: • Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MLSP). • Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MoE). • Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MoF). • Akimat of the city of Almaty, Aktobe oblast, Pavlodar oblast, Turkestan oblast, Kostanay oblast. • Social Protection departments of the city of Almaty, Aktobe oblast, Pavlodar oblast, Turkestan oblast, Kostanay oblast. • United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan. • Red Crescent Office in Kazakhstan. • The Bulat Utemuratov's Foundation.

The Consultant will be responsible for identifying and organizing (with UNICEF support) all meetings with relevant stakeholders and experts, on a remote or face-to-face basis, depending on circumstances and feasibility.

The consultant will be also responsible for analyzing collected row data and information, identifying opportunities and good practices, challenges, lessons learned, potential gaps in coverage, adequacy, and administration including integration of information management systems.

Finalization Phase In this phase, the consultant should present the first draft of the report to UNICEF and MLSP and wider stakeholders for review, receive comments and insights, and make the needed adjustments. The consultant will be required to secure the buy-in of the key stakeholders on the final document including the operational plan and timeframe.

Timeline for Implementation: April 2023-June 2023, 60 working days Detailed work plan and schedule will be agreed upon with the individual consultant. For each of the stages of the assignment, the following indicative but non-exhaustive tasks and timelines may be carried out.

Financial proposal The financial proposal should include all possible costs related to the implementation of the tasks under the present TOR including inter-city and in-city travel expenses. UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage. The financial proposal must be submitted in a separate file of non-editable format (e.g. PDF). Consultancy fees should be broken down to show the details for the below-mentioned deliverables. In case the bidder is a resident of Kazakhstan, please indicate VAT amount separately in your Financial Offer or clearly state if you are non-VAT payer.

Payment schedule UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other form of taxes. Two payments will be made based on the deliverables.

First payment (40%) will be made against deliverables under the tasks of the Document Review and Stakeholder/Key Informant Interviews. Second payment (60%) will be made against deliverables under the tasks of Presentation of the Draft Consolidated Report, with recommendations to the key stakeholders meeting and Finalization of the Consolidated report after validation during the key stakeholders meeting discussion. Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment or terminate the contract 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. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory or if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month-20%; 2 months-50%; more 2 months – payment withhold).

Reporting requirements: The expected structure of the final consolidated report is outlined below: 1. Cover page 2. Executive summary 3. Acronyms 4. Introducing the Assessment and Policy Context 4.1. Assessment aims and context 4.2. The country context 4.3. Policy context and key stakeholders 5. Key findings in terms of: policy frameworks, financing, coordination, targeting, registration & MIS, benefit delivery mechanism, implementation capacities, and M&E mechanisms 6. Lessons learned 7. Conclusion, recommendations and looking ahead 8. Appendices 8.1. Methodology 8.2. Any other relevant material Additional sections Acknowledgements List of figures List of tables Notes Bibliography All submissions should be in English in electronic versions (Word, Excel, Power Point, SPSS, tabulations etc.).

Work Assignment Overview

1. Tasks/Milestone: Document Review Deliverables/Outputs: Inception report validated by UNICEF. It includes the findings of the review, based on documentation analysis and initial consultations with key stakeholders, detailed action plan and a clear timeline for the assignment. The report should clearly present the methodology of the work, key assumptions, sources of information. Timeline: May 15th

2. Tasks/Milestone: Stakeholder/Key Informant Interviews Deliverables/Outputs: Field Visit Report with collected feedback from stakeholder/key informant interviews on performance of the existing social protection programs with regards to emergencies and documentation of relevant lessons learned. The Consultant is required to further append the following items to the Field Visit Report: • List of meetings/consultations/field visits attended • List of persons or organizations interviewed Timeline: May 31st

3. Tasks/Milestone: Presentation of the Draft Consolidated Report, with recommendations to the key stakeholders meeting Deliverables/Outputs: • Draft consolidated Report submitted to UNICEF (details above) • Presentation (MS Power Point) at key stakeholders meeting Timeline: June 15th

4. Tasks/Milestone: Finalization of the Consolidated report after validation during the key stakeholders meeting discussion Deliverables/Outputs: Final Consolidated Report validated by UNICEF (details above) Besides the Consolidated report the consultant is required to present: • a separate report with detailed recommendations on strengthening the legislative package (with proposed changes formulation into the legislation) for institutionalizing the Humanitarian Response through a national system of Targeted Social Assistance Program – validated by UNICEF • a policy brief with key findings and recommendations (max 4 pages) for advocacy purposes., validated by UNICEF Timeline: June 30th

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL

• TECHNICAL CRITERIA The quality of technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the award criteria and the associated weighting as detailed below.

Technical evaluation (maximum 70 Points)

1. Consultant’s profile Qualifications, relevance of experience and unique skillset

2. Completeness of Proposal Availability of detailed technical and financial proposal in line with TOR specifications

3. Proposed Methodologic Approach and Work Plan The quality of the approach and methods proposed to carry out the assignment as per the objectives, tasks and deliverables specified in the TOR Adequacy of management plan to guide implementation of activities within the specific timeframe

4. Past performance Quality of previous studies/reports conducted in English.

• FINANCIAL CRITERIA Candidates must submit a financial proposal for the whole assignment based on these Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should clearly state the cost of the services for each Deliverables/Outputs.

The financial proposal that provides the best value for money, meaning the lowest financial proposal, will receive the highest score during assessment. This is the main principle because saved funds will be directed towards other activities to aid children in Kazakhstan. Only financial proposals that fully cover all deliverables outlined in the terms of reference will be considered.

Application requirement

The consultancy is open to individual international applicants. Applicants are required to provide: - A short cover letter, highlighting relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words). - CV of the individual applicants - A technical proposal with tentative workplan and timeframe - Financial proposal including number of days for undertaking the assignment, daily fee, travel costs. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e., irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply. - Samples or links to at least 2 related pieces of work previously conducted by the consultant.

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

• An advanced university degree in the International Development, Social Policy, or related discipline required; • Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience on strengthening social protection systems and/or emergency cash transfer programming; • Experience in analysing and/or evaluating social protection systems and programmes, in particular cash transfer programmes, in various contexts; • Experience in designing, planning and monitoring social protection programmes, in particular cash transfer, in various contexts, including emergency contexts; • Previous work experience in Europe, Central Asia, and CIS countries is an asset; • Capacity to coordinate and support policy dialogue, demonstrated experience on facilitating advocacy and expert dialogue with Governments and other partners; • Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills; • Experience with successfully pitching new ideas to a variety of stakeholders; • Demonstrated expertise on gender- and child-sensitive social protection concepts, theories and practices; • Familiarity with international norms and standards for humanitarian action; • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations an asset • Fluency in verbal and written English; Knowledge of Kazakh and/or Russian is an asset; • Competencies: - Development and planning of social protection policies and strategies; - Engagement and maintainance networks with various stakeholders, in particularly with the public entities, development partners and other actors, including private financial service providers; - Skills and capacity for putting theoretical ideas into practical use.

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture)

Remarks: • Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract. • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. • All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. • The Individual contractor or Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures. • 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. • Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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 • 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. • 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.