International Consultant to support the development of strategy and tools for collaboration with FBOs on child health and wellbeing, with special emphasis on immunization with UNICEF in Uzbe

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, care!

Background In November 2022, tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Committee for Religious Affairs, Bord of Muslims of Uzbekistan, and UNICEF. Within the MoU, the parties plan to collaborate in broad areas that affect the child wellbeing and growth, including vaccination, health seeking behaviour, inclusive education, and others.

For the operationalization of the MoU, UNICEF is planning to engage an international expert to support the country office in the development of the long-term strategy and annual work-plans, including M&E framework for the collaboration with FBOs in the advancement of children rights and wellbeing, with special emphasis on immunization. In consultation with national partners, and religious leaders, the expert is also expected to compile and present for the consideration of national partners materials/tools, trainings/quick orientations that are developed by UNICEF global for religious leaders for the promotion of immunization and vaccine confidence. In consultation with relevant partners adapt the global tools to the local context.

Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Communication Section Chief and daily collaboration with the Social and Behaviour Change officer international consultant will: - develop long-term strategy and annual work-plans, including M&E framework for the collaboration with FBOs on child wellbeing, with emphasis on immunization. - compile and present for the consideration of national partners materials/tools, trainings/quick orientations that are developed by UNICEF global and worldwide that have successfully contributed to promoting vaccine uptake through religious leaders. - adapt the global tools to the local context in consultation with relevant partners.

The developed strategy, work plan and tools will be the basis for systematic and strategic engagement with FBOs for the child wellbeing and health.

Work Assignments Overview - Deliverables/Outputs - Timeline

Strategy and workplan development:

• Desk review of strategy examples from other country offices of UNICEF, UNICEF global guidance and tools for collaboration with FBOs for child wellbeing and health and development of an inception report for strategy development for the collaboration with FBOs - Inception report with proposed main areas of the strategy - July 2023;
• Consultations, including key informant interviews, FGDs, etc. as needed with relevant partners to identify the scope of the strategy - Fieldwork completed as planned in the inception report - August 2023;
• Presentation of the initial draft strategy and facilitation discussion with stakeholders - Zero draft of the strategy - September 2023

Adaptation of tools:

• Stocktaking of materials/tools, trainings/quick orientations that are developed and piloted globally by UNICEF and worldwide, and draft plan on the adaptation of those that are suitable for the country context - Inception report on the tools and adaptation plan - October 2023;
• Adaptation of the agreed tools and facilitation of their discussion with relevant stakeholders - Draft tools and materials for endorsement by national partners - January 2024;
• Validation of the tools with local stakeholders - Validated tools and materials - March 2024.

Total Number of working days: 90

Payment:

Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

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.

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

• Advanced university degree (post-graduation, Masters or PhD) in social studies, health communication, religious studies or another relevant field;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in partnering with FBOs, including the development of strategies and plans, adaptation of tools and training materials, conduction of trainings, and so on;
• Work experience with UN agencies/UNICEF is an asset;
• Work experience in the Central Asia or in Uzbekistan is 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.