National consultancy on planning and monitoring of CAFC platform development in Belarus

Consultant Programme & Policy

Contract

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Since 2006, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the Republic of Belarus has been working with the Ministry of Education, and local executive and legislative authorities to implement UNICEF’s Global Child-Friendly City Initiative. The main goal of the initiative is to implement locally the policies aimed at protecting the rights of children and to create conditions for the development of their potential and improve the quality of the life of every child. In 2011, a Coordination Council was established under the National Commission on the Rights of the Child, whose functions include coordinating the development of the initiative in the Republic of Belarus, as well as monitoring and evaluating the progress of its implementation.

The National Center of Children’s and Youth Creativity of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the Republic of Belarus, supervises the activities of the Coordinating Council. In 2018, the initiative was transformed into the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City (CAFC) platform to localize the Sustainable Development Goals. As of August 2021, 30 cities have joined the platform, 24 of were certified as Child- and Adolescent-Friendly Cities, as well as an additional 14 candidate cities for accession, which have expressed a desire to take part in the implementation of the platform.

The Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform promotes the development of new forms of participation for children and adolescents in decision-making on issues relevant to their lives, mobilization of the public and the development of social partnership between state and non-governmental organizations in the field of protecting the rights of children, and budgeting in the interests of children.

One of the fundamental principles of the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City is the participation of children and adolescents themselves — the right of every child to take part in the life of the city and to be heard. To implement this principle, an effective system of interaction between local authorities and child and adolescent self-government bodies has been developed. With support from UNICEF, youth parliaments/councils have been established in the cities to strengthen and promote voices of broader adolescent audiences, including the most vulnerable, in the decision-making processes. This contributes to the development of dialogue between children and adults, as well as the participation of children and adolescents in decision-making processes.

Within the framework of the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform, a system is put in place for monitoring and assessing the situation of children in the city. Each city that has joined the implementation of the platform collects and analyzes objective and subjective data on 7 parameters, which informs the calculation of the city's child friendliness index and the report on the situation of children in the city. The city's child friendliness index and the report on the situation of children in the city highlight the growth points that are relevant for each specific city, which is the basis for developing an action plan to improve the situation of children in the city. Action plans are developed for 2-3 years and feature a system of participatory monitoring[1], including yearly interim monitoring. The findings of yearly interim monitoring are the basis for action plans adjustments which has to be done to address the needs of children and adolescents in a more effective way. Following the implementation of the said action plans, the cities re-calculate the city's child-friendliness index and produce a progress report. Based on the results achieved, the index values, the friendliness of the city to children, the Coordinating Council decides on award/confirming the honorary title of the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City.

All 44 cities participating in the platform were trained on the procedure for calculating the city's child-friendliness index. The 30 endorsed cities performed at least 1 calculation of the city's child friendliness index and produced a report on the situation of children in the city.

Following the UNICEF's global Child Friendly Cities and Communities Handbook, UNICEF in the Republic of Belarus considers it important to support cities in developing meaningful and effective action plans, underpinned by a participatory monitoring system, to improve the situation of children and adolescents in cities.

To provide expert assistance to cities in developing action plans within the framework of the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform, UNICEF in Belarus will hire a consultant or a group of consultants.

The consultant/consultants will work in close cooperation with the National Center of Children’s and Youth Creativity (National CAFC Coordinator) which supports the consultant/consultants in management of the overall coordination with the cities within the CAFC platform implementation i.e. sending the official letters from the National Coordinator to cities with the CAFC platform progress update and activities implemented, collecting the necessary data and information, informing of the National Coordination Council decisions, etc.

KEY TASKS:

1. Conduct consultative meetings with focal points and members of city coordinating councils for the implementation of the platform, including members of youth parliaments/councils, to inform about the planning process;
2. Analyze the reports on situation of children in the city, including the calculation of the city's child-friendliness index, to identify growth points for each city. For cities that do not yet have the reports and index calculations or if produced more than 3 years ago, support the implementation. For all reports, to produce executive summaries;
3. Discuss and develop the corresponding items of the plan for each of the 8 parameters of the city's children friendliness index, including the system for participatory monitoring of the implementation of this plan. Action plans should follow the global layout of action plans for child friendly cities (Annex 7, p. 58) and reflect specific outcomes, activities to achieve them**, budget for each item,** focal person/agency for implementation, including adolescent/youth parliament/council, target and intermediate (yearly) indicators of the plan, deadlines, etc.
4. Develop clear practical instructions/check lists on the following topics:
   1. 1. realization of the participatory monitoring of the action plan, including yearly interim monitoring;
   2. engagement of adolescents – members of adolescent/youth councils/parliaments as well as broader audiences of adolescents, including the most vulnerable, in the realization of participatory monitoring of the action plan as well as in the calculation of the index of child friendliness and preparation of report on the situation with child rights;
   3. participatory discussion with adolescents and other stakeholders on the findings of yearly interim monitoring, index of child friendliness, report on the situation with child rights;
   4. incorporation of the findings of yearly interim monitoring in the action plan and realization of the needed action plan adjustments;
5. Support organizing public hearings/discussions on the developed action plans;
6. Support incorporating public hearings’ feedback in the developed action plans to make needed adjustments;
7. Make tailored recommendations for the cities on the implementation of action plans, featuring e.g. best practices, potential partners and donors, etc.;
8. Update the text of the Memorandum of Accession to the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform to align with the layout of the global memorandum of Child Friendly Cities (Annex 4, p. 52).

All key tasks should be completed with the active and constructive participation of adolescents and youth, especially the city/regional adolescent/youth parliaments/councils.

1. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

Key outcomes shall be as follows:

• 38[1] cities produced updated (not older than 3 years) calculations of the city's child-friendliness index and reports on situation of children in the city and identified growth points for the next 2-3 years; 44 executive summaries of the reports are prepared.
• 44 cities have developed action plans, including participatory monitoring, under the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform for 2-3 years based on the calculated friendliness index and the produced report following the global layout of action plans for child friendly cities (Annex 7, p. 58).
• 44 cities are provided with clear practical instructions/check lists on the realization of participatory monitoring, adolescent engagement, participatory discussion and incorporation of the findings of yearly interim monitoring;
• 44 cities supported in organizing public consultations/hearings and accommodating feedback in the framework of the developed action plans;
• 44 cities received recommendations for the implementation of action plans;
• The text of the Memorandum of Accession to the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform updated to align with the layout of the global memorandum of Child Friendly Cities (Annex 4, p. 52).

DELIVERABLES AND DEADLINES****:

Date

Deliverables

By October 30, 2021

(10 days)

Up-to-date contact details of coordinators and members of local coordination councils of 44 cities collected for subsequent communication;

Cities informed about the process of producing action plans;

Necessary documentation collected (reports, calculations of the friendliness index, memorandums, plans of adolescent/youth parliaments/councils, etc.);

In cities not yet having current report and calculation of the friendliness index, process initiated;

The text of the Memorandum of Accession to Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform updated to align with the layout of the global memorandum of Child Friendly Cities (Annex 4, p. 52)

Progress report on the work done with the attachment of all produced documents submitted to UNICEF;

By December 20, 2021

(42 days)

14 cities supported in analysis of their reports, incl. executive summaries, and child-friendliness index with identification of their growth points;

14 cities supported in development of action plans under the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform for 2-3 years based on the calculated friendliness index and the produced report following the global layout of action plans for child friendly cities (Annex 7, p. 58);

14 cities are provided with clear practical instructions/check lists on the realization of participatory monitoring, adolescent engagement, participatory discussion and incorporation of the findings of yearly interim monitoring;

14 cities supported in organizing public consultations/hearings and accommodating feedback in the framework of the developed action plans;

14 cities received recommendations for the implementation of action plans;

Progress report on the work done with the attachment of all produced documents submitted to UNICEF;

By March 30, 2022

(45 days)

15 cities supported in analysis of their reports, incl. executive summaries, and child-friendliness index with identification of their growth points;

15 cities supported in development of action plans under the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City for 2-3 years based on the calculated friendliness index and the produced report following the global layout of action plans for child friendly cities (Annex 7, p. 58);

15 cities are provided with clear practical instructions/check lists on the realization of participatory monitoring, adolescent engagement, participatory discussion and incorporation of the findings of yearly interim monitoring;

15 cities supported in organizing public consultations/hearings and accommodating feedback in the framework of the developed action plans;

15 cities received recommendations for the implementation of action plans;

Progress report on the work done with the attachment of all produced documents submitted to UNICEF;

By July 30, 2022

(42 days)

14 cities supported in analysis of their reports, incl. executive summaries, and child-friendliness index with identification of their growth points;

14 cities supported in development of action plans under the Child- and Adolescent-Friendly City platform for 2-3 years based on the calculated friendliness index and the produced report following the global layout of action plans for child friendly cities (Annex 7, p. 58);

14 cities are provided with clear practical instructions/check lists on the realization of participatory monitoring, adolescent engagement, participatory discussion and incorporation of the findings of yearly interim monitoring;

14 cities supported in organizing public consultations/hearings and accommodating feedback in the framework of the developed action plans;

14 cities received recommendations for the implementation of action plans;

Progress report on the work done with the attachment of all produced documents submitted to UNICEF;

By August 30, 2022

(6 days)

Final report on the work done with the attachment of all produced documents submitted to UNICEF

Total: 145 days

2. SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL INTERACTION

The individual consultant or team of consultants will work under the guidance of YAD Specialist and in close coordination and communication with Adolescent Development Officer.

UNICEF will arrange a meeting with the consultant/s to discuss the workflow, including planning, implementation and production of final deliverables.

The consultant/s shall submit their deliverables to UNICEF on time and in full in accordance with the TOR and promptly respond to requests while the deliverables are reviewed and workshops prepared, including revision, amendments and additions as recommended by UNICEF.

The consultant/s shall submit to UNICEF individual reports on the performance of their work, as well as a general report with findings and recommendations.

3. WORk ARRANGEMENT and TRAVEL

The work arrangement is a combination of online and offline work, depending on the epidemiological situation and in agreement with UNICEF office.

Business trips within the country may be arranged (for example, for information meetings, master classes, participation in public discussions, etc.) in agreement with UNICEF office. Travel expenses will be paid by UNICEF separately in accordance with internal rules and procedures.

4. PAYMENT

Payment will be made in US dollars by wire to the settlement account of the consultant/s against performance of their works and submitting to UNICEF the reports and produced deliverables as follows:

• 50% of the contract will be released by December 20, 2021 subject to the completion of all planned work and the submission of a progress report to UNICEF;

• 50% of the contract will be paid by July 15, 2022 subject to the completion of all planned work and the submission of a report to UNICEF.

5. FAILURE TO DELIVER

The payment of remuneration to the consultant/s under this contract, including each payment or recurring payment (if any), is subject to the consultant's full fulfillment of its obligations and the satisfactory acceptance of the results by UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All work must be original, or with proper references to any materials used. Plagiarism is unacceptable and would lead to cancellation of the contract and renumeration. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to use and amend them. This Terms of Reference is an integral part of the contract/s entered into with the consultant/s.

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[1] 6 cities (Vileika, Bobruisk, Braslav, Volkovysk, Mosty and Shchuchin) calculated their index in the last 2 years

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

• A degree in pedagogics/social or related fields;
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in educational or social areas.
• Experience in working with children and adolescents, developing policies and strategies in the field of education, health care, observance of children's rights;
• Experience in developing training programs and conducting workshops, trainings for the educators and civil society;
• Experience in organizing and conducting monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of programs and projects in the social sphere, the implementation of children's rights, children's participation, children's and adolescent programs and projects shall be an asset;
• Experience in research activities, track record of publications or research papers shall be an asset;
• Must have knowledge of international documents: Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Declaration and Plan of Action "A World Fit for Children", national legal and legislative documents on the rights of women and children;
• Good analytical skills and teamwork ability;
• Fluency in Belarusian and Russian;
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken) shall be an asset.
• APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications are accepted from individual consultants or from groups of consultants (up to 3 consultants). In the case of a group application, the documents listed below shall be submitted for each consultant, indicating the tasks carried out by each consultant specified in the technical proposal.

1. Technical proposal for each consultant (include the specific deliverables for each consultant).
2. Financial proposal for each consultant. The financial proposal must indicate the amount of the fee per day multiplied by the number of working days per consultant.
3. CV and Form P-11 form.
4. Cover letter (no more than 1 A4 sheet) referencing similar consultancy work (if any).

The deadline for submission of documents for the vacancy is September 30, 2021, 23:55 (Minsk time).

Additional information on the Terms of Reference is provided by Maryia Vidzevich, Adolescent Development Officer: mvidzevich@unicef.org.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org