National Consultancy to analyze current approaches to identifying and record vulnerability and review of data collection and maintenance systems in the social protection sector in Tajikistan

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 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,

The social protection system in Tajikistan has a reasonably well developed management system. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MHSPP), the State Agency of Social Protection under MHSPP, Agency of Social Insurance and Pensions under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and local authorities are the main policy-makers and implementers of social protection policy and programs in the country. The increase in the number of vulnerable groups in the country in need of social protection as a result of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to improve approaches to determine, identify and record vulnerability in the country. A unified, integrated and improved approach will help identify and register vulnerable groups in a timely manner and provide the necessary support. With this in mind, the MHSPP and UNICEF joining efforts to develop and improve data collection system in the social protection sector.

How can you make a difference?

Consultant will report to the Chief, Knowledge and perform the following assignments:

To analyse, describe and present current processes of identification, registration and data collection of vulnerable groups in Tajikistan as well as to review data processing and maintenance in the social protection sector with focus on all age groups (with specific focus on children):

1) To analyse current processes of identification and registration of vulnerable groups, identify gaps and providing recommendations to further improve data collection approaches; 2) To review current systems of collecting, transferring, processing and maintaining data in the social protection sector, analyze the current situation, identify gaps and provide recommendations to create a unified database system in the social protection sector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Task 1: - Review legislation and regulatory documents in the social protection sector aimed at identifying and registering vulnerable groups. - Describe vulnerable categories in the country according to the legislation. - Identify the current processes of identification and registration of vulnerable groups in the social protection system with reference to relevant legal and regulatory documents. - Identify vulnerable groups that are not covered by the social protection system. - Conduct consultations at the national and local levels with the relevant state institutions of the social protection sector (and other related institutions), civil society institutions and development partners that promote rights and protect vulnerable groups in order to obtain their views and suggestions for improving the methods and mechanisms of collection, transfer and processing of statistical data. - Develop recommendations to improve the system of identification, collection and registration of vulnerable groups. - Present preliminary results of analysis and recommendations to stakeholders. - Provide an interim narrative report according to the format proposed by the MHSPP.

Task 2: - Review legislation and regulatory documents in the field of collection, transfer, processing and storage of in the social protection sector. - Analyse the current progresses in creating a unified database in the social protection system and identify gaps. - Conduct consultations at the national and local levels with the relevant state agencies of the social protection sector (and other related agencies), civil society institutions and development partners that promote rights and protect vulnerable groups in order to obtain their views and suggestions for improving methods and mechanisms of collection, transmission and processing of statistical data. - Develop recommendations on creating a unified system and database in the social protection sector. - Submit a final narrative report according to the format proposed by the MHSPP.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

The assignment will be carried out in 60 days spread over a period starting from November 2020 to 30 April 2021:

Deliverables

Number of days

Timeline

Payment schedule

Progress report on review of legislative and regulatory documents in the social protection sector, specifically describing current processes of identification and registration of vulnerable groups and proposed list of vulnerable groups who are not covered by the social protection system

15 days

November - December 2020

15%

Series of consultations at the national and local levels with the relevant stakeholders in the social protection sector to obtain their views and suggestions for improving the methods and mechanisms of collection, transfer and processing of statistical data

10 days

January – February 2021

20%

Report with recommendations to improve the system of identification, collection and registration of vulnerable groups.

15 days

February -March 2021

25%

Presentation of results of analysis and recommendations to stakeholders.

5 days

March 2021

15%

Final report and recommendations on creating a unified system and database in the social protection sector focusing on children

15 days

April 2021

25%

The report should include: - Executive summary - Country context and the description of the situation - Brief description of the methodology/data collection - Description of main findings - Charts and tables - Analysis - Conclusions - Recommendations - Annexes: o Assessment instruments (list of institutions/organizations and individuals that participated in the process), references to similar reports, bibliography, etc.

The report should be provided in electronic format in Russian language and Tajik or English languages.

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

• Education: Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in economics, public administration, law, social sciences, or other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in collection, analysis and storage and processing of data Competencies: Solid knowledge of the social protection system operating in Tajikistan, including the pension system; experience in conducting a legislative review and preparing regulatory documents; strong knowledge of data collection and data processing methods and techniques.

• Technical Knowledge: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, proven experience in preparing reports, policy briefs, instructions, guidelines or other relevant materials at the national level for both governments and international organizations; excellent writing skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, excellent facilitation skills, and ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.

  Language: Fluent knowledge of Tajik and Russian languages. Knowledge of English language.

TORs are attached for review: ToR SP_Database Enhancement_ENG_FIN.docx;

ToR SP_Database Enhancement_RUS_FIN.docx

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.

View our competency framework at:http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit: 1. Cover letter/application/CV. 2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of objective and. 3. Financial quote for the consultancy and/or daily rate in Tajik Somoni. 4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables. 5. At least 2 References.

The evaluation on the results will be based on: - Technical and professional competence (quality of the product delivered to UNICEF); - Quality of work (quality of documents submitted); - Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above); - Timeliness of submission of deliverables.

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, initiative and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the consultant’s work.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30 %.

Queries can be sent to: [email protected] with subject line “National Consultancy to analyze current approaches to identifying and record vulnerability and review of data collection and maintenance systems in the social protection sector in Tajikistan”. Applications must be received in the system by the 23 November 2020 at our website: http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/536183?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Travel costs and DSA when applicable will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. UNICEF considers best value for money as criteria for evaluating potential candidates. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria. * Technical Criteria weight – 70%; * Financial Criteria weight – 30%;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in Tajik Somoni) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR.

The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows:

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

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:

• 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.