National Consultant – A study on social protection and child marriage in Ghana (ONLY Ghanaian Nationals are eligible to apply)

Contract

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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, Future

UNICEF Ghana works in partnership with the Government of Ghana to contribute to national and UNICEF global programme strategic areas of Every child survives and thrives, Every child learns, Every child is protected from violence and exploitation, Every child lives in a safe and clean environment and Every child has an equitable chance in life. The current Ghana Country Programme priorities focus on five of the eight Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region namely: immunization, nutrition (reducing stunting), improving learning outcomes, ending child marriage, and ending open defecation.

How can you make a difference?

The Consultant will conduct a study to understand whether and how social services, such as social protection, social welfare, and child protection programmes (i.e., the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) and Integrated Social Service (ISS) programmes) can contribute to reducing child marriage in Ghana.

The purpose of the assignment is to explore the ways by which social protection, social welfare and child protection programmes (i.e. the LEAP and ISS) can contribute reducing child marriage, and identify limiting and enabling factors. It includes inter alia the design of a study protocol and tools, and the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data. This first-hand data collection exercise is necessary since Ghana currently has no data on how social protection, social welfare and child protection programmes can specifically contribute to the reduction of child marriage.

Ultimately, the proposed study will generate credible evidence to inform decision-making processes, especially the formulation and implementation of evidence-based policies and programmes towards ending child marriage. It will make practical and actionable recommendations to further strengthen systems for the delivery of coordinated, quality, adolescent-friendly, gender-responsive and accessible programmes and services that respond to the needs of children, adolescents and their families. It will also help support advocacy efforts for improved and more equitable resource allocation and efficient execution for the protection of children and adolescents in Ghana. The findings will be disseminated among national key stakeholders for learning and shared ownership.

The study will form the basis for understanding whether existing social welfare, social protection and child protection programmes in Ghana are effective at reducing child marriage and can provide evidence as to whether a similar model could be adapted to other countries in the West and Central Africa and beyond to accelerate efforts towards achieving relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards ending child marriage.

The scope of the study will be two-fold:

1. Qualitative Approach: The qualitative approach will seek to explore the pathways by which LEAP + ISS is contributing to reduction of child marriage or areas where the programme has a high potential in reducing the drivers of child marriage. This will involve engagement with service providers (Government and Non-Governmental), community members (with special focus on children and adolescents) to garner their perception and experiences on availability, accessibility and quality of services being implemented under the LEAP+ISS programme.
2. Quantitative Approach: The quantitative approach will seek to understand the operation/ delivery of services in selected areas. This will focus on the supply side interventions (service availability, quality and gaps) while exploring if the LEAP+ISS programme is/or can have effect in meeting the identified gaps. This will involve engagement with service providers along the referral pathway.

Study questions can include, but not limited to the following:

1. What are the key factors that influence child marriage in sample communities? Are there any significant differences compared to existing theory?
2. What are the patterns of child marriage observed by key informants (service providers and LEAP beneficiaries) in sample communities in the last few years? Can we observe any changing trends? Are patterns different/same across communities? How do age, sex, educational level, household income, etc. influence the patterns.
3. Have there been any changes in patterns, in particular for LEAP households and ISS beneficiaries, since the selected programme interventions (i.e. LEAP and ISS) started its implementation? Have there been any changes in patterns since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic?
4. How have the selected programme interventions (i.e. LEAP and ISS) impacted the practices surrounding child marriage as well as child and adolescent well-being that are directly associated with drivers of child marriage?
5. How does the design of selected programme interventions (i.e. LEAP and ISS) address social and gender discriminatory norms, equity and inclusion of children and adolescents who are particularly vulnerable to child marriage?
6. How has the implementation of the selected programme interventions (i.e. LEAP and ISS) addressed the needs of vulnerable children, adolescents and their families, resulting in reductions in child marriage? Key areas to consider include:
   1. Access to/use/types of services available in sample communities to respond to drivers of child marriage
   2. Identification and reporting of child marriage cases
   3. Case management and referrals across sectors for children vulnerable to, or engaged in child marriage
   4. Social and behaviour change related to child marriage, including through community engagement
   5. Age- and gender-responsiveness of services
   6. Equity and inclusion of the most vulnerable children and adolescents
7. What are the factors that promote or hinder access to services and referrals, both from demand and supply sides? What are the barriers experienced by children, adolescents and their families in accessing services? What are the gaps and challenges that social service providers face to effectively respond to the needs of vulnerable children and adolescents and their families, to influence child marriage?
8. What are the gaps and opportunities to improve service delivery and referrals across sectors for reduction of child marriage?

The proposed study will be complemented by ongoing Government of Ghana- and/or UNICEF-supported evidence generation activities, such as the LEAP+ISS Impact Evaluation, the Vulnerability & Exclusion Assessment, the Child Poverty Report, and the Study on Drivers of Sexual Violence, including child marriage.

The expected deliverables are:

Description of Deliverables

Target Delivery Date

Inception report setting out the approach and workplan

15 days

Development of a study protocol, a methodology and tools for data collection

20 days

Pre-testing of data collection tools, and submission of a pre-testing outcome report and final data collection tools (5 days for pre-testing; and 5 days for the preparation and submission of an outcome report and final data collection tools)

10 days

Data collection and analysis completed (5 days for training for enumerators; 30 days for actual data collection; and 10 days for data analysis)

45 days

Draft report with headline findings, accompanying slide deck and recommendations, to be presented in stakeholder validation

20 days

Final report; a slide pack summarizing key findings and recommendations; a dissemination strategy; a response plan outlining actions for national stakeholders to take based on recommendations; one policy brief; and one article to be submitted to academic journals.

30 days

The key tasks will include:

1. Inception phase:

1.1. Preliminary review of available legal and policy frameworks, literature and evidence undertaken by key stakeholders including UNICEF - globally, regionally, and nationally.

1.2. Initial roundtable on the tailoring, defining, and conceptualizing the scope of the study.

1.3. Development of the inception report which includes: a) defined scope of study; b) a theory of change for how ISS and LEAP can influence child marriage c) initial proposal for an integrated conceptual framework for the study based on preliminary desk review; d) identification of key national and local stakeholders; e) methodology, timelines, and milestones; f) proposed outline of the report; g) suggestions for dissemination strategy for study findings. The inception report will also include an assessment of the data availability, quality and gaps in existing evidence with recommendations for further data collection and analysis.

2. Conceptualization and development of methodology and tools

2.1. Finalize an integrated study framework, study protocol, instruments, and training approach for data collection.

2.2. Engage with the DV Secretariat, UNICEF and the relevant stakeholders in a consultative process to develop and validate both quantitative and qualitative data collection methodology; methodology for identifying and contacting service providers, key informants and respondents; protocols for collecting information (informed consent, sampling, surveys, focus groups discussions, key informant interviews) from girls/boys/parents and caregivers/ community members/ private sector companies/unions; safety and security protocols and ethical considerations aimed at protecting the data collection team and associated contacts in field-based locations including (but not limited to) key informants and respondents, etc.

2.3. Develop accompanying guidance for data analysis.

2.4. Pre-test data collection tools, prepare and submit an outcome report summarizing the key findings and recommendations, together with the final data collection tools

2.5. Submit data collection tools to the Ethical Review Committee.

3. Data collection and analysis

3.1. Conduct data collection training for enumerators

3.2. Complete primary data collection as per the agreed methodology.

3.3. Analyse data, share top-line findings and identify information gaps to be addressed.

3.4. Engage in follow-up consultations with key actors and stakeholders to address any emerging data gaps from above.

4. Drafting, reporting, validation

4.1. Draft the Study report detailing the answers to the key research questions areas stated above, including key successes, gaps, and general recommendations for improvements of policy programmes and service delivery, and partnerships.

4.2. Present the draft study findings to UNICEF, DV Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to validate study findings and generate a response & dissemination plan.

4.3. Based on the feedback received, submit the final study report, an accompanying slide deck, and dissemination plan for future disseminations and suggestions to be submitted to the relevant stakeholders for further action.

4.4. Decide on scope of articles for two peer-reviewed journals to be co-authored with UNICEF, in close consultation with UNICEF team and draft articles.

The methodology and approach will include:

Given the context of the study, a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis should be explored. Based on desk review and available evidence, the consultancy will be required to propose the scope of the study and relevant sampling methodology across ISS districts. It is expected that the sample would include districts in Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and considered at risk in the event of any Sahel crisis spillover.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field (e.g. education, international development, public policy, social sciences, etc.) *PhD is an asset.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in leading and coordinating studies, research projects and evaluations in the social sector, including social protection, gender, child rights, child protection, GBV, adolescent programming, cash transfers
• Experience in undertaking quantitative and qualitative data collection; and experience in undertaking data collection involving children and adolescents and associated practical ethical considerations.
• Strong analytical, communication and writing capacity.
• Experience and proficiency in working independently and with a large variety of cross-sectoral stakeholders.
• Experience in communicating study results to policy makers and in translating findings into evidence-based policy briefs
• Good understanding of spectrum of gender programmatic approaches (from gender blind to gender transformative)
• Fluency in English and local language(s) in Ghana is required with strong verbal 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.