National Consultant - Child Protection System Strengthening of Social Service Workforce Mapping and Assessment, NO-C) - (For Liberian Nationals Only

Contract

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.

1. Purpose of Assignment:

The National Consultant, under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist/Chief of Child Protection will provide technical guidance and assistance to support the regional assessment of social service workforce, creation and analyzation of baseline information and data on the status of the social service workforce for child protection in Liberia, to inform the development of a strategic framework on planning, developing and supporting the workforce. The consultant will also support the development of case management protocol, guidelines and a training programme and the capacity building process for their implementation at national and local level.

Tasks and deliverables of the Assignment:

Under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist with overall support from the Chief of Child Protection, the National Consultant will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

Objective 1: Establishment of a National Leadership Advisory Group (NLG) to guide, support and contribute to a national mapping and assessment of the social service workforce.

Key Activities/Tasks

1. Support the establishment of a National Leadership Advisory Group (NLG) to guide, support and contribute to a national mapping and assessment of the social service workforce and ensure usage of the data gathered to develop priority workforce strengthening actions and a strong national workforce strengthening plan.
2. Coordinate, facilitate and participate in meetings and roundtables and contribute to the discussions on a regular basis during the implementation of the mapping and assessment exercise
3. Ensure linkages to other efforts to map or strengthen child protection and social service systems
4. Support timely and constructive engagement of the relevant actors possessing required data
5. Coordinate the provision of feedback on the initial data, helping to identify gaps in order to ensure that the information gathered is an adequate representation of the country’s situation
6. Coordinate the provision of feedback to the assessment methodology and tools and consult with the implementing entity on the approach to ensure an effective date collection and assessment process
7. Disseminate country and regional findings to stakeholders
8. Support development of priority actions to strengthen the social service workforce, leading to a national social service workforce strengthening strategic framework or action plan
9. Lead and support the NLG in the preparation of meetings and present information from this process in a final report
10. Support the international consultant with any necessary meeting preparation in advance of NLG meetings
11. Support the international consultant in obtaining NLG feedback on recommendations for priority actions in strengthening the social services workforce
12. Support the coordination of monthly roundtables meetings and contribute to the discussions on a regular basis during the implementation of the mapping and assessment exercise and provide monthly report including action points.

Outputs/Deliverables:

1. Support the establishment and functionality of the National Leadership Advisory Group (NLG) (ensure meeting at least once a month x 11 months
2. Conduct a two-day working session with the NLG Members on the roles and responsibilities of NLG Members and overview the ongoing SSW mapping and Assessment and share NLG meeting minutes.

Timeframe:

• May 15- June 15,2021
• June 15-July 15, 2021

Objective 2: Data collection and development of draft analytical report, including a draft strategic framework.

Key Activities/Tasks:

1. Support finalization of the data collection tool in close collaboration with the NLG.
2. In partnership with the CPN confirm that the appropriate referral mechanism is in place to address any child protection concerns that arise during the data collection process.
3. Support in the gathering existing background documents, reports and literature relevant to the workforce mapping.
4. Support and carry out data field collection through the administration of relevant tools as agreed with the international consultant. These may include – organization and carrying out key informants interviews and focus groups, follow up for online survey. Development of transcripts or summaries as requested by the international consultant. This task may require in-country travel.
5. Support data cleaning and create database reflecting all final data.
6. Support the processing and analyzing of data and development of draft analytical report, including a draft strategic framework.
7. Support finalization and presentation of the final report and strategic framework.

Outputs/Deliverables:

1. In collaboration with NLG Members, develop/contextualized data collection tools and share NLG meeting minutes.
2. Support field data collection through administration of survey questionnaire, FGDs, KIIs and follow-ups and review of administrative data and records and support data collection report.

Timeframe

• July 15- August 15, 2021

Objective 3: Development of case management protocol and guidelines and 3-Tier training package for Social work Supervisors, Social workers and Para-social workers and interdisciplinary training manual.

Key Activities/Tasks

1. Support the drafting and finalisation of the case management protocol and guidelines with referral mechanism and an interdisciplinary Training Manual for social worker supervisors, social workers and para-social work professionals in the social service sector.
2. Support the definition and delineation of the roles and responsibilities of all social service workforce including social work professionals. The referral mechanisms will be clarified in the Case Management Guidelines to be developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Children, Social Protection and UNICEF Liberia.
3. Support review, update and standardization of the existing case management information system and human resource management system of MGCSP to ensure it captures all categories of social service workforce, community actors, and para-social workers.
4. Support the strengthening of organisational capacity of MGCSP social workers, SSW and other NGOs/CSOs involved in social services delivery at the grassroots level.
5. Support development of standard work instruments for the various phases of the case management process, i.e. identification and registration, assessment, case planning, implementing the case plan, follow-up and review and case closure.
6. Support the establishment of an intersectoral/interagency coordination mechanism to ensure effective implementation of the case management guidelines and Training Manual.
7. Support the contextualization of the case management training manual.
8. Support organization of training of trainers on case management training manual – identification of participants, invitations, venue and other logistics. Act as a co-trainer as needed.

Outputs/Deliverables:

1. Support the drafting and finalization of the case management protocol and guidelines and training manual with referral mechanisms for SSW considering the integration of the roles and responsibilities of SSW for incorporation into the case management system; share draft report.

2. Support training of trainers on case management training manual.

   Timeframe:

• August 15 - September 15, 2021

• September 15 - October 15, 2021

  Objective 4: Operationalization of ECOWAS Framework for Strengthening National Child Protection System to Prevent and Respond to Violence, Abuse and Exploitation against Children in Liberia.

  Key Activities/Tasks:

1. Work closely with MGCSP, MOJ and other ministries to ensure the revision of child protection and social service workforce related laws o prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect against children, especially vulnerable children.
2. Support the identification of non-human rights compliance aspects within the national Children’s Law and child protection system and propose appropriate amendment in line with international legal standards and social welfare services for vulnerable and at-risk children.
3. Support engagement and advocacy for political commitment and accountability for inclusion in the national budget significant allotments to implement child protection interventions and social services initiatives to prevent and respond violence, abuse and exploitation against children.
4. Provide technical assistance to MGCSP for strengthening the child protection case management.

Outputs/Deliverables:

1. Liaise with the MGCSP, MOJ and national Legislature on the ECOWAS framework for strengthening national child protection system by reviewing child protection related laws and making relevant amendments to prevent and respond to violence against children in Liberia.

2. Support advocacy efforts and engagement to strengthen political commitment and accountability through budgetary allotments for implementation of adequate child protection interventions and social welfare services at community, district and county level and share report.
3. Consolidate and provide to UNICEF final report of consultancy.

Timeframe:

• October 15 , 2021- November 15, 2021
• November 15 2021 - December 15, 2021
• December 15, 2021 - January 15, 2022

Qualification:

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

Education: Advanced University degree (Master’s) in the areas of Social Sciences, Law, or other relevant areas.

Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional work experience in the field of system building for child protection.
• Solid work experience in the area of child protection.
• Solid experience and expertise in social service provision and social work in Liberia.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops, conduct research, organizing high level consultations, date collection and analysis validation meetings.
• Experience in designing and delivering training courses.
• Preferably in-depth knowledge of the legislature, domestic legislation around social service workforce mapping and child protection.
• Ability to work with child protection actors, and different stakeholders, and in a diverse environment to produce high quality work.
• Ability to work in a team environment, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Computer proficiency including Internet and Microsoft Office (including Excel), Familiarity with RQDA or EVivo is an asset
• Ability to work independently.

Language skills required:

• Fluency in English (oral and written), knowledge of other languages is an asset;

  General Terms and Conditions of the Contract:

Under the consultancy agreements, payment is deliverable based as defined in the ToR. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.

• • No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
  • For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email.
  • Unless authorized, UNICEF will buy the tickets for the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorized to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
  • Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
  • Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
  • Mention is it as per the General Terms and Conditions of the Contract

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

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.