National consultant on developing a manual on integrated service provision, Kyiv, Ukraine

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,

Since the beginning of the conflict in the east of Ukraine, the capacity of the host municipalities to provide quality services, especially social services, to one and a half[1] million IDPs has remained limited. The key reasons for the limited coverage included the lack of comprehensive inclusive social services, the limited knowledge and capacity of staff in those services, the lack of human and financial resources, as well as the limited demand from the community itself. Moreover, under the current decentralization reform the statutory functions for social protection and child protection system are delegated to the local level, whereas the local authorities have limited understanding and capacities to address the increasing number of child protection challenges, such as separation of children from families, prevention and response to violence against women and children, etc.

In general, the types of services available at the community level that could address the diverse needs of vulnerable families, especially those living below the poverty line or those having a child with disability, were very limited. Such services as case management through social work, day care centres, early intervention services, temporary assistance for needy families (e.g. family support services, parent training, counselling) were proven to be not only efficient but also cost-effective solutions to address the abovementioned challenges. Thus, it was critical to ensure that the aforementioned services are established and sustained with much focus on quality and professionalism of staff. Extra efforts had to be made to ensure the “continuum of services” through well-established referral pathways and cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms at sub-national level.

To address the above, UNICEF developed and implemented a multi-sectoral two-year project in 12 hromadas of eastern Ukraine by financial support of KFW in 2019-2020. More information on the project can be obtained here: JOINTLY. Social services for families in communities | UNICEF Ukraine

Driven by the results of the needs assessment undertaken in all 12 targeted hromadas, UNICEF and its partner organizations, including local governments and CSOs, implemented holistic interventions to support improved social service provision for the most vulnerable children and their families.

The concept of integrated and child-friendly service provision was transformed into a practical model and implemented in the target municipalities. UNICEF provided technical support to local governments in designing in physical establishment of child-friendly social service centres. Major repair works and equipping of premises owned by local councils were carried out in 12 selected project sites. Designs were produced for all 12 project locations and approved by the state planning authorities. The model is adapted to the context of each municipality.

The best practice of establishment and implementation of the model must be documented and shared with other municipalities and stakeholders at different levels for possible replication and strengthening the social service provision.

How can you make a difference?

Documenting the practice of development and implementation of the model on integrated and child-friendly social service provision in 12 municipalities of Eastern Ukraine through compiling the model and its concept in a manual to be shared with other municipalities and interested stakeholders.

The manual should include the following elements:

• Description of the model of integrated service provision – theory
• Description of the model – how social service centres are established
• Description of the practice – what has been done
• Description of the results – what was achieved
• Key principles and requirements for establishment of social service centres
• Lessons learnt and recommendations from the practice

Key activities for implementation:

• Reviewing the country legislation and regulations regarding social service provision at municipality level
• Reviewing the practice of establishing child-friendly service provision centres in selected project municipalities
• Reviewing the hard component of the model and describing the infrastructure works undertaken
• Assessing the human resource needs and capacities in social service provision centres (minimum and maximum scenarios)
• Estimating the cost of establishing social service centres taking into consideration the minimum and maximum costing scenarios
• Analyzing the budgeting for social service centres in targeted municipalities and providing recommendations for sustainable financing of social service centres
• Proposing suggestions for legislation and regulation amendments necessary for promoting the establishment of social service centres
• Reviewing the best practices on similar interventions in other countries close to Ukrainian context and providing brief information in the manual with reference to information sources
• Writing a manual on establishment and management of social service centres based on the practice in selected municipalities
• Presenting the manual to stakeholders

The consultant will work closely with respective UNICEF team members and consult on the approach for implementation. The assignment will be organized both remotely and through field visits to project sites. The methodology should include a mix of direct observations, review of relevant documentation and interviews with staff at various levels, key partners and stakeholders, and parents whose children have benefited from the project.

Deliverable

Deadline

# of days

1. Outline of the manual

30 June

5

2. Draft manual developed according to the agreed outline

15 August

20

3. Final manual approved by UNICEF

15 September

5

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

Education: Master's degree in higher university degree in social sciences or public administration. Similar specialization relevant to the assignment.

Professional experience: Minimum of three years of experience in the area of social protection and social service provision. Experience in development of manuals and guidelines in social sectors (minimum three documents). Minimum of three years of experience in writing case studies, documentation and research. Minimum of three years of experience of cooperation with international organizations, including UN agencies.

Language: English - Proficient/Native [C2]; Ukrainian is an advantage; Russian is an advantage.

Skills and competencies: Sound knowledge of social service sector in Ukraine. Knowledge of the situation of children in Ukraine. Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills. Fluency in Ukrainian (both written and oral communication) is mandatory; fluency in Russian or English is an asset. Proficient knowledge on Microsoft applications namely: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.

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.

Please fill in the form properly and indicate your daily fee, travel lump sum and total fee to complete the assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.