National Individual Consultants (five consultants): Technical assistance in development of a Positive Parenting Strategy

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.

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For every child, opportunities.

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Scope of Work:

Background

In the country, violent forms of child disciplining remain widely accepted, with 73 per cent of children aged 1 to 14 years having experienced at least one violent method of discipline. These challenges are often intergenerational, with parents using the same parenting practices as those to which they were subjected as children. Forty per cent of parents or caregivers reported believing that physical punishment can effectively correct a child’s behavior. Only 13 per cent of parents or caregivers are aware of programmes or materials on child discipline and parenting. Anecdotal data suggest that parents insufficiently understand children’s rights and their value in family life, have traditional attitudes towards gender roles and passively tolerate violence. Furthermore, a survey that has been conducted in the country to assess the adverse childhood experiences among young people shows that 1 in 3 children has experienced psychological/emotional neglect.

Support services for families and children remain limited and fragmented. Local services tend to develop sporadically, rather than as part of a comprehensive strategy that would enable a consistent rationalization, expansion and development of services for children and families. The groups requiring particular support include children living in poverty, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and family separation and are therefore most in need of preventive and protective services, Roma children, who need targeted services due to high levels of exposure to abuse, exploitation and separation from families, and the estimated 20,000 children with disabilities. In addition, the Government needs to ensure that professionals are trauma-informed and sensitive on the specific needs of each child. UNICEF works with the Government and other partner organizations to facilitate the development of services that support parents and caregivers in stimulating child development, providing nurturing care and preventing abandonment, neglect and any other adversity, and to ensure that these services are accessible to all families and caregivers, including those of children with disabilities. The menu of complementary quality services needs to be further developed in order to provide holistic support to caregivers.

In that regard, UNICEF provided technical support to the Government in introducing the Mellow parenting programme and establishing of a National Parenting helpline. UNICEF also works on development of Bebbo parenting mobile phone application that is a supporting tool for parents and caregivers in their parenting efforts (expected to be launched by April 2022).

Purpose and objectives of the Individual Consultancy

The main objective of the intervention is to develop a strategic policy document and a costed action plan on developing parenting support services, resources and initiatives to improve positive parenting skills, strengthen enabling environments and workforce capacities for positive parenting, promote shared caregiving and non-violent discipline techniques while ending harsh and abusive parenting practices, support parents’ and caregivers’ mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, UNICEF Skopje is seeking five national consultants (Team Leader and four experts) to develop a Parenting Strategy (2022-2030) and costed Action Plan (2022-2024). The Strategy should be developed through a participatory process in which key stakeholders (Government, local authorities, civil society organizations, professional associations, UN agencies, academia, private sector) should be involved. During the work the consultants will map existing and propose new parenting support services, resources and initiatives delivered by the authorities, businesses and the community. Whilst avoiding overlaps with other policy documents of the Government, the strategy would establish short-term and long-term goals that would bring sustainable results in:

 changing the mind-sets of parents/families /communities to promote a positive family environment in which children and young people can grow and thrive

 empowering families, parents and caregivers to offer the best for their children

 emphasize the role of fathers/ grandfathers in child upbringing and development and the promotion of gender equality in the family

 empower the vulnerable Roma children through creating nurturing household environments and community support systems, with a particular focus on promoting positive gender norms

 underpinning key principles such as a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing orientation, participatory and strengths-based approach, accessible services for all and early intervention services for the most vulnerable

 demonstrating inter-sectorial service collaboration, as a way of engaging with families, building their resilience, and empowering them

 providing additional support and incentive-based package to facilitate responsible parenting to families with more complex needs and vulnerable families, as well as targeted support to families facing additional pressures that impact on day-to-day parenting

 promoting family friendly policies among employers

 dealing with difficult behaviors and promote effective non-violent disciplining methods

 ensuring all parents have easy access to clear, concise information on all aspects of parenting, from pregnancy to the teenage years and beyond

 defining steps to improve the availability of – and access to – early learning, childcare and out-of-school care, taking into account parents in rural areas and those who work irregular hours

 establishing a referral system so parents can access support services

 establishing cooperation with initiative groups and civil society organizations in developing, promoting and implementing parenting programmes, including coalitions for joint advocacy for an enabling environment policy and regulatory environment that enables nurturing parenting practices.

Strong and affectionate relationships with parents, recognition and praise, and parental interest and involvement in child’s holistic development are all linked with better outcomes for children. The parenting strategy should ensure coverage of the following key areas:

• Children are born and grow healthy and safe

• Children live in a loving and caring environment

• Children are supported to develop to their full potential

• Children are supported to develop life skills

• Children are supported to be active and offered opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities, helping them to build a fulfilling and happy future

• Children are supported to be responsible and take an active role within their family, schools and communities

• Children are respected and are given a voice and involved in the decisions that affect their wellbeing

• Children are included and receive help and guidance to overcome social, educational, physical, cultural and economic inequalities; accepted as full members and opinion makers in the communities in which they live and learn.

Work Assignment Overview

Assessed needs for parenting interventions and identified target populations:

• Conduct a desk review based on the available studies and research reports, and review of the comparative best practices of similar strategies. Map existing programs and initiatives in the country.
• Organize a two-day workshop with practitioners and professionals from the social, health, and education sectors (at a minimum), to discuss the needs, challenges, key target populations and ways forward in creating opportunities for parenting support
• Collect information from the field by conducting key-informant interviews and/or focus groups with practitioners from local CSWs, educational facilities, health institutions, and CSOs throughout the country

Outline of the multi-year intersectoral Parenting Strategy developed

• Conduct a consultation session with the technical inter-ministerial group to develop an outline for the draft Strategy
• Finalize the outline based on the comments from the technical group and UNICEF

Parenting Strategy (2022-2030) and Action plan (2022-2024) developed

• Prepare a draft Parenting Strategy (2022-2030) and costed Action Plan (2022-2024) based on the information that has been collected (desk review and interviews)
• Organize a workshop with professionals and practitioners to present the draft Parenting Strategy, and revise the Strategy and the Action plan based on the inputs and comments received
• Participate at public debates for the Parenting Strategy and Action Plan and finalize the documents based on the final feedback.

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

• Team Leader - Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

  • Advanced university degree in the social sciences, or related field
  • At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience on child development, including development of strategic documents
  • Excellent analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, communication skills, facilitating skills, negotiating skills
  • Effective communication, interpersonal skills and sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts and situations
  • Demonstrate facilitation skills
  • Previous experience with the UN will be considered an asset
  • Excellent knowledge of Macedonian language, knowledge of Albanian language is an advantage
  • Excellent verbal and writing skills in English

  Four Experts – Health, Education, Social Protection and Finance

  • Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
  • Advanced university degree in the social sciences, health, education, finance, economy, or related field
  • At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience on child development, including development of strategic documents
  • Excellent analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, communication skills, facilitating skills, negotiating skills
  • Effective communication, interpersonal skills and sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts and situations
  • Facilitation skills are desirable
  • Previous experience with the UN will be considered an asset
  • Excellent knowledge of Macedonian language, knowledge of Albanian language is an advantage
  • Verbal and writing skills in English are desirable

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

The following should be submitted online to UNICEF country office, by 20 April 2022, while the expected start date is 15 May 2022:

• Motivation letter outlining the approach and specific areas of experience and expertise relevant for the tasks (please indicate the position you apply for: Team Leader; Health; Education; Child Protection; or Finance expert)
• An example of similar work
• Curriculum Vitae
• Financial proposal indicating the daily fee of the expert.

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.