RE-ADVERTISEMENT | Home-Based Consultancy: Consultancy to Strengthen AAP/CEA in Disaster Preparedness and Response in Central Asia (100 working days) - Europe and Central Asia Regional Offic

Contract

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**This is a re-advertisement due to minor amendments in the Vacancy Announcement: Knowledge of Russian is desirable but not mandatory. Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered.**

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, safety

Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen Accountability to Affected Populations and Community Engagement in disaster preparedness and response in five countries in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) by enhancing mechanisms that ensure participation of and two-way communication with affected communities in preparedness and emergency response.

Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

• Identify, map and report on mechanisms and structures in disaster preparedness and response programmes that: 1) facilitate two-ways communication between communities, in particular the most vulnerable and marginalized groups (children, young people, women, people with disabilities, ethnical minorities), the RCNS, UNICEF, and government, a well as public authorities) 2) are preferred and trusted by communities, including the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, to share their views, feedback, and concerns with stakeholders 3) are used by the RCNS, UNICEF, governments and other stakeholders to listen to communities, take their opinions into account and jointly adjust programmes and interventions accordingly.
• Develop a set of country-tailored recommendations and actions to improve and enhance existing AAP/CEA mechanisms or, in case they do not exist, establish new ones within existing structures, with a twofold purpose: ensure that communities, and the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in particular, have access to mechanisms where they can share their feedback on programmes and interventions; ensure that stakeholders implementing disaster preparedness and response programmes jointly listen to the communities they serve and respond.
• Guide the implementation of recommendations and actions to strengthen or establish AAP/CEA mechanisms/structures, test and assess effectiveness of measures implemented and make recommendations for adjustments where necessary – working with UNICEF, RCNS and relevant local authorities. Ensure recommendations are included in contingency and preparedness plans, as well as in other key policies and procedures.
• Ensure coordination and consultation with all stakeholders involved (UNICEF, IFRC, RCNS, government representatives, communities, the AAP/CEA Regional Working Group and the Regional DRR Centre, Protection Gender and Inclusion focal points, Disaster Risk Reduction focal points,) to establish mechanisms that are accessible, relevant, and effective to all, in accordance with UNICEF’s AAP and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement’s CEA guidelines and protection, gender and inclusion standards.

Scope of Work

Since 2019, UNICEF and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with support of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), have been implementing a joint preparedness and resilience programme focused on strengthening capacities for disaster preparedness and response in high-risk countries in Central Asia (“Strengthening Local and National Capacities for Emergency Preparedness and Response in High Earthquake Risk Countries in Central Asia”) with a focus on pre-positioning critical supplies and community-based risk reduction activities at national level, complemented by regional trainings covering a range of themes such as humanitarian Cash Transfers (HCT), Supply and Procurement, Accountability to Affected Populations and Community Engagement, and Gender and WASH in Emergencies.

In view of the high-risk of natural disasters, continuation of action-oriented emergency preparedness and response interventions as well as child-centered Disaster Risk Reduction are vital for the Governments in Central Asia and the population living in risk prone areas. Joint UNICEF and IFRC/Red Crescent National Societies (RCNS) emergency preparedness and response interventions at national and local levels aim at strengthening the national and local capacities and supporting the building of resilience and reduce vulnerability of children and communities.

The partnership has been built around the comparative advantages of Red Crescent National Societies (RCNS) as first responders, capable of operating at local levels and auxiliary to public authorities in humanitarian emergencies; the related global mandate of the IFRC, and UNICEF’s global emergency response systems, Core Commitments for Children in emergencies and country level engagement with line ministries and local governments.

Work Assignment Overview

Working in close collaboration with AAP/CEA focal points in the 5 countries (UNICEF COs and RCNS), UNICEF Regional Emergency and Social and Behaviour Change teams, IFRC’s Community Engagement and Accountability focal points, and liaising with relevant stakeholders, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Tasks / Milestone******Deliverables / Outputs******Timeline / Deadline1. Develop, present, seek validation from UNICEF and IFRC/RCSNs and finalize the inception report that will include mapping of stakeholders, detailed methodology, and a proposed timeline for each phase and deliverable, for each country.1a) Draft inception report

1b) Validated inception report

5 working days;

by 20 August 2022

2. Based on the methodology proposed, carry out interviews with stakeholders at regional and country level (UNICEF, IFRC, RCNS, governments, local authorities communities), conduct visits to programmes (if feasible) and draft a report to map mechanisms and structures in disaster preparedness and response programmes that: 1) facilitate two-ways communication between communities, the RCNS and government 2) are preferred by communities to share their views, feedback, and concerns with stakeholders 3) are used by the RCNS, UNICEF, governments, public authorities and other stakeholders to listen to communities, take their opinions into account and adjust programmes and interventions accordingly. The report will also highlight gaps, needs, opportunities and consider the capacity to meet AAP/CEA commitments in emergencies.2a) Draft mapping report

2b) Finalized mapping report30 working days;

by 30 October 2022

3. Design country-tailored recommendations and plan actions to strengthen existing mechanisms, or establish new ones within existing structures, with a twofold purpose: ensure that communities, and the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in particular, have access to mechanisms where they can share their feedback on programmes and interventions; ensure that stakeholders implementing disaster preparedness and response programmes jointly listen to the communities they serve and respond.3a) Draft recommendations report

3b) Implementation plan (including actions, focal points, timeline, monitoring means)

3c) Final recommendations and implementation plan

10 working days;

by 30 November 2022

4. Review contingency and preparedness plans, key policy and procedure and embed AAP/CE recommendations in relevant documents.4a) Contingency and preparedness plans, key policy and procedures updated10 working days;

by 30 December 2022

5. Guide UNICEF and NRCS country offices in Central Asia on the implementation of recommendations and actions, test and assess effectiveness of measures implemented and recommend adjustments where necessary. Report progress and bottlenecks.5a) 1st monthly report

5b) 2nd monthly report

5c) 3rd monthly report

40 working days;

a) 15 February 2023, b) 15 March 2023, c) 15 April 2023

6. Report on mechanisms established, progress, bottlenecks, threats, opportunities, as well as capacity to meet AAP/CEA commitments.6a) Final report5 working days;

by 30 May 2023

Estimated Duration of the Contract

100 working days (between October 2022 and August 2023)

Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be home-based, but some travel to Central Asia countries possible.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. Please indicate a daily fee based on 100 working days to undertake this assignment.

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

Qualifications

• Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.
• At least 7 years of solid professional experience in AAP programming, community engagement, communication with communities.
• Work experience in Central Asia and knowledge of the context, desirable.
• Experience in reviewing and assessing systems, as well as designing and implementing strategies for system strengthening.
• Experience in designing and implementing qualitative studies and assessments.
• Familiarity with the UN System, in particular UNICEF, and with Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is required.
• Prior experience in disaster risk preparedness and response; emergency response is an asset.

Language requirements

• Proficiency in written and spoken English required.
• Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

Other skills and attributes

• Strong analytical, presentation skills and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, proactiveness and reliability.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Computer proficiency; especially related to professional office software packages.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core 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

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Please include a full CV and Financial Proposal in your application by indicating your availability and daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Additionally, include a short description of the approach the candidate will take to deliver this consultancy (maximum 2 pages). 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.