Re-advertisement: International Consultant to conduct a Study on Kazakhstan’s Children’s Experiences of Internet Use (Kazakhstan’s Kids Online Study)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Type of contract: International consultant Duration: 46 working days starting from November 2022 to March 2023 Workplace: home-based

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, a fair chance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=E1xkXZs0cAQ

One of the aims of that Vacancy Announcement is to guide interested applicants in providing a PROPOSAL to UNICEF for carrying out research on Kazakhstan’s Children’s Experiences of Internet Use.

International Consultant is needed with solid knowledge and expertise in adapting research methodology, developing research protocol, overseeing research implementation, analyzing raw data and preparing report with findings and recommendations.

BACKGROUND.docx

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The main purpose of the assignment is to lead and coordinate with UNICEF, national authorities of Kazakhstan and local research institute/company implementation of the study on Kazakhstan’s children’s experiences in digital environment based on the Global Kids Online research methodology. A national research institute/company will be recruited by UNICEF to conduct data collection in the field and prepare data for the subsequent analysis by the international consultant. The research will build upon the Global Kids Online (hereinafter GKO) research project methodology developed by the UNICEF office of research “Innocenti”, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the EU Kids Online network (http://globalkidsonline.net/tools/).) During the research stage the Innocenti Office can be reached out for technical support in contextualising and implementing the research.

The main objective of the GKO survey is to understand how the population aged 9–17 uses the internet and digital devices, and how young people deal with the opportunities and risks arising from the use of digital media as well as understanding how adults and pedagogues mediate children’s use of the internet.

Depending on consultations with national stakeholders involved in the survey, the objectives may be further reshaped to meet local needs and specific requirements for data production, while ensuring the GKO core measures.

The main focus of the research will be on the following dimensions of children’s online experiences: • Access: how do children access and use internet-enabled devices in their everyday lives. • User practices and skills: what do children do online and how, what can/can’t children do and what do/don’t they know. • Opportunities: what activities do they pursue online, why, and what benefits do they report and how do they respond to them. • Risks: what type of problems or challenges do children encounter online, and what do they report and how do they respond to them. • Well-being and rights: how does using the internet contribute to or undermine their well-being. • Social factors: in using the internet, how children are helped or hindered by family’s position/intervention, and what roles are played by educators, peers or community. • Digital ecology: what digital sites and services are available to children and how they engage with their specific features.

Inclusion of the following GKO modules is subject of discussion with key responsible state bodies during the Inception Phase: Privacy; Hurtful or Bullying Behavior; Communication (sexual); Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. It is expected that the study will: - Examine the experience of both urban and rural communities and take cultural specifications into consideration; - Look at the equity and gender dimensions; - Summarise findings and make evidence based conclusions; - Develop specific realistic and achievable recommendations, including on the most appropriate communication strategies and messages which can be passed on to public authorities and communities to address the issues highlighted.

Intended audience The intended audience of the survey: population at large, state bodies including Commission on Women and Family Demographic Affairs under the President of the RK, National Human Rights Institutions, Parliament, Ministry of Information and Social Development, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, Bureau of National Statistics, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Health, local authorities, corporate sector, telecommunication companies and internet providers, training institutes, children and youth, media, civil society organisations, international organisations and UNICEF.

1. APPROACH AND SUGGESTED METHODS.docx

2. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS.docx

3. TENTATIVE REPORT STRUCTURE.docx

4. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS.docx

5. Work Assignment Overview_Consultant.docx

Annex I. Ethics Review Board Criteria of Interest .docx

LOCATION AND DURATION

The exact dates for starting and ending the contract will be negotiated upon awarding the contract. The contractor will develop activities according to the present Vacancy Announcement, under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist. • Tentative starting period: November 2022 • Foreseen finishing period or duration: March 2023

SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (SERVERS AND LICENSES)

UNICEF does not provide hardware, software (including specific hardware and licenses) needed for undertaking the study. Interested candidates should ensure availability of hardware and software necessary for developing the survey methodology, sending, receiving and storying data, processing and analyzing data. The national research company to be involved by UNICEF will use own equipment and software for conducting the survey. Compatibility of the software of the selected candidate and the national research institutes will be agreed during the Inception phase of the survey.

ESTIMATED COST FOR COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT IN US$

The interested candidates are required to submit a technical proposal explaining the planned activities, methodological approach, and envisaged budget. The budget should include fees, international and in-country travel, in-country living costs.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Technical proposal a. Individual profile providing detailed information on the expertise of individual detailing general and specific experience with similar assignments in the past 10 years. Applicants are requested to back up their submissions by providing: a. Two case studies containing the following information: i. Name of Client ii. Title of the Project iii. Year and duration of the project iv. Scope of the Projects/Requirements v. Proposed Solutions/Outcome/End product vi. Project timelines (start and end date year, and any other information necessary) vii. Reference /Contact person details b. Detailed Methodological approach to project demonstrating how you meet or exceed UNICEF requirements for this assignment c. Proposed timeline and work plan showing the detailed sequence for each activity and man days of each proposed step d. Quality assurance mechanism and risk mitigation measures to be put in place.

Financial proposal Applicants are expected to submit financial proposal to complete the entire assignment based on the present Vacancy Announcement. The financial proposal should clearly indicate an estimated number of consultancy days, disaggregated by suggested stages of the study, as well as travel costs. Possibility of travel will depend on epidemiological situation related to COVID19 pandemic. The final travel component will be agreed based on the effective work calendar. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e. irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply.

EVALUATION PROCESS, METHODS AND CRITERIA

The evaluation and award criteria that will be used for this bid is: Cumulative Analysis Evaluation (point system with weight attribution). Proposal will be evaluated on the basis of cumulative analysis scheme, where a total score is obtained by each proposal upon the combination of the weighted technical and financial attributes. The technical component shall constitute 70% of the total weight for a maximum combined score of 100 points, whereas the financial criteria shall make for 30% of the total weight. Proposals scoring below 70 of the available technical points will be considered non-compliant, will be rejected and not considered further.

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL

In the cumulative analysis evaluation, the respective importance between technical and financial scores will be weighted as 70/30 ratio. • TECHNICAL CRITERIA – 70 %

The quality of technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the award criteria and the associated weighting as detailed below. Technical evaluation (sub-criteria, total = 100 scores) 1. Consultant’s profile 15 scores

Qualifications, relevance of experience and unique skillset 2. Completeness of Proposal 20 scores

Availability of detailed technical and financial proposal in line with TOR specifications 3. Proposed Methodologic Approach and Management Plan 50 scores

The quality of the approach and methods proposed to carry out the research as per the objectives, methods and deliverables specified in the TOR (30 scores); Adequacy of management plan to guide implementation of activities within the specific timeframe (20 scores).

4. Past performance 15 scores

Quality of previous studies/reports conducted in English.

• FINANCIAL CRITERIA 30%

Only the financial proposals that cover all deliverables/steps specified in the technical proposal (in alignment with the ToR) will be further assessed for the financial criteria.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… • An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, development sciences, human rights, child rights; • Competency in designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research, surveys, household surveys, opinion polls. • Competency in analysing collected data and making strategic observations and recommendations. • At least 10 years of experience related to research in child protection, violence against children, ICT related risks and opportunities, including gained through performing cross-border and international research. • Expertise in research protocols and methodologies applied to social development issues focusing on children. • Proven extensive experience (more than 5 years) in designing, planning and managing qualitative and quantitative studies with children. • Proven experience with data management, processing and analysis. If the consultant would need support with data management and processing it should be indicated in the proposal so that UNICEF makes necessary arrangements. • Skills in writing research reports in a comprehensive, focused and reader-friendly way. • Excellent communication and analytical skills in the area of children’s vulnerabilities, child protection and child rights. • Good knowledge of computer applications. • Advanced user of research software. • Experience in conducting surveys and research for international /UN agencies will be an asset. • Fluency in English (written and spoken), knowledge of Kazakh and/or Russian will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture) View our functional competencies framework Functional Competencies.pdf

Remarks: • Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract. • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. • 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. • 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. • All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. • The Individual contractor or Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures. • 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. • Payment upon completion of each deliverable according to schedule. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. • 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. • UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.