Re-advertisement: National Consultant to support planning and implementation of a country-level self-assessment and the development of data action plans to strengthen the administrative data

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Type of contract: Consultant Duration: from 15 June 2023 to 15 June 2024 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

Background and Purpose of Assignment AC.docx

Scope of Work

The consultant is expected to undertake the following activities: 1. Conduct desk research and prepare written summary of the existing national definitions of alternative care, adoption and Kafalah (It is delegation of parental authority by which the adoptive parent agrees to support the care of child until he/she is of age) in the country and prepare a brief mapping of the existing administrative data system on alternative care in the country. This will help reveal the relevant stakeholders able to provide different insights who can be invited to complete the sectoral questionnaires and/or participate in the national-level workshop. 2. Customize the sectoral and national questionnaires to the country context as needed. To give room for adaptation to different contexts, the questionnaires use generic labels and language, and it is expected that these may need to be customized to the specific country context. For example, using ‘guardianship care’ instead of ‘foster care’, as relevant. Customization might also involve using specific terms for relevant authorities, and for processes. 3. Facilitate completion of the sectoral questionnaires through a modality and process to be decided on in consultation with the UNICEF country office and relevant stakeholders. 4. Plan, organize and prepare for the self-assessment workshop to complete the national questionnaire, using the existing Workshop Implementation Guidance. Key tasks at this stage will involve preparing a draft list of relevant stakeholders to be invited as participants for the workshop; identifying and securing a date and venue for the one-day workshop; facilitating translation of the questionnaires and supporting materials into the local language (if necessary); adapting the existing sample workshop agenda to adjust times and details as needed; adapting the existing PowerPoint template by adding content relevant to the country context; developing slides to present each of the questions and response scenarios in the questionnaire during the workshop; preparing relevant handout materials for workshop participants. 5. Facilitate and conduct the self-assessment workshop by guiding participants through completing the national questionnaire, building consensus on the appropriate response and recording the response to each question in the existing Excel version of the questionnaire, making note of any applicable comments or feedback shared by participants. 6. Prepare and draft follow-up reports after completion of the self-assessment workshop, using existing report templates. This will include the preparation of two reports: one report to summarize stakeholder feedback on the workshop and reflect on the process of planning and implementing the assessment to distill key lessons and insights that can guide further improvement of the toolkit and a second report to summarize the main results of the sectoral and national questionnaires and overall outcomes of the self-assessment. 7. Support with planning and facilitating a follow-up meeting of stakeholders to discuss and reflect on the results of the self-assessment and way forward/next steps with regards to developing the data action plan. 8. Support the development and drafting of the national data action plan, informed by the results of the self-assessment and using an existing template.

Work Assignment Overview AC.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Education: • An advanced university degree in social sciences, development studies, public health, statistics, demography or other social science field Work experience: • At least 5 years of general work experience; • Expertise in child protection systems and/or social work, alternative care, social support and related fields; • Understanding of the legal, policy and institutional framework governing the child protection system in the country; • Familiarity/knowledge of the national alternative care and adoption system; • Familiarity/knowledge of data from administrative systems regarding child protection; • Experience with methods of data collection and analysis, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, and data verification; • Knowledge/experience in information management systems analysis/development/strengthening • Ability to identify and address data gaps or inconsistencies; • Experience in participating in the development of policy documents, strategies and plans; • Skills in prioritising, goal-setting and participating in the development of strategies, plans and policies; • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build consensus, advise stakeholders and organise professional events; • Proven ability to organise and conduct stakeholder workshops at national level; • Proficiency in spoken and written Russian and English; Proficiency in Kazakh language is desirable; • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines. • Technical competencies: - Operation of child protection or social care systems, preferably, in alternative care. - Data collection and analysis techniques, related to administrative data systems. - Development of policy documents, strategies, plans, including experience in participating in the development/implementation of data or action plans and strategies based on evaluation/self-assessment results and other data sources. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills to consult with relevant stakeholders and organise professional events.

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

Evaluation Criteria A) Technical Evaluation • Experience in the operation of child protection or social care systems: The candidate should have experience (this could be research experience) in social work, child protection or a related field, demonstrating a thorough understanding of child protection systems and, preferably, alternative care. He/she should be aware of the legal, policy and institutional framework governing these systems in the country. • Familiarity with data collection and analysis techniques: The candidate should have experience with data collection and analysis methods related to administrative data systems. This includes knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, data validation and the ability to identify and address data gaps or inconsistencies • Experience in developing policy documents, strategies, plans: The candidate should have experience in participating in the development/implementation of data or action plans and strategies based on evaluation/self-assessment results and other data sources. He/she should have the skills to prioritise, set goals and participate in developing strategies/plans and policies in accordance with the highest standards of quality and accountability. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to consult with relevant stakeholders and organise professional events.

B) Financial Proposal • Financial Proposal Candidates must submit a financial proposal for the whole assignment based on these Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should clearly state the cost of the services for each Deliverables/Outputs. • The financial proposal that provides the best value for money, meaning the lowest financial proposal, will receive the highest score during assessment. This is the main principle because saved funds will be directed towards other activities to aid children in Kazakhstan. Only financial proposals that fully cover all deliverables outlined in the terms of reference will be considered. • The financial proposal should include all possible costs related to implementation of the tasks under the present TOR including inter-city and in-city travel expenses. UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage. • Financial proposal must be submitted in a separate file of non-editable format (e.g. PDF). In case the bidder is a resident of Kazakhstan, please indicate VAT amount separately in your Financial Offer or clearly state if you are non-VAT payer. The financial proposal should be presented separately for each of the three components.

Remarks • UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other form of taxes. • All submissions should be in English languages in electronic version (Word, Excel, Power Point, SPSS, tabulations etc.). • 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. • 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 of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. 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 is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. • UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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. • 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.