Re-advertisement: SBC consultant on early childhood development monitoring Kazakhstan

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Type of contract: Consultant, part-time Duration: 9 months from September 2022 to May 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

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Background

Background information.docx

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy is to provide technical support to the Government in SBC/Demand Generation and Community Engagement activities to raise awareness of parents/caregivers and professionals in early childhood developmental monitoring in Kazakhstan

UNICEF Office in Kazakhstan aims to improve the well-being of all children. In this assignment particular focus is given to children aged 0 to 6/7 years? The purpose of the assignment is to develop, and quality assure implementation of the Integrated Social Behavior Change (SBC) and Community Engagement Strategy to raise awareness of parents/caregivers (including fathers) in early child development monitoring and professionals who provide services for young children and their families with the focus on early childhood developmental monitoring and education (patronage nurses, social workers, teachers, psychologists, NGOs, etc.).

Most importantly, the SBC and Community Engagement strategy should be built on the ECDM KAP survey results and key messages and Theory of Change (ToC) provided from UNICEF Kazakhstan, guide national stakeholders to validate the available messages with the audience and adjust to implementation strategies. The Annex to the SBC and Community engagement strategy listing the key interventions, which will be updated annually, should include detailed Action Plan with the key and concrete interventions in relevant ECDM areas (developmental MILESTONES and early stimulation, early childhood monitoring, parenting and specialists skills, skills of young children to develop and grow, early learning, Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS)and other).The document will guide the concerted efforts of the government, policy makers, UN, civil society organizations and the private sector for a joint promotion of ECDM services in Kazakhstan and foster supportive social and behavior change to give every child the best start in life. It is important to note that the SBC and Community Engagement interventions and key messages for caregivers and specialists must be developed separately. The SBC strategy for specialists should focus on empowering and capacitating ECD/E specialists to carry out ECD monitoring and to support ECD/E of all children, including children with development delays/difficulties and disabilities. Whereas the SBC strategy for parents/caregivers (including fathers) should empower them with information about ECD/E and ECD monitoring, raise awareness about child developmental milestones, as well as empower parents/guardians to seek for and use equitable ECI services. The intended national stakeholders and state bodies include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Information and Public Development, the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan, Human Rights and Child Rights Ombudspersons’ Offices, Parliament, Institute of Early Child Development of the ME RK, pre-service and in-service training institutes for health and education specialists, local authorities, children and youth, media, civil society and international organizations and UNICEF. The Integrated SBC and Community Engagement Strategy will contribute to strengthen leadership, accountability, partnership, and coordination in the delivery of behavior change and communication interventions related to ECD/E with the focus on monitoring child developmental milestones at all levels. Such interventions will help to more effectively build capacity among parents and families, raise awareness among communities, form supportive social norms, guide the local authorities and strengthen the provision of all social services that support early childhood developmental monitoring and education.

Towards the goal of optimal child development, the interventions will help to ensure: 1. Parents and communities are equipped with knowledge and skills on ECD monitoring, early learning and education. 2. Central government and local authorities understand their roles and responsibilities in promoting ECD monitoring and education interventions. 3. Families with young children increase demand for equitable ECI services. 4. Children with disabilities and special needs will have equal access to ECE services and special care. 5. Key integrated ECD/E and developmental monitoring messages, appropriate communication channels and tools to disseminate messages are harmonized, coordinated and implemented effectively. 6. Children have access to early stimulation and age-appropriate communication channels, tools and messages for school readiness. 7. Address stigma and discrimination against children with developmental delays/difficulties and/or disabilities. 8. Monitoring framework is in place for a better follow up of the implementation of the Integrated SBC Strategy.

Expected results on social norms and behavior change: 1. Improved communication between parents/caregivers and professionals - Parents, caregivers and health and education specialists are capacitated in monitoring child development, including adverse childhood experiences (age 3-5), and know when to seek help. 2. Increased parent/caregiver’s role on ECD monitoring - Families of young children and expecting parents are informed about child development and equipped with tools to monitor their children’s development monitoring through gender-responsive parenting programmes; parents are receptive to the messages about developmental delays and are willing to work with health workers and development specialists to address these delays. 3. Increased capacities of professionals on ECI and ECD monitoring services - There enhanced institutional capacity within the education system to deliver quality, inclusive, child-centered preschool education, and parents have the skills to monitor their children’s development; and within the health system on early intervention services, awareness-raising and engagement of parents. 4. Decision makers are aware of the child monitoring tools and support their application - Regulations and service packages on early intervention services, includes developmental care for 0-6/7 y/o children, and supports awareness-raising among parents on developmental monitoring.

Scope of work.docx

Work Assignment Overview

1. Tasks/Milestones: Development of the Integrated SBC and Community Engagement Strategy Deliverables/Outputs: 1. Desk review of available materials and information necessary for preparing the Strategy, including the KAP survey on ECDM in Kazakhstan, conducted in 2021-2022. 2. Key thematic components to address the recommendations of the KAP survey on ECDM in Kazakhstan identified and put on paper in consultation with UNICEF, national stakeholders (Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MLSP). 3. Draft of the SBC and Community Engagement Strategy with the background, strategy overview, ToC, SBC and Community Engagement approaches and activities, Strategy Implementation, Data collection evidence generation, Action plan for 2021 – 2023. 4. Revised Strategy based on feedback from UNICEF and national counterparts. 5. Final Integrated SBC and Community Engagement Strategy is presented to UNICEF and national stakeholders (strategy paper and delivered PPT presentation). Date: By end of October 2022 (25-30 working days)

2. Tasks/Milestones: Preparation for roll out of SBC/Demand generation activities Deliverables/Outputs: 1. Action Plan is drafted on implementation of the Integrated SBC and Community Engagement Strategy with the focus on target audiences. 2. Inputs to the ToR for a national company provided in coordination with UNICEF Kazakhstan relevant staff to support implementation and delivery of SBC and Community Engagement activities at national and sub-national levels. Date: By end of November 2022 (8-10 working days)

3. Tasks/Milestones: Quality assurance and coordinated dialogue with key partners and donor reporting Deliverables/Outputs: 1. The relevant working group meetings with participation of relevant stakeholders and partners are conducted to support the implementation of the programme (at least 4 online/offline meetings): agenda, thematic presentations, summaries of the meetings. 2. Comments to the draft scripts, products and information materials are provided during the 1st year delivery of SBC and Community Engagement activities at national and sub-national levels. Date: By end of May 2023 (8-10 working days)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… • Master’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Social sciences, Education, Project Management, Social and Behavioral sciences (Communication for Development), psychology and/or related field is required. • Experience in early child education and developmental monitoring is recommended. • At least 5 years’ experience in development and quality assurance of the SBC campaigns and implementation plans. • Fluency in English language and ability to write quality analytical feedback, recommendations and reports. Knowledge of Russian language will be an asset. • Highly developed communication and partnership skills. • Facilitation skills to secure different opinions and formulate the strategies • Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment. • Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner. • Excellent analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to a team. • Competencies: - Drive for results; - Early child education and developmental monitoring; - Development and quality assurance of the SBC campaigns and implementation plans; - Analyzing.

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

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. • Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. • UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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. • 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. • 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.