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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, education

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, education

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF in the Republic of North Macedonia is devoted to ensuring that young people are included in all facets of public life and experience rights and responsibilities. The country programme recognizes the need for UNICEF to better address the issues facing young people. This is confirmed by the Youth Situation Analysis (SitAn) that was conducted in late 2019.

This consultancy will inform UNICEF on a strategic vision and programming with and for adolescents and young people, as articulated in the CPD, the SitAn and the Youth SitAn.

There are already some activities which UNICEF is implementing which have “grown organically” through the years. Additionally, public life in the country has also evolved. There are two main approaches to the work in UNICEF. Mainstream projects are those which are being managed in the sections and which target young people and adolescents. This may range from obesity reduction activities in health, education and vocational projects in education, and children in contact with the law in child protection. These projects/activities should continue to be managed from the sections as they are currently doing.

The second approach is that of targeted activities, which are activities which focus on enhancing youth and adolescent participation and agency. So far there are 4 stand-alone targeted activities UNICEF MCD has been implementing:

• UPSHIFT – social entrepreneurship programme based on human-centered design methodology, mentorship, and seed funding
• Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2018/19 and 2019/20 - part of the global initiative Generation Unlimited, a multi-sector public-private global partnership meant to meet the urgent needs for expanded education, training and employment opportunities for young people, UNICEF volunteer and young reporters initiative including different volunteer activities, actions and campaigns to advance the rights and wellbeing of children and youth, as well as engaging young people in the COVID-19 response.
• U-Report - social messaging tool and data collection system developed by UNICEF to improve citizen engagement, inform leaders, and foster positive change;
• UNICEF Volunteers programme commenced in 2019 and has so far engaged over 200 young volunteers in various project activities. The aim is to engage young people in UNICEF programmatic work offering them crucial experience and at the same time harnessing the potential of young people to shape and implement policies and activities.

These 4 activities plus the mainstreamed activities in the sections (mental health etc.) form the core of our adolescent programme at the “inception/beginning” phase and form the basis of future action over the next 3 years. Through direct collaboration with staff, partners and other stakeholders, this consultancy will support UNICEF’s comprehensive youth programing. The Youth Programme Consultant is an office based position and the selected candidate will be required to work from the office at least three days per week for a duration of 11,5 months.

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to work directly with staff, partners and other stakeholders and support comprehensive youth programing. The consultancy will ultimately result in a Youth Strategy outlining the specific work of UNICEF in the next 4 years through a youth engagement lens. Furthermore, through direct implementation and involvement, the consultancy is expected to examine the existing activities, achievements and programme linkages and identify bottlenecks, challenges and gaps being experienced and potency for scalability. Establish alignment of existing initiatives/interventions in the country and provide theory of change and detailed recommendations based on findings that would inform the mid-term review process or the planning and implementation of programme components advancing youth engagement in the current Country Programme 2021-2025 and to identify strategic opportunities of engagement within the dynamic vibrant country ecosphere of young people empowerment

The consultancy will focus on relevance, enabling environment and coverage in terms of population and the specific actions, services rendered, effectiveness and efficiency in adolescents and youth programs. In this regard, UNICEF MCD is calling for an Expression of Interest - EOI - from qualified professionals in the relevant field to provide support of UNICEF MCD’s adolescents and youth engagement programs.

Scope of Work:

The overall goal of the position is to collaborate directly with programme staff and give technical support and evidence-based guidance to the various program sections in initiatives targeting adolescents and youth. This will aid in designing, scaling up and identify cross cutting solutions that address the needs of the adolescents and youth. Under the general supervision of the Education Officer and lateral thematic support from section Chiefs, the consultant will provide multisectoral professional technical contribution, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and progress reporting.

Based on the available data and documents, review UNICEF’s focus on the following Key Analysis Questions:

• Programme coherence and effectiveness regarding youth engagement
• Relevance of design and approach of UNICEF’s interventions
• Youth focused Lens towards UNICEF’s programming
• Mid-term programmatic opportunities and areas for intervention

• Recommendations towards engagement of the youth in UNICEF Country Programme 2021-2025

  Programme/Project Management

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective multisectoral adolescents and youth programmes and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, including gender disaggregation at the national and county level.

Work Plan and Project Documentation

Mobilize all multisectoral stakeholders and facilitate stronger partnership in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of costed strategic plan for the country. Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports including monitoring and reporting against set indicators.

Timeframe: The assignment is expected to take 11,5 months.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND DELIVERABLES:

Based on the evolving needs of the UNICEF CO in the area of Youth and Adolescent Development programmes, the role of the Youth Programme Consultant is further elaborated and specified to cover a list of tasks and responsibilities, noting that additional duties may arise. The consultant is expected to work from the office at least three days per week with rare exceptions based on the activities and external factors. The list of activities below serves to map out the major tasks and deliverables, again, noting that additional duties may arise.

1. Youth consultations – Supporting both programme officers and the representative in carrying out at least 12 youth consultations with young people from different regions (including youth with disabilities, youth from vulnerable communities and diverse cultural backgrounds) to gather firsthand information on their current engagement, needs and preferences in the areas of youth engagement, skills building and education, meaningful participation, overall quality of life, and environment and climate change. (Deliverable – Youth consultations summary report)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*
2. Stakeholder mapping – Conduct a thorough stakeholder mapping of youth CSOs and youth serving CSOs currently active in North Macedonia with a brief analysis on their field of work. (Deliverable – Stakeholder mapping report)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*
3. Volunteer programme review – Review the current set-up of the volunteer programme, draft foundational documents and principles of engagement, and suggest steps to optimize and facilitate internal coordination and beneficiary experience. (Deliverable – Volunteer programme protocol and guiding document)*; coordination with education and communication sections .*
4. Volunteer programme coordination – Support two calls for volunteers and support the monitoring and engagement of volunteers in existing programmes. (Deliverable – Two cycles of volunteer calls supported)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*
5. UPSHIFT support – Provide support in the announcement and outreach phases of at least 3 UPSHIFT cycles. Actively engage in programme delivery of at least one full UPSHIFT cycle. (Deliverable – Three cycles of UPSHIFT supported)
6. Generation Unlimited support – Provide support in the implementation of the Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge. (Deliverable – GenU implementation supported)*; coordination with education and communication sections.*
7. C4D events support – Support existing C4D activities and events through outreach and consultation with young people. Support UNICEF colleagues with feedback and suggestions to incorporate a youth lens in existing activities. (Deliverable – Continuous support to C4D events during consultancy)*; coordination with communication section .*
8. U-Report polls engagement – Participate in the set-up of at least 5 UReport polls through suggesting topics, drafting questions and sharing the results with stakeholders. (Deliverable – Supported 5 UReport polls from inception to result dissemination)*; coordination with communication section.*
9. Young reporters engagement – Support UNICEF young reporters in developing stories, blogs and articles and engaging wider audiences including stakeholders and duty bearers. (Deliverable – Continuous support to Young Reporters during consultancy)*; coordination with communication section.*
10. Support in expanding the cooperation with the Agency of youth and sports – Provide support to colleagues in defining and implementing support programmes for active Youth Councils and Youth Centers. (Deliverable – Continuous support in the cooperation with the Agency)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*
11. Country/Representative consulting youth groups organization – Provide support in setting up a regular consultation mechanism with groups of young people for the needs of the UNICEF representative and the CO in general. (Deliverable – Two youth consulting groups defined, and protocols established)*; coordination with country representative.*
12. Action plan – Draft and support the finalization of an action plan of youth engagement opportunities in underserved areas and for underserved communities. (Deliverable – Approved Action plan)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*
13. Strategy considerations - Draft and support the finalization of a Youth Strategy Considerations document based on the experience and insights gathered during the consultancy. (Deliverable – Approved Youth Strategy Considerations)*; coordination with all sections is expected.*

Based on the activities and deliverables described above the consultant will develop a draft of a Youth Strategy The initial outline of the Youth Strategy consists of four sections to be developed in succession. They are: 1) Analysis of current youth programme; 2) Stakeholder mapping; 3) Mid-term action plan; 4) Long-term policy and programming considerations and recommendations. In each of these sections the consultant is expected as required to employ a tailored approach that will ensure that all vulnerable youth and youth at risk are included, considered, and engaged. Special focus during this consultancy is expected towards gender-transformative and diversity promoting approaches. Detailed guidance will be provided during the consultancy.

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS: The selected consultant shall report to the UNICEF Education Officer, on progress made in the achievement of the specific tasks outlined above.

List of relevant background materials: UNICEF will provide a list of documents, as well as reports that the consultant should take in consideration for the consultancy work.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 11,5 months.

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, human rights, or other related discipline. Advanced degree is considered as an asset;

• At least 5 years of experience and expertise in the area of youth engagement;

• Knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant international standards in the area of social and child protection;

• Previous work experience with UNICEF/UN will be considered as an asset.

• Strong advocacy, facilitation and communication skills;

• Excellent writing skills;

• Prior experience working with the UN system and/or international development agencies is an asset.

• Knowledge of English and Macedonian languages is required. Knowledge of other local languages is considered as an asset.

In order to apply please upload:

Required documentation****:

• narrative proposal
• the financial proposal in Macedonian Denars (MKD) for monthly Gross remuneration.
• Cover letter and CV

Selection criteria****: All candidates will be assessed on the technical merits of their submitted documents, the financial proposal and subsequently on conducted interviews.

Step 1. Technical Evaluation Criteria (70% of final score)

Points

1. Quality of narrative proposal

40

2. Experience and qualification of the consultant

30

Maximum points

70

Only candidates who receive a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered further for evaluation of financial proposal

Step 2. Financial proposal – (30% of final score *prorated from the lowest offer)

Step 3. Interviews with shortlisted candidates based on previous evaluation

NOTE: Candidates that already applied do not need to resubmit their application as they will be considered.

NOTE: Incomplete application and/or offers received not as requested will not be taken into consideration.

Selection criteria****: All candidates will be assessed on the technical merits of their submitted documents, the financial proposal and subsequently on conducted interviews.

Technical Evaluation Criteria - max 70 points out of which: Quality of narrative proposal - max 40 points and Experience and qualification of the consultant max 30 points.

Financial proposal – max 30 points

Only applications which will be assessed with a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered further for evaluation of financial proposal

NOTE: Incomplete application and/or offers received not as requested will not be taken into consideration.

For every Child, you demonstrate Integrity

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.

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.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).