National consultants to support enhancing access to services, emergency preparedness and response, and protection of UASC at local level (Home-Based) 220 working days, Bucharest, Romania
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Job no: 575722
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Bucharest
Level: Consultancy
Location: Romania
Categories: Child Protection
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, PROTECTION
UNICEF's initial response to the refugee crises included establishing Blue Dot hubs to provide essential support to those fleeing the conflict. As the crisis prolonged, UNICEF adapted its approach to meet the evolving needs of refugee children and families, shifting from emergency response to a sustainable, system-integrated model – Blue Grid. The Blue Grid model ensures referral and access to a minimum set of protection and social services, provided by a sustainable network of professionals or service providers, working in coordination with local and county authorities. UNICEF Romania seeks for support of a national local consultant or a team of consultants, between September 2024 – April 2025, with the aim to support the office in developing and co-creating a sustainable Blue Grid model, focusing on three key areas:
- Enhanced access to services (implemented in two counties, selected by UNICEF), following that authorities at county and local level have the knowledge, skills and tools to provide/ensure:
- timely assistance for enhanced access to services.
- early identification and early intervention.
- intersectoral coordination.
- monitoring and evaluation of the situation of refugees and impact of action.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (implemented in two counties, selected by UNICEF): following that authorities at county and local level are prepared with the right tools and mechanism to ensure protection and access to services in case of different type of emergencies (protracted refugee crisis, sudden influx of refugees, other type of crisis: earthquake, floods, etc.)
- UASC Protection (implemented in four counties, selected by UNICEF) following that unaccompanied and separated children and adolescents from Ukraine and their caregivers have sustained access to child protection prevention and response services, as part of the national protection system and quality standards.
The national experts will work under the supervision of the Child Protection Officer and in close collaboration with other relevant UNICEF staff members.Interested consultants or teams of consultants can select one or multiple key areas of intervention and are requested to submit their applications clearly stating their key area/s to cover, including specific tasks, if relevant. UNICEF reserves the right to select several individual consultants, one or several teams of consultants (with individual contracts for each member) in order to cover all the three key areas of intervention.If a team of consultants will be selected, the team leader will ensure coordination and inter-connection of all activities and process flows. If several individual consultants or/and teams will be selected, they will have to cooperate, coordinate and work together for the realization of their activities, but one will be requested to ensure overall coordination and will be additionally renumerated for this role.
Geographical coverage of the assignment: 2 counties for 1) Enhanced access to services and 2) Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans, currently under selection by UNICEF. 3) UASC Protection key area will be implemented in four counties with higher number of children in alternative care - Prahova, Brasov, Iasi and Suceava.
| Key area 1: Enhanced access to services | ||
| Conduct a baseline assessment and an end line assessment to inform and design the intervention. |
- Baseline assessment report: 15-20 pages, covering data collection, analysis, and identified gaps.
- End line assessment report: 20-30 pages, including outcome comparisons, intervention impact and improvement strategies.
- Methodology document: 5-10 pages, describing data collection tools and techniques used in both assessments.
|
10 days |
| Develop information materials of available services, entry points and referral pathways. |
- Information materials package: up to five informative documents (1-3 pages each) per county summarizing services entry points, and referral pathways.
- Validation report: 3-5 pages, reflecting stakeholder feedback on the materials' clarity and usability.
|
4 days |
| Develop tools and guidelines to enhance and support access to services and conduct trainings for relevant staff. |
- Tools (checklists, forms, etc.): 10-15 pages, providing practical service delivery support tools, including detailed description and instructions.
- Training materials: one power-point presentation (including notes) developed as support for 6 h training of professionals at county level.
- Training: at least 1 training of 6 h conducted per county, followed by submission of training reports of no longer than 5 pages, summarizing training impact and participant feedback.
|
11 days |
| Develop early identification tool/guideline of protection risks and conduct trainings for relevant staff. |
- Early identification tool: one-pager schematic presentation of the checklist of early identification of risks (in synergy with PRIMERO and current national legal framework) for the use of professionals, accompanied by a detailed description of no more than 3 pages.
- Training package: one power-point presentation (including notes) developed as support for 6 h training of professionals at county level.
- Training: at least 1 training of 6 h conducted per county, followed by submission of training reports of no longer than 5 pages.
|
9 days |
| Support coordination at the county level for enhancing access to services, promptly addressing challenges and better respond to needs, including through already existing cooperation mechanisms, including on access to education and protection of UASC. |
- Monthly reports: up 5 pages report delivered the last working day of each month, including challenges and ways forward.
- Meeting minutes: including list of participants and contact details delivered electronically no later than 3 days after each meeting.
- Final report: 15-20 pages, including successes, challenges, and future recommendations.
|
24 days |
| Enhance data collection and use of data in decision making, including through the use of PRIMERO in the provision of child data (statistics) at county level. |
- Quick situation analysis: 10-20 pages initial inventory reports with list and brief description of data collection tools (electronic forms, apps, management information systems) and schematic presentation of the decision-making processes at county level.
- Training materials: one power-point presentation (including notes) developed as support for 6 h training of professionals at county level, including simulation exercise for the use of data in developing local plans for enhancing access of social services.
- Training: at least 1 training of 6 h conducted per county, followed by submission of training reports of no longer than 5 pages.
- Final summary report: 10-15 pages, including an overview of key findings and recommendations.
|
9 days |
| Support local governments in undertaking quick situation analyses on the refugee children and families present in communities and provide technical assistance throughout the process. |
- Situation analysis templates and guideline for implementation, up to 10 pages.
- Situation analysis reports no longer than 10 pages, for each of the county, co-developed with the relevant stakeholders.
|
13 days |
| Develop a set of recommendations for social cohesion and social inclusion for local and county authorities and communities. | - Set of recommendations, prioritized and organized by key stakeholders at local and county level, outlining actionable steps for enhancing social cohesion and inclusion, of up to 20 pages, including annexes. | 5 days |
| Set up mechanisms for the consultation of affected populations (both refugees and host community). |
- Consultation mechanism package: 10-15 pages, describing the process, roles, and objectives of the consultation mechanisms, including tools (interview guides, questionnaire or else).
- Consultation Reports: 5-10 pages per report, summarizing the feedback and input from refugees and host community members from at least 1 consultation meeting per county.
- Final report: 10-15 pages, reflecting the outcomes and insights gained from the consultations.
|
7 days |
| Develop a practical Guideline for local and county authorities to enable protection and social inclusion for Ukrainian refugee children and families. | - Practical Guideline: up to 20-25 pages summarizing descriptive all the activities above (mapping of services, referral pathways, facilitating access to services, data collection and situation analysis, including consultation with affected population, etc.), including recommendations for implementation. | 7 days |
| Develop a documentation package of the Blue Grid initiative, with recommendations and lessons learned. |
- Documentation package of the Blue Grid initiative of up to 50-60 pages, including i) one-page introductory cover; ii) all deliverables mentioned above; iii) recommendations and lessons learned of 3-5 pages, which should be used for any other county implementing Blue Grid initiative.
|
15 days |
| When necessary, provide support to UNICEF Romania in working with local and county authorities to advance the local level decision making for children, including field visits on regular basis. |
- Support plan: up to 5 pages, outlining the role and objectives in supporting local decision-making processes.
- Field visit reports: 3-5 pages per visit, summarizing observations, recommendations, and follow-up actions.
- Final report: up to 15 pages, summarizing the overall impact of support provided, including feedback from local authorities and recommendations for future actions.
|
24 days |
| Key area 2: Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans | ||
| Develop a set of practical tools and SOPs for relevant authorities with responsibilities in child protection in preparing and responding to different type of emergencies |
- A set of practical tools (checklists, action plans, templates, etc.) and SOPs for preparedness and response in emergencies, based on international standards (including Core Commitment for Children) and national legal framework; up to 15 pages.
- User Guide for SOPs and Tools: 5-10 pages, explaining how to effectively use the tools and SOPs with examples or case studies.
|
10 days |
| Support local and county authorities in the development of emergency preparedness and response plans |
- Tailored emergency plans: at least 2 plans for local municipalities/county and 2 plans for the selected counties, based on the proposed set of tools and SOPs.
- Final report: up to 10 pages, summarizing the support provided and outcomes achieved, with recommendations for improvement
|
14 days |
| Organize workshops and other capacity strengthening activities for preparedness and response to emergencies, including coordination. |
- Workshop agenda and training materials: 10-15 pages or slides, including detailed session plans, case studies, and group exercises.
- Workshop/events reports: up to 3 pages per workshop, for at least 2 workshops organized in the selected counties.
- Final report: up 10 pages, evaluating the overall effectiveness of the workshops, key outcomes, and recommendations for future capacity-building activities.
|
7 days |
| Key area 3: UASC Protection |
|
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| Develop a tailored best interest determination assessment guidance to be used by county authorities and service providers and conduct trainings in relevant counties (4) for taking decisions regarding Ukrainian UASC. |
- Tailored best interest determination assessment practical guidance, 10-15 pages, developed in line with international standards, and national legislation.
- Training materials: one power-point presentation (including notes) developed as support for 6 h training of professionals at county level.
- Training: at least 1 training of 6 h conducted per county (4), followed by submission of training reports (4) of no longer than 5 pages, summarizing training outcomes, participant feedback, and areas for improvement.
|
11 days |
| Conduct rapid situation analysis in relevant counties (4) and support county authorities in developing action plans to improve quality standards for placement services accommodating evacuated children, including regarding sustainability and integration into national child protection system. |
- Rapid situation analysis template and guideline for conducting the analyses, of up to 7 pages.
- Rapid situation analysis report, up to 5 pages and action plans for each county (4).
- Final report with set of recommendations for each county, up to 10 pages.
|
14 days |
| Support/develop required tools for family placement of UASC in the families of Ukrainian citizens, including training materials for these families based on national standards and procedures |
- Guidance document on placement of UASC in Ukrainian families: 10-15 pages, outlining national standards, procedures and recommendations.
- Training materials for families: 15-20 pages or slides, including national standards, child protection procedures, and family support guidelines.
|
10 days |
| Provide information and capacity strengthening activities for county authorities and service providers for the protection of UASC, with focus on evacuated children. |
- Capacity-building materials (presentations, handouts, guidelines): 10-15 pages or slides covering UASC protection standards, coordination protocols, and child safeguarding.
- Training: at least 1 training of 6 h conducted per county (4), followed by submission of training reports (4) of no longer than 5 pages, summarizing training outcomes, participant feedback, and areas for improvement.
- Final capacity building report: up to 10 pages, detailing the outcomes, challenges, and recommendations from the training sessions.
|
10 days |
| Conduct trainings for Ukrainian staff working in services hosting UASC on national child protection legislation, quality standards and procedures |
- Training materials on child protection legislation and quality standards: 15-20 pages or slides, including relevant laws, case studies, and examples of procedures.
- Training: at least 1 training of 3 h conducted per county (4), followed by submission of training reports (4) of no longer than 5 pages, summarizing training outcomes, participant feedback, and areas for improvement.
|
6 days |
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Advanced university (Masters) degree in public administration, political science, sociology, social protection, education, social sciences and development sciences, or other relevant technical fields.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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.
Remarks:
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. 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.
Advertised: GTB Daylight Time
Deadline: GTB Daylight Time