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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, Rights!

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The UNICEF Office in Guinea-Bissau is supporting national efforts to expedite the fulfillment of children’s rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), while simultaneously advancing progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership between UNICEF and Guinea-Bissau is formalized through the UNICEF-Government Country Programme Document (CPD), which was jointly developed and formally approved by the UNICEF Board of Directors. The CPD is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and national development priorities.

In preparation for the next UNSDCF and CPD, the UNICEF Guinea-Bissau Country Office (GBCO) is initiating a comprehensive analysis of the situation of children and adolescents in Guinea-Bissau. This Situation Analysis (SitAn) of children’s rights and wellbeing is a cornerstone document intended to contribute to the UN Common Country Assessment (CCA), enrich policy dialogues, foster partnerships, and guide the design of interventions aimed at advancing the enjoyment of rights by all children and adolescents in Guinea-Bissau.

In view of the above, GBCO seeks to hire an international consultant to support the development of the Situation Analysis of children and adolescents in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (SitAn) for the period of March 2022 - December 2024. The SitAn is the first step to inform the drafting of the new CPD for 2027-2031.

Scope of Work:

The SitAn stands as a flagship product, offering a comprehensive analytical narrative that explores the landscape of children and adolescents’ rights and well-being within Guinea-Bissau. Rooted in a rights-based approach, it meticulously examines the progress made, the challenges encountered, and the opportunities available for advancing child and adolescent rights and well-being, while identifying the prevailing patterns of deprivation affecting children. The SitAn will also assess Guinea-Bissau’s progress on child-related SDGs and includes an analysis of achievements, challenges, and bottlenecks in protecting the rights and ensuring the best interests of the child, with special attention to the most vulnerable groups such as children with disabilities, children with special educational needs, and children living in poverty.

This analysis delves into the underlying causes of these deprivations and the barriers impeding the fulfillment of child rights. It scrutinizes the efficacy of policy and program interventions in extending inclusive social services to key populations at scale, evaluates policy delivery adequacy, particularly in terms of budget allocations, and assesses the resources allocated to ensure no child is left behind.

This analysis influences and contributes to improving the lives of children and adolescents by supporting the fulfillment and protection of child rights and addressing the underlying causes of violations and deprivations. The SitAn is based on official statistics, available research, data from international databases, and consultations with experts, specialists, and professionals involved in the implementation of policies, national programs, and legislation aimed at children and adolescents, as well as other reliable sources.

It addresses a broad audience that includes key stakeholders such as policymakers, decision-makers, government counterparts, civil society, donors, the private sector, academia, and children and adolescents, to achieve understanding and consensus on the key child rights priorities in the country. The GBCO will implement the SitAn in close partnership with national partners, including key ministries such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society organization and partners.

The findings and recommendations of the 2025 SitAn of Children and Adolescents in Guinea-Bissau will be used to: i) inform the prioritization of programming areas to be included in the new CPD; ii) contribute to the UN Common Country Analysis; iii) inform the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027-2031; iv) support national partners in developing national programs and policies for 2027-2031; and v) raise awareness among key stakeholders and the public on the situation of children and adolescents in Guinea-Bissau.

The SitAn will adopt a national outlook, highlighting regional disparities in deprivations and causes, aiming to identify progress (or lack thereof) in realizing child rights. The consultant will adhere to the UNICEF guidance during the conduct of the SitAn, aligning all deliverables to the guidance in UNICEF Guidance

https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/portals/RF/Regulatory%20Framework%20Library/UNICEF%20Guidance%20on%20Reference%20Library%20SitAn%20Core.pdf. Moreover, the consultant will reference the UNICEF guidance for Country Programme Planning in appreciating the link between the SitAn, Evidence Synthesis, and other components of the country planning process.

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Additionally, the consultant will be required to clearly identify any potential ethical issues, as well as the processes for oversight during the data collection process and align them to UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation, Data Collection and Analysis can be found at: https://www.unicef.org/supply/files/ATTACHMENT_IV-UNICEF_Procedure_for_Ethical_Standards.PDF

Building upon the above, the consultant will be required to propose a more precise methodology within the Inception phase, taking into account the different steps below.

1.      Inception phase:

1.1. Desk review to assess availability of data/information.

1.2. Development of a conceptual framework for the SitAn and specific tools for data collection.

1.3. Presentation of the conceptual framework and the tools to UNICEF and key stakeholders mapping to facilitate an in-depth common understanding of the framework.

1.4. Presentation of the inception report, including finalized conceptual framework and methodology.

2.      Data Collection and Analysis phase

2.1. Analysis of existing evidence to highlight the main trends related to children and adolescents’ rights

2.2. Interviews and/or focus groups with key informants.

2.3. Secondary analysis of available data/information

3.      Reporting phase

3.1.   Drafting of the SitAn report and a summary version of the SitAn.

3.2.   Contribute to the validation of the SitAn

4.      Dissemination

4.1.    Launch of Situation Analysis Report

Work Assignment Overview 1:
Inception phase:
- Desk review
- Preparation of draft inception report. The report needs to include the SitAn structure, methodology, data sources, tools and approaches
- Engagement with key stakeholders.

Deliverables/ Outputs 1:
1. Inception finalized in line with the UNICEF guidance and validated
2. Presentation of the inception report to GBCO stakeholders

Delivery deadline: End May 2025

Work Assignment Overview 2:
Data Collection and Analysis phase:
- Preparation for data collection
- Focus group with identified groups
- Finalization of the SitAn Approach matrix
- Preparation and presentation of preliminary findings

Deliverables/ Outputs 2:
3. Draft of the SitAn
4. Presentation of the key findings

Delivery deadline: End of July 2025

Work Assignment Overview 3:
Reporting phase:
- The draft SitAn report revision.
- Develop the SitAn executive summary (max 5 pages)
- Preparation and presentation of preliminary findings
Deliverables/ Outputs 3:
5. Final version of the SitAn report validated
6. Summary of the SitAn report validated
7. Presentation of SitAn at Launch
Delivery deadline: End of August 2025

Supervision of the consultancy:

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is the contract manager and major focal point responsible for coordinating the performance of the tasks, providing necessary documents, arranging consultations and other steps necessary to complete planned deliverables.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social science, economics, statistics and policy analysis or related field.  
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. 
• A minimum of 8 of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: policy analysis, planning, political economy analysis, research, M&E or other relevant area.
  • Experience in drafting or development of situation analysis reports for children and adolescents.
  • Profound understanding of sustainable inclusive development, gender equality and human rights, including child rights, equity/inclusion.
  • Understanding of the current regional and Guinea-Bissau context will be an asset.
  • Strong writing and editorial skills
  • Oral and written fluency in English, fluency in French or Portuguese is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

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 or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.