Duration: from November 2024 to Fabruary 2025
Workplace: home-based
Modality: part-time

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

Purpose of the assignment
The consultant will work with central and local authorities to refine and test an established set of indicators within the drafted Monitoring and Quality Assurance Framework (hereinafter MQAF) for ensuring well-being and inclusive reintegration of repatriated children. This framework was prepared for national authorities to assess and track future progress in reintegration of children into their communities. The consultant’s role includes providing technical support to the line ministries and local authorities in revising and testing the MQAF based on feedback from national stakeholders, facilitating training for engaged national and local specialists, and developing recommendations for streamlining the MQAF into existing monitoring systems and practical implementation.

Scope of Work

1. Consultation and Initial framework Updates:
Consultation: Engage with UNICEF and national stakeholders to review and refine the existing MQAF (indicators) for monitoring well-being and reintegration of children considering the available international guidelines and recommendations and the national legal framework.
Updating Indicators for Testing: Incorporate feedback to update the MQAF (indicators) for the testing phase, ensuring they align with expected monitoring goals and requirements.

2. Regional Training and Testing Phase:
Initial Regional Visit: Conduct a visit to a selected 2 regions to present and consult with local authorities on the updated MQAF (indicators) and provide training on MQAF for testing purposes.
Remote Support: Provide ongoing remote support during the testing phase to assist with implementation and address any issues that arise through scheduled virtual check-ins.

3. Follow-Up Visit and Feedback Analysis:
Collecting Feedback: During a follow-up visit to the regions, gather feedback from stakeholders on the MQAF (indicators') performance and usability.
Analyzing Feedback: Analyze the collected feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine the indicators accordingly.

4. Finalization and Presentation of Updated Monitoring and Quality Assurance Framework:
Indicator Finalization: Based on the feedback from the testing phase, make final adjustments to the MQAF (indicators).
Framework and Reporting: Finalize the MQAF and compile a comprehensive report summarizing the findings, updates made, and recommendations for streamlining the MQAF into existing monitoring systems and practical implementation.

Work Assignment Overview

1. Task/Milestone: Consultations and Update of Indicators for Testing on ensuring well-being and inclusive reintegration of repatriated children
Deliverable/Output:
- Report summarizing consultations with UNICEF and national stakeholders and local stakeholders.
- Updated MQAF based on consultation, ready for testing in two selected regions.
Date: Within 2 weeks from the start date. Expected working days: 8

2. Tasks/Milestones: Training for engaged national and local specialists and Remote Support During Testing Phase
Deliverable/Output:
- Training materials and agenda for the initial regional visits and consultations, detailing the testing methodology for the indicators.
- Remote support plan with scheduled check-ins and bi-weekly progress reports documenting guidance, challenges, and adjustments
Date: Ongoing for 2 months; updates every 2 weeks. Expected working days: 20

3. Tasks/Milestones: Follow-Up Visit to the selected 2 regions where testing was conducted and Analysis of Stakeholder Feedback
Deliverable/Output:
- Follow-up visit report, including direct feedback from regional stakeholders.
- Analysis report with recommendations for improvements based on stakeholder feedback and testing results.
Date: Within 3 weeks after the follow-up visit. Expected working days: 10

4. Tasks/Milestones: Finalization and Presentation of Updated Monitoring and Quality Assurance Framework and Summary Report
Deliverable/Output:
- Finalized MQAF incorporating adjustments from the testing phase.
- Comprehensive summary report covering the entire process, findings, and recommendations for streamlining the MQAF into existing monitoring systems and practical implementation.
- Presentations to engaged national stakeholders/work group with key finding and recommendations.
- Validation of the MQAF with engaged regions and brief report on results.
Date: 3 weeks after the follow-up visit. Expected working days: 10

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• Education: an advanced university degree in social sciences, data analysis, development studies, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience:
- At least 5 years of work experience in the field of social sciences, evidence generation and research, data collection and monitoring.
- Experience in designing and testing monitoring and quality assurance systems in social sector is an asset.
- Experience with various data collection and analysis methods, including quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and address data gaps or inconsistencies, ensuring high-quality and reliable data for decision-making.
- Good ability to build consensus, advise stakeholders, and organize professional events such as workshops or training sessions.
- Skills in engaging with stakeholders at national and local levels, facilitating discussions, and supporting collaborative efforts.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh is a strong asset.
- Proficiency in working with Microsoft Excel and Word.

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.

Evaluation Criteria
Technical evaluation weighs 75%, while Financial evaluation – 25%
A) Technical Evaluation (maximum 100 scores)
- Experience in developing and/or testing, and refining indicators within monitoring frameworks. Knowledge of best practices in monitoring and evaluation, with an emphasis on assessing and improving program effectiveness. Ability to prepare clear, concise, and insightful analytical reports – 25 scores.
- experience with quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Experience with quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Familiarity with data verification techniques – 25 scores.
- Experience in working on projects related to social services, public policy, or similar fields, with skills in identifying data gaps, addressing inconsistencies, and providing actionable recommendations – 25 scores.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to consult with relevant stakeholders and organise capacity building events – 25 scores.

B) Financial Proposal (e.g. maximum of 25 scores)
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. 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

• All submissions should be in English languages in electronic version (Word, Excel, Power Point, SPSS, tabulations etc.). All deliverables must be discussed, agreed and approved with UNICEF.
• 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 that UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. This ToR is an integral part of the contract (SSA) to be signed with the consultant.
• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• 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. Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. Four payments will be made based on the deliverables outlined in the Work Assignment Overview. 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. 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 (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month-20%; 2 months-50%; more 2 months – payment withhold).The Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.