ToR_NC_AlternativeCare Study_for posting.pdf

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 continues to support government partners in the child protection system strengthening in Turkmenistan through the provision of advanced services to children and families in need, which will strengthen mechanisms for preventing and responding to violence against children. Following the CRC Committee observations to Turkmenistan (2024), and the UNICEF vision under the new Country Programme Document 2026-2030, the Government of Turkmenistan is prioritizing the development of the Concept on Alternative Care. The Road Map for implementation of the Concept on Alternative Care has been developed by the Inter-ministerial working group for approval by the government. Within the Road Map it is envisaged to undertake a study to understand needs of vulnerable families, to document adoption and guardianship procedures and standards and to examine the factors driving placement of children into residential care.

The study will shed light to three areas of the national child protection and family support system:

1) Describing the profile of children and families in need of additional state support and the kind of support they need.

2) Reasons and factors for children being placed in institutions of all types including boarding schools, children’s homes, infant homes, especially among young children and children with disabilities.

3) Current practices in the assessment, selection, support and monitoring of adoptive parents and guardians.

Data for the study will be collected by UNICEF consultants under the supervision of the national working group members in two locations – one etrap in Ashgabat, and Charjev etrap in Lebap Velayat. The household survey data for study will be collected with support from a group of university social work students undertaking practical work and supervised by UNICEF consultants.

The research will be conducted in 6 phases (studies) and will include interviews/group discussions with professionals and local authorities; household survey; survey on reasons driving placements; interviews about adoption and guardianship practices and procedures; data analysis and report on the children in infant homes.

With all this in mind, UNICEF is looking for a national consultant on data to technically support data collection, processing and analysis, and developing the study report. The study will be led by a UNICEF international consultant, two national experts. The subject national consultant will join this study group to support the research from data perspectives.

The study is a joint initiative of the Social Protection, Social Policy and Child Rights Monitoring programme units at UNICEF and will contribute to the objectives of the UNICEF Country Programme for 2021-2025 output on strengthening of the national child protection and social support systems in Turkmenistan.   

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the Job

Under the overall supervision of the Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and direct coordination of the UNICEF international consultant, the National Data Consultant (NDC) will support the processes of data collection, processing and analysis, and developing the study report under the phases described in the Main Tasks to the Job section below.

Main Tasks Related to the Job

1. Study 1 – support the international consultant with the analysis of data collected from interviews of professionals, local authorities and households (quantitative aspects).
2. Study 2 – technically support the survey on reasons driving placements by finalizing the survey questionnaire in Russian, administering the survey to relevant organizations and institutions and coordinating the return of the survey questionnaires, data entry and cleaning, and preliminary analysis.
3. Study 4 – technically support the international consultant with the State Statistic Committee’s data analysis and report on children in family-based care collected from the Guardianship and Trusteeship authorities. Preparation of webinar with the State Statistics Committee.
4. Study 5 - support quantitative data analysis and report on the children in infant homes collected by MoHMI.
5. Study 6 – data analysis and report on institutions under the Ministry of Education (when they become available)
6. Support the research team with quantitative analysis of data from Guardianship and Trusteeship authorities, drafting of report and preparation of webinar with the State Statistics Committee. Drafting instructions/guidance to support annual data collection on children in family-based alternative care, entering adoption etc as per the new format from the State Statistics Committee.
7. Provide other support as required related to quantitative analysis and report drafting.

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

Education:

A university degree in Health, Statistics, Social Sciences or any other related technical field is required.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven a minimum of 5 year experience in management and/or analysis of quantitative household surveys or studies.
• Strong computer skills and strong expertise in statistical analyses.
• Experience in data analysis, and study/survey report writing.
• Excellent knowledge of Russian and Turkmen. English is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective relationships both within and outside the organization.

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.