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International Consultancy to Design and Lead a Baseline Study of a Joint Government-the UN project on Integrated Services Provided through Youth Houses in Azerbaijan

Baku

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Baku
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political Affairs
    • Youth
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Social Affairs
    • Public Policy and Administration
    • Urban Development, planning and design
    • Adolescent Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

The proposed consultancy assignment is to support UNICEF Azerbaijan CO and its partners to conduct the Baseline Study on adolescent and youth development in supporting the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the MOYS-UN Joint Youth Houses Initiative. The consultancy is expected to provide technical leadership in design, implementation and reporting of the survey in close consultation with UNICEF staff, adolescents, young people, government and stakeholder from all relevant sectors.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

The proposed consultancy assignment is to support UNICEF Azerbaijan CO and its partners to conduct the Baseline Study on adolescent and youth development in supporting the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the MOYS-UN Joint Youth Houses Initiative.

 The consultancy is expected to provide technical leadership in design, implementation and reporting of the survey in close consultation with UNICEF staff, adolescents, young people, government and stakeholder from all relevant sectors.

  1. Methodology 

The study will combine different methodologies to collect information at schools, Youth Houses and the community level. The general methodology proposed for the baseline study includes both quantitative and qualitative methods, addressing different target groups and issues.

 Desk review of the existing documents:

 Data and information will be provided and reviewed from existing surveys, other studies and programme documents to inform the design of the study and contribute to the analysis and final conclusions. It includes but is not limited to:

  • Convention on the Rights of the Child;
  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women;
  • UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Programme Document 2016-2020;
  • Azerbaijan 2020 Look Into The Future” Development Concept;
  • The Strategic Road Map for the National Economy and Main Economic Sectors;
  • 2015-2025 State Youth Development Strategy;
  • National Education Development Strategy of Azerbaijan;
  • Technical Rules for the Youth Houses;
  • Baku-2015 Adolescent Declaration on Safe and Inclusive Sport;
  • UNICEF Office of Research (Innocenti) Briefs on Conducting Research with Adolescents;
  • UNICEF CEE-CIS Regional Strategy and Theory of Change on ‘An Adolescent's Right to a Second Chance’;
  • UNICEF CO Theory of Change and a Logical Framework on the MoYS-UN Youth Houses Initiative.

 Quantitative research: 

A sample survey will be carried out to obtain quantitative information about the adolescents’ development status, their needs and access to social services, as well as their knowledge, attitude and behaviour related to their development.

 The main criteria for the survey sampling will cover:

  • 2 districts with a Youth House under the auspices of the MoYS (platform for the modelling);
  • 2 comprising districts with a Youth House under the sub-national authorities (Executive Committees); and
  • 2 comprising districts with no Youth House.    

 Appropriate sampling size and methods will be defined by the consultant in close consultation with the key stakeholders.

 All key study findings have to be carefully disaggregated by age and sex.

 Qualitative research:

 Specific qualitative research methods, such as focus group discussions, individual interviews and observations will be used to understand specific group of targets:

  • Parents of adolescents;
  • Adolescents with disabilities;
  • Community-level adolescent/youth facilities and service providers including teachers, health workers and social workers including from NGOs/CSOs working for and with adolescents;
  • Officials and staff at District Executive Authorities (ExComs) and Youth Houses;
  • Government officials and policy makers of MoYS, MoE and other ministries, including the Parliament and local government authorities.

     Study operation:

 The concepts of evolving capacity and best interest of adolescents (CRC General Comment No. 20) will be useful in guiding ethical thinking about conducting a survey with adolescents. The series of briefs on conducting research with adolescents[1] recently produced by the UNICEF Office of Research (Innocenti) and intending to share practice, methods, designs and recommendations from the renowned researches can be of great help in the course of the survey preparation.  

 A national consultant and a group of young researchers have been identified to support the local data collection. The international consultant’s task will also include strengthening capacity of the selected local researchers by conducting training sessions, as well as providing step-by-step guidance, and supervising their work throughout the research process.

Assignment Tasks

To complete the Baseline Study, the selected research organization/individual will work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, State Statistical Committee (SSC) of Azerbaijan, other UN agencies, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders. The selected research organization/individual will perform the following actions as listed below:

 

Tasks/Key Assignments

Timeframe

Deliverables

1.

Undertake a desk review of relevant documents and international experience in research tools and approaches for measuring issues related to adolescents.

 

3 working days

1)   An Inception Report should include:

 -       Defined study methodology, including sampling methods, sample size, and qualitative study proposals that would to the extent possible explore the possibility to use innovative approaches to data collection, such as online surveys, with the consideration of reaching the most disadvantaged groups[1].

 -       A detailed work plan for the study with a timeframe and requested local support.

 -       A comprehensive note on the survey to submit to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan.

 -       A proposed study report structure with proposed table of contents and key study questions. 

2.

In consultation with the UNICEF Country Office team, prepare a study methodology and scope, and develop an inception report

5 working days

3.

 

Develop the study tools and materials.

 

 

10 working days

2)   A set of documents of the study tools and materials:

 -       Sampling framework and sample size;

 -       Survey questionnaires and instruments for field data collection, group discussion and individual interviews and their training materials; 

 -       Proposal for management of the study and field work.

4.

Conduct the first in-country visit to:

 -        Finalize the study methodology and tools;

 -        Facilitate an inception meeting with the previously recruited local researcher representing the academia and a group of young researchers who will act as study assistants and discuss the methodology and scope of the study, as well as agree on individual roles and responsibilities.

 -        If necessary, provide additional training to the local research team and conduct test of the study tools;

 -        Guide and support a 10-14-day local data collection activity. Carry out selected focus group discussions and individual interviews with key stakeholders at national and local level.

 -        Guide the data entry and interview discrepancy reporting processes. 

5 working days

3)   Completion of local data collection.

5.

Conduct data quality control and in-depth analysis for both quantitative data and qualitative information. Draft the analytical study report and share with the UNICEF Country Office for review and comments 

15 working days

4)   Draft Study Report

6.

Incorporate comments and revise the draft report and prepare a PowerPoint presentation 

4 working days

5)   Revised draft Study report;

6)   A PowerPoint presentation for the key findings

7.

Finalize and submit the final report

3 working days

7)   Final Study Report

 

The consultant is expected to start within one week after selection and complete all the tasks by 31 December 2017. The total number of working days is expected to be approximately 45.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

The consultancy is open to both individual and institutional international applicants. The core competencies of the consultant/leading researcher of the institution are the following:

  • Advanced university degree in the Social Sciences such as anthropology, sociology, psychology or other related field.
  • Previous experience of supporting and conducting similar large-scale quantitative and qualitative research, surveys and assessment in the related field.
  • A minimum of 5 - 7 years of experience in the field of research, study or assessment.
  • Good understanding of human rights based approach to programming and results based management principles.
  • Proven expertise on child rights and social inclusion. Knowledge of global policies and development frameworks on adolescents and youth will be an added benefit.
  • Familiarity with UNICEF's mission and mandate. Experiences of working with UNICEF/UN and working in the CEE/CIS region will be an added benefit.

 

To view our competency framework, please click here

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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