Conduct Child-Centred Climate Risk Assessment in Sri Lanka (Sri Lankan Nationals only)

The consultancy is to conduct a Child Centered Climate Risk Assessment (CCCRA) in Sri Lanka by using quantitative, qualitative and spatial methodology, collating existing information and resources, and identifying potential areas for child-centered advocacy, programming and intervention.

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 purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a Child Centred Climate Risk Assessment (CCCRA) in Sri Lanka by using quantitative, qualitative and spatial methodology, collating existing information and resources, and identifying potential areas for child-centered advocacy, programming and intervention, namely:

a) Based on the available secondary data at the provincial/district level to determine the relative distribution of climate change risks in the country – adapting the vulnerability and exposure variables to place more emphasis on child-sensitive indicators putting children at the Centre of the analysis; b) examine coping mechanisms and strategies (economic, social etc) of children, adolescents and their families when affected by climate change and natural disasters; c) make recommendations on adaptation and disaster risk management of climate change for children.

The CCCRA will also be helpful in internal decision-making  in UNICEF, enabling more risk and climate-sensitive programming, especially in the context of the new UNICEF's  five year country program (2018-2022).

Assignment Tasks

UNICEF is therefore looking for the services of a qualified individual or an institution to undertake the following tasks: Child Centred Climate Risk Assessment (CCCRA) in  Sri Lanka

1. Data collection: Conduct data collection and literature review under the scope of the assessment as mentioned above. This will include:

Document review (before the inception report):

• DRR and climate change related policies, regulations, standards procedures and guides (Climate change Secretariat)
• list of potential sources/datasets as well as available risk analysis tools (UNICEF)
• other similar studies in Sri Lanka and Asia and Pacific region
• evaluation/monitoring reports and responses;
• develop a questionnaire

Primary data collection (upon finalisation of the inception report, which is to specify the methodology for the below): the consultant will conduct interviews and discussions with the key stakeholders and the identified population groups.  It is expected that the sample will include the following categories:

• civil service officials within District Secretariats, as well as DMC/CCS; NCPA, MoWCA; MoE – at national and, importantly, at subnational levels;
• individuals/groups at the community level
• private or non-profit sector individuals with particular interest and/or expertise related to DRR/climate change adaptation
• representatives from INGOs, or NGOs with roles or experience relevant to DRR/climate change adaptation, especially those working in the field and involved in humanitarian response.

 2. Inception report:

• develop an inception report highlighting the title of study, research/study problem, research/study questions (including identification of shocks and stresses pertinent to Sri Lanka; identifying vulnerabilities and capacities of the populations and systems; and impact of shocks and stresses on the capacities and vulnerabilities as well as coping strategies), methodology, tools, techniques, scope and limitations, selected districts (based on an agreed set of criteria); selected vulnerability indicators; suggested GIS maps, and the outline of  the final report
• Conduct a consultation/peer review with the relevant  government partners, other UN agencies, ADB, World Bank, civil society organizations, academia, private sector,  I/NGOs in close collaboration with the Climate Change Secretariat and UNICEF to finalise the inception report
• Incorporate comments received from inception workshop

3. Conduct field and questionnaire surveys at the selected sites

4. Provide inputs to the progress reporting to National Expert Committees on Adaptation and Mitigation in close collaboration with the Climate Change Secretariat.

5. Analysis of the collected evidences. It is expected that based on the existing climate change models and primary data collection, provide in-depth analysis of identified shocks and stresses pertinent to Sri Lanka; identifying vulnerabilities and capacities of the populations and systems; and impact of shocks and stresses on the capacities and vulnerabilities with special focus on children and adolescents in Sri Lanka and analyze the coping strategies and mechanisms of children, adolescents and their families. Propose recommendations to address identified risks faced by children, adolescents and their families due to climate change and natural disasters in Sri Lanka and appropriate strategies to reduce the identified vulnerabilities, improve capacities to cope and, thus contributing to overall strengthening of their resilience to climate change.

6. Produce a final report as per the agreed outline (in English, up to 40 pgs) including GIS maps and the presentation of key findings/recommendations.

7. Stakeholder roundtable/workshop: prepare a ppt (up to 20 slides) and conduct the workshop/roundtable to present and validate the key findings and recommendations to relevant government, non-government, academia and private sector stakeholders;

8. Handover all datasets, shape files, copies of the questionnaires to UNICEF, CCS, Ministry of Disaster Management, Ministry of Women & Child Affairs and Ministry of Education in agreed formats and standards.

Working Relationships :

The national consultant will be under contract to UNICEF Sri Lanka and report to the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist for contractual and logistical matters. For technical guidance and supervision for the assessment, the consultant will liaise with the Climate Change Secretariat.

Expected Deliverables

The Consultant/or the Consultancy firm  will implement activities according to the tentative schedule below, and in close consultation with UNICEF M&E section.

1. Draft inception report - 4 weeks - By 15 Aug 2017

2. Consultation minutes; finalised inception report - 2 weeks- By 31 Aug 2017

3. Progress report - 8 weeks - By 26 Oct 2017

4. 1st draft assessment report -  4 weeks - By 25 Nov 2017

5. Power Point Presentation -  4 weeks -  By 25 Dec 2017

6. Final assessment report - 2 weeks - By 10 Jan 2018

Project Management & Supervision arrangements :  

The consultancy will work under the general guidance of the M&E Specialist, UNICEF  and Director, Climate Change Secretariat. Compliance with the ToR and timely delivery of the expected outputs/results will be closely monitored. Quality of work, demonstration of high standards of work with UNICEF and counterparts will also be assessed. Upon completion of contract deliverables, the supervisor will certify relevant documents, evaluate the institution’s work for processing payments.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education/Years of relevant experience/Competencies of Successful Candidate :

 Team Leader

1. Education:  At least a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction or Management, Social Sciences.
2. Specialist skills/Training:  research skills, including conducting interviews, focus group discussions, desk research, qualitative and quantitative analysis; proven communication, facilitation, and writing skills; proven academic qualifications in conducting research using statistical data analysis is an advantage.
3. Years of experience:  Minimum Eight (8) of work experience in climate change adaptation or environmental management, with particular focus on research. Proven experience in writing analytical papers on vulnerability assessments with a focus on high vulnerability groups including children and women. 
4. Competencies:  In-depth knowledge on Sri Lanka disaster management and climate change adaptation framework as well as legislation related to children’s rights; access to networks of professionals in related fields; ability to work cordially in an environment with persons of different backgrounds and opinions; ability to navigate challenges in completing tasks and ability ensure deliverables in a timely manner

Languages required: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is a must. 

At least two other Team Members with following skills will be required to support this research (sub-hired):

• Remote sensing and GIS expertise
• Expertise in the rights of children and women in Sri Lanka and the region
• Advance knowledge on statistical analysis, conducting surveys and qualitative research methodologies

Conditions :

• The national consultant will work from home with frequent travels to UNICEF office, Climate Change Secretariat and other Government and non-government stakeholders as required. The consultancy will be paid based on deliverables that have been submitted or provided during each month as defined above. Consultants are not entitled to leave during the consultancy period.
• The national consultant is responsible for hiring additional team members as per the requirements of the TOR.

General Conditions :

• The selected candidate(s) and/or legal entity will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
• In case of unsatisfactory performance, the contract will be terminated by notification letter sent 5 days prior to termination. In the meantime UNICEF will initiate another selection in order to identify an appropriate candidate.
• The contract will include all costs to be incurred and UNICEF will not be liable to pay any charges extraneous to the contract value.
• UNICEF retains the rights to patents and intellectual rights, as well as copyright and other similar intellectual property rights for any discoveries, inventions, production or works arising from the implementation of the project under this agreement with UNICEF.
• UNICEF is exempt from VAT and NBT.

How to apply :

Interested and qualified candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications through the UNICEF e-Recruitment system

Applications must be received by 08 July 2017.

• Letter of Interest and Availability including a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment
• Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate (for Team leader and other team members!!!)
• Financial quote for the consultancy, including all relevant costs (travel, sub-hire, etc to be involved) Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered
• Examples of previous, relevant work
• Three (3) references.

Please indicate your ability and availability to undertake the terms of reference above. 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.