Consultancy Title: Development of an Advocacy Strategy for Adolescents and Young People in Arab States/MENA

The goal of the consultancy is to support the development of an effective advocacy strategy for adolescents and young people in Arab States/MENA which will enable to advocate and create an environment in which young people across the region are safe and can heal, learn and have the opportunity to engage and realize their full potential.

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LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration: 60 working days

Location: UNICEF MENARO, Amman, Jordan

On-site working days:  60 days

Off-site working days: 0 days

Field Missions/Travel: No

Estimated Start Date:  23 August, 2017

Estimated End Date: 12 November, 2017

The Consultant will work closely and be supported by the co-lead agencies in the UN Inter-Agency Technical Task Team on Young People (UNIATTTYP) and UN: NGO group, NLG Advocacy Group and adolescent and young people.

BACKGROUND

Young people currently and will continue to make up a significant proportion of the Middle Eastern and North African population in both a developmental and humanitarian contexts.  Young people between the ages of 10-24 represent 28 per cent of the total MENA population (124 million people), and 84 million are between 10-19 years. This youth bulge is a window of opportunity to bolster prosperity and social well-being.

Nevertheless, most countries in the region are not able to ensure that the needs and rights of these adolescents are met with respect to health, education, protection as well as social, political and economic participation. As a result, young people, especially young girls, continue to remain socially, economically and politically excluded and the region faces the highest youth unemployment rate in the world. Conflicts, climate change and political instability have further increased the vulnerabilities of young people, exposing them to violence, exploitation and abuse. With regards to social and political participation, adolescents and youth in the region are offered only very few opportunities for civic engagement, free expression of their opinions, or for influencing decisions affecting their lives. Political instability in the region has further increased the vulnerabilities of adolescents and youth.

Strategic advocacy plan is the backbone of effective advocacy. It is a disciplined effort to generate fundamental decisions and actions that guide an organization and shape its course for a specific issue. Therefore, the Regional Framework of Joint Strategic Actions (2016-2017) for Young People includes critical actions to support countries in the Arab States/MENA region to develop critical interventions targeting adolescents and youth and scale up the overall response, including the development of an advocacy strategy with young people and other stakeholders to influence positively  the regional narrative on young people focusing on the positive role of adolescents and youth in their societies (Activity 3.4 under the Civic engagement, participation and inclusion thematic priority).

This terms of reference is to develop an overarching advocacy framework to support and strengthen the regional response for adolescents ad youth. The TOR work will focus on building from existing knowledge and products and support the development of the overall advocacy strategy, as well as related communications products, including key meassages. The strategy will be developed through a consultative process with UN and NGO partners through UN Inter-Agency Technical Task Team on Young People (UNIATTTYP), UN:NGO group, NLG Advocacy Group, policy and decision-makers, and adolescent and young people.

GOAL

The goal of the consultancy is to support the development of an effective advocacy strategy for adolescents and young people in Arab States/MENA which will enable to advocate and create an environment in which young people across the region are safe and can heal, learn and have the opportunity to engage and realize their full potential.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the consultancy is:

1. Develop the main parameters of the intended strategy and identify the main parties to be involved in the strategy development process.
2. Conduct a brief analytical research and generate an evidence base of the current regional situation, context, risks, and timing; map the current advocacy interventions for adolescents and young people.
3. Map stakeholders’ interests, influence, importance and their relative power.
4. Identify and select priority advocacy issues.
5. Identify targets, key influencers and communication channels.
6. In consultation with partners and young people, design and finalize key external communication and advocacy products/messages for the identified priority areas.
7. Set SMART goals and objectives based on analysis of policies and power.
8. Develop an overall advocacy strategy action plan using logframe with timeframe, budget, roles and responsibilities, budget, M&E and learning/ capacity development needs. Explore innovative means, methodologies and dissemination channels to influence policy and practice.
9. Provide guidance and insights on how to identify and establish partnerships, including with key media outlets and key influencers. Identify key advocacy opportunities and Outline possible opportunities for participatory adolescent- or youth-led advocacy initiatives.
10. Organize and facilitate a training session for focal points on the draft advocacy strategy and the areas of strategic communications and the strategy should be managed and monitored.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant should apply the most appropriate technique/ methodology approach that will focus on the objectives highlighted above. However, these are not limited to the use of desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, online data collection and consultative meetings/ trainings. The consultant will be requested to submit a technical proposal with brief description of methodology, milestones and timeframe as part of his or her application.

KEY TASKS AND DELIVERABLES OF ASSIGNMENT

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS: Commencement travel (consultant’s cost

For individual contractors and consultants, all travel arrangements to commence the assignment, including insurance and visas, will be managed and paid by the individual.  Therefore, expected travel costs must be included as a budget item in the financial proposal.  Should “mission travel” be required, UNICEF will manage and pay for travel via Travel Authorization.  However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites:  Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Trainings, Travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost shall be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel.  Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).  The consultant must travel on UNICEF approved airlines.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1.      Education: Master degree or its equivalent in communication or social science field is required.

2.      Work experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Communication and Social Media.

3.      Technical knowledge:

Proven skills in social media, communication, networking, strategy development, and advocacy.

Proven ability to present and communicate new projects to a varied audience, including young people.

Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as ensure knowledge transfer.

Strong writing and communication skills, including experience in writing for the web.

Knowledge of the situation of adolescents and youth in Arab states region.

4.      Language: Oral and written proficiency in English is required, Arabic is considered an asset.

FUNDING

The UNIATTTYP focal agencies as noted in the regional plan (UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA) will cover costs. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Select proposed methodology: By Deliverable

Overtime, weekend and official holidays will not be compensated, nor will any holiday/leave time be granted. The payment will be linked to the tasks and deliverables.

EVALUATION PROCESS

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Technical proposal including methodology, main milestones and timeframes.
3. Financial quote as lump sum (linked to number of days expected + the daily rate/professional fees) + lump sum for travel/administrative/subsistence.
4. CV.
5. Examples of previous, relevant work as applicable (reports/data analysis)
6. Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
7. At least 2 Referees
8. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html).

Late submissions, incomplete packets, or submissions with an incorrect email subject heading will not be considered.

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.