Technical Support to Enhance Monitoring of Youth Programmes and Produce Better Results for Adolescents and Youth in MENA

The objective of this consultancy is to coordinate and technically support UNICEF country offices and their implementing partners in the monitoring civic engagement, social cohesion and economic engagement using the Engagement Monitoring System.

Technical Support to Enhance Monitoring of Youth Programmes and Produce Better Results for Adolescents and Youth in MENA

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration:  220 working days

Location: (Amman, Jordan)

On-site working days: 220 working days

Off-site working days: 0 working days

Field Missions/Travel: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and as requested by MENA countries (specific dates will be finalized in consultation with Country Offices)

BACKGROUND:

The MENA Regional Office in collaboration with LCO Innovation/SPPME is supporting MENA country offices in monitoring Adolescent and Youth led Social, Civic and Economic Engagement through the development of a systematic data collection and analysis system, called the Engagement Monitoring System (EMS). The purpose of this routine monitoring system is to support country offices in obtaining data that will inform programme’s progress, strengths and bottlenecks. In this regard, EMS data collection tools have been designed, tested, revised and operationalized in Jordan, Palestine and Syria Country offices in collaboration with their implementing partners.

MENARO has been the technical lead for the EMS and MENA country liaison in the operationalization of EMS and the LCO Innovation team has supported the development and maintenance of the online EMS.

The EMS involves low-cost innovative technology which aims at replacing paper based data collection at the partner and UNICEF COs levels with a secure online database. This system integrates KoBo as a user-friendly data entry tool and Power BI as an analytical tool in a web based platform.

The current state at country level is that the data entry component has been operationalized with Jordan, Syria and Palestine.  This also includes the feature for exporting and assessing the data entry, however the connection between the data entry and the data analysis systems has yet to established.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this consultancy is to coordinate and technically support UNICEF country offices and their implementing partners in the monitoring civic engagement, social cohesion and economic engagement using the Engagement Monitoring System.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

As indicated above, the objective of this consultancy is to ensure smooth operation of the EMS (this includes addressing country requests and solving technical bugs in the currently deployed EMS) and support the development of the next phase of the EMS and expansion to other countries

Specifically, the consultant will provide technical assistance to COs to continue using the engagement monitoring system, build capacity for transitioning EMS to COs, support new COs in developing and contextualizing the system, liaise with UNICEF Lebanon innovation lab in the development and finalization of the second phase of the EMS.

Phase I Maintenance and development of modules of the EMS

1. Ensure maintenance and development of the modules of the EMS as per COs feedback

   1. All modules as per the current EMS Framework (Civic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Community and facilitator triangulation (FGDs with community members, facilitator forms etc)
2. Support in including Participatory Youth Research monitoring tools in the EMS
3. Strengthen the monitoring of youth programmes by updating and creating other necessary M&E tools in partnership with COs and IPs
4. Support reviewing the EMS and present ideas for system improvement
5. Support quality control efforts to ensure data reliability
6. Update the monitoring framework of the EMS
7. Support COs in building capacity of partners on the EMS in regard to online data collection and analysis
8. Support data analysis and production of statistical reports
9. Support COs in conducting monthly/regular meeting with implementing partner (ems focal points) to review data and adjusting their social/ civic/ economic engagement programme
10. Given the dynamic nature of the EMS and the engagement programme, there will be unplanned changes or demands on the monitoring system which will need to be accommodated in the TOR/tasks of the consultant to support COs in implementing quality scaled social cohesion, civic engagement and entrepreneurship engagement programme reaching the most vulnerable adolescents and youth.
11. Support COs in transitioning from the EMS to country level based monitoring tools whenever needed

Phase II Transitioning ownership of the EMS

1. Plan a strategy to transition EMS ownership to COs
2. Build capacity of COs to manage the EMS

Documentation and dissemination

1. Technical documentation of changes in updates regarding the EMS
2. Properly archive tools, reports and other documentations related to the EMS
3. Conduct quarterly webinars on the EMS

KEY DELIVERABLES:

 Deliverables may include - but will not be limited to – the following deliverables:

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (IF APPLICABLE):

 Monthly deliverables linked to the above tasks will be finalized and agreed by the consultant and supervisor within the first 2 days of every month.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS (PLEASE CHECK IF APPLICABLE):

 Please note, specific dates for travel will depend on requests from country for in country capacity development and technical support.

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: Advanced degree in social sciences and/or research methodologies.

2.         Work experience: At least 2-5 years of experience in research methodologies, monitoring and analytical reporting writing and experience in supporting monitoring of adolescent and youth programmes.

3.         Technical knowledge:

1. • Professional experience with monitoring and ability to work with large data sets including experience with online data collection tools. Good knowledge of online/offline data collection platforms – Kobo, Saiku and other online platforms is an asset.

1. Language: Oral and written fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Payment Schedule:

12.       PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Monthly payments:  Lump sum payment will be made monthly, inclusive of all professional fees, daily allowances, living allowances, and other administrative costs.  Overtime, weekend and official holidays will not be compensated, nor will any holiday/leave time be granted.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote as lump sum for professional fees, and lump sum for travel/administrative/subsistence, if applicable.
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work as applicable
5. Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
6. At least 2 Referees
7. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ).

Late submissions and/or incomplete packets will not be considered.

Successful applicants may be invited for further technical assessment and offers will be evaluated by the following criteria: