(Re-advertised) Consultancy - Investment case for sustainable community-based foster care in Jordan, 3 Months with possible extension, Amman, Jordan Country Office

Given (a) the potential of foster care to reduce development problems associated with institutional care easing the transition to adulthood through decreased stigma and social exclusion (MacKenzie et al 2012), and (b) the evidence of increased public acceptance of foster care with implementation of the program since 2012 in different areas of Jordan, the objectives of this consultancy are: 1) To develop an investment case that promotes and strengthens the provision of sustainable community-based foster care as an alternative to institutional care through evidence and appropriate economic analysis. 2) To provide clear and actionable policy recommendations to enable the expansion of foster care in Jordan.

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BACKGROUND:

Institutional placement has been the main form of care offered for children without parental care in Jordan.  Ihtidan, a long-term guardianship system as an alternative to institutionalization has been implemented since 1967, with limited scope whereby cases are approved under strict regulations and only applicable to children with unknown parenthood who must be under two years of age at the time of placement. Still, as adoption is not permitted in Jordan, the Ihtidan system gives children the opportunity to grow up in a family and be looked after by non-blood relatives. Unlike adoption, Ihtidan does not provide rights to the name of the family or inheritance. Other groups of children deprived of parental care are mostly placed in residential care centers managed by the Ministry of Social Development and NGOs. Research and evidence from international experiences highlight the development risks associated with institutional care with poor outcomes documented for children transitioning from institutional care; their outcomes are far worse compared to those who have not been institutionalized.  In 2012, UNICEF conducted a screening study which found that 40% of children in the 6-11 age group exhibited problems such as rule breaking and aggression (compared to only 5% of children in the general population), and 69% of children at care homes had depression (compared to only 4-8% of children in the general population). These findings have underscored the need to explore viable alternatives to institutional care in Jordan.

The Jordanian Law allows for foster parenting but its use has been limited to date.  From 2012, UNICEF in partnership with Columbia University has supported the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) to roll-out a foster care project through the Community-Family Integration Team (C-FIT) for children whose mothers are known and cannot be qualified for Ihtidan in Jordan program. The program introduced a paradigm shift in adopting a community-based approach for child placement that prevent institutionalization. The program is implemented through public-private model involving the Ministry of Social Development and local community based organizations (CBOs), with case management provided by MoSD behavioral observers and family-based psychosocial interventions supported by CBO-based social workers. The program also offers caregivers with a monthly subsidy to help them provide the child with basic needs. Initially, the foster option was only for children whose parents died, or children of unknown parentage (father). Later in 2017, the Ministry of Social Development expanded the children eligible for foster care placement to include children whose parentage is known but whose parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child including children from dysfunctional families.  Since the start of the program, around 150 girls and boys have moved out of institutions been placed with foster families.

OBJECTIVE:

Given (a) the potential of foster care to reduce development problems associated with institutional care easing the transition to adulthood through decreased stigma and social exclusion (MacKenzie et al 2012), and (b) the evidence of increased public acceptance of foster care with implementation of the program since 2012 in different areas of Jordan, the objectives of this consultancy are:

1) To develop an investment case that promotes and strengthens the provision of sustainable community-based foster care as an alternative to institutional care through evidence and appropriate economic analysis.

2) To provide clear and actionable policy recommendations to enable the expansion of foster care in Jordan. 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The assignment to be carried out in between July and October 2018. Applicants to provide the estimated number of working days as part of the financial offer.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES and TASKS

• Estimate the current costs (both unit and overall) of providing care services for children deprived parental care at MOSD, NGOs residential care facilities, and through the current foster program.
• Compare the current two modalities of care (institutional care & foster care) in terms of costs and benefits socially and economically, and highlight challenges and risks associated with each modality.
• Develop different scenarios/modalities for the expansion of quality foster care in Jordan (process and quality wise with recommendations for engaging different stakeholders and providing network of support for foster parents)
• Conduct fiscal space analysis and provide projections for financing options to expand and sustain the family-based foster care program based on domestic resources, with the objective to institutionalize the foster care program within the Ministry of Social Development and related organizations.

KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME: 

1. Work Plan & Inception report (by October, 2018): The inception report need to cover the following: (a) demonstrate understanding the current care services, legislations and institutional arrangements, issues facing different groups of children of interest, (b) reflect on experiences and best practices from other countries, c)  Provide situation analysis of children aging out of foster care and, and (d) provide understanding of the task, proposed methodology and proposed outline of the investment case.

2. First draft of Investment Case (by November, 2018 ): Conduct consultations with different stakeholders, and draft the investment case for sustained and increased expansion of quality community-based foster care in Jordan in line with assignment objectives above. The report should also include suggestions for different foster care modalities and financing options (addressing the specific objectives above)

3. Final investment case & report (by December, 2018 ): Submit the final version of the case based on technical feedback from UNICEF and the validation meetings. Validation meetings to involve different stakeholders to discuss and verify findings. The final report should provide clear action policy for implementation of sustainable community-based foster care in Jordan.

4. Policy brief and presentation (by December, 2018): deliver presentation of the case and develop a policy brief summarizing the case. This is to include an advocacy meeting with Ministry of Social Development.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATION:  

This consultancy will be conducted partially home-based (44 days) and the days on-site (22 days).

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 a 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.

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

Education: Advanced university degree in economics, public policy, or other relevant fields.

Working experience: Minimum of 5 years experience in policy sector programming or research at the national and international level, some of which preferably were served in a developing country.

Technical knowledge:

• Strong background in public economics and proven experience of conducting similar studies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required for high level engagement with government departments and other stakeholders
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Demonstrated excellent writing skills, and strong communication, in particular for the development of technical documents is essential.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the latest developments and issues related to foster care and/or parenting are essential.

Languages: Excellent English skills both written and spoken are required. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• A technical proposal that includes a brief cover letter and understandings of the assignment are required.
• Based on the proposed timetable laid down in the TOR, a proposal of the detailed methodology, tentative work plan and time schedule is required.
• CV, list of similar experiences/assignments highlighting those focused-on social budgeting, ECD, and foster care.
• A financial proposal with a breakdown of all costs that are to be charged to UNICEF. This includes estimated number of working days, consultancy fees, all office administrative costs, international and local travel costs, as well as any additional requirements needed to complete project or that might have an impact on cost or delivery of products
• The contact details of at least two referees. 

For every Child, you demonstrate: 

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

• Candidates will not be considered if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
• UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For UNICEFs standards, please refer to UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation, Data Collection, and Analysis (http://www.unicef.org/supply/files/ATTACHMENT_IV-UNICEF_Procedure_for_Ethical_Standards.PDF)