National Consultancy on capacity building of CSO’s/NGO’s in Agjabedi and Shirvan on Basic principles and methods of social services for children in conflict and contact with law

In this context, one of the priorities of the Rolling Work Plan on Social Protection and Child Protection between UNICEF, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (MoLSPP) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) for 2018-2019, is the modelling of Minimum Package of Social Services (MPSS) for vulnerable children and families. Community-based social services for children in conflict and contact with the law is one of the core components of the MPSS. UNICEF and MoLSPP agreed on piloting community- based social services in Agjabedi and Shirvan districts involving local NGOs.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, protection

Azerbaijan has made significant progress in economic and social development since independence which resulted in poverty reduction as well as upgrading of the quality of public services. According to official data[1], the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line fell sharply, from 49 per cent in 2001 to 5 per cent in 2014, whereas the proportion of people living in the poorest quintile declined slowly, from 17.3 per cent in 2008 to 13.8 per cent in 2013. Other social development indicators such as health and education are also significantly improved, although some might remain behind those of other European countries. Apparently, children have been the outstanding part of beneficiaries of the development process.

Social reforms have been accompanied with legal and judicial transformations in Azerbaijan of which Juvenile Justice was one of the priority areas of reforms. As part of UNICEF’s regional agenda, Juvenile Justice reforms have been supported in Azerbaijan since 2007 which resulted in significant improvements for the protection of the rights of juveniles in conflict with the law. Diversion services for children in conflict with the law, psycho-social rehabilitation services for children victims and witnesses of crime and violence are core components of the social dimension of the Juvenile justice concept. These services are also part of the Minimum Package of Social Services which focus on the most vulnerable children and their families.

Social rehabilitation measures including prevention of delinquency are emphasized in relevant international standards. As stated in Article 40 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, “every child in conflict with the law has the right to be treated in a manner that takes into account “the desirability of promoting [his/her] reintegration and [his/her] assuming a constructive role in society.” In addition, UN Standard Minimum Rules on Administration of Juvenile Justice (“Beijing Rules”, 1985) notes the importance of national mechanisms to refer such children to diversions services. UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines,1990) states that preventive measures must be integrated with families, communities, and education system meanwhile supported by the social protection interventions for children and young persons and their families.

Undoubtedly, quality social work with children and families which addresses the needs and best interests of adolescents is an essential tool to achieve the targets stated in international standards. In responding to these challenges, the UNICEF-Government of Azerbaijan Country Programme Document for 2016-2020 has defined the priority target to develop a child-centered and equity focused social protection system with strong synergy among various service providers, a national mechanism to identify the most deprived children, and efficient and effective national and local referral system to the relevant services to provide deprived children with access to inclusive social protection.

Another opportunity - establishment of the Probation Service under the Ministry of Justice provides a new platform for probationary interventions for juveniles. Social work with children and families including diversion services would be an integral part of the probation system for children.

In this context, one of the priorities of the Rolling Work Plan on Social Protection and Child Protection between UNICEF, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (MoLSPP) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) for 2018-2019, is the modelling of Minimum Package of Social Services (MPSS) for vulnerable children and families. Community-based social services for children in conflict and contact with the law is one of the core components of the MPSS. UNICEF and MoLSPP agreed on piloting community- based social services in Agjabedi and Shirvan districts involving local NGOs. UNICEF will support local NGOs by providing training module on “Basic principles and methods of social services for children in conflict and contact with the law”. Social services mainly focused on the following components:

• social work with children and families;
• psychological support to children;
• pedagogical support and individual development of the child;
• legal aid and legal representation.

A national consultant is expected to support the implementation of this assignment.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of this assignment is to support capacity building of the staff of NGO’s in Shirvan and Agjabedi districts, who would provide community-based social services for children in conflict and contact with the law. Specific objectives include:

• A training package (methodology, presentations and handouts) is developed under the framework of Integrated Social Services Project focusing on children in contact and conflict with the law. The development of the training package needs to be guided by the internationally recognized principles and practices outlined in the UN CRC and other UN standards. Existing guidelines in training materials of the related topics should be taken into the consideration, including: “Minimum Standards on social services for children in conflict and contact with the law”, Guidelines on Social Work with Children and Families in Child Protection System, Guidelines on Social Work with Children and Families in Justice System; Guidelines on Legal Aid for children developed by UNICEF Country Office.
• About 20 practitioners of local authorities, NGOs and other relevant partners are able to provide basic and quality social services for children in conflict and contact with the law in two districts.

Within this assignment, the national consultant has the following tasks and responsibilities:

1. Develop a training package (methodology, presentations and handouts) on “Basic principles and methods of social services for children in conflict and contact with the law” in Azerbaijani language which will include minimum:

• Basic principles and methods of rehabilitaton and reintegration services for children  in conflict and contact with the law;
• Basic standards and tools of service provision (case management; confidentiality; ethical principles; quality assurance).

2. Conducting 20 days training program for the staff of NGO’s providing community-based social services for children in conflict and contact with the law in Shirvan and Agjabedi districts (trainings will be carried out in Shirvan and Agjabedi districts, 10 days per districts team).

3. Conduct pre- and post-test evaluation of the program and provide recommendations on improvement of the quality of the services based on the outcomes.

4. Provide all logistical arrangements (coffee breaks, printing handouts, training tools, etc.) to organize training sessions.

In the period between 29^th October and 28^th December 2018, the following deliverables are expected:

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

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Child development, or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of work experience (with a minimum 3 years’ experience as a trainer) in the area of social services for children or juvenile justices in supporting children in conflict and contact with the law; 
• In-depth knowledge of social reintegration services (diversion) in juvenile justice systems, social work and psycho-social services with children and families in child protection system;
• Strong communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to work in a team with tight deadlines;
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate;
• Fluency in Azerbaijani.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

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

Following UNICEF’s Human Resource Policy, it is required for individual contractors to complete the following online courses no later than one month after signature of the contract:

- Basic security in the field;

- Advanced security in the field;

- Ethics and integrity at UNICEF;

- Prevention of sexual harassment and abuse of authority;

- Sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);

- UN Human rights and responsibilities.

The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link:  UNICEF Mandatory Training/Learning Classes

Interested consultants must submit the following documents/information to UNICEF for application:

1. A motivation letter;
2. CV’s of trainers;
3. Financial proposal: inclusive of all fees (consultancy and logistical (coffee breaks, printing).
4.  1-2 written examples for similar assignments in the past.

   Applications without any of the first three information stated above will not be considered eligible.