Consultancy: Children on the Move Case Management and Information Management Coordinator, Child Protection Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition #519796

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a regional framework for Case Management Information Management (CMIM) for children - including children on the move - building on existing initiatives, guidance, tools and efforts at the national level. Understanding that each country (Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan) in this phase of the COTM programme is at a different stage in the development of their national programmes, the consultant will lead a process to determine the status, assess the needs, gaps, capacities, strengths and opportunities in country-level case management information management systems. He/she will work with country, regional and global level teams to develop a strategy for CMIM for COTM, propose it for endorsement, and create a workplan for regional and country-specific priority actions.

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.

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Background & Rationale

UNICEF is mandated to respond to the needs of all children, including children in emergency situations, and to assist government counterparts in implementing a wide range of child protection^[1] programmes. These programmes depend on the timely, accurate collection of data and its secure and efficient management, storage and use. UNICEF’s Child Protection objectives are to actively prevent children from being harmed and to support programmes to respond to instances where children are at risk of or have been subjected to violence, exploitation or abuse.^[2]  

UNICEF’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, Goal Area 3 requires that ‘Girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable and those affected by humanitarian situations, are protected from all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse and harmful practices.’ UNICEF strongly advocates for the rights of children on the move, including appropriate protection and assistance through an adequately capacitated and resourced social service welfare workforce. Overall guidance is provided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the 2018-2021 UNICEF Strategic Plan, the Global Programme Framework on Children on the Move (COTM), and the Agenda for Action[3] calling on world leaders to protect migrant and refugee children. A key strategy for the Child Protection sector is the strengthening of the social welfare systems, with social workers playing a leading role in identifying vulnerable children, and referring them to required services within an established case management system. UNICEF defines case management as “the process of helping individual children and families through direct social work-type support and information management.”^[4]

The quality of case management can be reinforced by improving digital systems, such as information management systems^[5] that support the social services workforce. Such systems can improve efficiency and accountability and provide rich data to inform policy and programmes, making compiled data actionable and useful.

Understanding a child’s needs requires time and skill. Social workers must be able to build rapport and trust with vulnerable children and to assess their needs. Much of the process depends on children’s willingness to seek out services, as well as the availability of the services themselves. If children are afraid of accessing services or are subjected to processes that discourage them from seeking help, the likelihood that they will receive support decreases dramatically. Such situations are further complicated when children are on the move, as traditional fixed-location means of identification and engagement are often not effective. Whenever possible, children should be able to access services in a way that does not require them to be repeatedly registered or subjected to questioning.

Gaps currently exist in coordination at the national level among child protection actors and law enforcement authorities that come into contact with unaccompanied migrant children or children in families. Referral mechanisms incorporating both formal and informal actors (where they exist) require additional capacity and resources to enhance their reach and efficacy in providing appropriate services. Additional complicating factors include the need to protect children’s data while ensuring continuity of care, and facilitating cooperation among service providers transnationally. A pragmatic approach requires that national case management systems include functionalities that promote interoperability domestically and transnationally, to ensure a continuum of care for children as they migrate. This entails assessing case management systems in the target countries, analyzing datasets, mapping relevant actors, identifying the competent authority, and developing a roadmap towards digitalization centered around a case management system that reinforces existing principles and standards.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a regional framework for Case Management Information Management (CMIM) for children - including children on the move - building on existing initiatives, guidance, tools and efforts at the national level.

Understanding that each country (Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan) in this phase of the COTM programme is at a different stage in the development of their national programmes, the consultant will lead a process to determine the status, assess the needs, gaps, capacities, strengths and opportunities in country-level case management information management systems. He/she will work with country, regional and global level teams to develop a strategy for CMIM for COTM, propose it for endorsement, and create a workplan for regional and country-specific priority actions.

 Expected results: (measurable results)

Working closely with focal points in Somalia (Somaliland/Puntland), Sudan, and Ethiopia (and later with Kenya and Uganda), the consultant will:

Draft framework for CMIM for COTM developed:

• Provide direct technical support to country level colleagues working on the COTM programme, with a specific focus on assessing and mapping the CMIM practices in the social services sector and developing action-oriented recommendations to be taken forward by the responsible actor(s); 
• Develop an assessment methodology to gather and analyze materials and insights on the case management and information management systems, capacities, and tools;
• Map the relevant data ecosystems in each country;

• Review national level normative frameworks and data protection laws to inform analysis;

• Based on the assessment and existing good practices, the consultant will lead on the development of an approach to improve information management practices for COTM, both paper-based and digital, including developing minimum quality standards, standard operating procedures (SOP), simplified forms, supervision guidance, information sharing protocols, revised consent processes, form harmonization, tool development (including for mobile devices), referral/transfers protocols for COTM.

Coordination mechanism and technical network established:

• Establish network of focal points and partners and a regular coordination mechanism, identify ways to strengthen coordination, and convene the CMIM focal points from COs on a regular basis;
• Coordinate with Country Offices and relevant partners to develop a strategy to promote a common approach for data handling, and will draft minimum standards for CMIM for COTM, based on assessment results, desk review, partner engagement and lessons learned in Phase 1;
• Act as the CMIM focal point for ESARO, and coordinate relevant work with other regional offices.

Technical support and consultations on digital approach provided:

• Act as the technical focal point for engagements with technology vendors, and coordinate with UNICEF ICTD. This may include managing contracts, drafting Statements of Work (SOW), quality assurance, assessing biometric registration tools, and supporting device procurement;
• Act as the technical focal point on CMIM digitalization and lead the engagement with the Primero Team at UNICEF HQ. This may include developing and improving tools, and conducting readiness assessments for a digital case management system rollout or investment in existing digital systems;
• Support dialogue - in close coordination with UNICEF ESARO and HQ - with UNICEF staff and partners about cross border information sharing, and will develop a proposal for how this type of data can securely and effectively be shared. This may include discussions on interoperability between data systems.

Support for programme monitoring and grant management provided:

• Provide 2-page monthly summary report of events, activities, agreements and outputs;
• Attend and participate in COTM programme activities;
• Report on progress to donors as required.

Duty Station : The consultant may be based in UNICEF ESARO offices in Nairobi, Kenya or work remotely with up to 25% (50 days) travel.

Timeframe

Start date:  February 25, 2019                           
End date: December 15, 2019     

 Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced University degree in the area relevant to child protection, social work, case management and information management systems;
• At least 5 years progressively work experience within international organization, NGO and/or government environment in information management systems, preferably in the areas of child protection (trafficking, social welfare systems, family tracing and reunification), social protection programmes, and migration, including programme design, monitoring and capacity building;
• Extensive work experience relevant to child protection or social protection information management systems may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications at an advanced level;
• Formal training and demonstrated senior-level experience in case and information management systems, including experience with IA CPIMS and CPIMS+/Primero;
• Strong understanding of results-based management concepts, including logical framework and programme monitoring;
• Ability to proactively establish and maintain working relations, and share ideas through information management networks and promote synergies with other sectors;
• Ability to establish excellent working relations with partners in order to develop / strengthen case management systems across CP-related sectors;
• Proven experience in delivering capacity building, including training;
• Proven track record of delivering on time and within the budget with a focus on quality;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

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.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

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

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 : Here

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.