Consultant for reintegration of children returning from conflict zones

Consultancy for reintegration of children returning from conflict zones

Background:

The Kyrgyz Republic, over the last years, similar to other countries in Central Asia, has been affected by the tentative of radicalization for the purpose of violent extremism. While figures in this regard vary from source to source, realistic estimation set the overall number of foreign fighters emigrating to ISIS- controlled territories in the range between 600 to 800.  As a result of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria and the progressive downfall of ISIS, according to official data provided by the Ministry of Interior, 63 former foreign fighters have now returned to Kyrgyzstan and have been tried for offences related to terrorism.

Unclarity, however, remains as to the number of children who are currently located in territories formerly controlled by ISIL. Statements from former foreign fighters as well as media reports, anyhow confirm such presence with a number of them being born in the region and not having valid Kyrgyz documents.

In this realm, UNICEF is committed to providing adequate advise as to assist the process of repatriation of children provided that they shall not face criminal prosecution. At the same time, UNICEF plans to set adequate foundations to provide support for the possible reintegration process of children into the Kyrgyz environment without facing discrimination and marginalization.

Objectives:

This consultancy is aimed at providing technical assistance to the Government and to UNICEF Kyrgyzstan in identifying country level risks and opportunities facing children who are or may be returned from former ISIL controlled territory. Specifically, the expert should undertake steps to achieve the following key objectives:

1. To perform an in-depth desk review of national legislation as well as international commitments in relation to repatriation of children from ISIL controlled territory.
2. Prepare and present to the Government a policy plan on children from ISIL controlled territories with a view to facilitating reintegration.

Tasks, Deliverables and Timeline:

It is expected that international consultant will perform the following tasks and provide the following deliverables addressing the issues of psycho-social support to vulnerable within the given timeframe:

Timeframe, Duty Station and Travel: Home based and Bishkek.  20 days in the country with two visits and 10 days remotely.

From 1 June to 30 November 2019 (6 months). The consultant will make two in-country visits of 2 weeks duration as required by the office based on prior coordination within the indicated time range.

When UNICEF determines that the Consultant/individual contractor needs to travel in order to perform his or her assignment, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Consultant’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract. Consultant/individual contractor will be expected to make own travel arrangements and invoice UNICEF at the end of the travel. Reimbursements shall only be processed if travel was duly authorized in the individual contract or by authorized manager, in writing and prior to the travel. Travel will be based on the most economical direct itinerary and ticket/transport costs should be cleared with the hiring unit prior purchasing. All other travel entitlements authorized by UNICEF will be processed as per rules and regulations on consultants/individual contractor travel.

Consultants and individual contractors traveling on behalf of UNICEF must meet the standard trip prerequisites, including but not limited to 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.

For international consultants/individual contractors the estimated costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

Resource requirements and payments: The complexity of tasks corresponds to the UNICEF P4 salary level. The total amount of fee to be negotiated with the selected consultant (delivery-based payment). The consultant will also be provided with DSA and travel expenses for two in-country visits of 2 weeks each.  

Management: International consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Child Protection. All interactions with national and regional partners will be facilitated by the Child Protection Team and UNICEF staff.

Required qualifications, areas of expertise or selection criteria:

Procedures and working conditions: Travel expenses within Kyrgyzstan (terminal expenses and local airfare) will be funded by UNICEF and according to its rules and procedures

Reservations: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines.

UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without the prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

The United Nations and UNICEF undertake no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract. No statement of earnings will be issued by the United Nations or UNICEF to the consultant. The national consultant is personally responsible for payment of all taxes related to consultancy.

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.

The competencies required for this post are….

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.

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.

Remarks:

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