Individual consultancy: Support UNICEF to operationalize the Child Marriage convergence strategy through revision of the core package of interventions based on the Global Child Marriage Programme Phase II

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide support to UNICEF to operationalize the Child Marriage convergence strategy through revision of the core package of interventions based on the Global Child Marriage Programme Phase II theory of change and strengthening the monitoring framework of existing and planned interventions. The consultant will revisit the convergence strategy and the broad interventions under the core package based on the revised global theory of change of child marriage and conversations with key stakeholders, including UNICEF and UNFPA programme staff at national and provincial level, MGCAS and other ministries and institutions, CECAP members. After the proposed convergence strategy and core package are validated, the consultant will develop an M&E framework and collect baseline data on core package, working closely with the Child Marriage Convergence Group at national and provincial level and with UNFPA. The M&E framework will derive from situation analysis and data from existing national surveys, administrative data of statutory institutions at the district and provincial level and programmatic data to monitor the short-term results and impact of social norms programming, mainly through data to be generated throughout the implementation of the community dialogues component of the programme. These efforts will be linked to ongoing work by UNICEF and UNFPA to strengthen monitoring and evaluation framework for implementation of the National Child Marriage Strategy and the pilot exercise launched in 4 districts in 2018 and 2019. The consultancy will directly contribute to the achievement of Output 5.3 of the 2017-2020 UNICEF Country Programme, which considers elimination of child marriage as one of key priorities and focus areas for convergence and adolescent programming work.

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The purpose of the consultancy is to provide support to UNICEF to operationalize the Child Marriage convergence strategy through revision of the core package of interventions based on the Global Child Marriage Programme Phase II theory of change and strengthening the monitoring framework of existing and planned interventions.

The consultant will revisit the convergence strategy and the broad interventions under the core package based on the revised global theory of change of child marriage and conversations with key stakeholders, including UNICEF and UNFPA programme staff at national and provincial level, MGCAS and other ministries and institutions, CECAP members. After the proposed convergence strategy and core package are validated, the consultant will develop an M&E framework and collect baseline data on core package, working closely with the Child Marriage Convergence Group at national and provincial level and with UNFPA.

The M&E framework will derive from situation analysis and data from existing national surveys, administrative data of statutory institutions at the district and provincial level and programmatic data to monitor the short-term results and impact of social norms programming, mainly through data to be generated throughout the implementation of the community dialogues component of the programme.

These efforts will be linked to ongoing work by UNICEF and UNFPA to strengthen monitoring and evaluation framework for implementation of the National Child Marriage Strategy and the pilot exercise launched in 4 districts in 2018 and 2019.

 The consultancy will directly contribute to the achievement of Output 5.3 of the 2017-2020 UNICEF Country Programme, which considers elimination of child marriage as one of key priorities and focus areas for convergence and adolescent programming work.  

Methodology and Technical Approach 

 The consultant will be based at UNICEF office in Maputo with frequent travel (60 per cent of the time) to the convergence districts. She/he will be supervised by Child Protection Specialist (Child Marriage) and  receive technical guidance and support from the Adolescent Development Specialist and work closely with UNICEF Child Marriage Convergence Group in Maputo and Nampula and Zambezia provincial offices. Close coordination and full engagement with UNFPA will also be required, along with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action as the lead government entity. Other line ministries and entities including health, education, police, prosecution and judiciary, as well as members of CECAP should also be consulted in the process of development and implementation of key deliverables.

Deliverables and Payments 

To achieve the above objectives the consultant will produce a set of concrete deliverable and payments will be made in four tranches: 

Deliverable 1: Review the convergence strategy and interventions under the core package and finalize the table of indicators and targets.  

1st tranche: 1 -30 October 2019 -20 per cent of payment  

The consultant will review the current strategy based on the revised global theory of change, existing research and data and conversations with key stakeholders, including UNICEF and UNFPA programme staff at national and provincial level, MGCAS and other ministries and institutions, CECAP members. The proposed core package of interventions will be detailed in revised tool/table developed by the Child Marriage Working Group and adjusted to be aligned with the results framework of the Global Child Marriage Programme Phase II. The indicators and preliminary targets will be identified in consultation with relevant UNICEF sections and UNFPA.

Deliverable 2. Support development of the strategic document and the work plan of the Phase II of the Global Child Marriage Programme.

The consultant will work closely with the Child Protection Section and the Child Marriage Working Group and UNFPA to align the convergence strategy and the core package of interventions with the Global Child Marriage Programme documentation. This will include facilitation of a meeting with MGCAS and the National Child Marriage Coordination Mechanism to design the Phase II of the Global Child Marriage Programme.

2^nd tranche:  1^st November 20^th December  2019 – 30 per cent of payment 

Deliverable 3: Mapping of core package of interventions and government services is finalized and verified at the district and community level (administrative point and/or locality), indicators are verified and adjusted and baselines and targets are determined and populated. 

The consultant will work closely with the Child Protection Specialist (Child Marriage) and with the provincial teams to organize induction meetings at provincial level to introduce the convergence strategy and the core package, and the Global Child Marriage Programme Strategy (one meeting each in Nampula and Zambezia). She/he will also undertake travel to six convergence districts to finalize the mapping of services and interventions and determine baselines and targets. Considering that the timeline of this process will overlap with the revision of the National Child Marriage Strategy, the consultant will establish necessary linkages and contribute to cross-feeding of the relevant information in the proposed model and the draft strategy through discussions and close work with MGCAS and the technical teams working on the National Child Marriage Strategy revision.

3^rd tranche:  21 December 2019 – 1 March 2020 

Deliverable 4:  Finalize the core package of interventions with provisional costing and projections for scale up and share and present findings with the UNICEF Child Marriage Convergence Group, UNFPA and MGCAS.

In addition to finalized results framework with indicators, baselines and targets, it is important to capture certain provisional costing (either through unit cost or other methodology to be discussed and agreed) of the core package of interventions and produce projection in terms of conditions required for scaling up the model to achieve a measurable impact in addressing child marriage. Considering that the timeline of this process will overlap with the revision of the National Child Marriage Strategy, the consultant will try to establish necessary linkages and contribute to cross-feeding of the relevant information in the proposed model and the draft national strategy through discussions and close work with MGCAS and the technical teams working on the National Child Marriage Strategy revision.

Deliverable 5: Produce a reader-friendly brief on the concept of the Child Marriage Core Intervention Package linked to the Global Child Marriage Programme and the National Strategy to mobilize support for operationalization and fundraising.

4^th and 5^th tranche:  21 December 2019 – 1 March 2020 – 50% of payment

Management and Supervision:   The consultant will be supervised by and report directly to the Child Protection Specialist and will work closely with the Adolescent Development Specialist (CAP). The duration of the consultancy is five months from 1^st October 2019 until 29 February 2020.  

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

• Academic qualifications:  

  A master’s degree in sociology, law, social work, political sciences, anthropology, development or other related discipline,  

   Work experience:  

  At least six years of relevant work experience in developing high quality M&E products to support daily and long-term implementation and results tracking of multi-sectoral development programmes involving diverse and multiple actors. 

   Specific knowledge, competencies, and skills required: 

  Knowledge and experience in child marriage and social norms programming, monitoring, evaluation and assessment tools and methodologies. Ability to relate and network with government and development partners.   

  Knowledge of relevant software to support data digitalization and mapping and strong skills in developing quality digital products for monitoring and results tracking is highly desirable 

   Language skills: 

  Excellent knowledge of Portuguese and English is required 

 Annex 3 - TORs CP Support UNICEF to operationalize the Child Marriage convergence strategy.docx

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.

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:

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.