National consultancy / Individual Contractor Research and Coordination Consultant in Tbilisi, Georgia

National consultancy / Individual Contractor Research and Coordination Consultant in Tbilisi, Georgia

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.

I. Background

During 2019-20 UNICEF is assisting the Government of Georgia to effectively combat lead exposure of children. Lead prevalence in the blood of children stands at 41% nationwide. To this end, UNICEF and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) are undertaking/planning the following interventions:

• A Study of Lead Exposure Sources;
• A costing Study of Lead Prevalence to be conducted by international consultants based on the data from the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), administrative data from different line ministries and data available through GeoStat.

In addition, UNICEF's Georgia Country Office is also planning/carrying out the following activities:

• An Evaluation of Justice for Children that is in the planning phase and will be commenced in 2020;
• An Impact Evaluation of Targeted Social Assistance (TSA) fieldwork of which is underway, data collection and report writing to start in early 2020

To support the planning and implementation of the above-mentioned interventions and activities, UNICEF Georgia is seeking to hire a National Research and Coordination Consultant.

II. Tasks and Deliverables

• • Supports planning and implementation of:
  • Study of Lead Exposure Sources: fieldwork preparation, including training of fieldworkers, setting up needed logistics and fieldwork monitoring;
  • Costing Study: assist in data gathering, liaise with consultants and stakeholders involved, including GeoStat, NCDC;
  • Evaluation of Justice for Children: assist in recruitment of evaluators, setting up a reference group, fieldwork logistics, etc.
  • Evaluation of TSA: review a draft evaluation report and identify what needs to be improved.
• Assists in other organizational/programmatic matters as required.

 IV. Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience as per the functions listed above;
• At least a master's degree in Economics, Health or Social Science or other relevant disciplines;
• Excellent analytical and inter-personal skills;
• Excellent command in written and spoken Georgian as well as English languages;
• Work experience in UN agencies will be an asset;
• An ideal candidate will have professional/academic background involving both social and natural sciences.

V. Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy is for 10 months: from January through October 2020 inclusive. Subject to availability of funding, the contract might be extended.

The consultancy is full-time.

VI. Supervision and Reporting Responsibility

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and the general guidance of the Representative. The consultant will provide monthly activity reports based on the agreed tasks and deliverables.

The consultant's performance will be evaluated against timeliness, efficiency and quality of delivered work.

VII. Payment Terms and Rates

The monthly remuneration will be negotiated between UNICEF Georgia and the selected consultant, based on an initial proposal of the selected consultant. Applicants are therefore requested to submit a monthly gross remuneration proposal in GEL.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or failed to meet deadlines.

VIII. Termination of contract

The contract may be terminated by either party before its expiry date by giving a one-month prior notice in writing to the other party. However, in the event of termination on the ground of misconduct, UNICEF will be entitled to terminate the contract immediately, without earlier notice.

In case of early termination of the contract, the Contractor will be compensated on a pro-rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work completed to the satisfaction of UNICEF.

IX. Application deadline and documents

The deadline for the submission of applications is December 19^th 2019. Applications should include:

• CV (with at least two contacts for professional reference);
• Cover letter;
• Proposed monthly gross remuneration in GEL.

Shortlisted Candidates may be invited to an interview in the second half of December 2019.

A short test or submission of work sample might be requested from candidates to verify their suitability for this consultancy.