Individual Consultancy (International) Updating and Finalizing the Draft Report on the Situation of Children and Young People in the Maldives (2020).

UNICEF Maldives is seeking an International Consultant for the purpose of updating and finalizing the Draft Report on the Situation of Children and Young People in the Maldives (2020).

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TOR Reference Number:  TOR/2020/52

ADVERT: (Individual Consultant - International)

Updating and Finalizing the Draft Report on the Situation of Children and Young People in the Maldives (2020)

Background & Purpose:

In preparation for the development of a new Country Programme of Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and UNICEF (2022-2026), the UNICEF Maldives Country Office (MCO) commissioned a draft report on the Situation of Children and Young People (SitAn) in the Maldives. The COVID-19 pandemic occurred soon after commissioning the SitAn report and resulted in significant changes in the country context with specific reference to the situation of children and women. In the meantime, the UN system also conducted a Common Country Analysis (CCA) as part of preparation for the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the Maldives, which is another important exercise requiring UNICEF to update and finalize its SitAn. The country office is seeking a consultant to update and finalize the draft SitAn report by reflecting the COVID-19 impact as well as enhancing the quality of the draft report.

Purpose of the Assignment: To review, update, shorten, and strengthen the current draft report on the Situation of Children and Young People (SitAn) in the Maldives.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Representative and support from Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation section and with the guidance of the programme team, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Details of the Task:

1. -   Review the current draft SitAn and undertake detailed consultation with the management and technical staff of the Maldives Country Office (MCO) to fully understand the major gaps and issues of sensitive nature related to the local cultural norms and religious traditions in the country.
2. -   Review the new Common Country Analysis (CCA) of the UN in Maldives and ensure alignment of both SitAn and CCA
3. -    Incorporate the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s context and the overall well-being of children and women.
4. -   Remove any insensitive contents about the religious and cultural norms and traditions in Maldivian society.
5. -   Update and strengthen the assessments and analyses the following thematic issues as per the UNICEF’s core guidance on new generation Situation Analysis:
   1. Health: Preventive Primary Health Care; ECD (immunization, nutrition); mental health for children and young people.
   2. Education: the transition from primary to secondary education.
   3. Child Protection: the protective environment for children; violence against children; child protection system strengthening and justice for children.
   4. Climate: the climate change and its impact on the Island nations’ survival; environmental protection and the role of young people.
   5. Social policies and social transformation.
6. -   Validate the revised draft findings of the SitAn through consultations with key stakeholders
7. -   Shorten the report to no more than 100 pages.

Important Reference Materials:

1- Core Guidance: New Generation Situation Analysis, May 2019 (UNICEF)

2- Current Draft Sitan (2020)

3- Maldives Common Country Analysis (Current Draft CCA, 2020)

4- The Situation of Children and Women in Maldives 2015

5- The Maldives CRC Report …

6- The CRC Recommendations on the Maldives CRC Report …

7- The Maldives UPR 2019

8- The Review and Recommendations on the Maldives UPR 2020

9- Study on socio-economic aspects of the Covid-19 in the Maldives (round one – May 2020), MNU and HPA

10- Study on socio-economic aspects of the Covid-19 in the Maldives (round two – June 2020), MNU and HPA

11- UN Maldives Covid-19 Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Framework

12- Maldives 2020 Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Performance Assessment Report, September 2020

13- The Maldives Multidimensional Poverty Index, 2020

14- The Maldives Demographic and Health Survey 2016/17

15- UNICEF Maldives Strategic Positioning Evaluation, 2020

16- Evaluation of the Single Parents and Foster Care Schemes of NSPA, 2019

17- The TOR of the Institutional Consultancy for Developing an Analysis of the Situation of Children and Young People in the Maldives, 2019.

Deliverables:

1.     An inception report that includes a plan for revising the draft SitAn report within two weeks of contract signing.
2.     A first revised version of the SitAn for UNICEF and partners’ review and feedback within 4 weeks following UNICEF’s endorsement of the inception report,
3.     A final SitAn publishable document within 3 weeks following the UNICEF and partners’ feedback.
4.     A summary report on the key finding and a power point presentation on the key findings.

 

• An Inception Report demonstrating a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference

Task: Inception kick-off meeting

Deliverables:     Initiate the inception period with a kick-off meeting between the consultant, UNICEF, programme team to present the proposal and provide an opportunity to clarify any outstanding issues, and ensure the team are on the same page.

Time Frame: 3 days following the signing of contract.

Task: Inception report based on the scope of work defined in the TOR. 

Deliverables:     Develop and submit an inception report that includes:

• The methodology to be used in order to clearly arrive at i) plan for revising the draft SitAn, ii) a clear picture of the current situation of the COVID-19, iii)  an in-depth review of opportunities and risks for the Maldives COVID-19, iv) an understanding of the UNICEF’s added value and comparative advantage
• An outline of SitAn report showing key components and themes to be covered in the changed context of Maldives.

Time Frame: 07 days

 

• Revision and Finalization of SitAn Report

Task: Revision of the draft SitAn report  

Deliverables:     Revised draft SitAn report for UNICEF and partners’ review and feedback within 4 weeks following UNICEF’s endorsement of the inception report.

Time Frame: 22 days

 

Task: Validation Workshop for the SitAn

Deliverables: Presentation of findings to the key stakeholders in a validation workshop

Time Frame: 1 day

 

Task: Final SitAn publishable document

Deliverables: Produce the final SitAn report based on the comments and feedback from the Programme staff and from the validation workshop.

Time Frame: 7 days

 

Task: Related Communication Products

Deliverables: Power Point Presentation along with a summary report on the key finding (2 pages)

Time Frame: 1 day

 

Proposed Payment Schedule:

As per UNICEF policy, payment is made against approved deliverables.

Scheduled payments payment upon completion of the tasks/activities (deliverables) in the agreed work plan, as following.

• Submission of the work plan and Inception Report (10%)
• Submission of the draft SitAn (30%)
• Submission of the Final SitAn publishable document (60%)

The fee may be reduced if deliverables are not fulfilled to the required standards and quality.

Reporting Requirements:

The consultant will report to the UNICEF Representative, and work closely with the PME section. The consultant will provide an update on a bi-weekly basis (by email and/or Zoom as required) with regards to progress, challenges encountered, support required and proposed solutions.

Supervisor: Representative, UNICEF Maldives.

Timing/duration of contract: Working 41 days.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required:

Qualifications Required:

Consultants must offer the following demonstrated experience, knowledge and competencies: 

• At least 8 years of Senior-Level professional work experience in a relevant field;
• Previous analytical and report writing experience, particularly with UNICEF and/or wider UN system to prepare SitAn or CCA reports will be considered as an asset;
• Advanced university degree in social sciences or other related field, preferably with some specialized training in development studies, social policy and human rights;
• Proven knowledge and experience in development and humanitarian programming and related policy analysis;
• Good understanding of UNICEF’s programming and partnership approaches both in upstream policy work in middle income countries and service delivery in low income countries.
• Good understanding of Human Rights Based Approach and Result-Based Management;
• Previous experience in copy-editing and fact-checking;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, of publication standard;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadline

Required Documents:

Please submit a brief Technical Proposal of 2-3 pages.

CV/Resume

Deadline for Applications: 06^th December 2020, 06:00pm (Maldives Time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=536576&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us 

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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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

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.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.