Organization:UN Children's Fund
Location:Washington DC
Terms of Reference Consultancy with Adolescent Development and Participation Section, Programme
Division Technical support for Adolescent Kit
Background
The Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section, part of the Gender, Rights and Civic Engagement Cluster in the Programme Division, works to advance the rights of adolescents across all UNICEF supported programmes and policies. The small team of specialists promotes cross-sectoral programming for adolescents that build on their assets and strengths, while addressing their unique vulnerabilities and risks.
The Adolescent Development and Participation Section is currently developing an Adolescent Kit for use in emergencies and other low-resource environments. The Child Protection Section, Education Section, Supply Division, Emergency Operations Division, Disability Section and Communication for Development Section are all providing technical input and support for this initiative through a Technical Guidance Group. The Adolescent Kit will provide tools, resources and materials to support activities and approaches for children ages 10-18. The kit is meant to be used and integrated in existing initiatives and programmes such as child-friendly spaces, education programmes and schools (outside formal lessons), youth centres or community centres and other safe spaces where children can meet, play, create, and work together. Activities supported by the kit will address outcomes for adolescents’ protection, education and participation, contributing to their psychosocial wellbeing and life skills. The types of activities supported by the kit will include arts, sports and games, and group projects designed and led by adolescents.
The Adolescent Kit draws heavily from UNICEF’s experience from the Art in a Bag programme for psychosocial support through the arts, which was implemented in Banda Aceh, Indonesia (following the 2004 tsunami), the remote Darien Gap region of Panama, and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Experiences and lessons learned from Art-in-a-Bag have been key for the development of the Adolescent Kit.
When complete and ready for use in the field, the Adolescent Kit will include a Programme Guidance manual (i.e. a Training of Trainers Guide and/or a Programme Coordinators Guide) and an Activities Guide as well as an integrated Outcome Framework with corresponding M&E tools. Training will be provided for key UNICEF staff and partners overseeing the kit’s utilization in emergencies and other low-resource environments.
At the current stage of development, there is a need for strengthening the psychosocial wellbeing in emergencies component of the kit. In addition, the kit will need to draw on and integrate case studies of effective and successful initiatives for supporting psychosocial wellbeing, life skills learning and participation through arts-related activities.
Purpose and expected results
The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to refine, enhance and expand the Adolescent Kit’s effectiveness in supporting psychosocial wellbeing for adolescents through arts related activities.
The consultant is expected to provide:
Technical support to strengthen the ‘psychosocial support in emergencies’ component of the Guidance and Activities Modules. Between July 2013 and January 2014 the draft Guidance and Activities Modules for the Adolescent Kit will be reviewed by the Technical Guidance Group. As part of this process, new tools and materials will be drafted and integrated into the modules. The consultant will participate in the review process as well as coordinate technical input from other colleagues with expertise in psychosocial support in emergencies. He or she will provide strategic revisions to the module drafts that focus on best practices and standards for psychosocial support.
Technical support to integrate the ‘psychosocial support in emergencies’ component in the development of the integrated Outcome Framework and M&E Tools. The consultant will work in partnership with the Technical Working Group to develop a ToR for the development of the integrated Outcome Framework and M&E tools. The consultant will review and provide recommendations to the drafts of the Outcome Framework and M&E Tools, as well as coordinate input from relevant UNICEF partner organizations and networks (such as the Child Protection Working Group) related to ‘psychosocial support in emergencies.’
Examples and case studies of effective arts activities and approaches for children and adolescents in emergencies and low-resource environments. The consultant will gather 20 examples as well as write up 10 case studies of experiences of effective and innovative approaches to arts programming and/or use of locally available materials in programming for children and adolescents in emergencies and low-resource environments. In particular, experiences from the Art-in-a-Bag programme in Indonesia, Panama and Haiti should be gathered, as this is the foundational programme for the Adolescent Kit’s arts approach.
The consultant is expected to be based in New York City, as frequent meetings and interaction with HQ staff and the Technical Working Group is expected. No travel is anticipated. The collating of examples from the field will be conducted through desk research and follow up by phone, skype or e-mail interviews. Timeframe
Start date: 1 August 2013 End date: 28 February 2014
Deliverables Duration (Estimated # of days) Deadline Participation in Technical Guidance Group meetings to develop a ToR for a consultancy or partnership to produce an Outcome Framework and M&E tool(s) for the adolescent kit; recommendations and guidance shared through follow-up notes, if requested. 4 31 August 2013 Technical input related to psychosocial wellbeing in emergencies provided for the Arts and Planning modules of the kit (through tracked changes and comments). 5 30 September 2013 Matrix outline of 10 examples of effective and innovative approaches to arts programming and/or use of locally available materials. 6 31 October 2013 Five written draft case studies of effective and innovative approaches to arts programming and/or use of locally available materials. 10 30 November 2013 Matrix outline of 20 examples of effective and innovative approaches to arts programming (which will include original ten delivered on 31 October) and five additional draft case studies. 12 31 January 2014 Second draft of all 10 case studies reflecting feedback from Adolescent Kit Technical Guidance Group with an outline of recommendations for how to produce case studies of the remaining 10 examples (in written, photographic or video format). 6 28 February 2014 Technical input related to psychosocial wellbeing in emergencies provided for minimum one (no more than two) drafts of the Outcome Framework and M&E Tools; suggested additions and revisions, including consolidated comments from UNICEF partner organizations and networks, shared through track changes and comments. 7 28 February 2014 TOTAL 50
Key competences, technical background, and experience required
- An advanced degree in social sciences with a technical focus in the areas of child protection, social work, art therapy, human rights, and/or international development;
- At least ten years’ relevant experience, including field experience, in contributing to and advancing issues related to psychosocial support for children in emergencies, especially as pertaining to adolescents;
- Demonstrated experience in working with adolescents, in development or emergencies contexts;
- Strong knowledge of new research and knowledge in the area of art for psychosocial support;
- Fluency in English;
- Ability to conduct interviews (including remotely) and produce written materials in either French or Spanish;
- Experience working with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds to deliver on specific tasks or projects;
- Demonstrated track record in report writing, documentation and publication;
- Knowledge of UNICEF and UN language, protocols, branding and design standards;
- Available to attend meetings and consultations at HQ in New York City, USA at own expense;
- Flexibility to conduct phone or skype interviews with UNICEF staff or partners in other time zones in Latin America, Africa or Asia at their availability;
- Ability to work with minimal daily supervision and exercise sound judgment in meeting deadlines.
General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors 1. Legal Status The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention. 2. Obligations The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices. The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact. 3. Title rights UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. 4. Travel If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.
Statement of good health Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.
Insurance The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.
Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).
Arbitration (a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.
Penalties for Underperformance Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.
Termination of Contract This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.
Taxation UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Adolescent Kit” by 19 July 2013, 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
Closing date: 19 Jul 2013
How to apply:
http://reliefweb.int/job/588889/consultancy-technical-support-adolescent-kit