Consultancy – Formative Evaluation of Adolescent Girls’ Focused Programming in East Asia and Pacific, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking three individual consultants who will work together to deliver the evaluation. The required individual consultants are the following: (1) Team Lead Evaluator (2) Senior/Middle Level Consultant and (3) Data Analyst/Researcher. The purpose of this formative evaluation is to assess how adolescent girls programming is progressing in the countries in the region, and document good practices and lessons from the ongoing programming. More specifically, the evaluation is expected to identify areas for improvement, to increase programme efficiency and effectiveness and ensure accountability to realize results for the adolescent girls’ programme.

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 fulfilling 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.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking three individual consultants who will work together to deliver the evaluation. The required individual consultants are the following: (1) Team Lead Evaluator (2) Senior/Middle Level Consultant and (3) Data Analyst/Researcher. The purpose of this formative evaluation is to assess how adolescent girls programming is progressing in the countries in the region, and document good practices and lessons from the ongoing programming. More specifically, the evaluation is expected to identify areas for improvement, to increase programme efficiency and effectiveness and ensure accountability to realize results for the adolescent girls’ programme.

Work assignment (remote/ home-based modality, with some travel to countries anticipated), Expected deliverable and Delivery schedule:

The assignment will involve travel to 2-3 countries.

This section describes the specific deliverables for each individual consultant including the actual days they expected under each phase as shown in Tables 3, 4 and 5.

Team Lead Evaluation Expert
 Team Lead Evaluation Expert .pdf
 

Senior/Middle level Consultant 

 SeniorMiddle level Consultant .pdf

 
Data Analyst/Researcher

 Data AnalystResearcher .pdf

Level of effort for each consultant

The assignment will be completed in about 100 working days.  The level of effort for the different team members is proposed in Table 6. There will be three separate individual contracts for the Team Leader, Senior/Middle Level Consultant and Data Analyst/Researcher. Payment will consider the level of effort of each consultant.

Table 6: Illustrative allocation of level of effort across phases

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Duration of Contract:    16 September 2024 – 15 May 2025

The start date is upon signing the contracts, and duration is 7 months. The timing includes review of products by the stakeholders.
 

Duty Travel:  Fieldwork travel for data collection is expected to at least 2-3 countries implementing the adolescent programme. The COs to be visited and criteria for selection will be finalized at inception. The contractor should provide their own computer and communication devices, internet connections, and workspace. They should also have to arrange for their own logistics, transport, communication, insurance, and security (see also section 7 for further details).   
 

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

Consultants Qualifications

Team leader Evaluation Expert should have the following key qualifications.

• A post-graduate or Master’s degree in social science, development studies, international relations or economics, or related fields from a reputable institution, combined with a recognized certificate in evaluation theories and methods.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in evaluation related to at least two of the priority areas covered by the adolescent girls’ programmes (Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, WASH and Social Protection); experience in gender equality, child rights; experience in evaluation of development/humanitarian programmes and projects, particularly with UNICEF, other UN agencies, as well as for UNICEF EAPR region.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of adolescent contemporary issues, debates, and challenges in global childhood adolescents and knowledge of UNICEF work with adolescent girls, including in the EAP region.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in current evaluation methods and approaches, particularly formative and forward-looking approaches, and participatory methods in evaluations.
• Excellent analytical and evaluation skills, including a sound knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods with strong technical experience in evaluation design.
• Demonstrated experience conducting participatory evaluations, including on adolescent programming or related projects on potentially sensitive topics such as gender-based violence, harmful practices, and others.
• Experience conducting evaluations and research in partnership with adolescents/adolescent girls or youth is desirable.
• Experience in generating strategic, useful, and action-oriented recommendations to senior management and programming staff.
• Proven experience managing an evaluation team.

Senior/Middle Level Consultant

• A Master of Science in Social Sciences, or related fields from a reputable institution in any of the following disciplines: education, psychology, sociology, international development/relations, social work, or law and justice with a focus on childhood and adolescent studies.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of adolescent contemporary issues, debates, and challenges in global childhood adolescents and knowledge of UNICEF work with adolescent girls, including in the EAP region.
• At least 10 years’ experience in coordinating young people centered partnerships, guiding strategic implementation of adolescent initiatives, providing technical advice, and influencing policies for youth empowerment, especially in EAP.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in evaluation related to at least two of the priority areas covered by the adolescent girls’ programmes (Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, WASH and Social Protection); experience in gender equality, child rights; experience in evaluation of development/humanitarian programmes and projects, particularly with UNICEF, other UN agencies, as well as for UNICEF EAPR region.
• Proven record and strong substantive background in evaluation (especially formative evaluation) undertakings at regional level with adolescents with the UN.
• Experience working with governments and UN agencies providing support adolescent programmes in the region.
• Experience in second-decade education, adolescent development, youth skilling, youth employment, youth entrepreneurship or social impact is an asset.
• Prior experience in promoting innovative approaches and best practices through advocacy and advisory services for adolescent girls.
• Prior experience working on evidence informed adolescent girls’ targeted programming, mobilization and advocacy is an asset.

Data Analyst/Researcher

• A Master of Science degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, demography, or another relevant technical field.
• At least five years of professional experience in social science research, or related fields, focusing on adolescent research in EAP.
• Experience in conducting research in partnerships with adolescents/adolescent girls or youth is desirable.
• Proven experience conducting participatory evaluations on adolescent related projects on potentially sensitive topics such as gender-based violence, harmful practices, and others in EAP.
• Demonstrated work on qualitative data collection methods and analysis techniques and strong experience of analyzing qualitative data.
• Demonstrated experience in statistical data analysis involving large data sets is required.
• Proven experience drafting quality research outputs for different stakeholders and audiences is required.
• Experience working in a developing setting, managing programmes and/or research is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies in EAP.

Key competencies for all members of the evaluation team

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Commitment and willingness to work as a team to achieve the outcome of this evaluation.
• Work with limited regular supervision; must demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, client orientation, proven ethical practice, initiative, concern for accuracy and quality.
• Experience with the ethics of evidence generation; experience collecting data from vulnerable groups; familiarity with ethical safeguards.
• Ability to travel to remote areas of the countries to oversee and/or conduct fieldwork.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Proven experience working with adolescent girls and/young people.
• Fluency in the local language is necessary to manage field data collection.

The selected individuals are expected to be available for the duration of the assignment and actively participate at all the stages of the evaluation based on their level of effort as shown in Table 6. The team leader is expected to undertake at least two in-country missions and one Regional during the evaluation, especially during the inception phase, fieldwork/analysis phase and validation workshops.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Consultants are expected to indicate ONE role (Team Lead Evaluator or Senior/Middle Level Consultant or Data Analyst/Researcher) that they would like to apply for when submitting the application and use the template attached (Annex 1, 2, and 3 respectively to demonstrate the technical skills and knowledge require to carry out the exercise.  The consultants are expected to work together, and each will contribute their deliverables as stated in Section 4 to ensure the ultimate achievement of the final products for this assignment. 

Applications can be submitted either by an individual consultant or by individuals proposing to work together as a team. It is important to note individual contracts will be issued to each team member, and that payments will be made by key deliverables at each phase as stated in Table 7. Interested candidates – either as individual applicants or jointly when applying as a team should indicate which consultancy they are applying for (Team Leader; Senior/Middle Level Consultant; Data Analyst/Researcher).

Team Lead Evaluator application process

Only the individual applying for the team role is expected to submit a brief proposal (5-10 pages) outlining how they understand the TOR and proposed innovative methodology which incorporates suggestions as described in section 4 and guideline shown below. Other documents to be included are;

1. 1. Cover letter (2-page maximum) to include availability as per indicative timeline, and an outline of how the applicant(s) match the required skills and experience outlined in these terms of reference.
   2. Complete Annex 1 Form to show technical skills and related knowledge.
   3. Three recent examples of relevant work
   4. Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume
   5. Contact details for three references for whom an evaluation has been conducted, one for UNICEF.
   6. Cost- Indicate Daily Rate in United States Dollars

Senior/Middle Level Consultant and Data Analyst/Researcher

A proposal is NOT to be submitted by the Senior/Middle Level Consultant and Data Analyst/Researcher. Only the following documents should be submitted upon which the assessment will be based.

1. 1. Cover letter (2-page maximum) to include availability as per indicative timeline, and an outline of how the applicant(s) match the required skills and experience outlined in these terms of reference.
   2. Completed Annex 2 Form (Applicable to Senior/Middle Level) OR Annex 3 Form (Appliable to Data Analyst/Researcher) to show technical skills and related knowledge.
   3. Three recent examples of relevant work
   4. Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume
   5. Contact details for three references for similar assignments.
   6. Cost- Indicate Daily Rate in United States Dollars

 Annexes.docx
 Full VA – Formative Evaluation.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

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. Consultants 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.