National Consultancy on Renovation and Energy Efficiency, Yerevan, Armenia (12 months)

Education is a basic human right. Around the world, UNICEF works to provide quality learning opportunities that prepare children and adolescents with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. UNICEF’s main focuses are equitable access, quality learning and education in emergencies. Access to quality education and skills development must be equitable and inclusive for all children and adolescents, regardless of who they are or where they are. Quality learning requires not only qualified and motivated teachers, but also a safe and friendly environment. Children living through conflict and displacement are in urgent need of educational support. Crises not only halt children’s learning but also roll back their gains. 

Educational institutions are important reference points for children and families in the community and ensure that children stay in a safe and protective environment, can continue their education and routine also during and after the emergencies. Despite significant progress made in the realization of the right to education in Armenia, and the experience acquired from recent emergencies, schools and preschools continue to struggle with adequate infrastructure. Strengthening the capacity of schools and preschools together with capacitating teachers and administrative staff to respond to emergencies and after-emergencies is essential.

After the September 2023 emergency, numerous needs assessments were carried out, and it was found that educational institutions lacked safe friendly and adequate settings for learning, particularly for preschool children.

For almost a decade, Armenia has been mainstreaming inclusion in education at all levels. In addition to the mainstreaming of inclusive services, the equal realization of the right of children with disabilities to live in the family and in the community requires access to a diversity of community and social support services, such as peer support, personal care assistance, respite services, provision of assistive technologies, and others. When these services are unavailable or interrupted, social exclusion and inequalities are magnified as children with disabilities face major disruptions to the care and support, they rely on for their daily well-being.

UNICEF works towards supporting the Government of Armenia in mainstreaming inclusive education, early childhood development and in advancing the rights of children with disabilities and build a world where children with disabilities reach their full potential. ECD Programmes are deliver in many ways, including through establishment of the alternative early learning services in small rural settlements, integrated education and care programmes in inclusive kindergartens as well as establishment of the community-based outdoor playgrounds. Disability-specific Programmes are promoting the rights of children with disabilities through establishment of comprehensive community care and support services to ensure that children with disabilities and their families have access to all the services and support they need in their communities. 

In order to facilitate the seamless integration of conflict affected girls and boys, UNICEF Armenia in collaboration with the RA Government is working on enhancement of enabling, safe and secure learning environment both in schools and preschools. To this end, the following activities have been planned:

• Expansion of enabling and safe learning spaces in schools and preschools in targeted marzes: Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, and Lori. The buildings should be renovated considering accessibility for all children, including children with disabilities.
• Establishment of accessible community-based services for children with developmental delays and disabilities in Armavir.
• Renovation and refurbishment of the Child and Family Support/Crisis Support Centers in regions.
• Renovation of the WASH facilities in schools and preschools in targeted marzes of Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Ararat, Armavir and Kotayk to have more holistic approach and dignified services for all beneficiary children and adolescents.

In order to monitor and control the whole process of renovation/construction project sites, an expert/consultant in this specific field should be hired to carry out quality assurance.

Scope of Work:

The National Expert on Renovation and Energy Efficiency will work under the overall guidance of UNICEF Armenia Education Specialist and direct supervision of the ECD Officer and the Programme Associate. The part of work related to the establishment, renovation and refurbishment of the child-friendly spaces will be guided and supervised by Child Protection Specialist. More specifically the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Maintain liaison and direct communications with the implementing partners/contractors, the local authorities and the state construction inspectorates related to construction/renovation processes copying relevant programme staff, 
• Adaptation/translation of the clauses in the Project document on renovation and ordination for Implementation partners/contractors on UNICEF requirements for renovation,
• Support in preparation of the Terms of References and finalization of the bidding processes for the engineering services (including development of bill of quantity), construction works and the technical supervision,
• Conduct sites assessment and ensure that all designs comply with government norms, standards and local infrastructure regulations, and the local climatic conditions and the risks of natural disasters and risks for child safety are considered,
• Conduct regular site supervision and ensure that construction/renovation works, including WASH facilities, (and if needed the establishment of outdoor playgrounds and the installation of solar photovoltaic systems) are executed in accordance with the local bylaws (including materials quality control), national and international health and safety, and accessibility standards,
• Guide the implementing partners/contractors to understand and follow UNICEF commitments towards accessible buildings as per the Executive Directive on Accessibility in UNICEF’s Programme-Related Construction Activities (CF/EXD/2017-004), which is embodied in UNICEF’s Accessibility Technical Cards.
• On a periodic basis (no less than once per month) the consultant will verify that the construction companies perform the contract technical requirements in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications stipulated in the design documentations,
• Monitor the contractor’s performance and notify the contractor of deficiencies observed during surveillance and direct appropriate action to effect correction. Document and report any incidents of faulty or nonconforming work, delays, or problem to the programme team,
• Monitor the quality of the performed works during the guaranty period and make necessary arrangements related to reparation of the identified defects,
• Assist the programme team in evaluation and monitoring of the construction/renovation works, including WASH facilities, the establishment of outdoor playgrounds, and the installation of solar photovoltaic systems done under the UNICEF funding,
• Review/check the possible changes in the volumes and values of the works performed, ensure these are justified,
• Deliver timely reports on technical supervision results, including recommendations and assessments,
• Render consultations as required within the Programme and perform other duties as may be required.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month-20%; 2 months-50%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and that UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. This ToR is an integral part of the contract signed with the consultant.