TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNICEF KIRA
Programmeme/Project Title:
Youth and Adolescent Development and Child Protection
Consultancy/Services Title:
Youth and Adolescent Development and Child Protection
Consultant
Consultancy Mode:
National
Type of Contract :
Consultant
Mode of Selection :
Competitive
Duration of Contract :
From: June/July – November/ December 2015 (6 months)
International
Individual Contractor
Institutional
Single Source
Objective/purpose of the consultancy/services
UNICEF Kyrgyz Republic Country Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical support in design and
implementation of the Adolescents Development and Child Protection Programmes;
Background
Over half of the population in Kyrgyzstan is under the age of 25 and almost a third is between the ages of 15 and 25.
Youth in Kyrgyzstan lives in an environment where poverty is widespread, economic opportunities are limited, both the
quality and access to public services is poor, corruption is pervasive and there are limited opportunities to make their
voices heard in public or private domains. This makes 31% of young people “afraid of the future or uncertain about
tomorrow’’ and 23% dissatisfied with the situation in the country.1
Labour migration to urban areas or to other countries –usually Russia and Kazakhstan– is often the only feasible
livelihood strategy for young people and the only way for them to alleviate poverty and contribute to economic growth.
However, labour migration also creates social problems of various kinds. For those who stay, options are few. Youth
unemployment is high,2 and in some parts of the country, suicide rates are also high and rising. 3 The concept of
citizenship is poorly developed among young people, and democratic values are not held strongly. Identity formation
based on ethnicity, religion, clan and/or regionalism is becoming more prominent (especially among young people) and
has widened the gap between ethnicities in the country, as well as with citizens from neighboring countries. This has
deepened societal fault lines and increased the risk of conflict.
Local formal and informal education leaves little room for development of functional literacy and civic competencies
such as critical thinking, self-reflection, communication and peaceful conflict prevention. 4 The deterioration of education
facilities and standards, the lack of structured employment, the high rate of school dropout and the limited social
opportunities create conditions for disorderly behavior, such as petty crime, fights, and alcohol consumption. This
environment combined with the limited number of integrating mechanisms –such as shared education, employment or
joint social events– make young people susceptible to political and religious radicalization and to adopting risky and
sometimes illegal behaviors. The Peace Building National Priorities Assessment, recently conducted by UN in
Kyrgyzstan, describes the high prevalence of violence in families and schools, particularly against children and youths.
Violence is viewed as socially acceptable, which undermines the creation of a favorable environment for peace.5
1
Youth and Public Policy in Kyrgyzstan: p 25
According to IMF 2012 data youth make up 50% of all unemployed population.
3
Forty-six suicides among youth were registered during a five-months period in 2013. However, it is believed that the suicide rate
is considerable understated.
4
More than 80% of the country’s students displayed reading skills below a level at which they “begin to demonstrate
competencies (…..) that will enable them to participate effectively and productively in life”. Stated in the Youth and Public Policy
in Kyrgyzstan, p 27
5
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ombudsman Office, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education,
undertook two nation-wide studies on the prevalence and dynamics of child abuse in families (2010) and violence in schools in
the Kyrgyz Republic (2011). The findings of the studies disclosed a dismal picture of the prevalence of child abuse and violence
countrywide. 73 per cent of children suffer from abuse and violence in their families and 83.5 per cent of children experience
different forms of violence in schools.
2
Women are often unacknowledged as a result of the prevalence of masculinity-based norms in society. ‘Youth’ is not a
homogenous group, but one characterized by differences between young men and women. These differences have
their root in patriarchal cultural beliefs that encourage stakeholders to frame youth issues from the perspective of young
men, rather than their female counterparts. Issues such as the lack of participation of young women in youth initiative
groups and youth wings of political parties; gender-based discrimination in the labour market and in society as a whole;
and gender-based violence –particularly in the context of early marriages, bride kidnapping, sexual violence, and
trafficking– are not properly reflected in national youth policy or in youth movement agendas. The resulting situation is
one where young women and girls face multiple forms of discrimination and become further marginalized in society,
reducing the capacity of communities to be open-minded and adaptable in the face of change while engaging with
gender issues.
Following the violent conflict in April and June 2010, UNICEF adjusted its programming in Kyrgyzstan by engaging in
peacebuilding responses and addressing conflict drivers at the community and policy levels. In trying to address these
issues, UNICEF has increased its focus on peace education and the issues faced by young people and adolescents.
Youth and adolescents have been seen as agents of peacebuilding and generally as resource of development.
Kyrgyzstan’s UNICEF Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) for 2012-16 focuses on promoting children’s and young
people’s role in peacebuilding and increasing their mediation potential. Kyrgyzstan Country Office has a specific
programme on youth and adolescence focusing on youth life skills and participation.
UNICEF in the Kyrgyz Republic has been promoting and advocating for the child protection system reform for the last
ten years. Many positive changes have happened in 2010 - 2013. As a result of long-term advocacy, in 2011 child
protection was integrated into social protection system. In spite of all efforts, child protection system is still fragmented
and not well understood in the country. There is no common vision of road map for child protection system reform. Many
problems remain in childcare such as a major part of the state child protection budget is spent on the costly sector of
residential institutions. Number of uncontrolled private institutions is on raise. There is no family support in place for
families and children in difficult life situation. Alternative community based services for care and protection of children
who are at risk of institutionalization, victims of crimes, abuse and violence, and for children in conflict with the law are
not developed. Great scope of work in child protection, which is one of the most complex component of the current
country program required sufficient number of staff. Thus, the main goal of this assignment is to provide technical
support to Child Protection team in planning, implementation and monitoring of child protection activities based on
findings of UNICEF situation analysis, mid-term review, multi-country evaluation and access to justice report.
Scope of work and key tasks on youth and adolescents development and participation component:
1. In consultation with the local partners working in the sectors of youth and adolescence development
participation and protection, based on the findings of UNICEF situation analysis and mid-term review as well
on relevant international experiences in the field, provide meaningful contributions to UNICEF short terms and
long term planning
2. Provide technical inputs to design, planning, implementation, knowledge management and reporting of the
projects under UK Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Incumbent
is particularly expected to generate knowledge on empowering young people to become peace agents in
complex contexts.
3. Provide support to the counterparts on design and implementation of cross border cooperation projects,
particularly in the conflict prone areas of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, building on UNICEF mandates in education
and youth empowerment;
4. Provide technical support to the process of handing over the network of youth centers to the Government of the
Kyrgyz Republic. The assignment will include providing meaningful contribution to establishment of
administrative and functional structure as well as to managerial/accountability procedures. Incumbent will be
also expected to contribute to development of a sound mechanism of quality assurance of services to be
provided by the youth centers;
5. Provide technical and management support to the Government and the civil society counterparts in
establishment of 5 youth centers with administrative management procedures as well as quality assurance
system. The incumbent will make sure that newly developed centers focus on most vulnerable and at-risk youth
and adolescents and the hand-over process is well set and operationalized;
6. Provide technical inputs to strategic frameworks with knowledge management and sharing guidelines as well
as policy options for youth and adolescent development encompassing local best programme experiences and
informed by innovative international practices. The proposals should take a differentiated approach for youth
and adolescents in general and those in vulnerable situation;
7. Identify new knowledge and latest research on adolescents (including in the areas of non-cognitive skills,
development, behavior etc.) build capacity of counterparts. Capacity building will include integration of the new
knowledge and research findings into both the programme design as well as to the projects implemented jointly
with the counterparts;
8. In coordination with the Communication for Development Section of UNICEF develop a sound communication
strategy for youth and adolescents development, participation and protection. The communication strategy will
serve at least two goals: First, it will promote visibility of the results achieved by both UNICEF and counterparts.
Second, it will be aimed at strengthening positive knowledge and attitudes among youth and adolescents. It will
also be contributing strengthening to the public discourse on “Adolescents at promise, rather than at risk”.
9. Regularly attend and monitor project activities in order to identify and report on any delays or changes related
to implementation plans, discuss with the local teams how to overcome them and to modify plan of activities
accordingly etc.
10. Contribute to fundraising and resource mobilization for youth and adolescents development, participation and
protection. The incumbent will specifically develop project concepts drawing on innovation, new knowledge end
research in the related field. Concept notes will touch upon such areas as peacebuilding, youth and adolescents
participation, employability and livelihood etc. The incumbent will also connect local youth serving and youthled counterparts with the funding opportunities and other resources linked to international development
community as well as private and public sectors;
11. Build and maintain program database on key Programme partnerships and qualitative/quantitative outputs, data
knowledge and resources;
12. Draft work-plans for related UNICEF projects, reports, technical inputs and other relevant documents required,
on time and with the requisite level of quality
13. Identify relevant knowledge and expertise on youth policy and context to the local stakeholders;
14. Support reporting to donors and preparation of other donor proposals in the related areas
15. Facilitate maintenance of the on-going dialogue with relevant civil society organizations, ensuring their views
are being integrated into UNICEF programming
16. Represent UNICEF in relevant meetings, seminars, trainings and conferences when required
17. Other support necessary for smooth implementation of the Youth and Adolescent Development Program
Scope of work and key tasks on child protection component:
1. Based on the findings of UNICEF situation analysis, mid-term review, multi-country evaluation and access to
justice report provide technical support in post-mid-term review planning and implementation of child protection
activities
2. Support child protection team in development of PCAs and SSFAs with NGO partners
3. Monitor project activities
4. Support child protection team in preparation of the National Forum on childcare
5. Documentation of child protection activities stipulated by RWP
6. Support reporting to donors
7. Fundraising
8. Represent UNICEF in relevant meetings, seminars, trainings and conferences when required
9. Provide other support when needed for smooth implementation of the child protection program
Reporting and supervision
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Youth and Adolescent Development Officer and Child
Protection Officer UNICEF in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Qualification/level requirements
 Academic qualifications–masters in development studies or a related field
 At least 1 year of professional experience in the Central Asian, particularly in the context Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan
 Field experience in mobilization and capacity building of civil society organizations in the area of youth and
adolescents development, participation and protection in complex context;
 Field experience in promoting volunteerism and engaging youth in peacebuilding, advocacy and community
development;
 Experience in knowledge generation and sharing in the field of youth and adolescence development;
 Experience in fund raising and resource mobilization for development purposes
 Have a good understanding of child protection issues
 Ability to work independently and as part of a team
 Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
 Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals
 Fluent English writing skills and ability to edit and produce synopsis. Good knowledge of Russian required.
Deliverables
Consultant will submit monthly reports outlining towards achievement of below work plan activities:

Review and update the work plan effective implementation of the youth and adolescent development program
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Review and provide inputs on youth and adolescent related project implementation and M&E activities
(CSSF/PBF)
Support to Programme Cooperation Agreements with the counterparts on the sustainability of youth and
adolescent development program and child protection
Provide technical support in the establishment of the new youth centers and quality assurance
Support to needs assessment and capacity building of national partners
Review of and inputs to project completion and donor reports
Monthly reports
Duty station and Official Travel Involved
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with frequent travels to the country regions.
The consultant will be paid daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for Bishkek with the daily rate reduced by 50%. Full
DSA will be paid in case of official in-country field travels in accordance with the daily rates established for specific
country regions as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).
For field travels the consultant will be expected to submit, within ten days of completion of a specific travel, a voucher
for reimbursement of travel expenses to the appropriate Operations / Human Resources manager. Reimbursements
shall only be processed if travel was duly authorized by an authorized supervisor or Head of Office, in writing and prior
to the travel. Consultants are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.
Travel paid for by UNICEF in advance, and travel costs reimbursed after travel, shall be based on economy class
travel, regardless of the length of travel, subject to exceptional approval of business class travel by the Head of Office/
Division Director, for example for medicals reasons when certified by UN Medical Services in New York.
Duration
6 months
Estimated cost (optional)
To be proposed by an applicant. The consultant will be selected based on the “best value for money” approach.
UNICEF will effect monthly schedule of payment linked to [monthly] provision of progress reports and submission of
‘deliverable’ as indicated in the above section Deliverables.
Source of funding/PBA reference (date of expiration of the PBA):
Source of funding/Grant reference (date of expiration of the Grant):
SC 140028 (30.06.2016)
Note: In all cases, consultants may only be paid their fees upon satisfactory completion of services. In such cases
where payment of fees is to be made in a lump sum, this may only be payable upon completion of the services to
UNICEF’s satisfaction and certification to that effect, and any advance on the lump sum may not exceed 30% of the
fees. In such cases where payment of fees is to be made in installments, the final installment may not be less than
ten per cent (10%) of the total value of the contract, and will only be payable upon completion of the services to
UNICEF’s satisfaction and certification to that effect.
The current contract does not cover overtime compensation, medical insurance, taxes coverage, no annual
and sick leaves are assumed.
Drafted:
Gulzhigit Ermatov
Reviewed:
Elena Zaichenko
Reviewed:
Jamilya Jusaeva
Approved:
Raoul de Torcy, Deputy Representative
Endorsed:
Yukie Mokuo, Representative
Date:
23/04/2015