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 fulfill 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, care

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: to provide expert support to the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare, and Migration (MoLSWM). This support will focus on designing the mechanism to identify the most vulnerable children to access the MoES voucher for early childhood development and education (ECD/ECE) services for young children from vulnerable families.

How can you make a difference?

Supervisor: Social Policy Specialist

Work dates: 24 May 2024 – 30 December 2024;

1. Until 01 June 2024 (5 working days):

Jointly with consultants under the MoES clarify the definition of a vulnerable child eligible for receiving a voucher for preschool services and agree on criteria for choosing localities to test the voucher programme;

2. Until 01 July 2024 (20 working days):

Desk review of normative framework databases for vulnerable children and practical observation of gaps in identifying the poorest children from families + Literature review on approaches to identifying the most vulnerable children to benefit from a voucher programme:

– Desk and literature review report with practical recommendations.

3. Until 01 August 2024 (20 working days):

Contribute to the definition of the value of vouchers, establishing financial standards, and outlining procedures for voucher financing based on national social standards and procedures. Contribute to the concept of an e-platform or software system.

• Inputs reflected in draft mechanism for ECE voucher programme that reaches the most vulnerable children and is in line with national social standards.

4. Until 01 September 2024 (30 working days):

Plan, organize and co-facilitate 3 workshops to agree the mechanism to identify the most vulnerable children and design training for social protection staff, train Master Trainers and supervise first roll out of training for social protection staff in district(s)

• Workshop reports (Bishkek, Batken, Naryn);

5. Until 31 October 2024 (30 working days):

Participate in testing the voucher programme to ensure the recommendations provided to identify the vulnerable children (as per agreed definition) are properly implemented by MoLSWM. When/if necessary, refine mechanism:

• Document findings of the testing – outlining the mechanism for identifying vulnerable children and referred to MoES voucher programme;

6. Until 30 December 2024 (30 working days):

Assessment of the normative framework for non-state service delivery and existing training/orientation packages.

– Assessment report with recommendations for transition to formal employment and capacity support required.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Policy, Social Sciences, social protection, finance, or another relevant technical field;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the design, planning, management and monitoring of social programmes and projects including with digital and innovative approaches
• Knowledge on the national development and social sectors priorities, and government work processes: normative, functional and interactions with other entities
• Advanced analytical and writing skills
• At least 5-year experience in development of training programmes, courses, modules, and packages. Trainer’ experience. Communication skills
• Knowledge of written and spoken Kyrgyz, Russian and English
• Experience and engagement in the government accelerators and inter-sectoral initiatives is an asset.

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.

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/individual contractors 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 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.

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.