International consultancy for secondary analysis, expanded desk review, and report writing of “Assessment of the social and child protection system including existing social service workforce capacity of the Czech Republic” (27 days)

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, protection

How can you make a difference? 

1. Desk review and secondary analysis (50%)
Consolidate and analyze the existing materials and primary data collected during 2023. These materials include both a prior desk review as well as primary data collection in the form of focus group and interview transcripts. In addition to analyzing the existing materials, the consultant will expand the desk review to include other existing evidence and reflect on the Czech child protection system’s alignment with international standards and global best practices and provide analysis of the legal framework of the Czech Republic child protection system.

2. Report writing (40%)
Develop a draft Report that 1) summarizes the Czech child protection system and humanitarian response to Ukrainian refugees, 2) analyzes how effective these systems and response are at meeting the needs of refugees and other vulnerable Czechs, and 3) provides recommendations to strengthen the social and child protection system, improve the social service workforce, and establish an enhanced structure for a child protection system that effectively links statutory referral bodies with community-based service providers. Note: the draft report will build on extensive readily available evidence and information and the consultant is expected to consolidate into one coherent narrative that encompasses all the required components.

3. Workshop (10%)
Facilitate a conclusive workshop in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, dedicated to presenting the finalized report, highlighting key findings, and articulating actionable recommendations. This final workshop aims to engage stakeholders in a meaningful discussion and ensure a shared understanding of the report’s outcomes, encouraging a collaborative approach towards implementing the proposed recommendations for the enhancement of the child protection system in the Czech Republic.

Work assignment area	Deliverables	Timeline
Desk review and secondary analysis (50%)	Assessment of existing materials and data, including desk reviews, focus groups, and interviews conducted in 2023. Analysis of collected materials and data to assess the Czech child protection system’s alignment with international standards and legal framework.	12 days
Report writing (40%)	Final report developed summarizing and analysing all the materials reviewed as part of the desk review, including main findings, analysis part and recommendations.	10 days
Workshop (10%)	Presentation outlining the assessment Report for the Workshop is prepared. Workshop is led and facilitated in Prague, Czech Republic.	5 days

Estimated Duration of the Contract

27 working days between April and May 2024.

Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be home-based.

As part of this assignment, the consultant is expected to travel to Prague, Czech Republic, for 3 days to lead the report validation workshop. The consultant will arrange their travel as and when they take place, and related costs will be reimbursed per UNICEF travel policy.

Travel Clause

• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Please propose a lumpsum professional fee (in USD) based on 27 working days to undertake this assignment. Please do not include travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.

To apply: 

Please include a full CV,  a Financial Proposal and a Technical proposal in your application.  The tehchnical proposal should include a brief workplan  outlining how you will undertake the TORs. Kindly include in your applicaiton your availability and professional fee (in USD). Applications submitted without a proposed professional fee will not be considered.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in  Social science, Human Rights, Psychology, Development studies or related
  field is required.
• At least 5-7 years of professional work experience in the field of child protection is required.
• 5 years of international experience in working with the UN and NGOs in the field of child protection is required.
• Experience working in high income countries is highly desirable
• Established track record in conducting high-quality studies and research in child protection.
• Extensive experience in analysing systems and programs, concepts, guidelines, practical tools and manuals.
• Demonstrated experience in providing effective policy advice to the government.
• Knowledge, expertise and established record in planning and monitoring child protection system strengthening, emergency and post-emergency projects desired.
• Experience in working in emergency and refugee support context is an asset.
• Strong analytical, synthesising, report writing and presentation skills.
• Must be willing and able to work independently.
• Fluency in English is required.

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:  

Please include a full CV,  a Financial Proposal and a Technical proposal in your application.  The tehchnical proposal should include a brief workplan  outlining how you will undertake the TORs. Kindly include in your applicaiton your availability and professional fee (in USD). Applications submitted without a proposed professional fee will not be considered.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.