Individual Consultancy: Design of the Tool to Facilitate the Identification and Selection of Persons with Disabilities to Access the Basic Social Subside Programme and Other Social Services

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1.  Background and Context

The second Mozambican Basic Social Security National Strategy (ENSSB II) recommended to revise the social protection programmes implemented by the Ministry Of Gender, Children and Social Action through the National Institute of Social Action. Thus, the Decree nº 47/2018 of August 06, regarding the revision of social protection programmes, defined the new components of the basic social subsidy programme that introduced the disability grant for persons with disabilities.

The evaluation of the first Basic Social Security National Strategy (2010-2014) carried out in 2015 concluded that the coverage of persons with disabilities in the social protection programmes was extremely low, contrasting with the fact that persons with disabilities are one of the most excluded and vulnerable groups in society, on which the double burden of poverty and the limitations resulting from disability weighs, plus the prejudice, stigma and discrimination that they are subject.

In part, the low level of coverage of persons with disabilities in social assistance programmes can be attributed to the complexity of the disability theme, to the invisibility of persons with disabilities, who are often locked in their households with little or no participation in family and community activities, to the limited availability of specialized health services and instruments that guide the way in which Technicians involved in the processes of identifying beneficiaries of the programme should proceed to address the diversity of the disability.

Furthermore, the interpretation of the eligibility criteria designed for persons with disabilities constitutes a barrier for people without training on disability and these criteria have a tendency to value/highlight/identify easily visible types of disability, which excludes different types of sensory, psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. The absence of a disability card system and a formal disability identification process is also a limitation.

The issue of identifying persons with disabilities for access to social assistance programmes and services is relevant to all types of disabilities and, in particular when it comes to children with disabilities, given the difficulties and complexity of early identification, which is why it is important to develop a instrument that facilitates the identification of children so that, through access to programmes and services, they improve the conditions of well-being, participation and the full realization of their social rights.

The approach to disability has evolved so much in recent times that, from an eminently medical perspective, disability is now understood as a result of the interaction of personal factors (physical, sensory, intellectual or psychosocial (mental) limitation) with environmental factors, which severely limits the conditions for participation and self-satisfaction of the needs of the affected people.

There are experiences from other countries that can serve as a reference for Mozambique to develop and implement an easy-to-use instrument, which can be used by Social Action Technicians in INAS Delegations, Distrital Services of Health, Woman and Social Action, The INAS Permanents and other local actors.

2.  Objectives, Purpose and Expected Results

Design an instrument that facilitates the identification and selection of Persons with Disabilities eligible for the PSSB and other social services.

3.  Description of the Assignment

The PSSB Operational Manual establishes that persons with disabilities of any age, with physical, sensory, intellectual and mental (psychosocial) limitations and who live in a situation of poverty and vulnerability and who are prevented from participating fully and actively in income-generating activities or economic support for themselves or their families and who are dependent on the assistance of others for their survival, may be eligible for the programme.

The tool should describe how the different stakeholders will identify and determine the eligibility of persons who match the characterization and criteria defined in the PSSB Operational Manual, for example, what elements should be considered in identifying the beneficiaries of the programme, so that none person with an eligible disability is excluded.

The tool for identifying persons with disabilities should not only allow eligibility for the PSSB as a cash transfer programme, but should also ensure the identification of needs for access to other services, such as assistive devices, rehabilitation, health, psychosocial support, education, protection among others.

4.  Deliverables

Deliverables	Days
4.1. Initial report that includes a detailed description of the methodology to be applied, a list of consultation instruments (questionnaires for interviews/surveys) and the structure of the tool to facilitate the identification and determination of eligibility of persons with disabilities.	5 days
4.2. Carrying out research/consultation workshops with the Government, DPOs, Persons with disabilities themselves, Civil Society Organizations, among other actors.	5 days
4.3. Tool Design Final	10 days
4.4. Tool Testing on the field with trained INAS and SDSMAS enumerators	5 days
4.5. Tool revision/finalization based on field testing and feedback from validation Workshop	5 days
4.6. Tool utilization Manual/Guideline and Training of Trainers	5 days

5.  Location and Duration

The consultancy can be developed in Maputo, Mozambique or other location. Consultations, tool testing and training has been done in Maputo, Mozambique.

6.  Project Management

The consultant will report directly to the Head of the Social Policy, Research and Evaluation Section of UNICEF Mozambique. However, the validation of the consultancy’s products will be done through a Monitoring Committee constituted by MGCAS, INAS and UNICEF Mozambique. The number of members for each of the institutions will be defined by mutual agreement between the parties. This consultancy will last for 3 months, that is, from October to December. The consultant could propose assistant or support team to develop the deliverables.

7.  Payment Schedule

Applicants are asked to prepare and submit:

1) A technical proposal that highlights the candidate consultant’s ability to successfully carry out the consultancy described above. The Applicant must include: i) a proposal for a detailed methodology as described in point 4 of these Terms of Reference; ii) the detailed work plan and quality assurance mechanisms; iii) the Consultant’s curriculum; iv) proof of performance of similar work to that required in these terms of reference associated with work experience in the area of disability of at least 10 years.

2) A financial proposal that must include professional fees, travel expenses and a clear breakdown of operating costs and VAT, if applicable. Professional fees must be broken down by professional level. The budget proposal must also be linked to the main products described in point 5 above.

Payment will be made in 3 installments, as follows:

30% after signing the contract;

40% after satisfactory completion of 5.1 –5.3 products;

30% after satisfactory completion of products 5.4 – 5.5.

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

The Consultant must have the following qualifications:

• Degree in one of the following social areas: social sciences, public policy, economics or related fields; Master’s level is an advantage;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience related to the area of disability;
• Good methodological knowledge and skills for designing disability assessment tools and eligibility determination, in-depth knowledge of inclusive social protection;
• Excellent communication, writing and oral presentation skills to effectively discuss design and report results, with a focus on producing useful and accessible results;
• Fluency (oral and written) in Portuguese. Having some command of English is an advantage;
• Good understanding of the Mozambican sociocultural, economic and political environment is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.