Individual Consultancy: International Consultant to Finalize the Development of the Alternative Care Guidelines in Lao PDR and the Government Training Modules

 

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

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, support

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an Individual Consultancy to Finalize the Development of the Alternative Care Guidelines in Lao PDR and the Government Training Modules. The total working days is estimated at 70 days over the course of nine months, starting from April 2021 to March 2022.  The assignment is to be carried out remotely due to the current COVID-19 situations. The incumbent will work closely with a UNICEF national consultant who will support field data collection, translation, communication and facilitation of organizing workshops and communication with UNICEF, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) and partners. The international consultant needs to secure a place with a good Internet connection to allow smooth teleworking.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Stage 1 (30 days)

Task 1: Review the draft alternative care guidelines and minimum standards for residential care settings in Lao PDR based on the field work data report submitted by the national consultant. Finalize the guidelines in consultation with UNICEF, MOLSW, Committee for Protection and Assitance for Children (CPAC), and a national consultant. Develop a summary presentation and support the national consultant to deliver a presentation at the finalization workshop to be attended by key stakeholders, including multi-sectoral Government agencies, NGOs and development partners. Remain available for further clarification and answering questions.

Deliverable 1:

a) Final Alternative Care Guidelines including minimum standards for residential care settings in Lao PDR

b) A summary presentation of the guidelines

Stage 2 (40 days)

Task 2: Closely work with UNICEF, MOLSW and the national consultant to collect information for developing training modules based on the final Guideline and minimum standards which can be carried out through online consultation & based on the reports submitted by the national consultant. Identify capacity gaps and develop training modules. Organize a remote pre-testing of the manual to key stakeholders including MOLSW and UNICEF with support from the national consultant.

Deliverable 2:

a) Final training word module for sub-national government authorities on the new Alternative Care Guidelines

b) PowerPoint training module

c) A pre-testing is organized

 

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

Qualifications and experience:

• Advanced University Degree in Law, Social Science, Social Work, Public Policy or related areas

• Minimum 8 years of experience working in developing country context in child protection, especially in developing policy or guideline related to alternative care of children;

• Extensive experience in working with policy makers and government authorities in developing countries to strengthen their policy/regulatory, institutional framework and alternative care services for vulnerable children especially children without parental care;

• Excellent writing skills in English; knowledge of the Lao language is a strong asset.

• Proven prior experience on developing guideline and training manual on alternative care

Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid knowledge of the social, political and cultural context of Lao PDR and experiences in working in ASEAN countries;

• In-depth knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Guideline for Alternative Care 2010 and other relevant international and regional standards and guideline;

 

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost.

The deadline for applications is 8 March 2021.

 

1. Assessment Criteria:

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

1. Technical Proposal, including a cover letter and an updated CV.

2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

 

a) Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

Degree Education in Law, Social Science, Social Work, Public Policy or other related areas (30 points)

Knowledge of child protection, alternative care, CRC, the UN Guideline for Alternative Care 2010, and the context of Lao PDR or ASEAN (30 points)

Experience in developing policy or guideline related to alternative care of children (40 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment -as part of the financial proposal submission.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

 

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.

View our competency framework at here

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.