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Technical Advisor to the De-I and Child Protection Division of the Ministry of Education on Social Work

1. Programme information:

Programme (No. & Name) : Social System Strengthening
Project (No. & Name) : 0039 YI205-10, CP: Child Care Reform
Activity Reference : 0039 YI205-10-003, Advocacy and technical support to the coordination and implementation of the State Program on De-institutionalization and Alternative Care

2. Background and Context: (Attach background documents, if necessary)

According to the UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Program for 2005-2010, which is based on the UNDAF for Azerbaijan (United Nations Development Assistance Framework) the child protection reform is one of the priority areas. Additionally, UNICEF Azerbaijan signed with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Annual Work Plan for 2010, in which all parties agreed to work jointly towards the implementation of the child protection reform to enhance the implementation of the Presidential State Program on De-Institutionalization and Alternative Care.

In March 2006 the President of the Azerbaijani Republic endorsed the State Program on De-Institutionalization and Alternative Care for 2006-2015 aimed at reintegration of children residing currently in various state institutions (de-institutionalization) with biological or foster families and at creation of alternative care services to support the de-institutionalization process . The adoption of the State Program was a millstone in the child welfare reform process and its proper and smooth implementation is a key to the success of the entire reform. The major focus of the Program is to reduce the number of children placed in the residential care institutions and to establish a sustainable system of alternative child care and family support. The desirable aim is to gradually phase out the institutional care and to move to more family oriented community services. Currently, the state institutions are the only place where the children from vulnerable families are placed. At the community level, there is no proper mechanism of “gate-keeping” and there are no any adequate procedures to prevent institutionalization of children. Additionally, there is a lack of procedures and knowledge among the social service on the case management. The main actors involved in the management of the Child Care System reform are the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MoLSP), Ministry of Health (MoH), Commission on Minors and the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs (SCFWCA).

As envisaged by the Program’s provision, the Ministry of Education is responsible for the coordination of all relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies to ensure the successful Program implementation. In 2010 the Cabinet of Ministers established a special De-I and Child Protection Division within the Ministry of Education to strengthen the implementation of the State Program. UNICEF provides ongoing technical and capacity building assistance to the Division. As a result of a joint cooperation, the coordination and planning of the State Program on De-I implementation has been significantly improved. The other four main successes of cooperation was (i) developing of a national databank on the institutionalized children in Azerbaijan; (ii) development of a master plan for transformation of child care institution; (iii) agreement on piloting of the district level child protection mechanism; and (iv) modeling of district level integrated social services for children.

In 2010 UNICEF with its partners intends to continue its support to the Government in the implementation of the child protection reform, in particular:
- support the MoE, the MoLSP and the SCFWCA in modeling of a district level child protection mechanism in selected districts;
- support the MoE in piloting the implementation of a master plan for transformation of child care institutions;
- increasing the capacities of the state actors involved in the child protection reform, including introduction of the specialized training course on social work for professionals;
- revision of the legislation and development of a new guidelines, standards and rules and their adoption by the government to facilitate the reform process. .

2010 signed between the UNICEF, MoE and MoLSP.

3. Purpose of the assignment

Purpose of the assignment

To strengthen and enhance the establishment of social work profession, specifically child and family social work, as an integral part of the child protection reform, aimed in enhancing implementation of the State Program on De-Institutionalization and Alternative Care through providing technical assistance and advice to the De-I and Child Protection Division at the Ministry of Education.

Objectives of the consultancy:

1. Support in strengthening the coordination mechanism for the establishment of child and family social work profession.

2. Increase the social work related capacities of the De-I and Child Protection Division for the State Program implementation.

3. Provide technical assistance to the MoE in identifying duties and responsibilities of child and family social workers as a separate component within the modeling project on reforming local child protection system.

4. Provide technical assistance to the MoE in development of quality standards, ethics and principles for social workers specialized in serving children and families.

5. Provide technical assistance to the MoE in close cooperation and coordination with other partners involved in development and introduction of the curriculum for child and family social workers, particularly nine months pre-qualification training curriculum.

6. Provide technical assistance to the MoE in introducing child and family social worker profession in district level child protection mechanism in selected districts, in particular (a) in designing the local level child and family social work component, (b) establishment of the component at district level, (c) provision of onjob technical assistance to the implementation of the component.

7. Provide assistance to the MoE in strengthening its cooperation with national and international social work related agencies.

4. Duty station: Baku, Azerbaijan with field trips as required

5. Supervisor : The work will be supervised by the UNICEF Child Protection Officer and overall supervision of the assignment lies on the Deputy Representative. Implementation reports will be submitted to the Minister of Education and UNICEF Representative.

6. Major tasks to be accomplished:

The consultant will be responsible for:
• Guiding and supporting coordinating efforts of involved parties responsible for implementing the social work related activities in the framework of the State Program on De-I;
• Provide technical support for developing nine months training curriculum for pre-qualification to work as social workers with children and families.
• Guiding and supporting national and international NGOs specifically in development of necessary documents/instructions/charter about the status, rights and responsibilities of social workers in provision of services to children and families within the State Programme on DI and AC.
• Providing technical assistance to the MoE (a) in piloting social work with children and families in pilot districts (b) support in developing of a comprehensive job description for child and family social workers.
• Providing technical assistance to the MoE and related national and international organizations in piloting a district level social work mechanism component in selected districts, in particular (a) contributing to designing of the component, (b) support its establishment, (c) provide ongoing technical assistance to its implementation.
• Regular de-briefing meetings with UNICEF Child Protection Section and Deputy Representative;
• Development of periodic implementation report to MoE and UNICEF management.

7. Outcomes and deliverables:

1. Advocacy for strengthening the coordination mechanism for the establishment of social work:
- minutes from the meetings (throughout the consultancy)
- drafts of official correspondence (throughout the consultancy)
- report on advocacy efforts with outcomes and recommendations

2. Increasing the social work related capacities of the De-I and Child Protection Division:
- identification of the MoE’s De-I and Child Protection Division training needs on social work for 2010
- development of a capacity building plan for De-I and Child Protection Division;
- facilitate delivery of training based on the training plans; -capacity building implementation report with the recommendation for further Division’s skills development needs

3. Provide technical support and written advice for developing 9 (nine) months training curriculum for pre-qualification of social workers with children and families:
-
- written advice and recommendations on implementation of the curriculum

4. Provide technical assistance to the MoE in development of quality standards, ethics and principles for social workers specifically for child and family social workers

5. Piloting a district level social work component (case managements, referral, advocacy and etc.) in a selected district/s:
- written recommendations for a design of a local level social work component
- written recommendations for the establishment and implementation of a component

6. Provision of assistance to the MoE and local and international NGO’s evaluating new established social work nine month curriculum and pilot of implementation of social work profession.

7. A final report with analysis of the implementation of assisted component of social work profession, including recommendations on its possible strengthening.

8. Time-Frame:

The selected consultant will work for the period of 4 months (May-August 2010). The schedule of the activities will be agreed with the consultant based on the consultancy implementation progress. The deadline for submission of final deliverables to UNICEF is 5 September 2010.

9. Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required:

• Advanced university degree and/or academic background in a social sector;
• Minimum 5 years work experience in social protection (preferably in child protection) planning, administration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Proven excellent knowledge on current political and social trends and reform processes in Azerbaijan;
• Proven excellent communication skills with government and non-state actors involved;
• Understanding of Azerbaijani legislation;
• High analytical and conceptual skills and ability;
• Fluency in Azerbaijani and English (written and spoken);
• Good knowledge of computer applications;
• Practical experience in working in the child welfare and De-institutionalization process;
• Ability to work within the international and multicultural environment.

10. Procedures and logistics:

UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage for consultants. Whenever the Consultant will be required to travel at UNICEF's expense, a travel authorization (TA) will be issued to the Consultant and travel expenses provided on the basis of UNICEF standards.

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations 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.

11. Application:
Interested individual should send:
a) a cover letter;
b) individual resume;
c) reference of previous relevant work (if applicable);
in a sealed envelop/email to:
Head of Section
__________________________
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
24 S.Dadashev St., AZ1073
Baku, Azerbaijan
or send the documents mentioned above electronically to nosmanli@unicef.org
All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. UNICEF is an equal opportunity employer.

Deadline: April 26 , 2010

For further information please contact: Munir Mammadzade , Child Protection Officer, mmammadov@unicef.org; 99412 4923013 (ext 102)

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