Terms of Reference for Local agency to assess the level of awareness on Child Care Reform in Azerbaijan1. Program information: Program (No. & Name) : Social System Strengthening 2. Background and Context: (Attach background documents, if necessary) 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, the number of which nowadays reaches 10,000, 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 low awareness among population on benefits of family environment and consequences of placing a child in institutions. Since 2006 a significant progress has been made in Azerbaijan in developing of a child protection mechanism and building new alternative form of care. The main successes to mention are improvements in data on institutionalization, including detailed profile of institutionalized children, their family background, staffing, condition of institutions and existing community services. The Government, jointly with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, civil society organizations and with UNICEF assistance, is developing potential models for future national child protection structures. In addition to that more than 500 local government officials, managers of childcare institutions, NGO staff and community leaders were trained by international experts to carry out basic social work in their communities. In the result of these efforts the number of civil society organizations and international organizations provide new form of alternative care services for most vulnerable children. The Government jointly with civil society organizations conducted a number of awareness raising events. This includes national public awareness campaign “Every Child Needs a Family” launched by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNICEF and Azercell Telecom in November 2008, which was aimed at the promoting the right of a child to grow up in the family like environment. 3. Purpose of the assignment Determining the outcomes of reform interventions and impact of communication strategies to influence perception of the importance of child care reforms among policy makers and general public.
6. Major tasks to be accomplished: The task has been divided in to two main parts; 1) To assess the level of awareness on Child Care Reform 2) To evaluate the impact of UNICEF Campaign “Every Child Needs a Family” to influence perception of the importance of child care reforms among policy makers and general public. • To describe general populations perception of the child Care Reform • Examining the efficiency of information and outreach campaigns on the issue (specifically “Every Child Needs a Family”): • What are the most preferred, accessible, credible and influential channels and sources of information? • Preferred channels and sources to be segregated by audience segment (e.g. rural vs. urban etc), time (e.g. time of day, day of week etc.), location and mode (mass media, group media, inter-personal communication etc). The assessment will be a qualitative one and data collection methodologies will be designed appropriately. In consultation with UNICEF and other relevant partners, the contractor will develop a research design, which is expected to make use of an appropriate mix of methodologies including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with key informants.
1. Proposed evaluation methodology including design
Phase 1: Upon two weeks after the signing of the contract. Proposed methodology and results of pre-testing (mid August) Phase 2: Upon submission of Azerbaijani and English versions of final report in e format, including Executive Summary in UNICEF format, introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion; and recommendations for follow-up actions (end October)
The organization or consortium should submit the proposal, which includes: 10. Procedures and logistics:
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. Deadline: July 29, 2010 For further information please contact: Munir Mammadzade , Child Protection Officer,
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