UNICEF seeking Individual Consultant
Review of Anguilla’s Social Assistance Grievance Redress Mechanisms and Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks towards the implementation of programmatic upgrades and development of practical GRM and M&E tools
Job no: 563798
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Bridgetown
Level: Consultancy
Location: Barbados, Eastern Caribbean
Categories: Social Policy
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For every child, equality
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Government of Anguilla, through its Ministry of Social Development and Education, in collaboration with UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area, undertook a participatory assessment of the national social protection system’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this Assessment was to evaluate the effectiveness of Anguilla’s social protection response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and more broadly to identify strengths and weaknesses of its prevailing social protection system, its shock responsiveness, and key recommendations for future consideration. The assessment identified two important gaps in the delivery of social assistance, that were particularly noteworthy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a robust grievance redress mechanism (GRM) that provides two-way communication systems that allow beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the social assistance programme to provide and receive feedback about concerns, complaints, grievances, claims and other issues associated with the impact of the programme that affect their communities as well as a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework that looks at effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and impact, supports the programmes’ objectives and identify the nature, scope, timing, and key design parameters of the evaluation activities to be conducted. The assessment also acknowledged that linked to this is insufficient public sensitization on GRMs and the notable absence of digital platforms to support their effective implementation.
Regarding grievances, queries and complaints, national legislation provides an Appeals mechanism specifically for decisions of the Social Protection Board. Under Section 30 of the national Social Protection Act of 2015, a person aggrieved by a decision of the Board may appeal against that decision to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and Education, within thirty days of the applicant receiving a decision of the Board. Outside of this, for other queries and complaints, the main mechanism for grievances is direct complaints by beneficiaries to the Department of Social Development, either in person or via telephone. As such, a systematic approach to managing grievances is currently missing. In regard to M&E of social assistance programmes, the assessment highlighted that data is stored mainly on paper-based modalities or on Microsoft Word or Excel files. Gaps in data collection and data sharing within and across Government agencies were found to be noteworthy (UNICEF Report 2023).
The assessment recommended both social programming upgrades and software programming, via the design and development of an effective Management Information System (MIS), to promote more effective social assistance delivery and accountability to affected populations. The Ministry of Social Development and Education has established a ministerial Technical Working Committee to support the software programming and design of the MIS. In parallel to this, the Ministry aims to make significant programmatic upgrades in the area of GRMs and M&E to promote systems strengthening. This work is expected to be completed in tandem with the design of the MIS, as social programming upgrades are a prerequisite to the digitization of the social assistance and roll-out of the MIS.
PURPOSE/SCOPE OF ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT
Please reference full Terms of Reference
- Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Social Policy Officer, the consultant will lead a review of GRMs and M&E frameworks for the Government of Anguilla’s main social assistance programmes and use these findings to inform the design and development of tools to support social programming upgrades in these core areas.
Sub objectives:
- Conduct a rapid Review the GRM and M&E currently used by the Ministry of Social Development and Education’s two main social assistance programmes, the Public Assistance Programme (PAP) and Medical Exemption; and
- Produce practical tools for improvement in social assistance delivery regarding GRMs and M&E frameworks, to improve accountability to affected populations. The design and development of these tools should also align, where needed, to ongoing and inter-related work the Ministry is currently undertaking on the design and implementation of its social protection MIS.
- Support the testing of the tools and their further review based on the testing
- Support the development of documentation detailing the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and GRM processes and the use of the tools developed
- Activities and Tasks: The consultant will work closely with the Social Policy Officer to conduct:
- Desk/literature review: A rapid review of secondary and primary data including all GRM, and M&E processes and tools employed by the Ministry of Social Development and Education in the delivery of its main social assistance programmes, including during and following its COVID-19 response.
- Key informant interviews (KII): Interviews with key government and non-government stakeholders.
- Development of tools for both GRM and M&E
- Development of a manual for M&E and GRM
- Work relationships:
The consultant will report directly to the Social Policy Officer and work closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Education. When and if necessary, the consultant will conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders, pre-approved by the Government, and use both secondary and primary data to inform the analysis.
4. Outputs/Deliverables:
The main outputs of the analysis include:
- Inception report: This document will provide a clear, brief understanding of the context, the purpose, the methodology, a bibliography/ KIIs, the analytical framework, and a workplan.
- Review: a review of the existing GRMs and M&E frameworks.
- Draft Tools: proposal on the tools to be developed and suggestions on linkages to MIS
- Testing: a test run of the tools effectiveness to inform any revisions and/or additional needs
- Final Tools: This will be a document library with the approved tools in final form
- Manual and Presentation: Manual for GRM and M&E and presentation presenting the content developed
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WORK ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW |
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Key Activities/Tasks: |
Deliverables / Outputs: |
Duration (Est. days): |
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Inception Report |
Deliverable 1 |
7 |
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Review of existing GRMs and M&E Frameworks |
Deliverable 2 |
8 |
|
Preparation of Draft Tools |
Deliverable 3 |
16 |
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Testing of Draft Tools |
Deliverable 4 |
12 |
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Finalization of Tools |
Deliverable 5 |
12 |
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Development of Manual and Delivery of Presentation |
Deliverable 6 |
12 |
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This assignment is home-based but may require travel outside ECA Duty Station to: Anguilla for one week (5 business days). If travel is deemed necessary, the consultant is responsible for arranging his/her own travel, including bearing the costs visas and travel insurance. Accommodation, meals and incidentals costs must not exceed the UN daily subsistence allowance rates. The costs for approved travels will be reimbursed by the UNICEF ECA upon submission of receipts and based on applicable UN DSA rates. All approved travels to be conducted in accordance with UNICEF travel rules and regulations.
PAYMENT SCHEDULEPayment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables which receive satisfactory quality review. In general, individual contracts shall not allow for fee advances. However, a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value may be authorized by the Approving Authority in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Policy, Social Protection, Shock Responsive Social Protection or any related technical field
- A minimum of 5 year of relevant professional experience in GRM, M&E, social protection, or any related relevant field.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
- Knowledge and experience in supporting and designing social protection programmes
- Knowledge and experience of designing and applying grievance redress mechanisms
- Knowledge and experience of designing and applying monitoring and evaluation tools.
- Knowledge and/or experience working in the Caribbean context is an asset
- Experience using mainly qualitative research tools and methodologies
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills
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.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
This assignment is a remote assignment (based in consultant’s home location) but may require travel to Anguilla for one week (5 business days). The Consultant is expected to work with his/her laptop and mobile phone and email address. The Consultant will report to the Social Policy Officer, and he/she will work closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Education. The Consultant will be expected to report regularly on progress being made on the contract to the Social Policy Officer. Periodic discussions will also be carried out during the consultancy period to monitor progress and constraints, support required and proposed solutions.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Before commencing work, a consultant or individual contractor shall submit a statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that he or she has been informed of the inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. Consultants and individual contractors shall assume all costs that may occur in relation to the statement of good health. Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance.
RECOURSE
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. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.
TITLE RIGHTS
All materials created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract and any intellectual property rights thereof, including but not limited to patents, copyright and trademarks, shall be jointly owned by UNICEF and the Contractor. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. Any third party usage shall require written permission from both parties.
TRAININGS
Consultants and Individual contractors, even those working from home, must complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract:
- Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority
- Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)
Individual Consultants must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.
Any consultant who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract.
HOW TO APPLY
Prospective consultants should apply through UNICEF jobs website using the link provided no later than 20 July 2023. The application package should include the following:
- A cover letter;
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- A proposal stipulating all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
- Insert any additional requirements
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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 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.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.
Advertised: 07 Jul 2023 Atlantic Daylight Time
Deadline: 20 Jul 2023 Atlantic Daylight Time