UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, development.ย
Purpose of assignment:
The purpose of this consultancy is the evaluation of the project โInvesting in the Early Years: Accelerating Development through Integrated Early Childhood Development in Kosovo 2023-2025โ, funded by the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by UNICEF (hereinafter referred to as the Evaluation).
The project aims to strengthen integrated, family-centered services in health and education, driving significant improvements in Early Childhood Development (ECD) outcomes for children from conception to five years of age. It prioritizes reaching the most vulnerable children, including those from economically disadvantaged families, as well as
children from Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, and other minority communities, and children with disabilities or developmental delays.
The Data Collection Phase
Following the inception phase, a data collection process will be organized, during which additional secondary data maybe identified, and primary data will be generated. The primary data will include Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions with stakeholders and beneficiaries from relevant groups. The Reporting Phase
How can you make a difference?ย
ย Role and Responsibility The local consultant will contribute to all stages of the evaluation design and implementation, under the overall supervision of the Evaluation Team Leader. The roles and responsibilities include:
Contribute to the development of a comprehensive desk review of existing information on the context, including relevant policies, priorities, programme documents, reports, previous studies, research, and evaluations.ย Support the Evaluation Team Leader in developing detailed methodological guidance, including key aspects of data analysis and quality assurance. Review all documentation relevant to the project evaluation. Undertake a virtual inception mission to verify the scope of the evaluation, the projectโs Theory of Change (ToC), and stakeholder analysis developed during the desk review; presenting the evaluation to UNICEF Kosovo, the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), and, if relevant, other stakeholders; and organizing logistics related to data collection planning. Conduct data collection under the guidance of the Evaluation Team Leader. Conduct interviews with a range of key stakeholders and informants as outlined in the inception report. Contribute to the planning and conduct of data analysis and discussions related to the evaluation questions in collaboration with the Team Leader. Contribute to the drafting of the Inception Report, as well as the draft and final Evaluation Reports, developing and delivering a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations following final approval of the evaluation report. Maintain consistent communication with the Team Leader, UNICEF Kosovo staff involved in evaluation management, and other relevant stakeholders.Work Assignments Overview:
Conduct desk review and inception report Provide inputs to the inception report (maximum 20 pages excluding annexes) Support the team lead on finalization of the Inception Report Data collection (KII and Focus Group Discussions) Presentation of preliminary observations and findings to Evaluation Reference Group First draft reportDeliverables:
Inception mission and desk review completed Inception report drafted and shared for comments Inception completed and review/comments from UNICEF and other stakeholders addressed Data collection (KII and Focus Group Discussions) completed Preliminary findings presented to UNICEF and Evaluation Reference Group First draft report developed and shared for review Final report developed with all comments addressedTo qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย
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To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:ย ย
Deadline for application is 19 May 2025
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs 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.ย
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.ย