International Consultancy (Institutional/Individual) to Develop the Academic Course... Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Azerbaijan

Summary : International Consultancy (Institutional/Individual) to Develop the Academic Course for Preparation of Youth Workers

Deadline : 07 Mar 2019

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 31205457

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)
24, Neftchilar avenue, Dalga Plaza Baku AZ1095 Tel: 4923013 (multiline) / 4980578 / 4372283 / 4372284 Fax: (944.12) 4922.468
Azerbaijan
Email :baku@unicef.org

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Azerbaijan: International Consultancy (Institutional/Individual) to Develop the Academic Course for Preparation of Youth Workers.

Azerbaijan: International Consultancy (Institutional/Individual) to Develop the Academic Course for Preparation of Youth Workers
UN Children's Fund
Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Azerbaijan
Closing date: 07 Mar 2019
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, development

In Azerbaijan, approximately 30% of the total population are young people falling within the 14-29 years age group. The sex-ratio of youth population is approximately equal. The basic document regulating youth issues in the country is the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan «On youth policy», adopted in 2002 (a number of changes were introduced to the Law on 8th of May 2007, and its most recent upgrading took place in early 2019). As a result of the increasing the State-s attention to youth development, the President endorsed the National Youth Development Strategy 2015 - 2025 with the 2017-2021 State Youth Programme being its main operationalisation plan. The Government has invested to youth development through building 40 Youth Houses (YH) throughout the country.

While adolescents and young people in Azerbaijan are benefiting from the rapid economic development of the country in the past two decades, various challenges remain that require continuous improvement. In some districts the upper secondary drop-out rate is high for adolescent boys due to their engagement in seasonal agricultural works, and for adolescent girls due to early marriages. The 2011 national DHS survey shows that about 10% of women being married between the ages 15 and 19[1]. About 13.4% of work eligible youth are unemployed[2]. The majority of adolescents and young people lack capacity to make right decisions for their life. Adolescents in special circumstances or with marginalized background are more vulnerable; for example, those living in IDP camps, rural areas, being as a girl or with disabilities.

Youth policy is rarely informed by the opinions of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable adolescents and youth. Meaningful youth participation is hindered by traditional attitudes that do not yet fully embrace enabling the full expression and consideration of youth opinions. Adolescents and youth are not included into the accountability mechanisms. Although the YH infrastructure is in place, access - especially for the most disadvantaged and marginalised youth - is often limited by location, cost and availability of relevant services. Adolescent and youth programmes and activities are normally ad-hoc and event-based with limited effect and sustainability. Lack of qualified staff and consistency in quality of services are common challenges in most YHs.

The current UNICEF-Azerbaijan Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2020) gives the adolescent and youth development a priority, aiming to support the government to develop a systematic, integrated and ethical system for better development and meaningful participation of adolescent boys and girls at their critical period of life with equal opportunities for the most vulnerable young people through adolescent-sensitive policies, plans, budgets and programmes.

One of the most recent programmatic developments is UNICEF-s initiative to introduce a two-year joint Government-UN programme through providing a package of integrated youth-friendly services in the selected YHs. Success of the proposed model will depend, among other factors, on the availability of qualified youth workers equipped with both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills on youth programming and service delivery. Currently, the majority of YHs are hosting the sub-national Youth and Sport Departments of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and having insufficient professional facilitators.

The need to establish a platform for preparation of youth workers was recognised during the review and upgrading of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan «On youth policy». In addition, the 2015-2025 State Youth Development Strategy also prioritizes capacity building of specialists working in the area of youth policy through providing training and re-training aimed at enhancing their qualifications.

Advocacy with the Government resulted in the introduction of changes to the Classification of Qualifications (specializations) at the Master-s Degree level of Higher Education by the Cabinet of Ministers. According to the decision, a “Work with youth” specialization has been added under the ‘social work- specialty.

In 2018, following the decision, UNICEF launched the process of development of the first Master-s degree academic programme for youth work managers in Azerbaijan. Designed with the engagement of the international expertise and support from the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and the Academy of Public Administration under the President, the programme adapts best practices from Estonia, the United Kingdom, Malta and Finland.

Draft occupational standards have also been prepared for national review in 2019. A Memorandum of Understand has been signed between the Academy of Public Administration, Tallinn University in Estonia and UNICEF, formulating a South-South Cooperation mechanism to further support professional exchanges between Azerbaijan and Estonia. And finally, a joint Tallinn State University-Academy of Public Administration of Azerbaijan grant proposal was submitted to Erasmus + programme to support cross-country professor exchanges in the framework of the Master-s degree course.

[1] SSC, 2013

[2] ‘Azerbaijan-2030: From MDGs towards the SDGs-, Voluntary National Review, 2017

How can you make a difference?

The proposed consultancy assignment is to provide further support to the Government - with the lead role to be assigned to the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Public Administration Academia - with the establishment and rollout of an academic/educational platform for preparation and accreditation of qualified youth policy specialists and adolescent/youth workers.

The current assignment will be a logical continuation of the previous work. All the planned deliverables will be pursuant to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to introduce changes to the Classification of Qualifications (specializations) at the Master-s Degree level of Higher Education, based on the successful partnership with the Government and academia and the tools and materials developed by UNICEF through engagement of lead international expertise.

Methodology

Based on the outcomes from the previous consultancy, including development of a syllabus and the main tools for the programme by the international expert, the current stage of the process will imply: a) official submission of the newly developed syllabus for the Master-s degree course to the Ministry of Education with the request to approve it as a recommended educational programme for all academic institutions signing up for the course (six as of 2019); b) capacity building for master trainers from the enrolled higher education institutions; c) development of 15-20 modules for the Master-s degree programme by master trainers under close supervision of UNICEF international experts; d) advocacy for endorsement of occupational standards and accreditation system for youth workers.

The consultancy will be implemented in close partnership with the key government stakeholder, including the Office of the President, Ministries of Youth and Sport, Education, Labour and Social Protection of the Population, local academia, as well as the international and national experts leading the effort.

The methodology should specifically detail eligibility criteria and entry requirements for students and professors.

Two in-country visits:

The first in-country visit will be carried out in March 2019 to build/enhance capacity of the selected master trainers representing the Public Administration Academy and other relevant educational institutions through a one-week training. In addition, a consultant is to facilitate a round table discussions that will be held with the main stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Department of Youth Policy and Sport issues of the Presidential Administration, Public Administration Academy and other relevant higher education institutions, Youth Houses, Youth Foundation, UN Youth Advisory Council, lead youth NGOs and youth networks, etc., to plan further development of academical education in the field of youth work and occupational youth worker standard and the system of professional assessment of youth workers in Azerbaijan

The second in-country visit will aim at running a two-week course for students of Master-s degree programme. Each of the training courses will be delivered with local professors as co-facilitators. The consultant(s) will also facilitate discussions on the status and opportunities that may be presented through winning a grant from Erasmus + programme to support cooperation between the Tallinn University and the Academy of Public Administration of Azerbaijan.

Activities and Tasks/Work Relationship:

To develop the academic course for preparation of youth workers, the selected consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Education, Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Department of Youth Policy and Sport of the Presidential Administration, UNICEF, Public Administration Academy and other relevant stakeholders. The selected individual will perform the following actions as listed below:


Tasks/Key Assignments

Timeframe

Deliverables

1.

Develop a capacity building module for a training of 15 master trainers from 6 higher education institutions enrolled in the Master-s degree programme on Youth Work Management and Youth Policy.

6 working days- out of the country

February 2019

A Capacity Building Training Package should include:

-Detailed training plan with clear time- frame;

-Training materials, including slides and other visual materials for academical staff; request for local support.

-In- and after-training assignments for academical staff of the six participating higher education institutions.

2.

Conduct the first in-country visit to:

-Provide capacity building for the trainers/professors from the six participating higher education institutions who will be put in charge of delivering the academic course to students;

-Facilitate a Round Table discussion with the key stakeholders; and

-Develop detailed plans on preparation/finalization/ operationalization of: a) Occupational Youth Worker Standard;

b) System of professional assessment of youth workers in Azerbaijan;

c) further development of academical education in the youth work field in Azerbaijan.

10 working days in country - March 2019.

Intermediate report should include:

-Detailed training report with the outcomes of the training and post-training assessment of the participants- capacity;

-Clear division of assignments among academic staff on development of modules of the academic course;

-Plan on finalisation of Occupational Youth Worker Standard;

-Plan for development of a system of professional assessment of youth workers;

-Plan on further development of academical education in the youth work field in Azerbaijan

3.

Mentor the academical staff in development of 15-20 modules for the Master-s degree Programme on Youth Work Management and Youth Policy. Provide regular supervision and feedback via email and Skype consultations(15-20 individual consultations).

8 working days- out of the country, -

April-June 2019

As a result of mentoring and supervision:

-15-20 modules of the academic course are developed for further testing and piloting.

4.

Finalise training modules and prepare two-week pilot courses for students of Master-s degree programme. Develop student books and handouts for the training course.

6 working days out of the country, September 2019

Training materials should include:

-Finalised course modules to be tested during two-week training courses;

-Detailed plan for each module, including time-frame, slides, visual materials and student manuals/handouts

5.

Conduct the second in-country visit to:

-Jointly with trainers/professors from the six higher education institutions enrolled in the Master-s degree programme deliver a two-week pilot courses for students of the Master-s degree programme;

-Collect and analyse feedback from professors and students;

-Make recommendations on the academic course delivery to involved staff of 6 higher education institutions enrolled in the Master-s degree programme.

-Conduct Round Table discussion with the major stakeholders to discuss way forward.

20 working days in country October 2019

Intermediate report including:

-Observation from the capacity building workshops;

-Recommendations on the academic course delivery.

-Agreed milestones with way forward

6.

Supervise local trainers from academical institutions; conduct webinars to collect feedback from the trainers and consult them on any practical questions that may/will arise during the course delivery.

4 working days

October-December 2019

Final report should include:

-Detailed information about capacity building trainings, including relevant training tools,

-Recommendations to Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sports on way forward with the academic course on Youth Work;

-Recommendations on the programme delivery based on the first practical experience of the involved local trainers.

The selected consultant is expected to start within one week after selection and complete all the tasks by 31 December 2019. The total number of working days is expected to be approximately 54.

Supervision and working conditions:

The consultant will be directly supervised by the Youth and Adolescent Development Specialist of UNICEF Azerbaijan with overall supervision of the Deputy Representative. The consultancy is both home based and with two in-country visits.

Mandatorytraining:

All consultants regardless of contract duration must complete the applicable mandatory training. The link to these online training will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

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

Advanced university degree in the Social Sciences.
Robust knowledge of adolescent and youth programming and/or social work.
Proven experience of developing academic training courses related to work with adolescents and young people.
A minimum of 8 years of experience in youth programming and/or youth policy development
Good understanding of human rights-based approach to programming and results based management principles.
Proven expertise on child rights and social inclusion. Knowledge of global policies and development frameworks on adolescents and youth will be an added benefit.
Familiarity with UNICEF's mission and mandate. Experiences of working with UNICEF/UN and working in the CEE/CIS region will be an added benefit.
Interested consultants are requested to submit following documents:

Project proposal with identified clear consequent steps;

Detailed budget proposed for the consultancy with reasonable breakdown;

Justification of similar previous work/consultancy.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF-s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Documents

 Tender Notice