Terms of Reference
Consultancy for the Development of the ‘Adolescent Score Card’: A Global Framework of Indicators That Measure and Track the Progress of Adolescent Development and Wellbeing
1. Background
The identification of a core set of globally comparable indicators measuring adolescent[1] development and wellbeing is a need that was articulated in both Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents and the Lancet Series on Adolescents that were launched jointly in April 2012.The publications noted a lack of globally comparable data to measure progress for adolescents at the country level. The second gap identified was the lack of a framework focused on the positive development of adolescents.
This consultancy will support the development of a results framework and proposed set of indicators that will provide a common platform to identify, measure and track progress of adolescent development and wellbeing across a variety of domains and settings. Based on initial work by UNICEF and WHO, the results and supporting indicators will form the basis of a ‘score card’ that will support advocacy and policy work globally while at the same time ensuring that results can be adaptable to national and regional situations and priorities.
The ‘score card’ will be designed with a rights-based positive development approach that focuses on the development of adolescents ‘assets’ as well as addressing needs. It will focus on five inter-related overarching domains that reflect the ways in which national governments are usually organized and incorporate the core policy and programme elements that have been agreed upon in previous international consensus meetings.
· Adolescents attain their highest physical health & mental well-being;
· Adolescents feel safe and protected in their families, among their peers, in their schools and in their social/virtual environment;
· Adolescents are actively engaged in learning in formal or non-formal education systems;
· Adolescents are socially, culturally and civically active in their communities;
· Adolescents are prepared for sustainable and non-exploitative, productive work.
Results and indicators within these domains will be used for target setting across agencies and contribute to strengthening collaboration between development partners globally.
2. Purpose
UNICEF led an initial exercise to outline a draft set of results for adolescents in a positive development framework based on the five domains described above. The draft framework is populated by 1) indicators for which comparable data are currently collected on a regular basis in several countries 2) indicators for which data are currently available only from a small subset of countries and 3) thematic priorities for which well-defined validated indicators are currently not available. With this inception work led and supported by UNICEF resources, the organization is now well-positioned to move this initiative forward to provide technical guidance on indicators’ development, convening of partners for consensus, piloting the identified measures in selected countries and advocating for their integration into regular data collection mechanisms.
UNICEF in NYHQ is recruiting a senior consultant to lead the development of a globally agreed framework and indicators to be developed into a ‘report card’ as described above. The consultant will be responsible for leading technical and political processes in support of the development of the framework and measures in collaboration with several sections within UNICEF.
Starting in 2009, UNICEF has been working with external partners including representatives from other UN Agencies (WHO, UNPFA) and others (Population Council, Harvard University, etc.) to develop new indicators pertaining to adolescents and youth. The work also complements the work of the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing and will serve to inform results measurement across the overall DfID Global Girls Research Initiative (GGRI). The Consultant will engage with these and other stakeholders in building consensus around the framework and measures.
The work to be conducted under this consultancy will follow the project description and timelines described in the table below.
PREPARATORY WORK / January – September 2014 (COMPLETED) / Background analysis and design of Draft Results Framework / Preparation involves collaboration with subset of Lancet Commissioners, UNICEF regional and country offices, and other UN agencies.Includes a verification of the work done to date, in consultation with a range of partners on a bilateral basis.STAGE 1 / 15 December 2014- June 2015 / Developing consensus around set of domains and indicators. / Consensus achieved through a consultation with civil society, donors, implementers and other stakeholders including UN agencies on a core set of domains, existing indicators and additional desirable, but not readily available, indicators.
STAGE 2 / June 2015- 15 November 2015 / Technical Development and Consultations / Piloting of “mini-score card” in three countries in three regions.
Preparation for a series of technical meetings on indicators and data collection, with the purpose to agree upon an additional set of indicators to include in the score-card. Meeting to include DHS, WHO school-based surveys and others.
The agreed-upon discrete set of indicators are developed into a data collection tool that can be piloted in three countries.
3. Expected results and associated activities:
Stage 1: Develop a mini-scorecard based on bi-lateral discussions and technical consultation and pilot in three countries. This “mini-scorecard” will contain indicators that are already available in the three test countries. This stage will also include the identification of gaps to be filled in measuring results for adolescents.
· Consult and work with partners, develop the agenda and inputs, and ensure key stakeholders are engaged in developing consensus on the process for agreeing on a global framework and domains.
· Conduct preparatory meetings in support of the technical consultation and Identify existing indicators that could form the mini-scorecard.
· Hold technical consultation to agree on domains, existing indicators and gaps to be filled.
· Create mini-scorecard based on agreed-upon domains and existing indicators
· Test mini-scorecard in three countries and revise based on results.
Stage 2: Host a technical meeting(s) on indicators and data collection, with the purpose to agree upon additional indicators and how additional data gaps can be filled.
· Consult and work with partners, develop the agenda and inputs, and ensure key stakeholders are engaged in developing consensus on the process for agreeing on and the proposed indicators.
· Conduct preparatory analytic work in collaboration with Statistics Specialist in DRP, including (as needed) a mapping of the results to existing global indicators, existing indicators collected on a limited basis and those indicators desired by programming community but that do not yet exist.
· Complete a consultation report that presents the agreed indicators and a draft instrument for data collection.
4. Start date: 15 December 2014 End date: 15 November 2015
5. Timeframe:
Deliverables / Duration(Estimated # of days) / Deadline /
Project conceptualization and timelines completed. / 20 days / 31 December 2014
Bilateral meetings held, TOR for technical consultation completed, possible indicators identified. / 20 days / 30 January 2015
Invitations extended, draft framework with gaps identified. / 20 days / 31 February 2015
Technical meeting held with stakeholders, agreeing to domains and set of existing indicators for mini-scorecard and identify gaps for additional indicators. / 20 days / 31 March 2015
Mini-scorecard developed for piloting in three countries. / 20 days / 28 April 2015
Piloting of mini-scorecard in three countries. / 20 days / 31 May 2015
Mini-scorecard revised according to experience in three countries. / 20 days / 30 June 2015
Conceptualization of technical meeting to fill the existing gap on indicators; invitations sent. / 20 days / 31 July 2015
Complete preparatory analytic work and technical inputs as needed. / 20 days / 30 August 2015
Technical consultation successfully held. / 20 days / 31 September 2015
Draft score-card developed, based on technical consultation report and follow up. / 20 days / 15 November 2015
TOTAL
/ 220 days6. Key competences, technical background, and experience required:
· Advanced university degree in public health, demography, health policy/management or related social sciences
· Strong substantive, technical background on indicator and framework development
· Experience in hosting global consultations, and consensus-building
· At least 10 years of work experience in public/global health, gender, adolescents or international development involving data and analysis at the senior level
· Proven rigor in analytical and conceptual skills relevant to development and comfort with policy analysis
· Strong understanding of data, programming and policies in country contexts, especially Africa and Asia
· Experience at the national and international levels in research and analysis, and especially monitoring and evaluation and documenting evidence on adolescent issues
· Extensive knowledge of existing large datasets on adolescent health and wellbeing (such as DHS, GSHS and MICS)
· Previous professional experience in data collection and data analysis on adolescent health and wellbeing
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong interpersonal and presentation skills
· High level of initiative and ability to undertake complex tasks while proactively seeking relevant input, cooperation, and guidance from key constituents
· Fluency in English
7. Supervision and work arrangements
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the ADAP unit. The consultant will work remotely, with continuous interaction with the office. The consultant may be expected to travel, pending confirmation by the UNICEF Headquarters.
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc ) to with subject line “Adolescent Score Card” by Nov 7th, 2014 @ 5:00pm EST.
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above.
Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors
1. Legal Status
The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
2. Obligations
The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.
The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.
3. Title rights
UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. 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.
4. Travel
If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:
(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.
5. Statement of good health
Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.