Consultancy,Establishment of a National Adolescents & Young People’s Forum at UNICEF Full Time

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Background and Justification

The population of Botswana is characterized by a sizeable proportion of adolescents and young people. It is estimated that adolescents (10-19 years) represent 20.6 percent (418,247) and young people (20-24 years) represent 10 percent (200,315) of the total population. This 10-24 age cohort is one of the most vulnerable groups for HIV infection and AIDS related deaths. The last two Botswana AIDS Indicator Surveys (BAIS 2008 and 2013), as well as the 2016 Botswana Youth Behavioral and Biological Surveillance Survey among students ages 13 to19 years, suggest worrying and negative trends in behavior among adolescents and young people (AYP). HIV prevalence among young people (15-24 years) continues to remain high, with significant gender disparity (9.3 % among females and 5.0 % males).

Botswana is committed to ending AIDS among adolescents and young people. This is evidenced by the country’s policy direction with AYP prioritized in the Third Botswana National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS 2019-2023 (NSF3).  The Government with support from UNICEF and partners has also developed a five year (2019-2023) National HIV and AIDS Programming Framework for Adolescents and Young People (AYP) that is guiding and informing an effective HIV response to prevent new HIV infections and reduce AIDS-related deaths. Despite these efforts, each week approximately 60 AYP are newly infected with HIV, with majority of infections (70%) amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Consequently, NSF3 has further identified HIV prevention as a priority area of focus, with the government committed to achieving the goals of the five prevention pillars – combination prevention for AGYW and their partners; combination prevention for key populations; comprehensive condom programming; voluntary male medical circumcision and sexual and reproductive health services for men and boys; and rapid introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). All of these key pillars are underpinned by a focus on evidence, community and human rights, equity and inclusion.

While young people are disproportionately vulnerable and affected by HIV, spaces for their meaningful participation and engagement in decision making, policy development and programming in HIV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), as well as other areas of concern to them are limited.  Consultations with AYP in Botswana have further established that youth participation is minimal or non-existent in national development processes, including in planning and delivery of HIV and health programmes. Adolescents and young people’s knowledge about their own lives, their creativity, skills and aspirations, can be harnessed to inform the development and monitoring of more effective, relevant and sustainable policies, programmes and services. As such the need to strengthen the engagement and involvement of AYP in policy design and programme delivery has been identified, particularly the establishment of a platform that elevates and amplifies the voices, ideas and creativity of AYP.

As such, the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) is planning to establish a forum that will provide AYP the space to be meaningfully involved in decision-making, policy development and programming in HIV, SRH and other areas of concern to them. The envisioned forum would allow AYP to vigorously review and interrogate existing policies, programmes and interventions, as well as examine their relevance in addressing the needs of AYP in Botswana. It will provide a platform and space for AYP to freely dialogue and engage outside of formal settings. It will also facilitate AYP to be leaders and advocates of change and build the awareness, skills and capacities of AYP to actively and effectively participate in policy making processes and programming. The vision is to have a national forum, with equitable representation from the diverse groups of AYP and with corresponding structures established at the district level.

It is against this background that UNICEF is seeking the services of a local consultant to support NAHPA with the establishment of a National Youth Forum. The consultant will work together with a youth task force and will facilitate the entire process of establishing the youth forum from mapping of existing youth structures and networks at the national and sub-national level to development and dissemination of the national youth forum strategic framework, two-year implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation template and reporting tools.

Scope of Work

Goal and objective:

Under the supervision of NAHPA’S AYP Coordinator and UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS Manager, the consultant will be responsible for facilitating the establishment of the national youth forum and equivalent sub-national structures.  This will involve mapping of existing youth structures at national and sub-national levels to inform the design of the forum; development of a strategic framework to guide the establishment and operationalization of the youth forum including clear terms of reference (ToR) and governance structure; development of two-year implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation template, reporting tools; and dissemination of these products.

As part of national efforts to empower young people and transfer knowledge and skills, the consultant will work hand in hand with a small task force of four young people throughout the entire consultancy period under the oversight of the Interim National Youth Committee.

This assignment will take place between October 2020 and  February 2021.  The process will involve  the following phases:

1. Inception phase: Preparation of inception report and mapping of existing structures and youth serving organizations to inform the design of the youth forum.
2. Planning phase: Development of a strategic framework to guide the establishment and operationalization of the youth forum, two-year implementation plan, M&E template and reporting tools.
3. Dissemination phase: Dissemination of the strategic framework and related plans at the annual youth forum.
4. Report writing phase: The incumbent will submit the following documents to NAHPA and UNICEF:
   1. Three to five page consultancy report highlighting the process, lessons learnt and recommendations for future similar assignments.
   2. National Youth Forum Strategic Framework, including two-year implementation plan, M&E template and reporting tools.
   3. Annual youth forum meeting report.

Activities and tasks:

1. Preparation of inception report and mapping of national and district level AYP structures, networks and youth serving organizations.
   1. Undertake mapping of national and district level structures (government and non-governmental), youth networks and youth serving/youth led organizations (desk review, consultations (face-to-face and virtual), as well as visits to selected districts if COVID-19 situation allows. The mapping exercise will include capturing the types of services offered, target group(s) disaggregated by age and sex, geographical coverage (national and sub-national).
   2. Develop a directory of youth serving organizations (YSOs) which will be an all-inclusive list of all YSO’s according to their locations, services offered, contacts and addresses and their focal persons. The directory will be available as hard print, soft copies as well as online (form of a database).
2. Develop a strategic framework to guide the establishment and operationalization of the national youth forum and corresponding sub-national structure that will outline the following:
   1. Clear terms of reference and plan of action which will include:
      1. Purpose of the forum
      2. Role of the forum and how it will add value and link to existing national/sub-national dialogue structures/committees
      3. Functions of the forum and its activities
      4. Organizational structure
      5. Leadership structure
      6. Representativeness of membership and membership criteria (ensuring equity and inclusiveness)
   2. Common thematic areas of focus to increase visibility and resource mobilization efforts
   3. Functional coordination mechanisms at national and sub-national level
   4. Secretariat support
   5. Resource mobilization
3. Develop two-year implementation plan including monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting templates.
4. Present the draft framework, implementation plan, M & E and reporting templates to the National AYP Steering Committee for their inputs and finalize documents.
5. Disseminate plans at the inaugural national youth forum.
   1. Prepare meeting presentations
   2. Support preparations and facilitate annual youth forum
   3. Present strategic framework and related documents and orient participants on use

Payment Schedule

Administrative issues and Conditions

1. The consultant will use own equipment to produce deliverables.
2. The consultant is expected to travel in-country (subject to COVID-19 situation) and work remotely based on an agreed upon schedule. Timing for visits and planning will be jointly agreed with UNICEF Botswana Country Office and NAHPA. The consultant is required to indicate an all-inclusive fee for this assignment, considering in-country travel as applicable.
3. As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advanced payment is allowed unless exceptions against bank guarantees, subject to a maximum of 30 percent of the total contract value, in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel maybe necessary.
4. The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

Policy stipulations to be aware of;

• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
• For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by email.  Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before travel is initiated. Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• Consultant will be required to complete online courses related to Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security related trainings prior to taking up the assignment and/or travel.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance that covers COVID-19 as well as Medical Evacuation.
• The Form ‘Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary’ must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.

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

• Education: Masters Degree (Advanced Degree) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Development or other relevant field is required. A university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced University degree
• At least 3-5 years’ experience in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, including working with adolescents and young people.
• Experience in engaging and consulting with national and sub-national authorities in development of strategies, plans and guidance, including with adolescents and young people.
• Demonstrated evidence of having undertaken similar assignments in the past.
• Proven record in delivering timely and quality results.
• Excellent written and spoken English required, as well as facilitation and presentation skills.
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

View our competency framework at

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

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement online. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.

Rates to be submitted in local currency Pula (BWP) and must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, in country travel/field trips).

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 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.