Consultancy: Situation Analysis of children in Somalia

A Situation Analysis (SitAn) is an assessment and analysis of the country situation, with respect to children’s rights and development potential or critical issues. It serves to increase understanding and to identify necessary action on issues affecting their realization. It will also play a formative role by improving the understanding of decision-makers, partners and stakeholders of the current status of children’s rights in the country and also the causes of inequities as the basis for policy formulation. The process is used to understand the causes of and linkages between problems affecting children and how a country’s human, social, economic and organizational resources and structures (including its policies and institutions) can contribute to solving these problems.

The SitAn for Somalia should serve at least the following functions:

• Inform UNICEF country programme planning: The Situation Analysis offers an opportunity to feed into the programming exercise that UNICEF needs to undertake in order to develop the new Country Programme Document (CPD) by October 2013.

• Strengthen evidence-based policy advocacy: Based on evidence from this detailed analysis, UNICEF Somalia will enhance its policy advocacy and partnerships for realization of children’s rights,

• Focus attention on priority needs and reducing specific disparities in realization of global goals and human rights commitments.

• The Sitan will also provide the government and other partners with comprehensive equity-sensitive and evidence-based information on children for result-based decision-making. It will contribute to the formulation of key national strategies so that the priorities for the most disadvantaged children are integrated into National Plan within the framework of the New Deal.

Essential elements of a rights-based equity-focused SitAn include:

• a disaggregated assessment of the status of and trends in the realization of children’s rights; • an analysis of the immediate, underlying and structural causes of the disparities across various groups; and; • policy and programmatic recommendations to address the disparities and accelerate progress towards the MDGs, post MDGs and fulfillment of human rights conventions

In order to fulfill the above the SitAn process should:

• Use available data and other information to accurately identify trends, patterns, incidence and causes of key deprivations (e.g. child mortality, stunting, low levels of birth registration, low school enrolment and achievement, or violence against children), disaggregated by relevant segments of the population.

• Identify and analyze main barriers and bottlenecks that prevent disadvantaged children and families from benefiting from required interventions and services, including the social, political and economic conditions that result in shortfalls in the creation of an enabling environment for the realization of children’s rights.

• Analyze how the Resilience Strategy that UNICEF is mainstreaming in its programmes can help address those barriers and bottlenecks at the community level

The required background and experience for the international consultant is as follows:

• Advanced degree in the social sciences (sociology, anthropology, development studies), Economics/Statistics or related fields relevant for the assignment • At least 10 years of research and other relevant professional experience • Excellent facilitation and coordination skills • In-depth knowledge of children’s rights, including CRC, CEDAW and other international legal instruments the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), World Fit for Children (WFFC), and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) • Knowledge and Demonstrated experience with Human Rights Based Approach to Programming (HRBAP) • Institutional knowledge of the UN and UNICEF • Proven experience in writing analytical papers on children and gender issues • Familiarity with Somalia current national development priorities and challenges would be an asset • Strong writing skills in English • The consultant will be asked to submit 2 samples of previous similar work produced and at least 3 references.

The specific competencies and qualifications required of all consultants are as follows: • Good knowledge of the recent developments in the area of human rights in general and of children’s rights. • Strong analytical skills and proficiency in writing in English. • Ability to deliver quality reports/analysis and results in line with established deadlines. • Experience of having participated previously in a UNICEF Situation Analysis will be a major advantage

How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, 2 samples of similar papers wrote previously, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please indicate your expected fee for providing the services of the said assignment. Applicants must quote the vacancy title and post title in the subject line of the application.

Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.