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For every child, a right to be heard
Background
CARICOM Heads of Government in 2006 mandated the establishment of a Commission on Youth Development to “undertake a full-scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and to make recommendations to improve their well-being and empowerment”. The Commission, which was established in March 2007, conducted research leading to the Report, entitled “Eye on the Future: Investing in Youth Now for Tomorrow’s Community”.
Consequently, the Heads of Government at a special Summit on Youth Development held in Suriname in January 2010, issued the Declaration of Paramaribo on the Future of Youth in the Caribbean Community, where they endorsed the recommendations made in the Report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development. Accordingly, the Declaration of Paramaribo affirmed the “belief that the unique perspective, creativity, energy and other assets which young people possess are essential elements of societal change, technological innovation, and development, making them invaluable assets and partners in development and not problems to be solved”. To operationalize the main recommendations of the Commission’s Report and the Declaration of Paramaribo, the Secretariat established a Technical Working Group and coordinated a regional consultative process to develop the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (CYDAP). The CYDAP was endorsed by COHSOD XXIII on Children and Youth, held in July 2012 in Guyana. The CYDAP supports Youth Development in the Region through six CARICOM Youth Development Goal areas focusing on Education and Economic Empowerment; Protection, Safety, and Security; Health and Wellbeing; Culture, Identity, and Citizenship; Policy and Institutional Framework; Leadership; Participation and Governance.
Whilst these goal areas remain applicable, a preliminary review of the CYDAP implementation and accompanying Monitoring and Evaluation Plan reveals the need to use a Results-based Management approach for better outcomes and assessment of the impact of the Action Plan. A review of the priority areas of the CYDAP also reveals the need to expand the goal areas to incorporate environmental protection and preservation, innovation & technology, and a greater emphasis on skills for employability as these are major priority areas of youth development.
Although it is salient to expand the goal areas, the implementation and monitoring of the CYDAP were also impacted by the limited human capacity and personnel, and financial resources experienced at the Member State level within the Ministries of Youth Development and Affairs.
A preliminary review of the CYDAP implementation and accompanying Monitoring and Evaluation Plan reveals the relevance of the present Youth Development Goals but a significant need to expand the focus of the priority areas and goals to incorporate current youth issues. The initial review of the priority areas of the CYDAP revealed the exclusion of other major areas such as environmental protection and preservation, innovation and technology, and a greater emphasis on skills for employability. The review also revealed that the implementation and monitoring of the CYDAP at the national level was not supported due mainly to the limited human capacity and financial resources at the Member State level within the Ministries of Youth Development and Affairs.
The preliminary review also noted the need to use a Results-based Management approach for greater outcomes and assessment of the impact of the Action Plan
How can you make a difference?
Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to create a results-based Management Architecture for the implementation and monitoring of the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan and to create buy-in and build the capacity of key stakeholders who will be implementing and monitoring the CYDAP nationally.
Given the foregoing context, the changes within the youth development sector require strengthening the regional coordination and mechanisms to support the Member and associate states in implementing the CYDAP. This will create an enabling environment for youth to thrive and develop and to be given a chance to be part of the decision-making process.
Objectives
The changes within the youth development sector require strengthening the regional coordination and mechanisms to support the Member and associate states in implementing the CYDAP. This will create an enabling environment for youth to thrive and develop and to be given a chance to be part of the decision-making process. Therefore, the primary objective of the project is to establish a Results-based Management architecture for planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on the CYDAP Priority Areas and Outcomes. This consultancy will focus on achieving the following specific objectives:
• To determine the level of competencies, readiness, and willingness to implement CYDAP;
• To develop change management strategies for buy-in of the CYDAP at the sector level in each Member State;
• To advance the implementation of the CYDAP;
• To build capacity in the Member States to implement and monitor the CYDAP.
Scope of Work:
This is assignment will include all relevant stakeholders including CARICOM Secretariat, Youth Departments/Ministries in member and associate states, CSO service providers, UNICEF, and other key development partners. The consultant will conduct this assignment in accordance with the objectives and methodology specified.
Other specific scopes that will be considered are:
• Time: the consultant will work from November 2021 – April 2022. This excludes any related efforts before and after this period;
• Programmatic: The consultant will focus on restructuring the CYDAP and the corresponding results-based Management Architecture;
• Geographic scope: This consultancy considers the virtual implementation, monitoring, and reporting on this project in CARICOM Member and the Associate States.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in building governance-science systems;
• Proven strong consultation and group facilitation skills;
• Proven experience in designing Theory of change and results frameworks;
• A demonstrable understanding of child-and-youth work;
• Proven experience in facilitating and collecting information, including data collection with youth;
• Knowledge of the equity and gender approaches and their application;
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management;
• Fluency in spoken and written English;
• Good ability to write reports clearly and concisely;
• Strong organisational, and presentation skills.
Desirable:
– Previous work experience with the CARICOM, United Nations System and or development, bilateral/multilateral organisations
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.
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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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:
All Candidates are required to submit (a) technical proposal (b) financial proposal
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.