Insecurity and violent intra-state conflict is recognized as a primary development challenge of our time and a significant barrier to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the right to universal primary education. These challenges are further complicated by the changing nature of conflict that involves multi-level, intra-state conflicts of extended duration and marked by recurring cycles of violent conflict.
Under the broader chapeau of strengthening resilience, peacebuilding has emerged as a central strategy to address conflict and accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs by addressing factors driving violent conflict and undermining community resilience against environmental and conflict-related shocks and stresses. Within this context, social services such as education are increasingly recognized as having an important role to play in addressing root cause of conflict and strengthening social cohesion and community resilience.
As a pilot global programme, UNICEF aims to demonstrate peacebuilding results through education and the relevance of education (as a social service) for addressing conflict drivers in fragile state contexts or states affected by conflict. In the approved ESAROP PBEA for 2014-2015, under Outcome 5 the Regional Office is accountable for supporting the generation of evidence by documenting peacebuilding impacts through education.
PBEA ESARO 2014-2015 Workplan:
Regional Level Outcome 5: Generation and use of evidence and knowledge on linkages between education, conflict and PB
Activity 5.2:*Develop comparative regional case studies for several topics listed in PBEA research plan.*
At the request of the Ethiopia and Kenya Country Offices, under the ESARO OM Activity 5.2 ESARO will recruit a short-term consultant to support the PBEA programme in Ethiopia and Kenya. The purpose of the short term consultancy will be to document results and lessons learned through peacebuilding activities in relation to EiE adolescent and youth programming, including for out-of-school adolescent and youth populations through alternative education programming streams.
Scope of Work and methodology
The research consultant will conduct field visits to PBEA implementation areas in Ethiopia and Kenya to explore how selected PBEA programme interventions have led to initial peace building outputs and results. The work will cover 4 months FTE (90 days) over a period of 5 months (to allow for variation in travel and unforeseen delays) and will include field visits with programme staff, programme partners, and programme beneficiaries (20 days field visits in Ethiopia and 20 days days field visits in Kenya).
The consultant will produce two case studies per country that will explore general themes related to:
Emergency Programme Responses for Refugees and delivering Peace Dividends. The main focus will be exploring the impact of emergency programme responses in relation to South Sudanese refugee programming, longer-term prospects for peace and will explore the effectiveness and impacts of existing programmes or new innovations, particularly in terms of peacebuilding, child protection and the protection of learning spaces from attack. Research will also explore what is meant by ‘peace dividend’ and how education programming can contribute towards longer-term stability and resilience against conflict.
Education Policy, Planning and Systemic Change to support Peacebuilding. The main emphasis will be on research related to working with government and education authorities in Ethiopia to encourage development of structural change, education reforms and more conflict sensitive education policies to support peacebuilding by overcoming forms of cultural and structural violence against minority groups as well as disadvantaged and marginalized communities in the least developed regions of Ethiopia.
Non-Formal Educational Approaches to Peacebuilding. The main focus is on out-of-school education programming; youth engagement; Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), skills and creating livelihood opportunities for out-of-school adolescents and youth for promoting social cohesion and resilience.
Specific research topics for Ethiopia will be finalized in consultation with the Ethiopia education team and may include:
· Alternative education promoting improved learning outcomes through culturally and economically relevant curriculum
· Training of ECD careers/parents in conflict resolution/PB skills, promoting congnitive develop and community level peacebuidling.
· Addressing structural inequity through education planning and service delivery.
Research topics for Dadaab, Kenya will be finalized in consultation with the KCO education team and may include:
· Adolescents and Youth and Peacebuidling through delivery of conflict sensitive education promoting productive livelihoods
· EiE programming and curriculum, supporting return and effective reintegration or fueling pressures for conflict?
· Sport for peace programming to improve social cohesion and resilence against conflict among refugee populiations and host communities?
Across the different themes listed above, research case studies will answer a series of critical questions below, which will be expanded upon during the research design phase of the consultancy:
· How PBEA activities are supporting conflict transformation among beneficiaries?
· How have programme interventions improved levels of social cohesion within/between communities and increasing resilence against conflict?
· What examples can be provided about how the programme is supporting peaceful conflict resolution strategies and resilience against conflict?
· How has PBEA programming been addressing issues of adolescent and youth marginalization in conflict affected contexts?
· To what extent are the needs of out-of-school children addressed through education programming in a manner that reduces conflict pressures (both structural and cultural)
· What challenges exist with promoting social cohesion and resilience thorugh education programming in the cases examined?
· What lessons learned can be drawn out for programme implementation.
MethodologyData collection tools Target population Data analysis* Document review · Existing PBEA reports/data including conflict analyses and education sector reports/OOSC studies
· External reports/dat
· Additional documents provided by COs and government partners TBD during inception phase Summary based on research questions Key informant interviews (structured interviews) Questionnaire (with quan/qual questions) (questions to be finalized in consultation with UNICEF field staff and RO) · UNICEF PBEA staff
· UNICEF PBEA partners (Ministry of Education and other relevant government partners)
· Local implementing partners
· PBEA beneficiaries (particularly community level and those previously involved in or victims of conflict) Excel
Qualitative analysis Photos of beneficiaries and programme activities (direct observation) Camera Field locations visited and programme beneficiaries To be included in reports supplementing analysis
Deliverables and Payment schedule
DeliverablesDuration (4 months FTE distributed over 5.5 months Timeline (Estimated # of days) (1 May – 15 Oct 2015) Develop research methodology and field work plan in coordination with the education teams in the Ethiopia CO and Kenya CO together with the PB and Education Specialist in ESARO, (detailed questions and report framework, field locations, list of respondents, literature review) (home-based) 5 20 days by 10 June (1st payment) Field Research in Dadaab, Kenya 15 Follow-up interviews and discussions at the national level in Kenya 5 20 days by 10 July (2nd payment) Draft case studies (Nairobi based) 15 Field Research Ethiopia including follow up discussions at national level 20 35 days by 30 Aug (3rd payment) Draft Ethiopia case studies (x2) (Nairobi based) 15 Finalize case study based on inputs from Ethiopia Education team and ESARO professionals (home-based) 15 20 days by 15 October (4th payment) Total 90 days over 5 months Submission of final products by 15 October 2015
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
The following are requirements for the consultancy:
Masters Degree or equivalent in conflict and peace building studies
8 years of relevant experience
Extensive experience in internatinal development and education service delivery
Experience working in conflict-affected or post-conflict environments
Experience of conducting research on education service delivery in the East African region
Extensive qualitative research experience
Good team player
Dedicated to deliverying results
Able to analyze quantitative and qualitative data
Demonstrated track record in adhering to timelines for completion of consultancy deliverables
Please note that this contract is open to either international applicants or Ethiopian/Kenyan nationals.
Administrative issues
The post will be combined between home-based and Nairobi-based with travel to Ethiopia (with selected field sites) and Dadaab, Kenya to conduct primary research.
Resources are available under the Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy Programme (SC 110667).
Conditions
Travel is expected under this consultancy and will be covered under the budget line item for this consultancy.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. Payment will be made monthly upon receipt of duly reviewed and approved deliverables (see above table).
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
Risks
Short-term nature of assignment ensures minimizes risks to the organization in relation to quality and timeliness of products produced. Other risks relate to the RO’s delivery on agreed PBEA workplan activities – not moving forward with the generation of evidence means the RO will not deliver on its accountabilities.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative fee range with reference: ESARO/SSA/RESU/2015-004 by cob 24 February 2015 to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates 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 the organization.