UNICEF recruits 01 Consultant

Job Title: Consultant for School-based Programme for Substance Use Prevention among Adolescents; « Unplugged »

Place of Work/Location: Tehran, Iran

Reports to: ADAP Officer

Duration: 11 months

Expected Start Date of Assignment: 15 September 2019

Work Type: National consultancy

1. Background

Iran is heavily affected by the problem of drug use, with one of the highest rates of opiate use in the world and a significant prevalence of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) use (estimated at 350,000), notably methamphetamine (with the street name of « Shisheh » in Farsi). An increased use of cannabis has furthermore been discernible in recent years. The number of people with opioid use problem in Iran is estimated by Iranian officials at 2,800,000. Many successful programmes for addressing drug use and HIV transmission have been introduced in Iran already. Notwithstanding these commendable efforts of the government, UNODC and the civic society, the challenge of drugs and HIV in Iran is still far from contained.

The problem of drug use has recently been spreading among children, youth and women, especially among family members of current drug users. The number of under-age children affected by the problem of drug use is unknown, as there has not yet been any nationwide survey among children in Iran. However, some conducted school epidemiological surveys in the country have identified existing use of soft and hard drugs among school children. On the other hand, reports of service providers from the field indicate that the problem of drug use is also seen by a number of out-of-school children less than 14 years. A survey conducted by the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters in 2011 among high school students revealed that 9% of high school students had used at least once cannabis and 9.1 % had consumed opium and 2% had used heroin at least once ever.

There are a number of predisposing and precipitating risk factors, which make children prone to drug use such as genetic disposition, psychological factors like early and persistent problem behaviors and weak life skills, mental health issues, economic deprivation, weak social ties and alienation, easy access to drugs, weak school performance, weak school attachment, parental drug use, living in disorganized neighborhoods, dysfunctional family environment, conflict in the family, low family bonding, history of physical and sexual abuse. Most of these factors further perpetuate drug use after its onset, if not addressed adequately.

UNICEF Iran, in close cooperation with relevant partners in particular the Drug Control Headquarters and Ministry of Education, is working to adapt and pilot a school-based programme on substance use prevention among adolescent called « Unplugged ». The school curriculum, « Unplugged » is based on social influence approach and addresses social and personal skills, knowledge, and normative beliefs. It consists of 12 one-hour interactive sessions delivered by teachers. Its effectiveness was evaluated through a randomized trial involving 7,079 pupils of seven European countries. Unplugged was effective in reducing cigarette smoking, episodes of drunkenness, and the use of cannabis at short term. This association, however, was confined to boys, with age and self-esteem as possible explanations of this difference. Beneficial effects associated with the programme persisted at fifteen month follow up for drunkenness, alcohol-related problems, and cannabis use, and were stronger among adolescents in schools of average low socioeconomic level. UNICEF is therefore looking to recruit an consultant for School-based Programme on Substance Use Prevention among Adolescents; « Unplugged » for duration of eleven and half months.

2. Objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to support UNICEF and its relevant partners to adapt, train, implement, and pilot the « Unplugged » a school-based programme for substance use prevention among adolescents in I.R. of Iran.

Under the general supervision of the UNICEF Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) officer, the consultant contributes to programme planning, monitoring and implementation, evaluation of programme activities, data analysis and progress reporting. The incumbent will also be responsible for technical support in adaptation, finalizing, training, implementation, and pilot study of the European Drug Addiction Prevention (EU-DAP) « Unplugged »; school-based programme for substance use prevention among adolescents in six schools of I.R. of Iran.

3. Methodology and Technical Approach

This assignment seeks to firstly enhance the capacity of Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), and Ministry of Education (MOE) to adapt and finalize the school-based programme for substance use prevention among adolescents (« nplugged », and secondly to strengthen the capacity of six selected schools to conduct pilot study on « Unplugged » programme for adolescent boys and girls.

Under the supervision of the UNICEF ADAP officer, the consultant will be required to work with the UNICEF Education unit, and actively engage with UNICEF national partners namely DCHQ, and MOE, and programme resource centers such as EU-DAP project team and provide consultancy to these units.

The consultant will be in contact and required to liaise with EU-DAP and collaborate closely with UNICEF and relevant partners carrying out school-based substance use prevention programmes and projects. This will include;

• Analyzing
• Adaptation
• Finalization
• Training
• Implementation
• Pilot Study
• Documenting and reporting

4. Activities, Deliverables, Indicators, Timeframe, and Schedule of Payment

Activities

1.  Analyzing

a.  consultant with government partners: DCHQ, and MOE

b.  Perform a review of the literature on Unplugged rogramme

c. Collect and review all relevant documents related to Unplugged

d. Undertake field visits as necessary to collect and analyses information, assess local resources, gaps, and forming strategic plan

Corresponding Deliverables

–  Meeting/visit report

–  Back translation of Unplugged packages to English

–  Report on analysis, structures and gaps

Indicators

-Submission of the deliverable & approval

Timeframe

– First month

Payment: 5%

2.  Adaptation and Finalizing

a.  Collect all inputs from UNICEF and national partners (DCHQ and MOE) on Unplugged

b. Communicate and liaise with EU-DAP project team to get their approval for final Unplugged packages

c. Do necessary actions to finalize the circular and training materials of Unplugged

d. Prepare final and approved Unplugged programme materials

e. Conduct periodic project reviews meeting with UNICEF, government counterparts and other partners.

f.  Draft monthly progress report as deliverable and submit to UNICEF ADAP officer for approval

Corresponding Deliverables

–  Meeting report

–  Report on the project review

-Finalized Unplugged programme materials

–  Progress report

Indicators

– Submission of the deliverable & approval

Timeframe

– First to second month

Payment: 10%

3. Training

a.Develop and prepare all Unplugged programme training materials

b.  Finalize the list of trainers and facilitators team (at most 3 trainers; one international and two nationals) for workshop

c.  Get approval from UNICEF, DCHQ, and MOE of trainers list

d.  Cover all related expenses for all trainers and sub-consultancy including travel cost and consultancy fee for international traners

e.  Provide training and facilitate 3-day training workshops for DCHQ and MOE teachers and relevant practitioners

f.  Provide 2-day booster training and supervision for DCHQ and MOE teachers and relevant practitioners

g.  Draft workshops evaluation reports

h.  Recommend corrective & follow up actions on Unplugged programme

Corresponding Deliverables

– Finalized training materials for 24 participants

–  List of trainers including one international trainer

– Workshops evaluation reports

Indicators

–  Submission of the deliverable & approval

Timeframe

– Months from second to fifth

Payment: 20%

4. Pilot study and implementation

a.  Undertake field visits to selected schools to analyses the feasibility of pilot study and implantation of Unplugged programme

b.  Develop and prepare assessment tools, including questioners, FGDs subjects, pre/post-test, interview questions and based on standard procedure for pilot study

c.  Establish evaluation team to conduct pilot study to identify feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of Unplugged programme

d.  Prepare pilot plan

e.  Undertake necessary actions for pilot study preparation

f.  conduct pilot study during programme implementation

g.  Draft comprehensive report on pilot study

h.  Recommend corrective & follow up actions on Unplugged programme

i. Undertakes remedial and corrective actions and provide technical advice to address issues and challenges as they arise during and after implementation and pilot study

Corresponding Deliverables

– Field visit report

–  Finalized and approved assessment tools

–  List of evaluation team

–  Pilot study plan

–  Pilot study report with recommendations

Indicators

–  Submission of the deliverable & approval

Timeframe

–  Months from forth to tenth

Payment: 35%

5.  Documenting and reporting

a.  Draft comprehensive final report and submit to UNICEF ADAP officer for approval

b.  Prepare PPT presentation on procedures and finding

Corresponding Deliverables

– Final report

–  PPT presentation

Indicators

–  Submission of the deliverable & approval

Timeframe

–  Months from tenth to eleven and half

Payment: 30%

N.B.  All reports and presentations should be submitted in English

5. Management and Organization

5.1. Management: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Iran’s Adolescent Development and Participation Officer. The responsible government partner is the Drug Control Headquarters and Ministry of Education.

5.2. Travel: Travel of the individual consultant shall be covered by herself/himself and will not be covered by UNICEF.

6. Budget and terms of payment

The entire assignment will be funded form UNICEF. The consultancy fee (including main consultant and sub-consultancy fees with team such as international trainer and travel cost) shall be paid in 5 installments to consultant, upon approval of relevant deliverables by UNICEF, and based on the above-mentioned deliverables. As per UNICEF policy, payment is made against approved deliverables and No advance payment is allowed.

7. Conditions of Work

The assignment will Not be UNICEF Office-based, and the consultant will be required to work in his/her own office. The consultant is also expected to work on his/her own equipment inclusive of laptop, computer, required software, printer, scanner, telephone, camera etc. as UNICEF will not be providing these.

8. Qualifications

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

Advanced university degree (Masters, or Ph.D.) in Medicine, Public Health, Social/behavioral sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Counseling, and Education) or other related technical field relevant to this assignment;

Minimum five-year experience with at least one year of progressively responsible experience in school-based substance use prevention programme implementation or related field;

Excellent knowledge and understanding of statistics, data analysis and report writing to disseminate key data and findings to non-technical audiences;

Proven experience in piloting, monitoring and evaluation of projects or programmes;

Knowledge & Skills:

Strong communication, planning, analytical, advocacy, and training skills;

Good knowledge of computer skills including internet navigation, and various office applications, proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point);

Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations in an international and multi-cultural environment;

Ability to manage projects and coordinate multiple stakeholders on deadlines;

Previous working experience with UNICEF/UN is an asset;

Languages:

Fluency in English & Farsi required

Excellent English writing skills;

9. Evaluation:

The individual will apply for the consultancy. The minimum threshold for the technical evaluation is 70 scores.

Criteria for consultant

Qualification #1: Advanced university degree (Masters, or Ph.D.) in medicine, public health, psychology, counseling, social sciences or other related technical field relevant to this assignment; Total scores 20; MS.: 10 scores, and Ph.D.: 10 scores

Qualification #2: Minimum five-year experience with at least one year of progressively responsible experience in school-based substance use prevention programme implementation or related field; Total scores 35; 5 scores per year, and 10 scores for one-year relevant experience

Qualification #3: Proven experience in piloting, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes or projects; Total scores 20; 10 scores per proven experiences

Qualification #4: Proven experience and knowledge of statistics, data analysis and report writing to disseminate key data and findings to non-technical audiences; Total scores 25; 5 scores per proven year or project