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Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Purpose
This study will be used by the FEI, UNICEF and ILO to gain insight into various angles of the issue. UNICEF will use findings of this study to inform the design of a childcare model and programming to promote the establishment of nurseries/alternative childcare solutions in the workplace. ILO, in collaboration with FEI will use the study findings to show evidence of the positive impact of establishing child care facilities, in addition to promoting the adoption of the recommended models by the companies’ members in FEI and advocate for implementation of these models. Moreover, UNICEF, ILO and FEI will advocate for the implementation of the models recommended with numerous actors including public entities, private sector, financial institutions and civil society organizations.
The study will be split into two parts. The first part will be used by UNICEF, ILO and FEI to inform, by conducting a survey and developing case studies which validate, the positive impact childcare solutions can have on children and families, assumptions for investing in childcare provisions and promote further participation of fathers in childcare. The second part will be used by UNICEF, ILO and FEI to advocate for childcare practices in the workplaces through the development of childcare models based on the findings of the survey and case studies.
Scope:
The FEI will provide the database and link the assigned consultant or market research agency to collect data from FEI member companies. The data will be collected through phone interviews and the collection and processing of the data will be the responsibility of the selected consultant.
There is a risk that the chosen methodology relating to the scope of this study may be limited as it depends on respondents from the pool of FEI members.
The inception report will define a criterion for selecting companies to participate in the survey including a rationale for sectors identified and locations, if applicable. From the companies selected, the childcare models will be developed based on successful models that are being implemented by the companies or recommend other innovative models if applicable based on desk review and observations. The inception report will also define a selection criterion for the selection of the companies for the case studies. The inception report will indicate the means for conducting the surveys with the selected companies.
This study will not be rigorous or representative of the private sector and is only meant to be indicative.
OBJECTIVE
The study aims at three objectives:
Evidence: data collection
Generate evidence on how the improvement/introduction of childcare services and allocations to the workforce impact positively on overall business performance, including both employers and employees. The evidence could be observed from companies that have recently established childcare facilities. The data collected will help in reaching a comparative analysis on the impact on business performance before and after the establishment of child care facilities on both employers and employees.
Evidence: case studies
Based on evidence so generated (objective 1) develop case studies that identify elements of success, providing a basis for childcare models to be based on.
Childcare models
Based on the evidence so generated (objective 1 and 2), develop 3-5 models providing options for implementation by Egyptian enterprises on providing childcare solutions. This would include childcare facilities at work but also childcare allocations, more flexible working hours, and other innovative solutions.
The consultant hired for this ToR is meant to cater to the 1st and 2nd objectives of the study; to collect and compile evidence, develop case studies and compile a detailed report which will include the childcare models (object 3) to be developed by a separate consultant for the second part of the study. There will be an overlap between the two consultants during a) the inception phase and b) during the data collection preparation. This is to ensure that the second consultant has all data needed to generate the childcare models.
METHODOLOGY
This methodology mainly relates to the ‘Evidence: data collection and case studies component of the study. The study will build on global insights and evidence in UNICEF publications, ‘Family Friendly Policies – Policy Brief’ as supported by the ‘Childcare and Working Environments – Evidence Brief’, and the ILO report “Care Work and Care Jobs, for the Future of Decent Work.
Furthermore, the study could identify companies with recently established childcare facilities and identify their impact on improving women employment and retention, besides avoiding absenteeism and reducing turnover. The consultant will be required to survey employers and employees (male and female) to assess if there has been improvement since introducing these models or not, identify elements of success and see if there are certain models that are more impactful and what considerations parents have when deciding to use a workplace childcare facility.
Hereby, the study requires collecting information on childcare facilities, through different feasible methods. The following methods for data collection can be considered:
The FEI will provide a database for the hired consultant to communicate with the member companies through phone interviews. Companies will be asked if they have recently implemented changes to their childcare benefits or services, and to indicate whether they are willing to be contacted further to partake in the study. It is likely that the response rate will be small, therefore the survey cannot be used to produce statistics (such as % of companies with childcare facilities).
Based on the responses, the researcher will undertake phone calls with companies that have agreed to participate in the study. Based on positive response rates, additional companies may need to be identified. Companies that have recently made important changes to their childcare services and/or benefits will be studied.
The best cases among these will then be documented as case-studies. The researchers will present what the company has done, how much it has cost, identify elements of success, and what sort of improvements to overall performance have taken place.
A desk review of the ecosystem in Egypt, including what the legal framework expects companies to do with respect to maternity and early childhood will complement the analysis.
In all data collection methods, the consultant needs to ensure that a balance of female and male respondents/interviewees are included.
Stakeholder groups to be considered:
Public Sector: National and local government institutions;
Employers representatives (managers, HR)
Employees (women and men with family responsibilities/potential parents)
Female employees who might have left work after having children and lacked access to childcare facilities at the work place
The study methodology based on the above broad points will be included in the inception report to be developed by the consultant and will be approved by UNICEF, ILO and FEI prior to its implementation.
The consultant will take responsibility to submit the inception report, conduct the survey, submit the case studies and integrate the childcare models that will be developed by a second consultant in the final report.
Ethical Considerations
Any primary data collection identified that may incur risk will need to be secured. Ethical protocols will need to be followed and clearance will need to be obtained from the UNICEF external board at the inception phase.
A signed form acknowledging the code of conduct for ethical research in the UN system will be obtained for the consultant.
In the event the consultant requires the services of sub-contractors, the consultant shall obtain the prior written approval and clearance of UNICEF, ILO and FEI for all sub-contractors. The approval of a sub-contractor shall not relieve the consultant of any of their obligations under this ToR. The terms of any sub-contract shall be subject to and conform with the provisions of this ToR.
The consultant will take responsibility of obtaining relevant authorization/clearances to conduct the surveys across the identified companies using the methodology as approved.
ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES, PLUS BUDGET PER DELIVERABLE
The consultant will be contracted for a period of 6 months and will work for a period of 60 days.
The final deliverable – the final report will integrate childcare models that will be developed by a separate consultant using the findings of the survey and case- studies.
DELIVERABLES
ESTIMATED DURATION TO COMPLETE (days)
PAYMENT ON APPROVAL
Inception report on the methodology
Includes a more detailed methodology and workplan to implement the study for the business case, proposed strategy for the survey, the proposed selection criteria for the companies, proposed questions for the survey, proposed selection criteria for the models to be recommended, detailed timeframe for delivering the products, etc.
Includes desk review of any previous studies, any available regulatory frameworks, any tools that will be used and guidelines.
Includes ethical considerations for any persons to at risk for the interviews.
Conduct the survey and good practice research
Compile information and draft overview section on the care economy in Egypt using a gender-transformative approach, including compiling information and conducting a desk review on the impact of absence of nurseries on women workers.
Work with the focal point from FEI to design a survey that will be shared with and approved by both UNICEF and the International Labor Organization.
Implement the survey and gather data via phone for the 100 targeted companies.
Illustrate the results and data in excel sheets in terms of the survey’s items.
Conduct descriptive quantitative analysis.
Provide a detailed report with resulting findings (elaborated in narrative and visualized through tables and figures),
Produce case studies in English
In consultation with the FEI focal point, UNICEF and ILO:
Design and implement in depth interviews, data gathering approach and strategy for compiling the case studies.
Case studies will likely involve field visits in the selected firms and that both employers and employees (parents) are interviewed.
To include recommendations, conclusions, lessons learned and correlations and present this report to the FEI, ILO and UNICEF team.
Produce final report
Co-author 1st draft of final report in English with FEI focal point to be submitted to UNICEF and ILO.
Integrate the childcare models developed by separate consultant in the second part of the study into the final report.
Deliver final, designed version of report ready for publication.
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QUALIFICATIONS, SPECIALISED EXPERIENCE AND ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES
Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Business, International Development or related social science fields.
Experience:
Demonstrated experience in:
Designing and conducting desk reviews, research studies, baseline surveys, evaluations, involving qualitative and quantitative components or similar research;
Conducting similar studies in the past 5 years using and analyzing demographic and other quantitative data and indicators (particularly DHS/MICS data), policy analysis and assessing/mapping provision of information/services.
A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.
Ability to lead a team.
Experience with qualitative and participatory research methodologies.
Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking.
Ability to work independently and adhere to schedules and deadlines.
Professionalism.
Efficiency, accuracy, and high productivity.
Knowledge of conducting research on child protection (desirable).
Language Requirements: Fluency in English (required) and Arabic (required). Proficiency in English and Arabic technical writing skills.
CONDITIONS OF WORK
The consultant will be office based at FEI offices and will requires a laptop.
The consultant will be required to attend out-of-office meetings when necessary including to UNICEF/ILO premises.
Communication and Dissemination
UNICEF, ILO and FEI hold the copyrights to all materials developed over the course of this assignment including publications, data and reports.
All research work should follow UNICEF, ILO and FEI guidance for research, quality assurance and SOP.
Results will be shared with UNICEF, ILO and FEI.
NOTE FOR CONSULTANTS AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS:
Please submit a financial offer along with your proposal, which contains the following information:
- Fee for services to be provided based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Opening Date Mon Mar 02 2020 02:20:00 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time) Egypt Standard Time
Closing Date Wed Mar 11 2020 16:55:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)
تنقيب– مصر
