TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) is a global UNICEF-led initiative that supports local governments to put children’s rights at the centre of local governance, planning, budgeting, service delivery and community engagement. The initiative promotes the realization of child rights at the local level by encouraging local authorities to work with children, families, civil society, communities and other stakeholders to make cities safer, more inclusive, more responsive and more supportive of children’s wellbeing.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has been implementing CFCI since 2020. During its first cycle, MBPJ undertook a Situational Analysis of Children to identify priority issues affecting children in the city, established and strengthened mechanisms for meaningful child participation through the Petaling Jaya Child Council, and engaged children, communities, civil society organisations and government stakeholders in the co-creation of its first Child Friendly City Action Plan. MBPJ subsequently implemented a range of actions across sectors and departments to strengthen child rights, participation, inclusion, services and child-friendly urban environments. Following an independent evaluation and assessment against UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities framework, Petaling Jaya was recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City in October 2023. Following this recognition, MBPJ commenced its second CFCI cycle through the implementation of the Petaling Jaya Child Friendly City Action Plan 2024-2030, which builds on the achievements and recommendations emerging from the first cycle and seeks to further institutionalise child-friendly governance, planning and service delivery across the city.
As implementation of the second action plan is still underway and will continue until 2030, a mid-term evaluation is needed to take stock of progress and support course correction. The current mid-term evaluation seeks to assess progress under this ongoing implementation cycle, identify achievements and challenges, and provide recommendations to strengthen implementation during the remaining period of the Action Plan.
UNICEF Malaysia is therefore seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a mid-term evaluation of MBPJ’s implementation of its second Child Friendly City Action Plan.
Minimum requirements
Work Experience
- Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations of child rights, local governance, urban development, public sector reform or related programmes.
- Experience working with or evaluating local governments, city councils or public sector institutions.
- Demonstrated understanding of child rights, local governance or urban development. Familiarity with UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) or similar initiatives is an asset.
- Experience applying mixed-methods evaluation approaches, including document review, stakeholder consultations and analysis of administrative, monitoring or programme data.
- Experience engaging local authorities, civil society organisations and children through consultations, participatory processes or research activities.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct safe, ethical, inclusive and meaningful engagement with children, including the application of child safeguarding, informed consent, confidentiality, equity and participation principles throughout the evaluation process.
- Knowledge of the Malaysian local government context. Experience working with city councils, urban authorities or government institutions in Malaysia is strongly preferred.
- Strong report writing, facilitation and presentation skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
- Demonstrated ability to present findings and recommendations in a clear, practical and actionable manner for decision-makers.
Skills
- Evaluation and research method
- Child rights, child participation or community engagement
- Local governance, public policy or urban development
- Qualitative research and stakeholder consultation
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A detailed technical proposal:
Remarks
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.