How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA Mongolia is seeking an Individual Consultant, specializing in youth education within the overarching situational analysis. The consultant will support the International Consultant, the team leader, in assessing the youth situation in Mongolia.

The situational analysis aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of youth development in Mongolia, aligning with the Global Youth Development Index and identifying key disparities affecting youth. This analysis will serve as a vital resource for the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), government entities, and development partners to guide and prioritize their planning, management, and advocacy efforts. Specifically, the focus will be on enhancing support for the most vulnerable and marginalized youth groups, which are often overlooked in health, social, economic, educational, and cultural policies and initiatives.

The United Nations Youth Strategy, known as Youth2030, was launched by the Secretary-General to empower young people worldwide. This strategy aims to fully engage young individuals in realizing their potential and actively participating in various global agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The strategy represents a commitment by the UN to enhance its engagement with youth and to incorporate their insights and ideas into its work, supported by a high-level steering committee led by the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

Mongolia’s youth, defined as those aged 15-34, constitute approximately 28% of the total population as of 2023 and are pivotal in shaping the country’s future. The government’s Vision 2050 aims to transform Mongolia into a leading Asian country by mid-century through comprehensive reforms. The Vision, structured in three phases until 2050, aligns with global trends and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Additionally, the Government of Mongolia has enacted the Law on Promotion of Youth Development and established a high-level governance structure, the ‘National Youth Council,’ to oversee youth development initiatives.
Youth are recognized as a driving force for change in achieving the SDGs in Mongolia, a recognition that is integrated into the cross-cutting priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2023-2027.

The Youth Development Index update for 2023 indicates that Mongolia is making progress in youth development. However, challenges remain in education, employment, and opportunities. Insights and recommendations from the youth situational analysis will help refine policies, enhance programmatic actions, and ensure that Mongolia’s developmental strategies align with the needs and potential of its young population.

Therefore, based on the information provided, the specific objective of the consultancy is to assess the current situation of the education status of youth 15-34 years. This includes identifying the socioeconomic barriers toaccessing quality education, skills building opportunities for vulnerable youth groups, including girls, street children, rural youth, and those with disabilities. It also involves identifying effective strategies that enhance educational participation and improve quality education and skills for youth.
To gain a thorough understanding of the study’s specific objectives, detailed parameters, and research questions, please refer to the attached concept note, which provides a thorough outline of the goals and scope of the situational analysis.

Scope of work:

Roles and Responsibilities of the Individual Consultant for Youth Education:

• Design of the Study: Contribute to the study design.
• Desk Review and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Carry out the desk review, secondary analysis, and KIIs with relevant stakeholders of the thematic domain.
• Youth Consultation Meeting: Conduct a youth consultation meeting focused on youth education. These meeting will involve both individual youths and representatives from youth-led organizations, such as UNYAP, to gather fresh insights and input directly from those actively involved in or affected by youth policies and initiatives.
• Analysis: Analyze the education domain as per the study analysis guide.
• Reporting: Draft the report for the education domain and contribute to the overall study report.
• Fact Sheet: Develop one-page fact sheet on youth education.
• Dissemination: Contribute to the preparation and conducting of the dissemination workshop presenting the results of the study.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy period is scheduled for 25 non-consecutive days, from June 15, 2024 to August 25, 2024.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

1. Inception Report: The study design protocol, along with the study matrix, should be submitted by June 25, 2024. UNFPA will provide the outline for the inception report.
2. Draft Report: This is to be submitted by July 31, 2024.
3. Final Report and Presentation: These are due on August 16, 2024.
4. Facilitation of the Dissemination Meeting: Scheduled for August 25, 2024.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Under the overall direct supervision of the Team Leader, the consultant will closely collaborate with the UNFPA Youth Programme team. The consultant will be guided by the UN Youth Group (UNYG). Meanwhile, the UN Youth Group will facilitate and coordinate meetings with key stakeholders.

Supervisory arrangements:

The Consultant will report directly to the Team Leader.

Expected travel:

Required. Field visits will be conducted in specific provinces. The selection of provinces will be discussed.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree in education, educational policy, social sciences, or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• At least 5 years of experience in conducting qualitative research and studies.
• Experience working with educational policy and reform at a national or regional level.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is essential.

Competencies:

• Deep understanding of the current educational trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

It is anticipated that the consultancy will be governed by an individual consultancy contract under standard UNFPA/UNDP terms and conditions. UNFPA will pay a consultancy fee according to the current UNFPA approved schedule of rates at a level to be negotiated.

Schedule of payment:
1. The first installment of 50% of consultancy fees will be provided upon the acceptance of the inception report;
2. The final installment of 50% of the consultancy fees, will be provided upon completion of all work, submission of the final deliverable, and acceptance by UNFPA.
UNFPA reserves the right to withhold up to 30% of the total fee in case the deliverables are not submitted on schedule or do not meet the required standard. Copyright and ownership of all documents produced will remain with UNFPA.
Logistical arrangements
The UNFPA Country Office will be responsible for arranging all logistical matters related to the field visits if any, workshop, including venue, stationery and refreshments. The CO can also provide support in organizing meetings with key government agencies and other stakeholders.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.