Maldives: International Consultant to conduct the desk review of Adolescent and Young people in the Maldives

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Reference Number: TOR/2018/19

1. Background

Maldives is an upper middle income country with its population dispersed in 187 islands. In 2014, the Census counted 402,071 people of which 63,637 are foreigners and 58 percent of the women are in their reproductive age (15 to 49). It is also the time where 67 percent of the people are in the working age group (15-64) – meaning the country is going through the demographic dividend period. In forty years’ time the population is expected to reach just under a million with almost half of the population being foreigners (Population Projections, NBS, 2018).

Maldives has successfully achieved 5 out of the 8 MDGs with a stunning plunge in maternal and infant mortality rates and high coverage of institutional deliveries. The Maldivian people continue to enjoy improved life expectancies and the adolescent pregnancy rate has been reduced with the age at first marriage and first pregnancy standing at early 20s. However, the national family planning programme is couple-based, which leads to the exclusion of young unmarried people, especially girls, from reproductive health services and information that would enable them to make informed life choices. The legal age for marriage is 18 years but it was reported that 26 minors married in 2016. Only 25% of young women and 22% of young men discussed reproductive health with anyone; among those who have discussed reproductive health, about two-thirds discussed it with friends.Studies reveal that there is a clear association between youth unemployment and the abuse of drugs and high rates of juvenile crime. Low rates of educational achievement coupled with limited access to career guidance and life skills predispose adolescent and young people to risky behaviours and crime. For instance, according to the administrative data from Juvenile Justice Unit (JJU), 61 percent of juvenile offenders reported to the JJU were school dropouts, with 40 percent of the cases related to drugs and another 18 per cent linked to violent assaults. The results of the National Drug Use Survey – Maldives 2011/2012 show that 48 percent of drug users in Malé are aged 15 to 19 (compared with 18 per cent in the atolls).While the country has committed to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), its ambitious results target not only improvements on national averages, but also the need of reaching the most vulnerable first. Recently, with the ratification of the Gender Equality Act (2016), the provision of adolescent health information and services was clearly identified as one of the important issues for gender equality and national development. There is a large pool of statistics and other information collected by the UN Agencies, government and civil society. Nevertheless, information is inconsistent and often not accessible to policy makers. It has been challenging for the policy makers to streamline the support towards development of the largest cohort of Maldivian people.

2. What is the basic project objective to which the consultancy is related?

The purpose of the exercise is to conduct a desk review, which will consist of: An overview of the current situation of adolescent and young people (10-24 years) in the Maldives, across all key sectors and aspects of physical and mental well-being Availability of adolescent/young people data and identification of gaps in data through in-depth analysis. Availability of adolescent and young people policies and regulations across sectors (health, education, child protection etc.) and identification of gaps in policies specifically related to adolescent and young people. Availability of studies/researches in adolescent and young people and potential gaps in researches and studies given the gaps identified and their situation. Recommendations to fill in the gaps of (i) data collection; (ii) development of policies including processes and (iii) researches.

3. Methodology:

The methodology will consist of a thorough analysis based on existing data. The desk review will involve all relevant sectors to adolescent and youth development: education, skills development, employment, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, protection against violence, participation/civic engagement. The exercise will:Identify and collect all available data across the sectors, existing laws, policies and regulations pertaining to adolescent development and young people.Analysis and identification of gaps in relevant sector to adolescent and young people development and participationKey questions to answer: What is the overall situation of adolescent and young people in the Maldives? What are the data available across the identified sectors? Which sectors have the most data and what kind of data are most collected and available? What are the gaps in data? What are key existing legislation, policies on Adolescent development and young people? What are the gaps in legislation, strategies and policies? Which areas where the gaps are most critical to address? What are the suggested legislation, policies and strategies to address the policy gap?Deliverables A comprehensive desk review of available information (data, reports, studies, researches) on the current situation of adolescent and young people in the Maldives, indicating gaps towards monitoring the SDGs and recommendations to fill those gaps.

4. Deliverable duration• Inception report (including detailed methodology and timeframe) maximum 7 pages (5 days)• Draft desk review report + and presentation materials (20 days)• Final report + validation and dissemination (5 days)

5. Estimated duration of contract. 30 working days between June 15th 2018 – July 15th 2018

6. The consultancy requires the following qualifications and experiences:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, especially economics, public policy with strong data analysis • Proven experience in adolescent and young people.• Have produced publishable materials in adolescent and young people development and participation• Excellent writing, communication both orally and written in English• Previous work experience with the UN and in adolescent and young people is preferred.• Knowledge and experience in development issues in Maldives, is an asset.

UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables as listed in this TOR. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other forms of taxes.

Interested international consultants should submit an Expression of Interest along with:

Deadline for application is 12th June 2018, 6:00 pm (West Asia standard time)

UNICEF may also ask for submission of relevant work.

Application Link:

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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 our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=513479