UNICEF recrute un consultant pour la numérisation de la consultance sur la décentralisation du code au Cameroun

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

 

For every child, an advocate :

The Constitution of January 18, 1996 made the Republic of Cameroon a decentralized unitary state, provides the framework for regions and communes as the two types of decentralized local authorities or collectivites territoriales decentralisees (CTD). These territorial authorities are mandated by the law pursuant to Article 26 (2) of the Constitution. It is within this framework that the law n°2019/024 of December 24, 2019 on the General Code of Decentralized Territorial Collectivities, which aims to bring together, in a single document, the main legal provisions that intervene in the organizational arrangement and functioning of the CTDs.Perceived by the public authorities as the fundamental axis for the promotion of development, democracy and good governance at the local level, the decentralization process is everyone’s business and oversight responsibility fall under the involvement of the State, the CTDs, citizens and all actors in life. The Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development is the main public government body that has been mandated to support the implementation of the decentralization policy and is the main authority for the CTDs to ensure they meet their objectives for the decentralization process. Such a process will require ensuring CTDs are equipped with knowledge and resources to translate into action the 2019 Code of Decentralization. To realize this objective, digitalization of the Code is critical to reach the wide array of audience such as programmers, policymakers, planners and community representatives, to name a few, where they can extract the legal terms into practical actionable solutions. Digitalization of the CODE will include the use of New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs) to convey the messages of the legal instrument effectively and in a user-friendly approach. Timing to digitalize the code is appropriate in Cameroon’s current internet penetration rate is around 30 to 35 % of households and it continues to grow. In addition, out of the 360 municipalities in Cameroon, 210 municipalities are already connected to CAMTEL’s optical fiber, and the State is continuing to invest in order to reach the 100% coverage rate of municipalities. These figures are indicators showing the potential of NICTs for the popularization of texts on decentralization. NICTs constitute an effective basis for generalized access to the legal framework of decentralization. The digitalization of the Code of CTDs will also seek to reach children as one of the important audience members to promote meaningful and sustainable participation of children as part of the decentralization process.  In addition, the digitalization of the CODE will indicate how children’s needs and well-being can be achieved as communes and regions move towards implementing the ‘Plans Communaux Development’ (PCD) and regional level plans.

Below are the anticipated phases on the digitalization of the code lead by MINDDEVEL :

• Phase 1 : Translate the Code legal language into sectoral groups to develop user friendly content including a guide for children to promote meaningful participation but also inform actors on the role of the CODE to promote safe and child friendly cities ;
• Phase 2 : Develop and identify the digital platform (i.e website, mobile app) to upload the user-friendly content ;
• Phase 3 : Integrate the use of the digitalized Code into existing and/or new policy dialogues, programme development processes as well as enhanced efficient and effective delivery of public services for the respective targeted population groups.

 

How can you make a difference?

Key Expected Results and Deliverables  :

Under the guidance of the Chief of Social Policy, UNICEF Cameroon and the focal point government partner of MINDDEVEL, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and results below :

Result 1- Development of an inception report and outline of methodology :

• Conduct a desk review of existing national legislation, policy documents and resources related to the Code of Decentralization ;
• Review and verify with MINDDEVEL technical working group the proposed sectoral categories identified to ensure it covers all element of the legal code of decentralization. Ensure audience members are agreed upon and identified ;
• Outline the proposed methodology and approach to the translation of the code legal language into sectoral categories/groups to ensure its user friendly ;
• Review and propose maximum of 3 options on the most cost effective NICT platforms to ensure translated legal code of decentralization that is user friendly can be presented digitally to reach the key audience members including the general public.

Result 2- Development of user-friendly content for the CODE based on the sectoral groups :

• In close coordination with the selected international UNICEF consultant in Cameroon, provide on-line advice and technical inputs on the messaging around the sectoral categories/headings of the CODE in consultation with technical group of MINDDEVEL ;
• Develop and finalize the messages and content from the CODE that complements messages on promotion of safe and child friendly neighborhoods/quartiers/communes in coordination with the MINDDEVEL working group and UNICEF ;
• Conduct online consultation and group meetings to present and validate the content from the CODE based on the sectors/groups.

Result 3- Translating the user-friendly CODE onto a NICT identified platform :

• Based on the agreed NICT platform, develop a test site to ensure feedback and usage from identified actors including technical working group of MINDDEVEL are provided ;
• Roll out the NICT platform with all elements of the CODE functional and accessible for all identified audience members ;
• Ensure a child friendly version site is linked to the NICT platform and tested by children to ensure its versatility and applicability ;
• Provide online workshops and webinar sessions to group of actors to promote the function and use of the digitalized CODE on the NICT platform ;
• Develop a 1-minute user friendly YouTube uploaded video to inform on what is the Code of Decentralization all about ;
• Arrange for an agreement with key NICT technical persons to provide continued support to the NICT platform to address any glitches, small fixes, and improvement to the digital site ;
• Develop a 15 maximum slide power point presentation to be presented to MINDDEVEL and other partners on how to maneuver through the digital platform for the CODE ;
• Develop a final consultancy report that provides completion of all tasks and any key recommendations.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

EDUCATION : Advanced university degree in Law, Social Policy, Public Policy and/or Public Administration, Economics or other relevant discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE :

• Translating the legal CODE into user friendly language ;
• Minimum of 05 years of professional work experience in the area of public administration, decentralization, local governance, and/or legal practitioner in Cameroon ;
• Expertise and understanding of central, regional and communal level public administration, planning, and policy development ;
• Strong legal language and ability to translate legal language to user friendly language ;
• Experience on preparing and/or contribution towards the drafting of the Code of Decentralization an asset ;
• Expertise in research skills in sourcing data and evidence from multiple web-based, printed document sources ;
• Ability to write well in French required with advance use of WORD, Power Point, Excel programmes.

Digitalization :

• Minimum of 05 years of professional work experience in the area of digitalization including web-based design and/or mobile/iPad/computer application programming ;
• Expertise on the usage and development of new information communication technology (NICT) ;
• Expertise and understanding management of information and data on digital platforms ;
• Digital platform development, website development, app programming and application ;
• Advanced knowledge of word, Excel,power point, Cameroon legal code knowledge,Internet navigation and research skills,Digital platform development, website development, app programming and application.

LANGUAGES : Fluency in English and French is required.

 

Condition of work :

The consultant should have a laptop with Yaounde as a work base.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

 

Remarks :

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.