National Consultant

 
Background:

In 2014, the Government adopted the Strategy for Demographic Policies 2015-2024, as a comprehensive strategic policy framework, building up on the aims of a previous strategic document (2008-2014), introducing measures to address the factors considered as contributing to the growing population aging and depopulation. In 2008, the first strategic document addressing specific demographic challenges of the country was adopted by the Government (the Strategy for Demographic Development 2008-2015). Following a revision of the Strategy, initiated in 2012, a new strategic document for the period 2014-2024 was adopted (the Strategy on Demographic Policies 2015-2024), along with an Action Plan. 

The preliminary results from the 2021 Census of the population and households, published at the end of March, showed that the total resident population has diminished by almost 10%, with 150,000 less young people than two decades ago. These data revealed only a glimpse of the problems of demographic ageing and depopulation in the country. North Macedonia, as other countries of the Western Balkans, has been heavily hit by dramatic changes in the demographic structure of the population in the past decades, a state that threatens to undermine most developmental efforts.

The fact that the country was unable to conduct a census of the population for almost two decades meant that policy and development initiatives were based on data that did not reflect realities on the ground. Furthermore, the lack of mainstreaming of demographic resilience measures into the policy framework failed to address the issues of outward emigration, and the effects of three decades of political, economic and demographic transition.

The recent publication of the 2021 Census results represents a great momentum for supporting the development of a sound, data-driven strategic framework for addressing demographic challenges and supporting demographic resilience. As a UN agency with a strong mandate in the field of population data and policies, UNFPA has taken the role of convener in the extensive process of mainstreaming demographic resilience principles for future policy development.

UNFPA North Macedonia CO has long standing cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP). Recently, this cooperation was strengthened in the sphere of demographic policies. Namely, initial steps in the development of a comprehensive policy framework that addresses the demographic challenges of the country are being taken. To this end, UNFPA is supporting a review of the effectiveness and impact of the current Strategy on Demographic Policies 2015-2024, aiming to identify and systematise knowledge regarding the course of implementation of the Strategy, ownership and commitment of key institutions, degree of implementation, measurable effects and specific challenges for addressing specific demographic conditions in the wider socio-political and economic context. The review represents one of the initial steps in the assessment and outlining the development of a comprehensive framework of demographic policies that support the demographic resilience of the society. As a follow up to the Ministerial Conference on Demographic Resilience, organised in December 2021 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and in the frame of the Decade of Demographic Resilience 2022-2032 and the launch of the Sofia Alliance, UNFPA will support the national counterparts’ efforts to better understand and anticipate the population dynamics in order to craft appropriate and sustainable measures.

Reporting Arrangements:

The PD Program Analyst  will monitor the implementation per the agreed tasks and timeline specified in this ToR. For all delays in the completion of the tasks, the National Consultant should notify the PD Program Analyst stating the reasons for the delay and proposing alternative actions for completion of the tasks.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

Deliverable

1. Methodology for conducting an evaluation of the implementation of the Strategy for Demographic Policies 2015-2024
2. Draft evaluation report
3. Final evaluation report
    

Monitoring and progress control:

The PD Program Analyst  will monitor the implementation per the agreed tasks and timeline specified in this ToR. For all delays in the completion of the tasks, the National Consultant should notify the PD Program Analyst stating the reasons for the delay and proposing alternative actions for completion of the tasks.

Expected travel: N/A
 

Roles and responsibilities:

The completion of the assignment foresees several activities:

• Preparation of a detailed Methodology for conducting a review of the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the implementation of the Strategy for Demographic Policies 2015-2024 (hereafter the Strategy). The methodology will outline and explain the rationale behind the proposed methodological approach in completing the objectives of the assignment, mapping of the main stakeholder institutions and groups, the key methods for data collection and analysis to be employed, as well as the key stages and timeline of the review process. The methodology will be developed and finalised in close cooperation with the UNFPA North Macedonia CO team and representatives of the MLSP.
   
• Collection and analysis of data. The data collection methods will be specified in the Methodology developed in the frame of Activity 1. The review process is expected to combine several methods, including but not limited to a desk review and analysis of relevant documents (the Strategy and related action plans, associated legal and policy documents, revisions, evaluations and/or reviews, other documents identified in the Methodology), collection of qualitative insights from conducting in-depth interviews (and/or focus groups) with representatives of key stakeholder institutions (the MLSP, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Local Self-Government, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Youth and Sport, the State Statistical Office, academia, CSOs, youth focus groups, elderly persons, the Red Cross, other UN entities, etc.) mandated with the implementation of the Strategy, policy-makers, representatives of academia and other relevant stakeholder groups identified in the process of stakeholder mapping in the frame of the Methodology. The review process may also involve analysis of secondary data on population dynamics, as part of the population dynamics output of the State Statistical Office (SSO) for the period of the implementation of the Strategy.
   
• Data analysis and development of a draft review report. The review report will present the findings of the review process, focussing primarily on:

  a. the relevance of the approach and interventions outlined in the Strategy and the relevant action plans;
  b. the effectiveness of implementation of the Strategy and relevant action plans, as well as the specific measures and/or initiatives designed and implemented in relation to the Strategy;
  c. the impact of the implementation of the Strategy and related action plans and interventions in the period 2015-2021;
  d. identify and elaborate on the different factors that had any impact on the implementation of the measures and interventions outlined in the Strategy and the related documents.

The findings of the draft report will be presented at a meeting with the UNFPA North Macedonia CO and representatives of the MLSP. The NC will address the feedback received in the final report.

• Submission of a final review report. Based on the feedback received from the presentation and review of the draft report, the NC will finalise and submit a final review report, presenting the findings of the research process, as well as key recommendations for further action.
   
• Participation in dissemination of the review report findings, through presentation of the research results and recommendations at a stakeholder meeting, to be organised after the submission of the final review report.
   
• Communication with UNFPA - conduct regular briefings with the PD Team and if necessary presentations to the UN family; alert if issues or concerns arise and seek advice from UNFPA; clear with UNFPA presentations, communication materials before sharing with national partners;

Main outputs of the assignment:

The following outputs are expected to be delivered as part of the assignment:

• A detailed Methodology for conducting an review of the implementation of the Strategy for Demographic Policies 2015-2024 developed, in Macedonian language, finalised in cooperation with the UNFPA North Macedonia CO team and representatives of the MLSP;
• A draft review report developed, in Macedonian language, containing the research findings pertaining to the key aims of the assignment, to be presented and discussed with the UNFPA North Macedonia CO and representatives of the MLSP.
• A final review report developed, in Macedonian language, presenting the research findings and recommendations pertaining to the key aims of the assignment, addressing the feedback received from UNFPA North Macedonia CO and representatives of the MLSP.

Key Deliverables:

• A detailed Methodology for conducting an review of the implementation of the Strategy for Demographic Policies 2015-2024 developed; 
• A draft review report developed, in Macedonian language.
• A final review report developed, in Macedonian language.

Qualifications and Experience needed:

Education:

Master Degree in social sciences, demography, gender/women studies, public policy, development studies or other related fields and development-related disciplines, is required. 

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in performing evaluation of projects/programmes and policies is required;
• Specific knowledge of the demographic context of of North Macedonia will be considered an asset;
• A minimum 5 years of practical experience in analytical work is required;
• Proven experience in working with programmes and projects funded by UN, EU, and other similar international organisations will be considered as an asset,
• Fluency in English and Macedonian is mandatory. Knowledge of other local languages is an advantage.  
• Strong analytical, writing and presentation skills.
• Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of Internet communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), Zoom and MS Teams.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send:

• A short letter of motivation;
• A detailed CV, which should highlight relevant experience in delivering similar work with relevant links;
• Contacts (name, surname, e-mail and telephone number) of two reference persons, who can be contacted if the candidate reaches the final stage of the selection process;
• Examples of previous similar work (optional).
• The application documents should be sent via email with the subject clearly stated "National Consultant – Strategy for Demographic Policies" to north.macedonia@unfpa.org. UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom we have further interest.

Disclaimer:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm