Result of Service

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Sustainable Demographic Transition Section or her designate, the consultant is required to draft a working paper in English on the history, status quo and future opportunities of active longevity centers in Kazakhstan and select peer countries, and also provide a Russian language translation of the final paper.

Work Location

Kazakhstan and/or Remotely

Expected duration

30/03/26-15/11/26

Duties and Responsibilities

Demographic changes have been identified as one of the current global megatrends. The Asia-Pacific region as a whole is ageing rapidly. In North and Central Asia, there are countries that are already aged, such as the Russian Federation, as well as countries that are still primarily young, such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. However, the number of older persons and life expectancy are increasing in all countries. At the same time, families are decreasing in size. Availability of family support for older persons diminishes and they more often live alone. Therefore, innovative and comprehensive service provision and support alternatives, including at community and neighborhood levels that enable older persons to “age in place” are needed. Many countries in Asia and the Pacific have successfully kick-started an array of initiatives of older persons’ centers and clubs catering to various socio-economic and health needs, based on different models and approaches. First observed impacts of these centers on older persons, their families and communities are very promising. Collecting evidence more systematically from these first experiences and analyzing it to identify key aspects of how to replicate, adapt, and upscale such community and neighborhood based approaches within diverging country contexts - while making them as effective, inclusive and sustainable as possible - would provide countries with a key practical tool for advancing the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). ESCAP is implementing a project on “Mainstreaming population ageing into policy frameworks in countries in Asia and the Pacific” with a focus on countries of North and Central Asia, seeking to increase policymakers’ awareness and provide policy options to build societies for all ages. With the above in mind, ESCAP seeks to engage a consultant to conduct an analysis of the aims and impacts of neighborhood based active longevity centers in Kazakhstan and to draft a working paper that: · Outlines how and with what objectives active longevity centers were established in Kazakhstan (analyzing enabling factors and inspirations - including from good practices elsewhere, roles of various actors, institutions, policies etc.; as well as gaps and limitations) · Based on collected evidence from and exchange with relevant policymakers, practitioners, and beneficiaries assesses how the various models of active longevity centers in Kazakhstan are performing (against national policy and MIPAA objectives) – identifying successes as well as gaps and limitations) · Compares this performance and learnings with good practices and policies on community-based and neighborhood centers and clubs for older persons in Asia and the Pacific - comparing efficiency, effectiveness, inclusiveness, sustainability etc. of different approaches analyzing their functions, actors and structures etc.), and provides policy recommendations on a) how to progress with active longevity centers in Kazakhstan to deepen and widen their impact, and b) how to successfully introduce them elsewhere (presenting stylized enabling aspects).

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in social or medical sciences required. At least 5 years of work experience conducting research on population ageing, including healthy ageing; as well as experience in working with data and writing analytical reports are required. In-depth knowledge of Kazakhstan’s ageing and longevity institutional and policy environment and first-hand experience with establishing and managing Active Longevity Centers are required. Experience in undertaking qualitative and quantitative research involving policymakers, practitioners and beneficiaries, excellent English drafting skills, and familiarity with the Madrid International Plan of Action are required.

Languages

Fluency in English and Russian is required for this assignment.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Consultant for studies on active longevity centers in Kazakhstan