Child Protection Consultant, Manaus, Brazil

Contract

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Since 1950, UNICEF has supported the most important transformation for children and adolescents in Brazil. UNICEF Brazil current Country Programme concentrates efforts towards boys and girls most excluded, vulnerable, and exposed to extreme forms of violence, mainly in the Amazon and Semiarid regions and the peripheral areas of large cities, through the Municipal SELO and Agenda Cidade.

Moreover, through the child protection (CP) programme interventions, psychosocial support activities reached thousands of children and specialized interventions and mobile teams allowed for the identification and referral of hundreds of cases of violence, abuse and neglect to the Child protection statutory services.

This consultant will contribute to the Child Protection Section and strengthen its capacity to respond adequately to the needs of UNICEF EZ Manaus, and will contribute to SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Currently, the EZ Manaus works in close coordination with local authorities, civil society and other UN agencies, in four CP strategic areas: a) migration crisis response and the transition between humanitarian response and development (known as nexus H-D); b) realization of rights of indigenous children and adolescents; c) support to the Amazonas State and municipalities for the realization of children’s rights through the UNICEF Seal; and d) support to the Manaus City through the Agenda Cidade UNICEF.

1. UNICEF’s Office in Manaus have supported since 2018 the migration crisis, building on its development programme to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The Brazilian Federal Government response, known as Operação Acolhida (OA), was launched in February 2018 and is managed by Casa Civil at Federal level, with the Army providing the overall coordination of the response at field level. In 2022, the Operação Acolhida in Manaus started the transition to the local Government, and UNICEF has supported this transition (H-D nexus);
2. UNICEF in the EZ Manaus also supports Child Protection projects with indigenous children and adolescents, in a perspective on guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents in the indigenous villages. In the recent past supported the USAID project, using a safe space and mentorship methodology, adapting the tools and empowering female indigenous leaders to strengthen the local and communities’ protection network. At this moment, UNICEF has started a similar approach in the Yanomami communities;
3. and d) Related to Selo UNICEF and Agenda Cidade, EZ Manaus has supported the CP framework of both strategies, articulating with States, Municipalities, Civil Society and communities, bringing sustainability of public policies, and strengthening local services through a joint action plan with the state and municipal government.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Manaus Chief of Field Office, and with the technical supervision from the Chief of Child Protection in Brasilia, the Consultant will work (below listed) in: (a) 3 products within the Canada Project; (b) 2 products related to the Parintins intervention (Selo UNICEF); (c) 3 products on Humanitarian-Development Nexus; (d) 2 products on #AgendaCidadeUNICEF; and (e) 6 products related to MPT Project.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS:

WORK ASSIGNMENT 1:

• Product 1.1 - Review of Inclusive Guidelines for the Protection of Migrant and Refugee Children, Aligned with Law 13.431: Conduct a review of 1 guidance document, considering a gender and intercultural approach in child protection, aimed at service providers within the child protection system. This document will focus on the inclusion of migrant and refugee children in national procedures for children and adolescent victims and witnesses of violence, as per National Law 13.431/2017 and Decree 9.603/2018 (Canada Project);
• Product 1.2 - Conduct a Training Program on the Implementation of Law 13.431/2017 for Refugee and Migrant Children and Adolescents: Conduct 1 training program on the implementation of the procedures of Law 13.431/2017 for refugee and migrant children and adolescents, to occur in loco, in Manaus (Amazonas) (Canada Project); presential, 2 days, 12 hours, 40 participants;
• Product 1.3 - Delivery of 01 Video and Intervention Report on Protection and Prevention of Exploitation and Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents in the Municipality of Parintins/AM (Selo UNICEF).

TIMELINE - 01 month from the date of contract signature

ESTIMATE BUDGET – 25%

WORK ASSIGNMENT 2:

• Product 2.1 - Development of 01 Final Report about the implementation of UNICEF Office in Manaus in the Project "Protection and Socioeconomic Inclusion for Venezuelan Children" (Canada Project)
• Product 2.2 - Conduct 01 Workshop on Guidelines from CONANDA Resolution 232/2022 to Facilitate the Identification of an Integrated Service Flow for Separated and Unaccompanied Children and Adolescents in Manaus, Considering the Humanitarian, Development Nexus (H-D Nexus); presential, 1 day, 6 hours, 40 participants;
• Product 2.3 - Develop 01 Guide on Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation for Major Events in the State of Amazonas, derived from the Intervention in Parintins within the Selo UNICEF context;
• Product 2.4 - 01 Mentorship Training Program for Indigenous Mentors on Prevention and Protection of Indigenous Children and Adolescents, through the Implementation of Safe Spaces and Alignment with the Local Protection Network (MPT Project); presential, 5 days, 25 hours, 20 participants, in Barcelos and São Gabriel da Cachoeira Municipalities;
• Product 2.5 - 01 Rapid Assessment of Violence, as first step of safe space’s methodology, against Indigenous Children and Adolescents in Yanomami Communities in Barcelos and São Gabriel da Cachoeira Municipalities (MPT Project); presential, 5 days, 25 hours, 20 participants.

TIMELINE- 02 months from the date of contract signature

ESTIMATE BUDGET – 25%

WORK ASSIGNMENT 3:

• Product 3.1 - Development of at least 01 Local Service Flow for Child Victims and Witnesses of Violence, Aligned with Law 13.431, in Partnership with the Community, Civil Society Organizations, and the System for Guarantee of Rights (SGD) related to the #AgendaCidadeUNICEF Initiative;
• Product 3.2 - Conduct the Indigenous Mentors in Creating and Implementing the Safe Spaces methodology for Yanomami Girls and Boys in Barcelos and São Gabriel da Cachoeira Municipalities (MPT Project);
• Product 3.3 - Development, in Partnership with Community Leaders and the Protection Network, of at Least 02 Referral Pathways for Child and Adolescent Victims and Witnesses of Violence in Yanomami Communities in Barcelos and São Gabriel da Cachoeira Municipalities (MPT Project);
• Product 3.4 - Conduct minimum of 2 Workshops on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) within the Operation Acolhida in Manaus; presential, 1 day, 4 hours, 40 participants (H-D Nexus).

TIMELINE - 03 months from the date of contract signature

ESTIMATE BUDGET – 25%

WORK ASSIGNMENT 4:

• Product 4.1 - 01 Workshop for Presentation, Validation, and Conclusion of the Service Flow for Child Victims and Witnesses of Violence, Aligned with Law 13.431, in Partnership with the Community, Civil Society Organizations (OSCs), and the System for Ensuring Rights (SGD), within the #AgendaCidadeUNICEF Initiative; presential, 1 day, 4 hours, 30 participants.
• Product 4.2 - Develop, together with the Implemental Partner, 01 Indigenous Young Communicators Training Program on Prevention and Protection against Violence Targeting Indigenous Children and Adolescents (MPT Project); presential in Manaus, 1 day, 6 hours, 20 participants.
• Product 4.3 - 01 Online Workshop on "Safe Spaces for Yanomami Children and Adolescents", Sharing Experiences from 2023 and Planning for 2024, with the Co-Participation of Indigenous Mentors and Leaders, Young Communicators, and Implementing Partner (MPT Project); online, 2 hours.
• Product 4.4 - 01 Report on Strategic Partnership: between UNICEF, COMPPREMI, and the State Secretariat of Justice, Human Rights, and Citizenship of the State of Amazonas (SEJUSC), Highlighting Actions Undertaken in 2023, Completion of the Super-Panas Strategy Transition, and Possibilities for Training for SGD Staff in 2024 (H-D Nexus);

TIMELINE - 04 months from the date of contract signature

ESTIMATE BUDGET – 25%

TRAVEL PLAN

This Term of Reference include travel for training in Barcelos (8 days) and São Gabriel da Cachoeira (8 days) Municipalites of the Amazonas State (MPT Project) (dates TBD). The cost of travel Plan must be included in the Financial Proposal.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• University degree, in a subject area relevant to the sector: child protection, international human rights, law, education, social protection.
• Extensive work experience relevant to this consultancy may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.
• At least 3 year’s experience in child protection and gender issues.
• Technical knowledge in the agenda related to the rights of children and adolescents.
• Experience with indigenous population.
• Experience of emergency humanitarian response.
• Work experience in Manaus and/or Amazon region is an asset.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Portuguese required (verbal and written)

Working knowledge of English will be an asset

Working knowledge of Spanish will be an asset

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Capacity to work in a high paced environment and to deliver quality and timely results.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software such as SharePoint.
• Experience using Project Management tools.

UNICEF’s Core Values

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

To view our competency framework, please visit: UNICEF Values

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• Consultant will work from home using equipment and stationery from UNICEF. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed;
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis and prior authorization and/or clearance from UNICEF to engage in outside UNICEF activities is required.

Financial Proposal

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Restrictions

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract;
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

Remarks:

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.