Consultancy (National Consultant) - Preliminary Review of Corporal Punishment in Malaysia, Putrajaya/Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian Only)

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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.

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BACKGROUND

Preventing and responding to all forms of violence against children is a key priority for UNICEF and is recognized as an issue that requires multi sectoral response from protection, education, health, and communications in order to ensure effective attention and results.

The UN Secretary General’s report on Violence Against Children (VAC), issued in 2006, provided a global overview, and presented the scale and magnitude of the problem of VAC, noting that violence occurs in homes, schools, communities, and institutions, as well as online.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT:

The issue of violence against children, including corporal punishment, has received increased attention in Malaysia. Corporal Punishment can be defined as any physical force used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light, as well as non-physical forms of punishment that are cruel and degrading

Malaysia is a signatory to the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC) but has maintained reservations on 8 articles including Article 37: Torture and deprivation of liberty, that includes corporal punishment. Within the legal perspective, Article 89 of the Penal Code (Act 574) allows corporal punishment under good faith for persons under twelve years old subject to proviso stated in the act. This is also supported by article 350 in the Penal Code on the Prohibition of Criminal Force, illustrating that a teacher caning a scholar is not unlawful.

In schools, corporal punishment is lawful for boys as stated in Education Regulations (Student Discipline) 2006, under the Education Act 2006. Under regulation 6 of the Act, Head teachers are given the power to execute corporal punishment in the form of caning on the hand or their bottom only for boys, depending on the graveness of the offence. In contrast, corporal punishment on girls is strictly prohibited.

Numerous global and regional studies provide substantial evidence that describes the long-lasting harmful effects of corporal punishment on children. More than 250 studies conducted and compiled by EndCorporalPunishment highlight the relationship between corporal punishment and a wide range of negative outcomes that include direct physical harm, negative impacts on mental and physical health, poor moral internalization and increased antisocial behaviour, increased aggression in children and in increased violent and criminal behaviours as adults.

Based on the overview above, UNICEF Malaysia is committed to pursue work around corporal punishment as it is in violations of a Child’s Rights and will have a harmful impact on children both in the short and longer term. Taking action to end corporal punishment is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals Target 16.2; ending abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment. In response to this growing protection threat, UNICEF and partner agencies have developed the “StandTogether” initiative to promote positive reinforcement approach, emphasizing that we need to use Kindness to create cultural and behavioural change instead of punishment and acts of physical or emotional/psychological violence. UNICEF is also undertaking a research on corporal punishment in school as a part of the #Stand Together initiative.

At present in Malaysia, efforts to address corporal punishment are challenged due to the lack of data/ evidence and knowledge/awareness on the current situation. More information is needed to better understand the situation of corporal punishment in schools, at home, and in the community.

The purpose of the consultancy is therefore to conduct a desk review on corporal punishment in Malaysia, based on existing data and studies available, conduct a series of consultations/discussions with experts in the subject matter, and produce a working document that outlines key recommendations and strategies to be adopted by the country office to pursue work on the issue. This consultancy will thus lay the foundations of establishing a safer environment, in school, at home and in the community for children

SCOPE OF WORK

The specific objectives of this consultancy are:

1) Conduct a desk review on the current situation of corporal punishment in schools, at home and in the community. The desk review will also include a review of all available research on corporal punishment and positive discipline in Malaysia and provide an analysis of the legal and social landscape of corporal punishment in the country. The desk review analysis must incorporate intersectional perspectives (such as age, gender, disability, race/ethnicity amongst others) which may impact corporal punishment prevalence in school, at home and the wider community

2) Conduct a desk review to compile the available resources and materials on strategies to end corporal punishment in the region and globally, with a focus on ASEAN countries/guidance as much as possible and recommend key strategies that could be adapted in Malaysia. These recommendations must incorporate intersectional perspectives of age, gender, and disability.

3) Coordinating and conducting consultation process on corporal punishment with subject matter experts, including parents, caregivers, students and youths, and the Ministry of Education as well as Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

4) Identify key strategic areas to pursue work on ending corporal punishment at home and at school at the policy, community and individual level (including key social, cultural, gender and disability norms to be addressed).

5) Identify behavior change intervention aims and strategic areas to inform the development of a Behavioral Change Strategy

6) Produce a full report which collates and analyses the findings from the desk reviews, consultation process and provides key recommendations and action targeting UNICEF and relevant stakeholders such as Government, CSOs, Religious Authorities

7) Produce a report that summarizes the desk reviews, consultation process and key recommendations and action points for the country office to continue work on ending corporal punishment in Malaysia.

MODE OF CONSULTANCY:

1) The consultancy will be undertaken remotely where the consultant is expected to make his/her own arrangements on accommodation, prepare his/her own ICT settings etc, and will be provided with a UNICEF email

2) The consultant will be expected to make his/her own arrangement for accommodation and transport to and from the office, should the need arises

3) A monthly work plan will be developed outlining expected deliverables at the beginning of every month

4) Payments in ringgits will be done upon completion of each deliverables in Ringgit Malaysia

5) UNICEF will pay for travel costs relevant to the assignment as per the organizational guideline.

WORK ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

1) Inception report. (Deliverables: This document will include : detailed timeline for deliverable B-G, research methods and tools, identification of participants to include in consultations and methodology, identification of resources/contacts needed from UNICEF to facilitate desk review and consultations. (i.e. grey literature etc)). (Timeline: Aug 2021)

2) Situational Analysis. (Deliverables: Conduct a desk review on the current situation of corporal punishment in school, at home and in the community. The desk review should include an overview of the legal perspective, available researches on corporal punishment and positive discipline in Malaysia and a social norms perspective of corporal punishment in the country.) (Timeline: Sept 2021)

3) Desk Review of Best Practices. (Deliverables: Conduct a desk review to compile the available resources and materials on strategies to end corporal punishment and recommend key strategies that could be adapted in Malaysia.) (Timeline: Sept 2021)

4) Consultation with Subject Matter Expert. (Deliverables: Conduct and coordinate the consultation process on corporal punishment with subject matter experts and Ministry of Education.) (Timeline: Oct 2021)

5) Identification of evidence-based behaviour change interventions (specific to social norms). (Deliverables: Identify behaviour change intervention aims and strategic areas to inform the development of a Behavioural Change Strategy.) (Timeline: Oct 2021)

6) Final report. (Deliverables: Produce a full report which collates and analyses the findings from the desk reviews, consultation process and provides key recommendations and action targeting UNICEF and relevant stakeholders such as Government, CSOs, Religious Authorities, taking into consideration their workplans and priorities.) (Timeline: Nov 2021)

7) Presentation of final report to key stakeholder. (Deliverables: Presentation of key findings, recommendations and actions outlined in the full report. Target audience are UNICEF, government stakeholders, academia, CSOs and NGOs.) (Timeline: Dec 2021)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1) A degree in Sociology, psychology, behavioural sciences, law or relevant degree (first degree essential, graduate degree preferred) in the relevant social sciences field, practical experience in conducting a social analysis on social norms or related areas.

2) At least 5 years of working experience in the field.

Work Experiences:

A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas required: social sciences, behavioural sciences, research, social norms, or any relevant social sciences field.

Language:

Fluence in English and Bahasa Malaysia are required

Competencies:

1) Professional and/or practical experience in conducting a social analysis on social norms related areas

2) Excellent research skills and experience writing reports and technical documents which are factually accurate, include references, with strong attention to detail

3) Knowledge and understanding of the national laws and policies, as well as international human rights standards and conventions with regards to children

4) Ability to engage with a wide range of partners, such as government, private, academia and civil society organizations

5) Excellent networking and interpersonal communication skills

6) Understanding of UNICEF’s work in Malaysia

7) Ability to conceptualize and articulate ideas in a clear and concise form

8) Ability to take initiative and to work with minimum supervision

Administrative Details:

1) Home Based

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• A Cover Letter
• CV
• Proposed monthly fee (kindly indicate your proposed monthly fee in Ringgit)
• Signed P11 form (which can be retrieved at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html)

*Kindly attached the above in your application profile

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org