Consultancy: Review of Toolkit and Adaptation of Support Spaces before Covid19 for Continuous Operations

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Thursday 15 Oct 2020 at 04:55 UTC

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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

As of September 2020, approximately 5 million Venezuelans have left their country, many of them are in transit in countries of the region. Given the large number of arrivals, largely into Venezuela's neighboring countries, national capacities have been overburdened and are unable to adequately meet the needs of refugees and migrants. During this displacement, women, men, girls and boys are exposed to risks and protection needs, which increases their vulnerability.

At border areas, along the transit routes and in host communities, the presence of smuggling and trafficking networks, forceful recruitment, child labour, sexual and labour exploitation, acts of discrimination and xenophobia, among others, have been identified. As a result, the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of refugees and migrants continues to deteriorate.

The limited access to reliable information on safe routes, basic services, climatic and geographical conditions, support systems and assistance, continues to be an additional challenge to guarantee the protection of refugees and migrants from Venezuela. Enormous efforts have been put in place by governments and humanitarian actors to respond urgently to the situation of Venezuelans in the region, by prioritizing assistance and resources, developing tools and response mechanisms.

As part of the efforts to improve access to services for the refugee and migrant population, within the framework of The Regional Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela, the Support Spaces is an interagency initiative managed under the leadership of UNHCR, UNICEF and RET International.

The aim of the Support Space is to provide a space for frontline support for Venezuelan women, men, girls and boys of diverse backgrounds who are on the move or residing in different countries in the region through both direct and referral services.

A package of standardized services is provided in these Support Spaces in key locations, in communities and along the route. The Support Spaces work as hubs, to provide information and orientation on vital services and programs, as well as individual counselling, psychological first aid, safe play areas and basic services and assistance. It ensures the safe identification and referral of persons with specific needs and at heightened risk, including facilitating family reunification.

One year after having a series of tools to support national platforms in the implementation of the initiative at the local and national level, as well as the effects caused by COVID-19 in the region, through this consultancy the Support Spaces Regional Working Group, aims to review the tools, adapt it to the context of the pandemic and make the necessary adjustments based on the feedback received during the implementation this year. At the same time, this review will be complementary to the efforts being made by UNICEF to continue with the strengthening of capacities through e-learning resources to improve interventions to address protection needs.

For every child, protection

Purpose of the Job

The Regional Support Spaces Working Group with the support of UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is seeking a Consultant to conduct a revision of the toolkit, make the necessary adaptations and adjustments in the framework of the Support Spaces implementation.

How can you make a difference?

Specific Tasks

The consultant in coordination with the Support Spaces Regional Coordination Group -, will lead the review of Support Spaces toolkit and adaptations performing the following tasks:

  • Review materials and tools available at regional and national levels focused on assistance and support structures for refuges and migrants;
  • Review modalities, types of structures, services provided, capacities, impact and coordination with host communities;
  • Hold consultations with national and local operational staff;
  • Update the existing toolkit (second version);
  • Provide suggestions and guidance on the necessary adjustments and adaptations for the implementation of the Support Spaces;
  • Update an e-learning package including training modules and exercises according to the needs report that will be provided by the coordination group.

Expected Results

The following results are expected at the end of the consultancy:

  • Updated and adapted Support Spaces toolkit contextualized to the emerging needs and COVID-19 response.
  • Updated training package (e-learning) for the implementation of the toolkit and based on the results of the questionnaire on capacity building needs.
  • Report on recommendations, challenges and good practices for the implementation of Support Spaces.

All the deliverables will be presented in English and Spanish.

Deliverables

  • Final updated and adapted Tool kit to respond to COVID-19 (draft toolkit 17 Feb 2021) 60 days 15 March 2021.
  • Final Support Spaces online training package (draft training package 09 April 2021) 30 days 03 April 2021.
  • Final Report on recommendations, challenges and good practices for the implementation of Support Spaces. (draft report 14 May 2021) 15 days 31 May 2021.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

  • Education: Advanced university degree in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, political science, international relations) or international development or directly related technical fields, in combination with an academic background/ research.
  • Work Experience: Significant experience of at least 10 years in emergencies (protection in emergencies). Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations an asset.
  • Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge on Portuguese will be considered an asset.
  • Technical knowledge: Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting complex, multistakeholder and multi-country studies, guidelines and tools working with a team of researchers, development of training and methodological materials.
  • Other skills and attributes: Familiar with the development of guidelines for protection in humanitarian settings; Strong quantitative, qualitative and analytical research skills; Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks within agreed deadlines and with attention to details.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.

UNICEF competencies: building and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically, works collaboratively with others and nurtures, and, leads and manages people

Supervision: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist [Emergency], LACRO; and in close collaboration with the Regional Support Spaces Coordination Group represented by UNHCR and RET International. Each draft output will be reviewed by the noted coordination group and comments provided within a 2-week period to guide the consultant in the outputs finalization.

Workplace: The consultant will work remotely, home-based using his/her personal premises, equipment and tools. The consultant will be required to use Skype/Zoom to facilitate communication. If travel is necessary, it will be coordinated and agreed with the supervisor.

Duration: Estimated start date of this individual contract is November 2020.

How to apply: Application should be submitted online and should include CV, cover letter and financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

Remarks:

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.

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.

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.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org