Consultancy - Strengthening approaches to prevention and linkage response to violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) and potentials for integrated services in LAC-Ho

Contract

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Background

In 2019 UNICEF, UNFPA, PAHO and UN Women undertook a study to explore the intersections between violence against girls and boys and violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean. The results of this study indicate that these intersections can be analysed from several aspects: i) Gender-based violence suffered from childhood, which begins in many cases during childhood and adolescence, and affects mainly girls, through sexual violence, incest, child marriages and early child unions, and intimate partner violence ; ii) the coexistence of violence against women and violence against children in the same family with consequences that extend into adulthood and promote an intergenerational reproduction of violence; iii) gender and social norms in childhood, adolescence and adults with a high degree of permissiveness, and including the naturalization of gender violence and violence against children, which causes the justification of these practices, the lack of reporting, the lack of access to justice and the high rates of impunity and finally, iv) The impact of intimate partner violence against women on girls and boys as witnesses.

Based on these findings, and within the Latin America Regional Spotlight Programme[1], UNICEF and UNFPA decided to deepen the analysis of these interrelationships, identifying challenges, risks and opportunities to technically guide both prevention and response services to violence against women as well as prevention and response services to violence against children, to advance in its linkages, coordination and strengthening of gender and generational approaches, with the aim of addressing service gaps, with a particular focus on adolescent girls.

In this context, a mapping of experiences was developed linking the response to violence against women and the response to violence against children in the countries of the Latin American and Hispanic Caribbean region. Based on the mapping, an analysis of promising practices and the dialogue with the countries, an analysis of the opportunities and challenges in linking the VAC and VAW and technical / programmatic guidelines to promote integrated services between both was prepared.

As part of this process, UNICEF and UNFPA provided technical and financial assistance to Montevideo’s Intendency - Uruguay (Governmental Institution in charge of the of the Department of Montevideo) in the construction of the pilot service proposal for the sons and daughters of survivors of gender-based violence, based on a gender-responsive and intergenerational approach. The logic framework of the pilot service was also developed and is expected to start being implemented for 1 year beginning in September 2021.

To strengthen the aforementioned results, it is necessary to continue supporting Montevideo’s Intendency in the implementation of the pilot program for the sons and daughters of survivors of gender-based violence, since the monitoring of the program and the learning from the implementation will be of great use to scale the program at the national level; as well as replicating it in other countries in the region.

In the same way, within the framework of the Caribbean Regional Spotlight Program, particularly within Pillar 2 around Institution Strengthening, there is an opportunity to adapt and apply the service mapping methodology previously developed to address intergenerational impacts of VAWG, shared risk factors and norms and co-existence by identifying promising practices of integrated services for VAW and VAC and outlining risks and benefits of integrated services with mitigation pathways. This would amplify the existing data from the foundational study that includes data from the non-Spanish Speaking Caribbean. This will also promote both learning among Spotlight Programs and ensure Caribbean-specific recommendations to respond to gendered forms of family violence (focus of Caribbean Regional Spotlight Program).

[1] The Regional Spotlight Program promoted within the framework of the alliance between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) aims to promote strategies to prevent and provide a comprehensive response to violence against girls and women and to femicide / feminicide in the Latin American region, particularly in Central America.

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac).

For every child, support

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the overall guidance of the LACRO Gender and Development Officer in collaboration with the LACRO Child Protection Specialist, and the Caribbean Regional Spotlight Coordinator and Uruguay Child Protection Specialist for identified deliverables, the consultant will:

• Support dissemination of regional programmatic guidelines to promote integrated services between prevention and response to violence against women and prevention, protection, and response services to violence against children.
• Provide technical assistance to implementing pilot service proposal for the sons and daughters of survivors of gender-based violence in Uruguay and other LA country (to be determined).
• Deepen the analysis on the intersections between Violence against Women and Violence against Children and generate technical guidelines for integrated services for women and child protection systems based on a mapping of experiences and stakeholder dialogue with Caribbean Regional bodies in the Dutch, English and French-speaking Caribbean region (Caribbean Regional Spotlight Program).

As this consultancy is part of an interagency program between UNICEF and UNFPA, the reviews will include the participation of both agencies. Initial, intermediate, and final meetings will be held between the consultant and the two agencies.

How can you make a difference?

Specific Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the LACRO Gender and Development Officer, and in collaboration with LACRO Child Protection Specialist, the Caribbean Regional Spotlight Coordinator and Uruguay Child Protection Specialist for identified deliverables, the consultant will engage in the following key activities:

1. Prepare a work plan that includes methodology and timeline.

2. Dissemination of the results of the mapping and technical guidance document to link VAW and VAC services in Latin America and the Hispanic Caribbean with internal partners (UNICEF and UNFPA) and external partners (Community of Practice of the Essential Services Program).

3. Support Uruguay Pilot:

1. Provide technical support to the Uruguayan team for the implementation of the pilot service for the care of children of female survivors of violence in Montevideo.
2. Support the monitoring implementation of the pilot service, identifying relevant lessons learned, as well as in the follow-up to the systematization of the experience in Uruguay.
3. Develop a final document with the systematization of the pilot services including lessons learned and recommendations to implement similar services in the country.
4. Update the technical guidance document based on the lessons learned identified in the implementation of the pilot service in Uruguay.

4. Adapt and replicate service mapping methodology in the Caribbean, within Caribbean Regional Spotlight Program including:

1. Preparation of a report based on mapping, systematization and analysis of experiences that link the response to violence against women and the response to violence against children in the Caribbean countries.
2. Analysis of the main risks / challenges for linking and coordinating services for violence against women and child protection services.
3. Critical analysis with representatives of the agencies, representatives of civil society, service providers and / or experts on the subject, through online interviews or virtual discussion groups, to identify technical guidelines that strengthen the linkage of the systems protection of children with services for attention to violence against women.
4. Publishable document analysing opportunities and challenges in linking VAC and VAW and technical / programmatic guidelines to promote integrated services between both, based on the analysis of promising practices identified in the region and dialogue with the countries.
5. Webinar for dissemination of the results.

Expected Results:

At the end of the contract the contractor will have achieved the following results:

- 2 Reports

- 3 Webinar dissemination

- 1 Systematization document

- 1 Mapping document

- 1 Presentation

- 1 Policy Paper

Deliverables

Description****Duration (in days)****Expected deadline1. Work plan that includes methodology and timeline and Report summarising dissemination of the results with internal and external partners10 daysSecond month from the start of the contract2. Mapping, systematization and analysis of work experiences that link the response to violence against women and violence against children in the Caribbean15 daysFifth month from the start of the contract3. Document analyzing the main risks / challenges and opportunities for linking and coordinating services for the prevention and response of violence against women and services for the prevention, protection and response of violence against children in the Caribbean10 daysEighth month from the start of the contract4. PPT and policy paper that summarize the results of the consultancy in the Caribbean5 daysEighth month from the start of the contract5. Follow-up and monitoring report on the implementation of the pilot service in Uruguay, including lessons learned and Systematization document of the pilot services including lessons learned and recommendations to implement similar services in the country15 daysEleventh month from the start of the contractTo qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

University degree in Social and human sciences or related areas and postgraduate studies in human rights, women's human rights, children's rights.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of ten [10] years of professional experience in human rights, women's rights, violence against women and children's rights.
• Work experience in research and systematization of experiences on issues related to the human rights of women and children.
• A good understanding of intersections between VAC and VAW.

Languages:

Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of French or Portuguese will be considered an asset.

****Technical skills:****

• Professional technical knowledge and expertise with the United Nations System.
• Extensive knowledge of UNICEF programme work in the LAC Region in the areas of GBV, VAC and VAW.

Other skills:

• Demonstrated excellent skills to write reports.
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to clearly defined objectives and plan activities.
• Demonstrated experience on UNICEF will be an asset.

Supervision:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the LACRO Gender and Development Officer, and in collaboration with LACRO Child Protection Specialist, the Caribbean Regional Spotlight Coordinator and Uruguay Child Protection Specialist for identified deliverables.

As this consultancy is part of an interagency program between UNICEF and UNFPA, the reviews will include the participation of both agencies. Initial, intermediate, and final meetings will be held between the consultant and the two agencies.

Workplace:

This consultancy is remote, home-based.

How to Apply:

Application should be submitted online and should include: Complete online application, Resume, Cover Letter, University Diplomas and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

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. To view our competency framework, please visit here. 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.

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:

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.