Home-based Consultant: IPV and MHPSS programming for military service members/veterans and families (50 working days) - Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

Contract

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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.

And we never give up.

For every child, safety.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 3 women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence from a current or former male intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. Survivors can be profoundly affected by the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV), including damage to the physical, sexual, reproductive, and mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals and families.

It is well documented that armed conflict increases instances of partner violence, and the unique stressors of military life and readjustment to civilian life following military duty have been documented to impact relationship satisfaction and vulnerability factors and may lead to higher rates of IPV. Research indicates that women whose partners have been involved in conflict are more exposed to physical and/or sexual violence than those whose partners have not. The unique risk factors for IPV perpetration among military personnel and veterans include witnessing and experiencing abuse in childhood, previous violence victimization and perpetration, social deprivation, substance abuse disorders, and mental health disorders. Indeed, a growing evidence base links mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD with increased risk of IPV perpetration. Occupation-specific risk factors have also been identified, with evidence suggesting that length of deployment and combat stress are associated with increased domestic violence (DV) perpetration. Given the current participation of military service men and women in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as the prevalence of gender-based violence prior to the full-scale conflict, these trends are concerning.

There is strong evidence indicating that intimate partner violence against women often intersects with violence against children. Research shows that children raised in homes where partner violence occurs are more likely to experience violent discipline by both male and female caregivers. Violent discipline and intimate partner violence have similar consequences for children’s and women’s health. Children’s exposure to either violent discipline or IPV is associated with negative impacts on their physical and mental health, their cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral development, and their educational outcomes. Research also demonstrates that experiencing childhood violence increases boys’ risk of perpetration and girls’ risk of experiencing IPV in adolescence or adulthood.

These risks are compounded by the recognition that humanitarian crises affect women and girls differently and disproportionately, including disproportionate physical and mental health impacts compounded by reduced access to healthcare; an increase in the burden of care and unpaid labor; disproportionate losses of economic and educational opportunities; unequal access to humanitarian assistance, information and resources; and increased rates of violence again women and girls. As a result, the linkages between IPV and service or former service as a member of the armed forces, particularly within humanitarian settings, is being increasingly recognized as requiring specific attention.

The implications for gender-based violence (GBV) and MHPSS integrated service delivery with veterans, their partners and families in community-based settings, are significant. There is a need for all service providers to be cognizant of specific risks to survivors who experience violence from a current or former member of the armed forces, as well as the intersectionality with violence against children. The importance of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) as a part of GBV prevention, risk and response programming, should be considered, given that mental health and psychosocial reactions and conditions are both a risk factor for the perpetration of IPV, and an outcome of the impacts of IPV. Addressing the mental health and psychosocial needs of survivors and those disproportionately at risk of GBV is critical to promoting healing and amplifying positive outcomes across development.

Scope of Work

To support UNICEF’s GBV and MHPPS interventions in addressing the links between intimate partner violence and military service members and veterans, and the intersections with violence against girls and boys, the consultant will be responsible for the following scope of work:

1. In-depth reviews of existing global best-practices in relation to 1) working with military service members/veterans and their families to prevent and mitigate the risks of IPV and other types of violence within the family and 2) in relation to working with survivors of IPV and child survivors of violence

• The in-depth reviews should include including:
  • Evidence-based MHPSS interventions that support IPV and domestic violence (DV) prevention (not to be confused with programmes engaging with perpetrators of violence, which are outside of the scope of this review):
  • programs for military service members/veterans that prevent IPV/DV
  • programs for partners and family members of service members/veterans that prevent IPV/DV
  • programs for military service members/veterans and partners/family members together that prevent IPV/DV
  • Evidence-based MHPSS interventions for survivors of IPV and child survivors of domestic violence in military service members’/veterans’ families (including focus on how to deal with anticipated barriers to seeking support):
  • programs for partners of services members/veterans that have survived IPV
  • programs for children of service members/veterans that have survived domestic violence
  • programs for children of service members/veterans that have witnessed IPV
  • Best practices for service providers in responding to disclosures of IPV and/or domestic violence in the context of MHPSS interventions, with focus on those targeting veterans and their families (to include family or couples-interventions). Attention should be paid to include interventions that are supporting safety.
• Although global in scope, reviews should include specific focus on programming associated with the Ukraine emergency response through a basic rapid mapping of relevant programming in Ukraine and neighboring countries, or other countries in the region. The consultant will connect with UNICEF colleagues in the Ukraine country office and in neighbouring countries to support identification of relevant programming.
• The in-depth mapping will include a literature review focused on the evidence for programs and should draw on existing literature reviews on the links between veterans and IPV, including that completed by the GBV AoR Help Desk.

2. Drawing from the reviews and in consultation with regional and country colleagues, develop a basic toolkit for the region, to include technical guidance notes and associated brief training materials for 1) MHPSS Specialists, 2) GBV service providers, and 3) other multisectoral frontline workers (e.g., social workers, youth workers, teachers, legal professionals, health professionals, etc.) working with military service members/veterans. Materials should include:

• Overview of the elevated risk of IPV and intersection with violence against children amongst families with military service members and veterans.
• Best practices/recommendations for prevention of IPV/DV and support to survivors and children of service members/veterans who have witnessed IPV.
• Recommendations for response to disclosures of violence, including in the context of specialized MHPSS services such as couples and family counselling (i.e. decision-making as to whether the intervention continues, what adaptations and safety measures need to be put in place if the intervention continues, and how to make safe referrals to address the needs of the survivor and co-survivors). This note may reference/build on existing resources used with general populations by specifying unique considerations for work with military/veteran families.
• Unique considerations regarding barriers to disclosure in military/veteran families and strategies for increasing help-seeking.

3. Conduct an online learning session for regional and country level UNICEF colleagues including an overview of the reviews and the guidance.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks / Milestone******Deliverables / Outputs******Timeline / DeadlineThe Consultant will develop an inception report describing consultancy methodology and structure of reviews and programmatic framework to be shared with supervisors for input and approval.Inception report3 working days;

By 19 April 2024

The Consultant will conduct in-depth reviews of existing global best-practices in relation to 1) working with military service members/veterans and their families to prevent and mitigate the risks of IPV and other types of violence within the family and 2) in relation to working with survivors of IPV and child survivors of violence, as well as mapping of relevant programming in Ukraine response settings.Reviews and mapping20 working days;

By 20 May 2024

The Consultant will develop a toolkit for the region informed by results of the reviews and consultations.Toolkit20 working days;

By 30 June 2024

The Consultant will conduct an online learning workshop with regional and country level UNICEF colleagues to share products and gather input.Learning workshop3 working days;

12 July 2024

The consultant will develop a final report package consisting of finalized reviews and toolkit (incorporating colleague feedback) and including recommendations for next steps.Final report package4 working days;

By 26 July 2024

Estimated Duration of the Contract

50 working days between April and July 2024.

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be remote/home-based with no travel foreseen.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 50 working days to undertake this assignment.

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

• Master's degree in child protection; psychology; social work
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including focus on intimate partner violence and violence against children.
• Strong knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programming, including focus on children and caregivers in adversity.
• Prior experience, including intervention work and/or research, focused on miliary service members/veterans and family members and/or work with girls affiliated wiht armed groups is strongly desired.
• Knowledge of the Europe and Central Asia context, including the Ukraine emergency response is desired.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrable experience in conducting programmatic reviews and development of programmatic frameworks, including with focus on GBV and MHPSS.
• Experience (remote and in-country) supporting a diverse range of UN agencies, NGOs (international and local), academic institutions, governments in the areas of GBV, MHPSS, child protection, health, education, etc

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family 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:

Please include a full CV and Cover Letter in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.