Individual Consultant for Comprehensive Sexuality Education for the Spotlight Initiative (Nationals of Guyana)

Contract

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Background

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. It was launched in September 2017 by the UN Secretary-General and the EU High Representative and Vice President (HRVP). The 500 million Euro Initiative provides a model for partnerships with donors, civil society, and the UN to deliver on the SDGs in a comprehensive manner leveraging comparative expertise. SDG 5 and the achievement of gender equality are placed at the centre of efforts (alongside Goal 16) with the aim to provide an enabling environment for the implementation of all goals.

UNICEF Guyana is expected to contribute and lead several Spotlight Pillars. For Pillar 3 which addresses Prevention, it is recognized that that favourable social norms, attitudes and behaviours should be promoted at the community and individual level to prevent Violence Against Women and Children (VAWG), including family violence. It must be noted that transforming norms is critical to prevention and evidence shows that changing norms requires a lifecycle and holistic approach. To shift social norms, attitudes, and behaviours towards acceptance of gender equality multisectoral collaboration is required to support these efforts at the individual, institutional and community levels.

Recognising that it is vital to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will empower them to realize their health, well-being and dignity, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). The CSE aims to have children and young people develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own wellbeing and that of others; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives. Building upon the Health and Family Life Education ( HFLE) the programme will ensure that the CSE delivered is gender-transformative, through addressing unequal or harmful gender norms, questioning gender stereotypes, and preparing children to face gender-based violence both inside and outside of schools.

The school settings provide an important opportunity to reach large numbers of young people with sexuality education before they become sexually active, as well as offer an appropriate structure within which to receive CSE systematically over time. Additionally, teachers remain central to the process given their critical role in the effective delivery of sexuality education with the right knowledge, skills, and comfort levels. This information guides the learners through adolescence and enables them to make responsible decisions that impact their current and future sexual and reproductive health and overall well-being. Likewise, adequate preparation of teachers ensures delivery of accurate and age-appropriate CSE information to learners for responsible decision making regarding their SRH needs. Parents play a central role in shaping the behaviour of their children throughout the development years. Research indicates that parents who discuss or provide sexuality education to their children have a far-reaching impact on the decisions that their children make regarding their sexual and reproductive health and general behaviour. Such children are more likely to delay the onset of first sexual activity, have fewer sexual partners and more likely to use contraceptives and condoms as compared to their peers who do not discuss issues of sexuality with their parents.

Within Pillar 3 of the Guyana Spotlight Initiative programme, the consultant is expected to provide data and strengthening of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) module within the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme. This will support the enhanced implementation of CSE within schools. Additionally, this will support efforts to deliver CSE at community levels as well as efforts to develop community-based programmes and resource manuals that aid behaviour change intervention efforts.

Recognising some of the most promising methods of promoting gender equality and effectiveness in reducing violence towards women and girls, this intervention seeks to address school-based interventions as well as community-level interventions. School-based interventions, within school settings, will target school-aged children; an age at which it is perceived that gender attitudes and behaviours are not deeply ingrained. Community-level interventions will aim to effect behaviour change at the level of individuals and across entire communities, by addressing gender norms and attitudes; whilst addressing the empowerment of women and girls and whilst enlisting men and boys as partners against gender-based violence. Social and Behaviour Change interventions will also be employed to challenge gender norms and attitudes and raise awareness throughout communities of violent behaviour towards women and girls and how to prevent it.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose

Under the overall supervision of the Youth and Adolescent Officer of UNICEF, the Consultant will be in close collaboration with the UNICEF team and stakeholders [inclusive of the Ministry of Education and other relevant UN organizations with expertise and interest in CSE, such as UNESCO and UNFPA] and will:

1. provide quantitative and qualitative information of selected HFLE teachers in identified regions on positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence, CSE and the root cause of violence in Regions 1,4,6,7. 2. develop manuals to be used with 1) teachers and the Cyril Potter College of Education- CPCE , 2) FBOs and CSOs, as well as to develop classroom sessions for children to address positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence 3. build the capacity of teachers, CSOs and FBOs to apply the positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence 4. develop programme and community engagement manual for in-school children and out-of-school adolescents and youth on gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence to address positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related and the root cause of violence in Regions 1,4,6,7.

SCOPE

o Using the International technical guidance on sexuality education, a tool published by UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and WHO, the consultant will review and identify gaps in current HFLE curricula as it pertains to GBV, CSE delivery and strengthening of the HFLE curriculum against international best practices and, specifically, the International Technical Guidance (ITG). o An assessment of selected HFLE teachers, children, faith-based and community leaders as well as community members will be done by the consultant in the targeted Spotlight regions, on a positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence, and CSE. o Development of a manual to be used with teachers and CPCE to address positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence will be required of the consultant. o Development of classroom sessions and community engagement manual for in-school children and out-of-school adolescents and youth on gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence to address positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related and the root cause of violence in the targeted Spotlight regions will be executed by the consultant. o The selected consultant will be expected to support the capacity strengthening of teachers, CSOs, FBOs, community leaders, faith-based leaders, and community members to address gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related violence to address positive life-cycle approach to sexuality, gender equity norms/attitudes and behaviours, gender-related and the root cause of violence in the targeted Spotlight regions. o In order to successfully complete the tasks the Consultant will gather information from the hinterland, rural and coastal areas in Guyana. The Consultant is expected to review and be informed by the findings of the formative assessment of the CSE through HFLE and draft Out of School CSE toolkit currently being developed under the Regional Spotlight Initiative programme.

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

-An Advanced Degree (Masters) in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work. Specialisation in research, development of manuals and training experience will be added advantages

- A Guyanese national - At least 3-5 years’ experience in research, training - Proven skills in the areas of programme development writing manuals, curricula development, and programme implementation - Experience in knowledge management (including the writing of case studies) or other demonstrated experience. - Knowledge and expertise in Gender issues, Social norms and comprehensive sexuality education and human-based approaches - Experience in leading or working with teams - Ability to interact with ease with UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant stakeholders - Willingness to travel to out-of-town areas (when needed). - Ability to work independently and reached for all cases. - Excellent teamwork skills - Ability to network - Ability to be creative and propose solutions to bottlenecks - Good writing skills

-Previous experience with the United Nations will be an asset

Please access the complete Terms of Reference: TOR for Comprehensive Sexuality Education Consultancy.pdf

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.

All Candidates must submit a technical and financial proposal together with their application

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:

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.