Individual Contract Child Protection in Emergencies, Brasília, Brazil

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background & Rationale

The economic and political crisis in Venezuela has sent millions of its citizens out of the country in search for a better future. There had been an increase of Venezuelan citizens entering Brazil in the past three years, through Roraima State, on the border with Venezuela, also affecting the States of Para and Amazonas. According to the Brazilian Federal Police, between 2017 and November of 2019, over 500,000 Venezuelans had entered Brazil, with 264,000 requesting regularisation of their migration status.[1] Of these, nearly 130,000 had requested refugee status by November 2019, according the R4V, a UN inter-agency platform for Venezuelan refugees and migrants.[2]

In December 2017, national authorities had declared a state of emergency in the state of Roraima[3], to where most Venezuelans were arriving in vulnerable conditions and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Among them, there was a considerable number of the indigenous people of the Warao and E’ñepá ethnic groups. Women represent around 45% of the Venezuelan migrant population[4].

To respond to the migration crisis, in February 2018, the Brazilian Federal Government issued a Provisional Executive Act 820/20185[5], as well as decrees 9.285/2018[6] and 9.286/2018[7], to provide emergency assistance for the affected population. The Government coordinated the framework on how the Federal Committee on Emergency Assistance should function, also announcing measures to support migrants with the so called “interiorization” strategy (internal relocation). The Act was approved by Congress and turned into Law 13.684[8] in June 21, 2018.

The impact of this sudden influx of migrants was felt at all levels of Government (Federal, State and Municipal), with the administrations attempting to provide services through institutions and programs that were already struggling to furnish Brazilian citizens even before the crisis. Additional findings of UN entities and as reassured by requests for immediate assistance by the Brazilian Government, the pressing humanitarian needs Venezuelans faced confirmed the difficulties of Venezuelans to access emergency shelters, food and non-food items (NFI), health and education systems and assistance and referral services for people in vulnerable situations, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases.

Venezuelan women face additional obstacles to access services and rights, which increases vulnerability and exposure to all types of discrimination and violence. The state of Roraima has the highest rates of feminicide (10 homicides per 100,000 women) and of reported sexual violence in the country. Local protection systems lack personnel, funding and capacity to prevent and respond to SGBV, leading to increasing episodes of discrimination and violence against Venezuelan adolescent girls and women, including sexual exploitation, sexual assault, rape and murder of cis and transgender women, inside and out the shelters.

The situation of migrant children is particularly delicate, with thousands of them exposed to violence on the streets or/and in the precarious improvised shelters where they lived with their caregivers. Despite the efforts made by the education authorities, school attendance is meagre, with a high percentage of children in shelters being out of school. The situation of adolescents is especially alarming: lack of school attendance makes them vulnerable to criminal groups. Pregnancy rates in general (teenage pregnancies in particular) are also a cause for concern, notably among the indigenous migrant groups.

The vulnerabilities of these populations are more and needs extreme urgent and tailored intervention, including strengthening of the local child protection system. The Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP 2023-2024) is to be launched in 2022 with the aim of complementing and strengthening the national responses and regional efforts of governments to respond to the increasing flows of refugees and migrants from Venezuela, will require UNICEF Brasil and other key partners to further develop a longer-term, planned approach to ensure immediate assistance and protection to refugees and migrants. The RMRP guides the actions of the R4V Platform,[9] of which UNICEF is part.

In order to respond to these demands, the Child Protection section is seeking an Individual Contractor with experience in child protection and emergencies to provide high-level technical assistance to counterparts – at national and state level and Zone Offices, regarding child protection in the context of the migrant crisis in Brazil.

Purpose

Under the supervision of the Chief Child Protection, provide high-level technical assistance to support UNICEF’s immediate response in child protection in the context of the (i) Migration Response, (ii) Disaster Risk Reduction, (iv) other humanitarian emergencies, as needed.

Expected results:

The individual contractor should develop the following tasks during the contract, within the framework of current CPD – Outcome 3 (Child Protection) and as part of the Emergency Technical Team (ETT), with special emphasis on the emergency response related to the protection of children on the move from Venezuela, integrating the existing methodologies of interventions that UNICEF Brazil counts with - Municipal Seal (Selo Municipal), Urban Centers Strategy (Agenda Cidade UNICEF)

Result 1: Situation assessments, analysis and reports mechanisms and technical guidance documents are timely delivered monthly.

Activities:

• Participate in UNICEF Emergency Technical Team (ETT) and provide technical advice on child protection intervention in emergencies and on programme planning, monitoring and reporting, at national and subnational levels and in coordination with UNICEF BCO and LACRO team, including the due consideration to child protection concerns and quality validation of the multi-partner needs assessment with focus on children (ISNAC), and the elaboration of the Child Protection in Emergencies section in the Mid-Year Review, Annual Review, RAM Narratives, SMQs, CPD and other relevant planning and monitoring efforts.
• Strengthening of the Emergency Preparedness Planning, including regular update of the Brazil Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Ensure the documentation of innovative practices and approaches and promote exchange of experiences with regional offices and/or selected country offices in liaison with LACRO.
• Revise and propose updated technical guidance, including selection of key guidance and tools from IASC & Humanitarian Alliance for Children for adaptation and use at field level, and along with technical guidance, and training of staff and partners.
• Ensure standardization/harmonisation of child protection programme interventions across regions, engage in the revision/upgrading of Child Protection Strategy looking into cost effectiveness, sustainability and increased community engagement (particularly for the Super Panas and unaccompanied and separated children strategies).
• Lead the articulation for the internal strategy for the approach of humanitarian and development nexus, identifying opportunities for strategic and sustainable investments in Child Protection.
• Support the strengthening of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Emergencies interventions.

Result 2: To assist the coordination and management of the child protection in emergencies component of the humanitarian response is supported monthly.

Activities:

• Support the ongoing interventions in Roraima, Amazonas and Pará and provide technical assistance, in particular for the engagement of municipal and state government representatives and services, including by providing guidance and support to teams on the ground.
• Provide support as the National Focal Point for the implementation and use of the Child Protection Information Management System Plus (CPIMS+) – Primero at local level by partners selected by our team on the ground (Roraima, Amazonas), liaising with UNICEF Headquarters and ICT.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate the integration of the Child Protection intervention within the migration context, linking with the BCO strategies of Municipal Selo and new urban center’s strategy, together with the integration to other Components such as Education, Health, and Adolescents, for instance.
• Advise on Financial Planning and Implementation for the Child Protection in Emergencies component, together with the Child Protection Program Assistant and the Manager and Program Assistants from the Emergency Response.
• Contribute to partnership management and oversight and, together with the Child Protection Program Assistant, support the preparation and implementation of PCAS, SSFAs and other documents with implementing partners, at national and subnational level, as well as conduct regular financial monitoring of funds;
• Technically support the programme design and monitor the implementation of the Canada Fund (SC220202 LACRO: PROTECTION AND SOCIOECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR VENEZUELAN CHILDREN).
• Provide inputs/support the preparation of fundraising proposals for child protection interventions in the emergency context, with concerted efforts to identify potential donors and contribute with the elaboration of donors’ reports.

Result 3: To assist the inter-agency coordination and the intersectoral work via R4V platform and Operação Acolhida is operated following UNICEF’s humanitarian and technical guidelines.

Activities:

• Assist in the participation/representation of UNICEF in the R4V Platform and Operação Acolhida or other coordination mechanisms and attend other fora and meetings as required. Within the R4V framework, lead the coordination of the National Child Protection Sub-Sector, including providing technical leadership for the planning, strategy development, monitoring and reporting accountabilities and ensuring field driven process and humanitarian development nexus, undertaking related responsibilities as per the Sub-Sector Terms of Reference, and provide high-level guidance to the colleagues on the field who co-lead the Child Protection Working Group for the State of Roraima and Manaus.
• Support interagency coordination on child protection interventions within the migrant crisis (UNHCR, ONU Women, UNFPA, IOM), at national and subnational levels, ensure engagement of key stakeholders, strengthen relations with Government counterparts involved with the emergency response at national and sub-national levels, and coordinate with key allies of the child protection system, at national, subnational and regional levels.
• Elaborate assorted reports, presentations and briefings, including within the monitoring framework of the RMRP 2023-2024, with updated information and quality data analysis on children on the move.

deliverables:

The services included in the contract will be delivered continuously, with the same intensity throughout the months. The results will be evaluated by the following deliverables per result:

• Result 1: At least one situation assessment, analysis, report or technical guidance document delivered per month.
• Result 2: At least one meeting per month organized with colleagues from the field involved in Child Protection emergency response; PCAs and SSFAs reports submitted on time before expiry date; donor proposals elaborated within the deadline and donor reports elaborated and submitted before expiry date; Child Protection strategies harmonised across field offices involved in the emergency response.
• Result 3: Participate in at least one R4V Protection Sector meeting per month; assist in the organization of at least one R4V meeting for the Child Protection Sub-Sector per month; R4V monthly situation reports containing child protection information; and child protection activities submitted every month in the RMRP monitoring system.

The deliverables shall be object of revision by UNICEF after delivery by the Individual contractor. If needed be, revision might be requested by UNICEF related to parameters of quality and technical depth. Only after final clearance from UNICEF Brazil, the payment will be processed.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Strong interpersonal abilities, including networking with Governmental allies, other UN agencies and civil society partners, fluent communication and persuasion abilities
• Timely provision of the deliverables
• Critical thinking and political acumen
• Attention to detail and good analysing competencies
• Quality level of reports and actions (quality of inputs, analysis, registration of activities, technical guidance, recommendations, etc)
• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English and Portuguese

technical background, and experience required

• Bachelor’s degree in law, education, social work, international relations, child psychology, or another relevant field.
• 1 to 2 years of progressively responsible professional work experience with Child Protection programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. Experience within the UN System – particularly with UNICEF – is an asset.
• Minimum 2 years progressively responsible professional work experience in migration issues and/or emergency response (both natural and social emergencies), in application of international human rights.
• Fluency in Portuguese and English (verbal and written); knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven success in liaising with different stakeholders to achieve a common goal.

Key competences

Builds 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.

Core Values

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. TrustConferir este valor com a tabela.
5. Accountability

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• UNICEF will provide the Individual Contractor all required core equipment and material for fulfilling his duty, including computer
• Expenses related to travels, if any, will be covered by UNICEF and paid to the Individual Contractor as per UNICEF travel rules and regulations.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Individual Contractor
• Consultants/ICs will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The IC will work on-site under a full-time basis and prior authorization and/or clearance from UNICEF to engage in outside UNICEF activities is required.

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Payment of fee

• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables.
• The indicated fee is based on the established IC Fee table currently applicable.

• UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

  Restrictions

• Consultants and individual contractors may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants and individual contracts must complete the applicable mandatory trainings.

• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

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.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

[1] Available at: https://www.gov.br/acolhida/historico/

[2] Available at: https://r4v.info/es/situations/platform/location/7509

[3] Available at http://www.tjrr.jus.br/legislacao/phocadownload/24469.pdf

[4] Available at: http://www.casacivil.gov.br/operacao-acolhida/documentos/interiorizacao-relatorio-cumulativo-marco-2019/view

[5] Available at: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/Mpv/mpv820.htm

[6] Available at: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/decreto/D9285.htm

[7] Available at: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/decreto/D9286.htm

[8] Available at: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/Lei/L13684.htm

[9] The R4V platform is a coordination mechanism that brings together UN, national and international non-government organizations and civil society working to complement the government’s humanitarian response to the Venezuelan emergency in the country. The Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) for 2020 is based on a structure built on sectors, each focusing on a range of responses to the situation of refugees and migrants from Venezuela, as well as host communities.