International Consultancy for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) roll out in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA)

Consultant Programme & Policy

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.

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How can you make a difference?

Location: Home-based/Remote

Duration: 60 days over a period of 4 months

Estimated Start Date: 4 October 2020 Estimated End Date: 4 February 2021

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF is committed to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). UNICEF is actively engaged in policy and operational efforts to improve the reporting of SEA, offering support to survivors of SEA, and promoting accountability. UNICEF also promotes internal and external change to end tolerance for all forms of exploitation and abuse. Child safeguarding, including protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate. As a humanitarian agency dedicated to children’s rights, we take all steps necessary to safeguard children within our operations.

Moreover, in February 2018, the UN High-Level Steering Group on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, established by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, endorsed the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners . The Protocol sets forth obligations for all UN entities and implementing programmes with partners in the field, including civil society, government and other partners.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is a priority for the UN which is committed to supporting efforts to strengthen its programming environment internally and with partners. As a part of the UN Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Sub Regional Team 2020 priorities, UNICEF will support the UN Resident Coordinator in leading the process of mainstreaming of PSEA in the UN Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office.

This is the first phase of a two-phase approach. The first phase of the roll out includes support to the United Nations Sub Regional Team (UNST) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to improve UN staff awareness and implementing partners on PSEA obligations and to develop a Joint UN PSEA 2020/21 workplan.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Goal and Objective: Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (PSEA focal point), and the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the Consultant will support the development of a joint UN PSEA Action Plan to mainstream PSEA with preventive and response actions for adequate monitoring and reporting. This entails carrying out awareness raising sessions/dialogues with staff and developing a contextualized PSEA training package UN Implementing Partners (virtual methodology); and support the capacity of the UN PSEA Task Force and nominated focal points.

Activities and Tasks: Main responsibilities and tasks will include:

1. Developing a training package for UN partners on appropriate conduct for aid workers, international standards on PSEA, roles and responsibilities, and how to submit and receive complaints including exploring community-based reporting mechanisms. The trainings should be contextualized for the following:

• UN implementing partners are trained on UN PSEA with the objective to ensure compliance and that an adequate monitoring mechanism exists. A set of recommendations from the trainings will contribute to the second phase of this process.

2. Developing a deep-dive training for UNICEF staff, following the training for UN, with the objective of increasing knowledge and capacity on UNICEF’s PSEA priorities, actions, and accountabilities. Linkages should be made to the follow up with partners post-PSEA assessments and roles and responsibilities; and support to mainstream some PSEA monitoring into key processes/documents and templates.

3. Support the UNICEF ECA office with the mandatory PSEA assessments of Civil Society Organisation (CSO) partners. An introduction to PSEA training session for CSO partners is to be developed and conducted prior to the implementation of UNICEF PSEA Assessment. As a part of the PSEA assessments, the consultant will:

• Develop a standard Code of Conduct for guidance and modelling by CSO partners; ensure implementing CSO partners’ Code of Conduct clearly prohibits SEA and obligates them to report such acts; where SEA is not in CSO partners’ Codes of Conduct, the Consultant must support the inclusion of PSEA into their Codes of Conduct; and provide written guidance for each CSO partner to ensure ongoing enforcement of their Codes of Conduct.

4. Work closely with the UNICEF ECA Humanitarian Coordinator for the Migrant Reponse in Trinidad

Work relationships:

The Consultant will be under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist and work closely with the Deputy Representative, Programmes team as well as Operations Manager to implement the assignment for UNICEF-specific activities.

The tasks related to the UN partners training will be supported by the RCO. A focal point from the RCO will serve as the key person to coordinate interventions directly related to the UN training.

OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES:

Tasks/activities:

Deliverables:

Number of days

1. Finalize the workplan with UNICEF with possible inputs from joint UN task force (PSEA).

• Inception report outlining the interpretation of the assignment, proposed methodologies and approach, and work plan including training to be conducted.

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UNICEF feedback will be provided in 3 days.

2. Develop a training package and tool (virtual roll-out methodology) for UN Implementing partners aligned to the UN Protocol on allegations and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners.

The training package will include a specific 4-5-page brief aimed at high-level Government members;

• Training package and tools;
• Report with set of recommendations for deeper dive on the reporting mechanisms.

• 4-5-page briefing for Governments;

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3. Develop a deep-dive training for UNICEF staff, consultants, UNVs and interns on UNICEF-specific PSEA requirements, including the PSEA partner assessments, roles/responsibilities and follow up actions.

The consultant is required to support UNICEF mainstream PSEA in its programming, and will be responsible to review of key areas in its partnerships, such as monitoring and reporting templates.

• Training package and tools;

• Training session and Training Report (UNICEF), with recommended action to mainstream PSEA in programming and monitoring.

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4. Provide a brief training to UNICEF CSO partners (15) on UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (prior to conducting PSEA assessments, as an introduction to PSEA; the assessments as well as reporting mechanisms). (e.g. 1-2 seminars)

Support the UNICEF ECA office to conduct PSEA assessments for all partners to establish a rating. Review that implementing partneRs Code of Conduct clearly prohibits SEA and obligates them to report such acts.

Develop a standard Code of Conduct for guidance to be shared with CSO partners whose Codes do not include PSEA.

Provide UNICEF with a summary of CSO partners; and written guidance for each CSO partner to ensure ongoing enforcement of their Codes of Conduct.

• Training materials and virtual training session.
• 15 PSEA partner assessments completed; as per UNICEF requirements; uploaded in ETools
• Standard Code of Conduct for IPs/partners.

• Summary report of PSEA Assessment completed; with overview of status; challenges; recommended actions; and next steps. The PSEA assessments to be annexed.

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5. Work closely with the UNICEF Humanitarian Coordinator for the Migrant Reponse to provide a PSEA training for humanitarian technical working groups (Child Protection and Education Thematic Working Groups) working on the migrant response.

Work closely with the Thematic Working Groups to ensure coordinated referral mechanisms for victim services.

• Training package and tools contextualized and developed for Migrant Response.
• Training session and Training Report.

• Standard Operating Protocols developed for migrant response.

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TOTAL

60

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Payment, upon submission of deliverables which receive satisfactory quality review in line with below schedule:

• 1st payment: (30%) satisfactory submission of approved Inception Note and Training Package under Activities 1 & 2
• 2nd payment: (30%) upon satisfactory submission of approved deliverables under Activities 3
• 3rd payment: (40%) upon submission of deliverables under Activities 4 & 5

The payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables mentioned above.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

A) Education:

• Advanced university degree (a Master’s Degree) or equivalent in gender studies, social anthropology, law and women’s rights, sociology, public health, or other field related to PSEA.

B) Relevant experience, knowledge and skills:

• At least 5 years of humanitarian or development experience, including in emergency settings on children’s and women’s rights and violence prevention and response, in particular sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence; and on child protection.
• Experience in and knowledge of UN and IASC policies and guidance related but not limited to PSEA, AAP, GBV and Centrality of Protection.
• Expert knowledge of current PSEA developments and activities at UNICEF, UNCT and HCT level and its partners.
• Proven success in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities on PSEA.
• Proven success in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities on PSEA. Ability to work with government, NGOs, and international organizations. Demonstrated experience in collaborating with multiple actors with diverse equities.
• Experience developing complaint mechanisms as well as reporting and investigation procedures.
• Experience in building knowledge and commitment among technical and management staff. Experience developing and facilitating trainings and workshops within the international development sector preferred.
• Deep understanding of child protection and/or GBV guiding principles. Demonstrated understanding of issues related to confidentiality, data safety/security and other ethical concerns related protection issues.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment as well as independently, and the ability to handle requests or issues as they arise.
• Fluency in English (Written & Oral) is required

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.

ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:

The Child Protection Specialist will serve as the primary contact for the Consultant. The work of the Consultant will be supported by the Deputy Representative, key UNICEF Specialists, Consultant Humanitarian Coordinator and Operations Manager.

The tasks related to the UN training will be supported by the RCO. A focal point from the RCO will serve as the key person to coordinate interventions directly related to the UN training; and the UNST Joint PSEA Action Plan.

Regular meetings will be held as required with UNICEF and the UN PSEA Task Force as necessary.

CONDITIONS:

Before commencing work, a consultant or individual contractor shall submit a statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that he or she has been informed of the inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. Consultants and individual contractors shall assume all costs that may occur in relation to the statement of good health.

Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance.

The Consultant is expected to work remotely from his/her home base, with his/her computer.

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

The selected candidate will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

SELECTION PROCESS:

A desk review and technical assessment will be completely on a shortlist of Candidates who meet the minimum requirements. The short-list of candidates may be subject to interview with the UNICEF Panel in order to find the applications that are technically responsive. Operations will support the financial negotiations. The contract will be awarded to the most competitive proposal.

REQUIRED TRAININGS:

Consultants and Individual contractors, even those working from home, must complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.

• Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority

• Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

  Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.

• BSAFE Security Training

Any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract.

• UN Human Rights and Responsibilities
• UNICEF Information Security Awareness Course
• Fraud Awareness

RECOURSE:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

TITLE RIGHTS:

All materials created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract and any intellectual property rights thereof, including but not limited to patents, copyright and trademarks, shall be jointly owned by UNICEF and the Contractor. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. Any third party usage shall require written permission from both parties.

HOW TO APPLY:

Suitable potential candidates should apply by accessing UNICEF's e-recruitment system using the link here and submitting the below required documents no later than Friday, 18 September 2020.

1. Curriculum Vitae 2. Cover letter - highlighting relevant experiences and skills related to the assignment in no more than two pages 3. Proposed workplan and methodology. 4. Financial proposal – Please provide an all-inclusive fee, indicating the daily fee. required to undertake this assignment.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by the UNICEF ECA Operations Unit.

Candidates are expected to be available from October to take on the assignment.

Applications submitted without a fee/rate and detailed financial proposal will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within a month of the submission of your financial proposal, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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.

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