International Consultant (Strengthening GBV Risk Mitigation in National Social Protection Programmes), Freetown, Sierra Leone, 75 working days in 8.5 months (Hybrid) - Open to non-Sierra Leo

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, protection

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment:

The Government of Sierra Leone has declared gender-based violence (GBV) a national emergency due to the high numbers of reported cases. The national GBV Referral Pathway Protocol was updated in 2022, outlining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders as well as the process to follow for referring GBV survivors to appropriate services.

Following initial capacity building and sensitisation on gender and GBV, there is a recognised need for strengthening referrals to the national GBV case management system. In early 2022, the social protection sector provided input to the revised national GBV referral protocol to tie the social protection sector more closely in with the GBV response system. More detailed guidance will be needed for community monitors and other social protection frontline workers on how to refer GBV cases. Further work is needed to establish an MoU between the ACC, NaCSA and the MoGCA on referrals, as well as provide training and guidance to all levels of frontline workers within the social protection sector to ensure they are aware of the referral processes and pathways. Further work is also needed to systematically assess the GBV risks inherent in the different cash transfer programmes, both humanitarian and social cash transfers, and identify concise risk mitigation measures.

Scope of Work:

The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, particularly the National Social Protection Secretariat, ACC and NaCSA and the Evidence, Policy and Social Protection section of UNICEF Sierra Leone, to strengthen capacity for GBV risk mitigation in social protection and strengthen integration of the social protection sector in the national pathway for referral of GBV cases. There will be three broad objectives as follows:

1. GBV Risk Identification and Mitigation

• Develop tools for GBV risk assessment.
• Conduct a GBV risk assessment.
• Develop risk mitigation action plan in consultative workshop.

2. GBV Case Referral

• Support the ACC and NaCSA in drawing up an MoU with MoGCA for collaboration on referral of GBV cases.
• In close collaboration with both social protection sector and GBV response sector, outline a GBV referral sub- pathway for the social protection sector linking with the national referral protocol showing uptake of complaints, referral, management and feedback consistent with existing protocols and systems, as well as international good practices. This document should guide the social protection sector on how to refer cases and what (if any) data to record in the GRM system to ensure confidentiality of personal information.
• Based on the above, develop brief guidance sheets for community monitors and other frontline workers on how to refer GBV cases as well as available services.
• In close collaboration with both social protection sector and GBV response sector, develop guidance and recommendations on management of costs of victims/witnesses in a GBV case in a complex social, economic and cultural setting and how to integrate in social protection programmes and budgets.

3. Capacity-building on GBV

• Advise on GBV communication strategy for multiple stakeholders, including integrating GBV into social protection communication strategies and plans targeting beneficiaries and the public as well as information/ guidance to frontline personnel.
• Develop training curriculum and materials for training of frontline workers.
• Conduct training of trainers and key stakeholders in the social protection sector on GBV awareness and risk mitigation.
• Support the review and strengthening of Code of Conduct for all social protection workers.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Public Policy or other relevant areas.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in social protection programming or humanitarian cash transfers with a specific focus on GBV risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience of leading capacity building on GBV risk mitigation, social protection and humanitarian cash transfers.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills.
• Advanced computer literacy.
• High proficiency in English.
• Previous experience of working with government officials; experience of previous work in Africa an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

Please access the full job description here VA ToR - International Consultancy (Social Protection - Gender Based Violence).pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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.

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.

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.