International PSEA - CBCM Consultant to assess existing community-based complaint mechanisms in the DRC and support the Ministry of Health to establish complaint mechanisms within vaccinatio

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UNICEF works in some of the world's most challenging places, reaching the world's most disadvantaged children, to save their lives, defend their rights, to help them realize their potential.

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Sexual exploitation and abuse are major protection concerns in the context of multifaceted crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The scale and complexity of humanitarian needs, and protection concerns related to these crises have led to an ongoing, exacerbated risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of its commitment to protect children and affected populations from sexual exploitation and abuse, UNICEF has scaled up its efforts at the country level to accelerate progress on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

UNICEF DRC’s interventions to scaling up PSEA have been centered around strengthening internal systems, enhancing community engagement, working with implementing partners and promotion/contribution to system wide approach at inter-agency level. At each of these levels, mechanisms are established and promoted to encourage and facilitate reporting of sexual exploitation and abuse. UNICEF has established its internal complaint mechanisms and encourages/supports its partners to do same. Community members are supported in intervention locations and in collaboration with inter-agency PSEA Network to establish community-based complaint mechanisms (CBCM) that are safe, child friendly, gender sensitive and which they feel comfortable using.

Other entities including UN Agencies, international and national NGOs working in the DRC are also working with communities to establish community-based complaint mechanisms. In 2022, the inter-agency PSEA Network developed SOP for the functioning of community-based complaint mechanisms (CBCM) to regulate interventions, ensure quality, avoid duplication, and create inter-connectivity between these mechanisms. Avenues for reporting Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and seeking assistance remain relatively limited despite work done by UNCEF and other humanitarian actors due to cultural and social norms.

UNICEF is currently implementing a project aimed at strengthening gender-responsive programming in all polio eradication interventions, including equal access to immunization services for girls and boys, as well as participation and empowerment of women/girls and their organizations and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in high-risk provinces (Tanganyika, Haut Lomani and Maniema. The objective among others is to support the Ministry of Health to implement safe channels for reporting SEA in Polio programs.

In this light that UNICEF seeks to hire an international PSEA – CBCM consultant to assess existing community-based complaint mechanisms in the DRC and support the Ministry of Health to establish complaint mechanisms within vaccination campaigns. In this light, the consultant shall be tasked with:

(i) Carrying out an analysis of the efficiency of existing community-based complaint mechanisms for SEA including identifying different types of CBCM implemented in the DRC, different approaches to establishing CBCM, types of participants in CBCM, mode of functionality of CBCMs and eventually the confidence, trust and use of these mechanisms by community members. This shall entail consultations members of CBCM, with key informants at the inter-agency PSEA coordination, within stakeholders such as community leaders as well as focus group discussions with community members.

(ii) Propose a model approach to CBCM supported by UNICEF and inter-agency PSEA Network, considering the strengths and weaknesses of existing models as well as barriers to access. Also considering factors to enhance the accessibility of these CBCMs.

(iii) Organize a workshop at National level to disseminate report of findings and recommendations on a model CBCM to key stakeholders in the DRC, including members of the inter-agency PSEA Network, members of CBCMs.

(iv) Review the Ministry of Health (MOH) framework for establishing complaint mechanisms internally and within program implementation. This shall include documentary analysis of existing texts, discussion with resource persons at managerial level and among program teams, as well as with program beneficiaries.

(v) Support the MOH to establish complaint management system, including mechanisms to be promoted for use in polio and other vaccination campaigns as well as other regular times. This shall entail consultations with MOH staff and beneficiaries at selected intervention sites.

2- OBJECTIFS

The main objective is to ensure that the safety and accessibility of all community-based complaint mechanisms in the DRC are strengthened for use by all stakeholders in the DRC. It ensures that all UNICEF supported interventions directed to the MOH do not put beneficiaries, particularly women and girls at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. That this support enhances the internal system of the Ministry such that all their personnel and beneficiaries can safely report SEA irrespective of type and nature of intervention. More specifically, the consultancy aims at:

1. Analyzing the nature and functioning of community-based complaint mechanisms in the DRC, and recommend a context specific model for use by stakeholders

2. Supporting the MOH to implement complaint mechanisms in vaccination campaigns and beyond based on analysis of existing framework.

Work Assignment Overview

To qualify as an advocate for each child, you must meet the following requirements :

• Advanced University diploma (Master’s Degree) in Gender, Social Sciences, Human Rights Law, International Development, Program Monitoring and Evaluation or any other similar degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of practical experience working in the field of gender, PSEA, GBV and international cooperation at national and international level.

• At least 3 years of research experience including field work (including collection and analysis of data) preferably in the area of gender, GBV and PSEA.

• Experience in establishing or work related to community-based complaint mechanisms is highly desirable

• Experience working in Africa, preferably sub-Saharan Africa.

• Solid experience working on PSEA in emergency.

Linguistic skills and other competencies:

• Mastery of oral and written French language

• Good computer skills with mastery of Microsoft office applications

Candidates have to submit their financial proposition (which is inclusive of all fees) and no applications will be reviewed without this

For each child, you must demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Caring, Respect, Integrity, Trust , Responsibility and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The technical competencies required for this position are:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as all other types of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. Any candidate considered for recruitment will undergo a rigorous reference and background check. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages all applicants, regardless of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic affiliation, including persons with disabilities, to apply to be part of the organization.

Persons engaged under a consulting or individual contract will not be considered "staff members" within the meaning of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to the benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their terms of service will be governed by their contract and by the General Conditions of Contracts for the services of consultants and individual contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and paying any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Female applications are strongly encouraged.