Investigator of SEA Allegations Consultant, Lebanon, 21 days

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

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. As such, acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) are not just unacceptable breaches of fundamental rights but are also a deep betrayal of UNICEF’s mission and core values. It is unconscionable, it is intolerable, and it is often criminal.

Under the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed between UNICEF and implementing partners (IPs), if an alleged SEA case occurs at their programme location involving IPs’ staff, the IP becomes responsible for investigating the reported incident with support from UNICEF if required. Similar provisions apply to third party contractors that have staff in direct contact with beneficiaries. In instances where an IP or third-party contractor lacks the capacity or is otherwise unable to conduct an assessment or investigation on its own, an external investigator may be engaged to do so. There may also be other circumstances where the services of an external investigator may be required on a limited basis. Conducting investigations requires specialized skill sets and capacities, especially when working with children and with sensitive issues such as sexual exploitation, abuse and gender-based violence (GBV).

UNICEF Lebanon Country office is looking for an external investigator to support in assessing and investigating allegations related to sexual exploitation and abuse, in accordance with professional standards and best international practice, including the survivor-centered approach and the best interest of children. The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a thorough, evidence-based, objective and effective assessment and possibly an investigation of reported SEA allegations, in accordance with professional standards and best international practices.

Specific objectives of the position of investigator are to:

• Assess whether the allegations amount to SEA under UNICEF’s regulatory framework and possibly, fall under the jurisdiction of UNICEF.
• After gathering sufficient preliminary information, make a recommendation regarding whether a full investigation is warranted and feasible and discuss next steps with stakeholders within UNICEF.
• Review evidence presented and gathered further evidence, including testimony from relevant parties, that might support or undermine the allegations.
• Present a summary of the evidence, analysis and conclusion regarding the substantiation of the allegations

How can you make a difference?

Work Assignment Expected Results

Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/OutputsTimelinePreliminary assessment for the case, including induction meeting with OIAI and interviews with the victim.Recommendation of whether to proceed with a full investigation after preliminary information-gathering has concluded – Total working days: 1 to 5 days up to 5 daysPreparation of the investigation workplan Investigation work plan, including detailed methodology of investigation (e.g. review of relevant documents, site visit(s), interviews with relevant stakeholders) Up to 3 daysPreparation of action plan for protecting survivors, witnesses, alleged perpetrators and the organization during investigation process. Recommended plan of actions for protecting survivors, witnesses, alleged perpetrators and the Organization during investigation process- Total working days : 1-3 day Up to 3 daysDraft an investigation report, with conclusion whether SEA allegations can be substantiated.Investigation report, including: Executive Summary / Introduction/ Allegations (i.e. listing all allegations; names of the organization’s policies/code of conduct and laws potentially violated)/ Investigative approach (e.g. interviews, review of documents)/ Chronology of events/ Analysis of evidence/ Retaliation and protection risks (and steps taken to address them)/ Analysis of adequacy of organization’s response to SEA allegation/ Conclusions regarding whether the SEA allegations could be substantiated based on the evidence available /Recommendations (including areas of improvement for the organization’s response to PSEA) up to 10 daysTo qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Bachelor's degree in Law, social science, gender, political science, or any other related field.
• Experienced, reliable, independent professional investigator with minimum five (5) years of experience in investigations of misconduct and SEA investigations in particular.
• Trained in conducting interviews with victims/witnesses/alleged perpetrators, including with children and people who experienced PSEA-related traumas and those with disabilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge about the cultural sensitivity, diversity and gender issues, including experience working on GBV and/or PSEA issues.
• Fluent in relevant languages to gather and analyses evidence with personnel and other witnesses, including Levantine Arabic and English.
• Proven experience in efficient communication in multinational environment and significant organizational skills.

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.

UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the recruitment process.