Local Consultant on Child Protection in Emergency - with a focus on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

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, a champion

As a result of the escalation of conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia faced an increased number of “spontaneous arrivals” into the country in 2020. UNICEF is working alongside UN and key partners, and in coordination with Government, to assess arising needs, provide urgent support to affected populations. Arriving children and their families need urgent support in child protection, education, health and nutrition, basic needs and cash-assistance. The situation is exacerbated by a spike in COVID-19 cases, impacting host and affected populations.

In terms of child protection, arriving children of all ages are extremely vulnerable to mental health and psychosocial distress. The COVID-19 situation in host communities, and now impacting arriving populations, further exacerbates negative impacts on the mental health and overall wellbeing of children and their families. Situation of double emergency aggravates the risk of different forms of violence against children and gender-based violence, increases the risks for children in contact with the law and children deprived of parental care, including unaccompanied and separated children.

To ensure an appropriate, effective response to the emergency, the UNICEF Country Office is scaling up its Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) component, building on national and sub-national protection entry points with government and other partners. Since the most critical need in the area of child protection is the psycho-social first aid and psycho-social support to children and caregivers, the child protection team will require some technical expertise in the area of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). This area is also an institutional priority for the UN, including UNICEF. Moreover, the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 identifies MHPSS as a priority area for children, caregivers/ parents and young people, and proposes building upon existing programming through child protection, education and health with a focus on addressing inequities related to gender, and disabilities.

Working under the leadership and supervision of the UNICEF CP Specialist, the consultant will support the UNICEF Country Office and Child Protection team in strengthening existing services and systems to respond to the child protection risks and needs of children, adolescents and caregivers/parents directly or indirectly affected by the NK conflict and COVID-19 emergencies.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the UNICEF CP Specialist and in cooperation with UNICEF Programme Team (including ADAP, Health, Education, Gender) and partners, including government and NGOs, Child Protection Sub-Working Group - CPSWG, MHPSS technical reference group and other relevant coordination structures, the Consultant will work to support the CP team in scaling up the child protection response to the emergency. Specifically, the Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Support in development of comprehensive multi-sectorial MHPSS response plan for the office, based on the Inter-Agency Response Plan priorities and in consultation with relevant UN and other agencies. The MHPSS response plan should include:

a) mapping of existing MHPSS services/projects/activities, with the aim to ensure the coverage of needs at all levels and strengthen Intersectional Referral Pathways within UNICEF and between organizations and service providers.

b) identification of capacity gaps within social services, and

c) recommendations on institutionalization and sustainability of provision of MHPSS to children, parents and caregivers in the situation of emergency and beyond, including through introducing new MHPSS activities to respond to the varying and complex needs of children and families, continuing, and improving quality and reach of ongoing MHPSS activities and programming across sectors.

2. Support UNICEF CP team in implementing the MHPSS components of child protection programme, including provision of technical support and guidance to implementing partners, monitoring of implementation of MHPSS interventions in line with the comprehensive multi-sectorial MHPSS response plan.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Support in development of comprehensive multi-sectorial MHPSS response plan for the office, based on the Inter-Agency Response Plan priorities. The MHPSS response plan should include:

Draft MHPSS response plan with elements described in activity 1 in the scope of work above

30 days

Support UNICEF CP team in implementing the MHPSS components of child protection programme, including provision of technical support and guidance to implementing partners, monitoring of implementation of MHPSS interventions in line with the comprehensive multi-sectorial MHPSS response plan.

Monthly report outlining (with relevant support documents) key actions taken related to activity 2 in the scope of work above

60 days

Support UNICEF CP team in coordinating the child protection response within CPSWG through provision of expertise and support to partners in developing and putting in place enhanced mechanisms for protection of children from increased risk of violence in emergencies, operational procedures for identification and referral of unaccompanied and separated children, prevention of sexual violence against children.

Monthly report outlining (with relevant support documents) key actions taken related to activity 3 in the scope of work above

30 days

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

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, Health
• At least five years professional experience in one of the following areas: psychology, social work, child welfare,child protection, health, education;
• Excellent knowledge and skills in mental health and psychosocial support. Knowledge and skills in MHPSS for children is an asset;
• Knowledge on and understanding of child protection in emergency is an asset;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Excellent analytical and written skills;
• Strong communication skills - both oral and written;
• Good team player enjoys being part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team;
• Fluency in English;
• Experience working with UN/international organizations is an asset.

Terms of the application:

The deadline for the submission of applications is 23 May 2021. Applications should include:

• Cover letter;
• CV;
• Financial Proposal.

All qualified applicants should apply online, using the UNICEF E-Recruitment system and following the online application link.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please refer to the attached ToR for full details. Terms of Reference-Child Protection in Emergency with a focus on MHPSS for VA.docx

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.