Local home-based consultancy: Consultant on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Italy (PSEA) (64 days)

Consultant

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, results

More than 34,000 refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Italy in 2020, with three times increase of arrivals compared to 2019 (11471 4154). The total of asylum seekers and refugees hosted in the reception system as of December 2020 is 79,938. Children continue to make-up a quarter of all refugees and migrants arriving in Europe through Mediterranean migration routes in 2020. As of December 2020, 7,000 UASC were hosted in the reception system (of which 3.6 were girls and 96.4 boys). However, while unaccompanied boys tend to travel alone or in groups and self-identify as children during registration, unaccompanied and separated girls tend to be more ‘invisible’, therefore poorly represented in official statistics. During their desperate journeys through countries of origin, transit, arrival and return, children and women – in particular girls on the move - face a number of risks related to gender-based violence. Once in Europe, they often lack protection and may not be able to access available services.

The COVID-19 outbreak has further exacerbated the unique vulnerabilities of refugee and migrant women and girl in Italy, given that gender roles have a significant impact on how individuals experience outbreaks. This includes the increased exposure of women and girls to GBV, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV) due to social confinement and movement restrictions. Migrant and refugee women and girls face additional specific challenges in accessing services due to government restrictions, as well as lack of access to appropriate information on rights and available support services during the pandemic. . The socio-economic impact on migrant and refugee women and girls is exacerbated by the fact that they are often employed in informal and low-wage activities that are highly prone to be disrupted during an outbreak; while others remain prisoners of sexual and labor exploitation mechanisms.

Since the beginning of the migrant and refugee influx, UNICEF is meeting the unique needs of children and young people arriving in Europe, as well as those on the move, stranded or being pushed back, since the earliest days of the migrant and refugee response. UNICEF uses two inter-linked approaches: life-saving service provision in partnership with Government and civil society organizations (CSO) and supporting existing national child protection systems. The Refugees and Migrants Response in Italy is focused mainly on providing unaccompanied children with protection, improving social inclusion, participation and skills building. UNICEF also works closely with the Italian National Committee for UNICEF to communicate, advocate for legislative changes and promote social inclusion for adolescent migrants and refugees.

The UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response is articulated into 3 different areas: 1. Child Protection, 2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response and 3. Youth & Adolescent Development, contributing to overall system strengthening.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the Gender/GBViE Programme Specialist, the Consultant on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is responsible for conducting PSEA Assessment of 12 Implementing Partners and overseeing and supporting the PSEA activities of UNICEF in Italy, in order to mitigate the risk of GBV across the different sectors.

Key responsibilities include:

Task

Deliverables

Number of Days

Deadline

PSEA Assessment of 12 Implementing Partners (IPs) in line with UNICEF PSEA Procedure

By 30 June 2021 all IPs should have moderate or low risk ratings

Conduct an introductory meeting with all 12 IPs to launch the assessment;

3

30 March

Verification of rating based on submitted Assessments and supporting documents;

12

30 March

Development of follow up plans for partners with moderate and high-risk rating

6

15 April

Coordinate the implementation of priority actions arising from the action plans for each IP

12

30 June

Follow up support

Support partners in the development of internal procedures for personnel to report incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse safely and confidentiality

10

31 June

Work with human resources and other relevant personnel of IPs on PSEA-related aspects, including ensuring that all personnel sign the code of conduct and that screening for past SEA violations is a regular part of the recruitment process

5

31 May

Support senior management in implementing other PSEA-related activities, as appropriate

3

30 June

Facilitate content and modalities for awareness-raising campaigns for beneficiaries on the definition of SEA, the standards of conduct expected of personnel, and the various mechanisms for raising SEA allegations or concerns, including contact details

5

August

Capacity building of UNICEF personnel and IPs

Conduct training and awareness-raising sessions for UNICEF’s implementing partners personnel on PSEA

6

June

Conduct training with UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response Team in Italy

2

March

Total number of days

64

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

Required:

• Advanced university degree in social science, human rights or related fields
• At least 5 years of relevant experience;
• Demonstrated sensitivity and knowledge of cultural and gender issues
• Experience in PSEA and/or GBV programming
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Fluent in English and Italian
• Demonstrated experience of working directly with local communities
• Proven communication skills
• Good team player.

Desired:

• Experience with UNICEF or other UN Agencies;

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.

Contractual arrangements:

• Estimated Duration of the Contract: 64 days during a period of 6 months.
• UNICEF Supervisor: Gender/GBViE Programme Specialist, P4, Refugee & Migrant Response, Rome, Italy
• Payments: The payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of tasks and deliverables. Each request for payment must be supported by the supervisor’s written certification of the assignment performed (deliverable provided and/or days worked). Final payment is made only upon certification of the satisfactory completion of the assignment as a whole, and completion by the supervisor of the evaluation. Payments will be roll out in multiple instalments.
• Taxes: Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.
• Duty Station and Official Travel: Home-based in Italy. The work may include incidental travel within Italy to participate in field work, this will depend upon Covid-19 related restrictions established by the Government of Italy. It is expected that the consultant will incur in up to 5 travels in different locations in Italy (North, Centre and South). The average duration of each trip is expected to be of 2 days. Agreed travel and related costs will be reimbursed after missions are completed. The maximum amount allocated for travel will be EUR 2,000 (USD 2,425).
• Equipment: The consultant is expected to have their own computer and access to internet, common software to conduct video interviews.
• Travel Clause:
  • All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.
  • All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
  • The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements, via the most economic and direct route.
  • Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will reimburse agreed travel and related costs upon submission of invoices together with the supporting documentation.
  • The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSafe certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.
• Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract:
  • If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.
  • 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 (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days - 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Applicants are invited to:

• complete their UNICEF profile;
• attach P11, CV and Motivation Letter;
• Indicate a monthly fee bearing in mind that the maximum allowed for this vacancy is USD 425 or EUR 350**. Please, note that applications without a proposed fee will not be accepted.**

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.

Annex A PSEA Assessment.docx

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