National Child Protection Consultant (Two - For Karnali Province and Sudur Paschim Province), Nepalgunj, Nepal (Only for Nepalese Nationals)

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Application deadline 9 months ago: Monday 5 Jun 2023 at 18:10 UTC

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This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, result

The Child Protection programme under the UNICEF Nepal Country Programme (2023-2027) aims to develop and strengthen a child protection system, including coordination, monitoring, and capacity building of partners, to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse against children in Sudur Pashchim and Karnali Provinces.

Nepal has recently transitioned to a federal system, devolving power and functions to Provinces and Local Levels. This presents both challenges and opportunities for UNICEF in implementing child protection interventions and achieving the defined targets and results of the new CP-2023-2027. However, during the restructuring process, well-functioning structures at the district, local, and community levels were disrupted, resulting in gaps in essential child protection services and GBV response.

In Sudur Pashchim and Karnali Provinces, the situation of children is manifested in various forms such as child marriage, child labour, trafficking, violence against women and girls, gender-based violence (GBV), unnecessary placement of children in orphanages/residential care homes, and limited access to child-friendly and gender-sensitive justice, including birth registration. Harmful cultural, social, and traditional norms, underpinned by patriarchal values and the lack of empowerment of girls, are the main drivers of child marriage, gender-based violence, and violence against children.

For instance, child marriage is prevalent in both provinces, with 44.3 percent of women aged 20 to 24 years being married before the age of 18 in Karnali Province, which is higher than the national average of 33 percent. In Sudur Paschim Province, the prevalence of child marriage is also high, with 34 percent of women aged 20 to 24 years being married before the age of 18. Importantly, one-third of these early marriages are "self-initiated" (MICS-2029). Child marriage is more common among girls who are least educated, poorest, and living in rural areas. Child marriage increases the risk of early childbearing, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and deprives girls of educational opportunities, increasing the risk of GBV.

Child labour is also a major concern in Nepal, affecting 1.1 million children aged 5-17 years, often intersecting with exploitation, trafficking, and sexual abuse. Sudur Paschim and Karnali Provinces have some of the highest proportions of child laborers, accounting for 28.7 percent and 24.6 percent respectively.

Due to the remoteness of the provinces and the prevalence of child protection issues, the Local and Provincial Governments have limited human resources. This creates a demand for technical support from UNICEF, which is focusing on strengthening the child protection system and providing monitoring and capacity development to government and CSO partners to prevent and respond to child protection issues.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to support UNICEF’s regular and emergency child protection preparedness and response, particularly in terms of technical support planning, coordination, capacity enhancement of partners, monitoring for effective result, knowledge management and outreach to community-based protection issues.

Mapping and updating investments/resource allocations and utilization by Local and Provincial Governments for child protection and GBV:

a) Support the Local and Provincial planning process to integrate child protection and GBV agendas into their plans.

b) Prepare a template to update the allocation versus utilization by Local and Provincial Governments, enabling evidence-based advocacy for increased fiscal space for child protection and GBV programs.

c) Regularly monitor the investments of Local and Provincial Governments on child protection interventions, including expenditures.

d) Update the mapping and utilization of investments/resource allocations in both Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.

2**. Documentation and Knowledge Management of Programs:**

a) Collect information and draft case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and human-interest stories related to child protection and GBV programs, including vulnerability assessments, case management processes, humanitarian cash assistance to vulnerable children, mobilization of child clubs and youths in local-level planning, and Rupantaran for adolescents

b) Provide technical support to develop Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on child protection and GBV issues. c) Support the planning of capacity-building events, including the development of training reference documents and agendas based on identified needs.

d) Document and compile key lessons learned and best practices related to child protection and GBV programs in both Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.

3. Monitoring the situation of child protection and GBV:

a) Prepare quarterly situation updates by coordinating with various sources, including Palikas, Judicial Committees, police, Public Prosecutors, Courts, correction homes, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), community-based mechanisms, and other organizations working on child protection and GBV at local, district, and provincial levels in both Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.

b) Support scaling up and institutionalizing protection monitoring, incident reporting, and vulnerability assessments at provincial and Palika levels.

c) Provide support to Palikas for child labor-free declarations and establishment of monitoring mechanisms.

d) Monitor the situation of child protection and GBV in both Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces.

4. Assessment of the use of trainings provided under child protection program:

a) Monitor the use of trainings and their impact on service delivery standards and practices and prepare quarterly reports.

b) Provide guidance and support to previously trained categories of people through shadow sampling and adaptation of capacity development approaches.

c) Support the harmonization of training manuals and tools developed with UNICEF resources within child protection components.

d) Support the development of a common approach in capacity development of partners and stakeholders.

e) Assess the use of trainings provided under child protection programs in both Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.

5**. Operationalizing case management process and referral pathways:**

a) Support the mapping of protection actors and services at the local level to provide appropriate services to victims and vulnerable individuals at the provincial and Palika levels.

b) Regularly assess the functionality of referral pathways at Palika level, including ensuring updated referral pathways and adapted service promotion in place and action.

c) Facilitate case management processes, including information management at Palikas, to respond to survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation and connect them with services.

d) Operationalize case management processes and referral pathways in both Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.

6. Provide technical support for system strengthening work:

a) Provide technical support to child rights committees at Palikas and wards (community) levels as part of governance support for system strengthening for prevention and response to child protection issues.

b) Support local-level child protection structures and mechanisms, including child protection workforce at Palikas and Wards levels, to plan and budget for the continuity of child protection services for family preservation and life skills support, linking with social protection schemes and skill development trainings.

c) Facilitate collaboration with multi-sectoral actors to ensure provision of support to vulnerable and at-risk children.

d) Support the development and operationalization of a child protection information management system at the local level (Palika and Wards), including CPIMS and PMIR roll out at Palika level.

e) Provide technical support to implement the eCRVS system at ward level.

f) Document and compile key lessons learned and best practices on strengthening child protection systems, including attending reviews and planning meetings in various locations as per programmatic needs.

Expected results

a) Local and Provincial Government investments/resource allocations and utilization on child protection and GBV effectively mapped and updated, with child protection and GBV agenda incorporated into local and provincial planning processes, and evidence-based advocacy for fiscal space for child protection and GBV programs facilitated in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces.

b) Comprehensive and well-organized documentation and knowledge management of child protection and GBV-related programs, including case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and human-interest stories, as well as development of IEC materials and technical support for capacity building events, specifically tailored for the contexts of Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces.

c) Regular monitoring and situation updates on child protection and GBV in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces, including quarterly reports on investment of local and provincial governments, scaling up and institutionalization of protection monitoring and vulnerability assessments, and support to palikas with child labour-free declaration and monitoring mechanisms in both provinces.

d) Assessment of the use of trainings provided under child protection program, including quarterly reports on impact of trainings on service delivery standards and practices in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces, shadow samples of previously trained individuals for guidance and support, harmonization of training manuals and tools, and development of a common approach in capacity development of partners and stakeholders in the two provinces.

e) Operationalization of case management process and referral pathways at the local level, including mapping of protection actors and services, assessment of functionality of referral pathways, and facilitation of case management process and information management at palikas in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces to respond to survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation.

f) Technical support for system strengthening work, including support to child rights committees at palikas and wards levels, child protection structures and mechanisms, child protection workforce, collaboration with multi-sectoral actors, development/operationalization of child protection information management system at the local level, and implementation of the eCRVS system at ward level in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces, as well as documentation and compilation of key lessons learned and best practices.

g) Capacity building of partners on child protection and GBV, including implementation of Social and Financial Training Package (RUPANTARAN) at provincial and palikas levels, facilitation of community police partnership on violence against children, and capacity development at provincial and local levels, including child protection mechanisms, authorities, and stakeholders in Karnali and Sudur Pashchim provinces.

Duration of Contract: The total duration of the contract is for 11 months tentatively starting from 15 June 2023. The two consultant will be responsible for their respective province.

Deliverables for this Assignment:

Tasks/Milestone****Deliverables/Outputs****Timeline****Proposed Fee ( In Nepalese Currency)Prepare report on technical support provided at local and provincial level planning processes including resource leveraging for child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) programs

Conduct analysis of budget allocation and utilization of resources at Palika and provincial level on child protection and GBV programs

Submission of report on the technical support provided at local and provincial level planning process

Submission of analysis of budget allocation and utilization of resources on child protection and GBV programs.

15 August 2023 Prepare quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates

Conduct assessment of functionality of case management process, information management process, and referral pathways and service provisions at palika and provincial level

Submission of quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates.

Submission of report on assessment of functionality of case management, information management processes and referral pathways

15 October 2023 Prepare quarterly report submitted on the use of vulnerable assessment tools for evidence generation for providing appropriate services to left- behind children, including linkage of government social protection schemesSubmission of a quarterly report on the use of vulnerable assessment tools that support evidence generation for providing appropriate services to left-behind children, including linkage of Government social protection schemes15 December 2023 Prepare quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates.

Involve in child protection system strengthening focusing on mapping of policies, social workforce (child welfare officers)

- Mapping of policies, social workforce, child emergency fund establishment, and structure in province, Palikas, and ward levels

- Prepare report on best practices and human interest stories on child protection and GBV system strengthening submitted.

Submission of a quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates

Submission of report on mapping of policies, social workforce (child welfare officers),

Submission of child emergency fund establishment, structure in province, Palikas, and ward levels.

Submission of report on best practices and including human-interest stories on child protection and GBV system strengthening, including child and youth club mobilization, etc.

15 February 2023 Prepare quarterly report on capacity development of Palika personnel and other partners including child protection stakeholders on child protection and GBV issues.

1 case study and 1 human-interest story on child protection and GBV programs implemented by government and CSO partners

Submission of a quarterly report on the capacity development of Palika personnel and other partners, including child protection stakeholders, on child protection and GBV issues.

Submission of one case study and one human interest story on child protection and GBV programs implemented by government and CSO partners.

15 April 2023 Prepare quarterly report on process documentation on the declaration of child labor-free Palikas and Rupantaran as a tool for changing behaviors of adolescents and social norms

- 1 case study and 1 human-interest story on child labor, child marriage, and child trafficking

Submission of a quarterly report of process documentation of child labor free palikas and Rupantaran

Submission of one case study and one human interest story on child labor, child marriage, and child trafficking.

15 May 2023 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

  • University degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Social Research, Management, or a similar field is required.
  • Minimum three (3) years of experience of working in the related field of child protection and GBV.
  • Technical knowledge on child protection and GBV
  • Relevant experience in government planning and budgeting process basically at provincial and Local level
  • Excellent Nepali and English writing and speaking skills.
  • Relevant experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage.

Competencies

• Good communication, coordination, analytical and facilitation skills.

• Capacity to work independently and to take initiative.

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering timely and high-quality result.

Special skills

• Technical knowledge and skills on child protection system strengthening, monitoring

• Computer skills (including advanced Spreadsheet/Microsoft Excel, Microsoft word and PowerPoint presentation)

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:

Request to submit financial proposal as per deliverables in Nepalese currency.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates from under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Added 10 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: unicef.org