National Consultancy, Development of Literacy and Digital Safety materials: Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), Windhoek, Namibia (For Namibia Nationals only)

Contract

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Background

The Disrupting Harm Study of 2021 indicated that 9% (20,000 scaled to national population) of internet users aged 12–17 years are subjected to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 9% of children received unwanted request for photos/videos, 5% were offered money/gifts, 3% threatened or blackmailed online, 5% had their sexual images shared and 7% accepted money or gifts. The majority of OCSEA offenders (about 80%) are someone the child already knows. Most children experienced OCSEA through social media, with Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram being the most common platforms on which this occurred. Most children were more inclined to disclose being victims of OCSEA to their interpersonal networks rather than to helplines or the police. A notable proportion of children (30%) did not tell anyone about their OCSEA experiences. The Violence Against Children Survey Report, (VACS), 2020, indicated that more girls (50%) than boys (31%) ever told anyone, but only 10% sought help. The most common reason for not seeking services was not thinking it was a problem or not needing or wanting services (54%). Both the Disrupting Harm and VAC studies indicated that girls seem more than twice likely to tell someone about their experience than boys. Additionally, almost 12% of girls and 7% of boys experienced sexual violence before the age of 18 years. The most common perpetrators were relatives (60%), and friends and neighbours (33%). When it comes to physical violence, more boys (25.7%) than girls (13.0%) experienced physical violence by a peer.

Technology and digital space can be used for delivery of a range of services to children promoting learning and development. While many opportunities for learning, recreation, play and socialization are provided by these new technologies, they may also increase the risks for abuse and exploitation of children. The dangers confronting children online include cyber bullying, child grooming, child pornography, online sexual exploitation, cyber stalking, access to illegal material, online abuse in all its forms, online gambling for children and a network for child sex tourism and trafficking. By its nature, the Internet remains complex to regulate. UNICEF and the global community are recognizing the importance of creating online safety awareness to children, parents, communities, duty bearers and digital space entities to work together to ensure that meaningful and appropriate programmes are developed to protect children online whilst maximizing opportunities for constructive and positive ICT usage as well.

Namibia is a country of contrast, children still face wide socio-economic inequalities and high rates of violence and other risks and therefore it is important for all duty-bearers to realize what risks exist for children, especially online and how to mitigate those risks and ensure that children are safe in the digital space. Namibia has excellent legislations for offline abuse but does not currently have any legislation or policies for online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). However, the gap between legislation and implementation remains wide and services are not well connected.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

Develop Social Behavioral Change Advocacy package including awareness raising materials and an associated toolkit to create awareness and change social behaviors related to Online Child sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist and the SBC Specialist, the consultant(s) is expected to develop the Social Behavioral Change Advocacy package including awareness raising materials and an associated toolkit, which aims to create awareness and change social behaviors related to Online Child sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

The consultant will undertake the following tasks to achieve the objective of the assignment:

a) A package of at least 12 pieces of content consisting of images and text and formatted for use on commonly used social media platforms, 4 pieces should target child and young people and 4 pieces should target parents and 4 for service providers to use in training and outreach. These online social and behavioral change materials are aimed at increasing awareness of risks and mitigation measures associated with online engagement.

b) The development of the toolkits includes:

i. The updating of the existing parents manual on OCSEA ‘The Digital Dance’. The manual was developed in 2020 and needs to be minimally revised to align with global standards and laws.

ii. The development of a service provider toolkit. The toolkit should guide stakeholders on how to use the SBC materials developed to increase awareness of the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with online engagement. The toolkit should at a minimum include; an introduction to OCSEA; an outline of the various stakeholder and duty bearer roles and responsibilities regarding OCSEA; tools and guidance on how to identify risks and vulnerabilities; Guidance on referral of cases (this includes the integration of existing SOPs on Violence against Children and Gender Based Violence); practical guidance on mitigation and support measures stakeholders can take to support children in navigating the online/offline risks. The toolkit should be no more than 10-15 pages

iii). A child-friendly version of the toolkit. This should draw from content in the parents and service provider toolkits and adapt the content for children and young people. The child-friendly toolkit should be no more than 5-6 pages.

Tasks/Milestone****Deliverables/Outputs****Timelines & Number of working days****Payment Schedule1.Inception meeting/discussion for the consultant to share the methodology and approach to respond to the deliverableInception report1 day (15 November 2023) 2. Literature review and Inception report: The consultant will conduct a comprehensive literature review, including numerous global, regional and national on-line studies/research. The learning should inform the development of the materials and toolkits and should include learning and best practice from OCSEA initiatives. The inception report should include the literature review, detailed proposed outline of the toolkits, methodology, sample of potential SBC awareness raising materials and detailed plans for consultations with stakeholders.Report on literature review with UNICEF/MGEPESW input included 10, pages max7 days (30th Nov 2023)40%3. a) Conduct nine focused group discussions with duty-bearers to inform the content of the materials and toolkits. This will include one session with government officials, one with civil society and one with parents and caregivers across 3 regions (Khomas, Omusati and Karas).

b) Conduct six focused group discussions with children and young people to inform the content of the materials and toolkits. One should be with school going children and the other one with out-of-school young people across 3 regions (Khomas, Omusati and Kharas).

FGDs with stakeholders10 days (15th Jan 2024) 4. Develop advocacy package (materials and toolkits) for duty-bearers, parents and for children based on the research and FGDs.Draft advocacy package30 days (20 March 2024) 5. Piloting and workshops. Nine (9) workshops should be held with service providers, parents and children and young people to validate the materials and toolkits and solicit feedback. 3 workshops in each of the 3 regions where FGDs were previously held. Provide a detailed report of the outcome.• Piloting of advocacy package • Report on piloting15 days (15 April 2024) 6. Final draft submission of materials and toolkits.Submission of final draft advocacy package (materials and toolkits), including report of piloting4 days (19 April 2024) 7. Provide presentation and validation of the material at the Child Online Protection Technical Working GroupPresentation and validation of materials at COP Taskforce meeting1 day (23 April 2024) 8. Submission of final materials and toolkitsFinal advocacy package (materials and toolkits)3 days (26 April 2024)60% To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Qualifications required:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Social Sciences or related field, Law/International Relations, IT, Development Studies.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in Social Sciences or related field, Law/International Relations, IT and Development Studies.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

a. Demonstrated previous experience with the development of material/toolkit in Africa

b. Outstanding IT knowledge including analytical skills, including strong ability to analyze, integrate and summarize information in the digital space.

c. Knowledge of child protection and development issues in Africa, specifically to online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA)

d. 5-8 years of experience working within digital space or conducting research in the field.

e. Knowledge and ability to navigate digital platforms.

f. Excellent writing skills in English, including a demonstrated ability to draft clear, concise reports.

g. Good computer skills, including familiarity with search engines and academic databases.

h. Ability to work independently and to ensure high-quality deliverables.

i. Demonstrated capacity to engage with key stakeholders and facilitate workshops/ dialogues including working with children.

j. Demonstrated capacity to carry out the assignment within the allocated period.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates to submit an online application before the closing date.

Please submit expression of interest together with:

• A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience, and expertise.
• Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the proposed methodology/approach, and timelines for the respective deliverables.
• A financial proposal/budget in line with tasks/activities to be carried out. The financial proposal should include all costs associated with the assignment including those associated with the field consultations.
• Samples of relevant previous work may be requested during the selection process.

Incomplete applications e.g. without financial/budget proposal will not be considered.

Administrative issues: The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants.

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the individual consultant. Consultant will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.

Consultant will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants and to share an applicable proof of health insurance prior to taking up the assignment. Consultant will provide their own transportation for the duration of this consultancy UNICEF will not be responsible for transportation costs or arrangements related to travel for this consultancy.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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.