National Consultant - developing contents on Parenting & Online Violence Prevention (home based) Beijing, China

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, Care and Integrity

Although there is not nationally representative data on prevalence of violence against children, a recent meta-analysis of 68 studies on child maltreatment in China found that an estimated 20 per cent of children under 18 years of age suffered emotional abuse, 27 per cent suffered physical abuse, 9 per cent suffered sexual abuse and 26 per cent suffered from neglect.

With a high internet penetration (92%), digital platforms have become an important channel of communication and learning in children’s daily lives. While the Internet can provide great access to information and education opportunities, it can also expose children to risks, such as exposure to violent contents, bullying, privacy breach, abuse and sexual abuse, and overuse of the Internet. In 2020, the Youth League reported that 19.5% of children aged 6-17 have been exposed to violence online.

Violence has a long-lasting impact on children’s lives. Children who have been subjected to violence in childhood, both offline and online, are more likely to experience long-term negative outcomes in physical and mental health.

On the legal and policy side, the amendment of the Law on the Protection of Minors, the NPA for children (2021-2030) and the Law on Promotion of Family Education (2021) have strong language around zero tolerance to violence. The Law on the Protection of Minors introduced a designated chapter on the online protection of minors in this amendment.

At the same time, traditional norms dictate there should be no interference in the family environment and there is a high-level social acceptance of violent discipline of children.

How can you make a difference?

To consolidate and develop informative resources and materials on positive parenting and child online protection/digital safety.

Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe:

Time

Main Tasks

Deliverables

May

• Desk review of existing UNICEF and external parenting behavior support communication and awareness raising materials, with a focus on domestic and international good practice, such as factsheets, websites, guidebooks.
• Developing one fact sheet on positive parenting targeting parents and caregivers, including its positive impact on child development and practical tips. This should include different approaches per age cycle (0-5, 6-11, 12-17).
• Developing positive parenting related Q&A [DG1] to raise media and public awareness .

A compilation of promising parenting behavior support materials to be provided in electronic format.

Fact sheet on positive parenting.

Positive parenting Q&A.

June

• Drafting policy/advocacy briefing note on investing in parenting support programmes including the following contents: the issue, the arguments in favour of parenting, the asks and UNICEF’s work.
• Support UNICEF positive parenting campaigns, including developing extra documents, key messages, and media articles.

Policy briefing note.

July

• Desk review of existing UNICEF and external materials on online safety, with a focus on risk awareness and proved tactics and tips for parents and children.
• Developing the fact sheet on online safety risks[DG2] . This should include the different risks encountered and practical tips for parents, teachers and children respectively.
• Contributing to the design and construction of UNICEF parenting support and online safety micro-sites[DG3] .

A compilation of online safety related materials to be provided in electronic format.

Fact sheet on online safety risks for children and online safety tips for parents, teachers and children.[DG4]

August

• Drafting guidebook for parents focusing on positive parenting techniques considering online violence prevention.

Parenting guidebook (draft).

September

• Developing online safety Q&A to raise media and public awareness about online safety.
• Developing one briefing note for ICT companies on business role in online violence prevention, providing good practices from other countries and ideas on how to engage in COP.

Q&A on online safety.

ICT industry briefing note.

October

• Further reviewing of contents developed.[DG5]
• Finalizing the guidebooks for parents
• Providing additional contents, key messages, experts suggestions for UNICEF parenting support and online safety micro-sites [DG6]

Parenting guidebook (final).

November

• Support UNICEF campaigns on online violence prevention, including developing extra documents, key messages, and media articles.

December

• Reviewing and finalizing contents for UNICEF PP and online safety micro-sites.

  Deliverables and Payment Schedules:

Installment monthly payment, with monthly working progress report

Methodology & Expected Output:

This consultancy mainly involves desk review and analysis of materials, developing content as required above, and supporting relevant UNICEF campaigns. The consultant will be home based with some required time in UNICEF office or other places for meetings and discussions.

Expected Start Date****: 1 May 2022

End Date: 31 December 2022

Total Working Days: 160 days

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• • Minimum Academic Qualifications required and disciplines:

  Post graduate degree in communications, social work, counseling psychology, or other relevant discipline.

  • Knowledge/Experience/Expertise/Skills required:
  1. A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in child protection, social work for families, communication for development.
  2. Track record of developing IEC communication materials on social issues.
  3. Strong analytical and editing skills.
  4. Strong writing skills in Chinese and English to deliver products in both languages.
  5. Ability to work under tight deadlines and independently.
  6. Ability to work in international and multicultural environment, and to work with cultural sensitivity.
  7. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software.

For every Child, you demonstrate

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

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.