Survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the use of violent forms of child discipline and sexual violence in families, communities and schools in São Tomé and Príncipe- 5

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

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

UNICEF Sao Tome and Principe is looking to recruit a consultant for the survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the use of violent forms of child discipline and sexual violence in families, communities and schools in São Tomé and Príncipe.

How can you make a difference?

1. BACKGROUND

Global experience shows that “preventing violence from occurring in the first place presents different challenges than responding to acts of violence. The same applies to reporting violence, once it does occur. Doing so involves changing deeply ingrained social and cultural norms and behaviours – in particular, the idea that some forms of violence are not only normal, but in some cases even tolerated and justifiable”.

Evidence on violent discipline

Like in all countries, many children in the Sao Tome & Principe suffer violence. Intimidation and corporal punishment are still widely used to discipline children in the country. Findings from MICS6 (2019) provides alarming data showing the high use of violence as a form of discipline in the home and family setting. Eight in ten children experience violent discipline. This data raises several questions as to why the practice persists. Furthermore, data on the extent to which people report cases of violence and relevant reasons for their practises, is limited.

Evidence on sexual violence

In STP, there is also a notable lack of data related to Violence against women and girls (VAWG). VAWG data that does exist comes mainly from the 2008-2009 DHS, which is more than a decade old. In 2017, 58 incidents of child sexual abuse/attempt were reported to the police, followed by a decrease to 43 in 2018. This was followed by a steady increase from 43 in 208 to 145 in 2020, representing a 237 percent increase in the number of incidents of child sexual abuse/attempted reported to the police from 2018 to 2020. This was followed by a 31 percent decrease from 145 in 2020 to 100 in 2021.

Teenage pregnancy is also a common concern in STP. Between 2000-2019, the teen birth rate in STP has been higher and many girls who become pregnant find themselves dropping out of school.

In most cases, teenage pregnancy is not the result of a deliberate choice. More often, early pregnancy is a consequence of little or no access to sexual education and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care to help girls avoid pregnancy. In São Tomé and Príncipe, many girls who become pregnant find themselves dropping out of school, making them more vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion. Data are lacking on the number of pregnancies among out-of-school girls and teenage pregnancy as a result of child sexual abuse, incest and/or rape.

Effective social behaviour change strategies to address behavioural practices are more effective when they focus on ensuring the required behaviour “evolves” to fit the needs of the individual, as opposed to efforts that focus on trying to pursue individuals to change. In the case of violent discipline such interventions require an understanding of a) what would be the relative advantage for adopting positive parenting/teaching practices to the parents/teachers; b) How compatible is the practice with existing values and practices; c) How easy are positive parenting/teaching methods to be implemented, and 4) will the results be visible.

In the case of sexual abuse and sexual violence the interventions will require an understanding of 1) what would be the benefits of acquiring knowledge and awareness about sexual violence and abuse to ensure a positive swift in attitudes and practices; 2) to which extend social norms condemn sexual violence and facilitate reporting it; 3) how feasible will be to adapt reporting and referral systems and case management protocols to ensure their effectiveness.

Given the open questions, more data on cross-cutting factors that contribute to ongoing use of violent discipline methods, practice sexual violence and on reporting violence is needed. This comprehensive survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices related to violence against children is designed to provide insight to inform the need to advocate for well-tailored to the context policy, legal and programmatic framework (including reporting and referral mechanisms, as well as case management protocols) for addressing Violence against Children (VAC) and the design of effective social behavior change interventions.

2. Individual Consultancy to conduct:

1. • A survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards the use of violent forms of child discipline and sexual violence in families, communities and schools in Sao Tome e Principe
2. • Analyse the policy, legal and programmatic framework (reporting and referral systems, case management protocol) for addressing Violence against Children (VAC) in Sao Tome e Principe with special attention to the context of education

Consultation and summary report based on description and conclusions of 1 & 2, including specific conclusions and looking-forward actionable recommendations

3. PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist and in close collaboration with the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and the Deputy Representative, the consultant will provide design and implement a survey on families’ and schools’ staff knowledge, attitudes and practices towards violence against children. More specifically, the survey should explore aspects related to:

• Knowledge: a) how people (community, families, students, out-of-school, and teachers) understand and define violent and alternative positive child discipline methods; b) how people understand and define sexual violence and abuse.
• Attitudes: a) the extent to which people (community, families, students, out-of-school and teachers) approve of different child discipline practices, in what circumstances are they acceptable; b) determine how far people approve sexual violence and abuse (for instance in case marital rape, transactional sex, forced sex in certain circumstances- the way the girl was dressed, where she was, provocative attitude)
• Personal normative beliefs: a) in what circumstances do they use the discipline methods and why; what would be the relative advantage of adopting positive parenting/teaching practices vs violent methods; how easy and compatible are positive practices with existing values and practices; b) in what circumstances people are sexually violent and why; what would be the relative advantage of raise awareness for adopting a different attitude in front of sexual violence and abuse and for reporting cases of violence; c) how easy and compatible are the mentioned positive practices with existing values and practices
• Factual beliefs: how people (community, families, students, out-of-school, and teachers) understand the effects and consequences of violence and positive child discipline practices as well as the effect of sexual violence and abuse and their underreporting.
• Empirical and normative expectations: the extent to which social norms influence attitudes and practices towards child discipline and towards sexual violence and abuse.
• Policy, legal and programmatic framework for addressing VAC with special focus on families and schools.

The survey will also support the Ministry of Education and partners to undertake a comprehensive analysis of in STP and prepare a multi-sectoral consultation meeting to discuss and validate the findings and recommendations.

The findings of the survey will be used to:

1. Inform social behavior change initiatives to address barriers that prevent parents/teachers from using alternative positive child discipline practices and to raise awareness on sexual violence and abuse, preventing, reporting and responding to it.

2. Produce recommendations for evidence-based advocacy for policy development and for the reporting and referral protocol of VAC with special focus in the schools.

   4. METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL APPROACH

The technical proposal submitted by the agency should include a proposed methodology for conducting the survey. The methodology should take into consideration that the results should be quantitative and include an analysis of findings, based on:

SECTION A-KAP Survey towards the use of violent forms of child discipline and violence in families and schools (Deliverables 1 to 6)

Component 1: a survey of households with children and adolescents aged (3- 19 years) representative of a national sample, disaggregated by place of living (urban/rural); relationship to child (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, or another family member with whom the child lives) and age.

Component 2: a survey of specific target groups: health workers, police officers and social workers, using a modified version of the questionnaire used in component 1.

Component 3: a survey of schools and with findings disaggregated by place (urban/rural), relationship to child (teacher, other school staff, peers) and age.

Component 4****: database (raw and cleaned), statistical analysis and final KAP report

SECTION B- Analyse the policy, legal, protocol and referral systems for addressing VAC in the schools (deliverables 7 & 8)

Component 5: desk review and an analysis and draft report on formally endorsed institutional, legal, policy and professional standards (reporting and referral systems as well as case management protocol) that are applicable for addressing VAC (with focus in families and schools). (Includes Power Point Presentation of key findings of the analyses)

SECTION C****- Summary document with A & B conclusions and recommendations (deliverable 9 &10)

Component 6: consultation with all relevant Ministries and other relevant partners on sections A & B and summary document with clear conclusions and actionable recommendations

The methodology must comply with UNICEF Procedure on Ethical Standards In Research, Evaluation, Data Collection And Analysis (2021) [1]. The proposed research methodology should include a section identifying anticipated or actual ethical issues as well as measures and methods to address or mitigate these issues.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The following should be submitted to UNICEF country office:

5.1. Technical proposal should include:

1. • Detailed overview of the proposed methodology and detailed description of activities to complete the deliverables listed.
2. • Timeframe for completing the different outputs.
3. • Separate section on administering a modified version of the survey questionnaire on specific target groups outside households with children – including teachers and school staff, health workers, police officers and social workers
4. • Sample of completed similar work (final research report).
5. • CV of person that will be used for support to obtain the deliverable, if necessary

5.2. Financial proposal: Three (3) separate financial proposals should be submitted:

1. • One financial proposal for section A, components 1 to 4, deliverables 1 to 7
2. • One financial proposal for section B, component 5, deliverables 8 & 9
3. • One financial proposal for section C, component 6, deliverables 10 & 11

5.4. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: The payments will be made in five instalments

1st installment of payment - 20 %: Deliverable 1 & 2

2nd installment of payment - 20%: Deliverable 3 & 4 & 5

3rd installment of payment - 20%: Deliverable 6 & 7

4th installment of payment - 20%: Deliverable 8 & 9

5th installment of payment - 20%: Deliverable 10 & 11

1. RECOURSE: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines

b) Given the UNICEF requirements for issuing the PSEA, if the candidate has technicians/experts in his/her team, it is recommended that a) he/she shares his/her CV and diplomas in advance, b) all will undergo the PSEA training.

6. SELECTION CRITERIA

All proposals will be evaluated according to the best cost-benefit ratio (technical and financial ratio).

SECTION A-KAP Survey towards the use of violent forms of child discipline and violence in families and schools (components 1 to 4)

1st installment of payment- 20 %- SEPTEMBER 2022/OCTOBER 2022

Deliverable 1: Data collection tools developed and approved: The consultant will develop data collection tools (survey questionnaire and other needed tools).

Deliverable 2: Representative sample developed and approved: The sample for Component 1, 2 and 3 should provide at a minimum information disaggregated by place of living (urban/rural); ethnicity; relationship to child (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, or another family member with whom the child lives) and age

2nd installment of payment- 20% OCTOBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2022

Deliverable 3: Selection and training of interviewers. Consultant in close coordination with National Institute of Statistics, will select interviewers (males and females) who are from STP and can fluently speak

Portuguese and the local language from the district in which they will be working and who are culturally sensitive. Priority will be given to interviewers of different ages (especially the ones that look young) so that respondents (mainly adolescents) feel that they are sharing sensitive information with someone who is more like a peer as opposed to an authority figure.

Deliverable 4: Survey questionnaire field tested, and necessary changes incorporated and approved. Consultant to propose details as part of technical proposal. Pre-testing results will be submitted to UNICEF before finalization of the tools.

Deliverable 5: Field work carried out and preliminary report submitted to UNICEF in Portuguese & English. Consultant to propose details, including preparatory work (i.e. training of field researcher) as part of technical proposal. The training of the field researchers should also include a module on understanding issues related to violence being covered in the survey. Field work will take place in households and in schools.

B- Analyse the policy, legal, protocol and referral systems for addressing VAC in the schools (component 5)

3rd installment of payment-20% JANUARY 2023 TO FEBRUARY 2023

Deliverable 6: Data entry and cleaning completed, and initial statistical analysis conducted. Consultant to propose details as part of technical proposal.

Deliverable 7: Final KAP report including analysis, statistical tables and graphs submitted in SPSS, Excel or Word format and approved. Report to be submitted in Portuguese & English. The data set will be the property of UNICEF. Raw data should be submitted to UNICEF on completion of the assignment.

4th installment of payment- 20% (This work can be done in parallel to the above deliverables and finished not later than MID FEBRUARY 2023

Deliverable 8: Desk review, analysis and draft report on formally endorsed institutional, legal, policy and professional standards that are applicable for addressing VAC in families and in schools, including the social welfare and justice sector perspective, and a diagram of the formal reporting and referral procedure in accordance with these standards with a focus on:

• Legal and policy framework on addressing VAC in families and in schools, including international and regional norms and obligations, national laws, decrees, bi-laws, ministerial instructions etc.
• Codes of conduct of education professionals, ToRs of relevant bodies and personnel with focus in schools (School Councils, Parents Councils, Gender Focal Points etc.)
• Organigram, staffing and geographical hierarchy and designation of bodies and professionals dealing with VAC (including this in schools).
• Procedures and pathways embedded in programmes and practices endorsed by the relevant Ministries and in case of VAC of school, Ministry of Education

Deliverable 9: Presentation of key findings of the analyses submitted in PowerPoint and approved. Presentation to be submitted in Portugues & English. Key researcher should be available to present the findings

5th installment of payment- 20% LATE FEBRUARY 2023

Deliverable 10 – A consultative meeting organized with the relevant Ministries, including Ministry of Education on the VAC in schools and other stakeholders and findings under Section A & B discussed.

Deliverable 11 - A summary document prepared, and recommendations based on section A & B & C, that includes including also the following components:

1. Findings of KAP in families and schools with conclusions and a set of forward-looking and actionable recommendations. Each conclusion shall make reference to the KAP survey question(s) or specific desk review document upon which it is based, while each forward-looking and actionable recommendation shall indicate the conclusion(s) from which it logically stems.
2. Table of existing legal, policy and professional standards related to VAC in families but also in schools with major gaps and recommendations for amendment.
3. Diagram on reporting and referral procedure of VAC (also in schools) based on analysis, best practices and the consultative meeting discussions and specific recommendations
4. Bibliography and an electronic folder of all materials obtained during the research

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

• The candidate must have at least a master's degree or equivalent in a field related to educational evaluation, social sciences, management and statistics.
• A Master’s degree in sociology, law, education, social work, political sciences, anthropology or other related discipline.
• 5 years of experience of the adequate research team in conducting KAP surveys and related data analysis; knowledge;
• Experience working on issue related to victims of violence an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of international norms and guidelines in the area of education and child protection; excellent analysis and research skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal and interpersonal and teamwork skills;

Language Proficiency

• Strong presentation and communication skills in English.

• Strong presentation and communication skills in Portuguese will be an asset, especially for the expert working on the survey design and implementation.

  For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's core values of Core Values Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

  To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org