UNICEF recrute un conseil international pour la protection contre l’exploitation et les abus sexuels (PSEA) UNICEF et PAM, Soudan du Sud

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, protection.

 

Background/Rationale for the Assignment :

UNICEF and WFP have a zero-tolerance policy for child safeguarding violations and sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated by its employees, personnel, sub-contractors and implementing partners.

In South Sudan, a combination of various factors (i.e. high prevalence of Sexual Gender Based Violence, conflict, the high vulnerability of beneficiaries dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs, elevated presence of humanitarian staff and related personnel, weak rule of law…) makes the country a high-risk environment for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

Following the endorsement of the United Nations Protocol on Allegations of SEA Involving Implementing Partners in February 2018, UNICEF and WFP have incorporated child safeguarding and prevention of SEA standards in contractual clauses of all partnership agreements signed between UNICEF and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) partners.

In addition to that, in February 2020, UNICEF South Sudan has started to roll-out UNICEF new global Procedure on Managing Risks of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Implementing Partnerships which includes a more stringent assessment for all CSOs partners, as foreseen by the above-mentioned UN Protocol. The PSEA assessment rates organizational capacities to prevent/ respond to SEA and covers six core standards: Policy, Management and Human Resources systems in place, Mandatory training, Reporting, Assistance and referrals for survivors and Investigations. The organizational capacity rating converts to a SEA risk rating (High, Moderate, Low); the principle being that UNICEF cannot enter in a partnership with a CSO with a High SEA risk rating. All current UNICEF partners rated at Moderate and High risk of SEA are invited to develop an action plan to identify and address the organizational gaps identified during the assessment. WFP has adopted a similar approach which is being systematically rolled out with South Sudan Country Office a priority location given the high risk.

In parallel, UNICEF PSEA Toolkit has been launched in April 2020. This comprehensive tool is used by partners to develop additional PSEA policies, procedures and systems within their respective organisation. WFP South Sudan also introduced a guideline informing potential partners of minimal requirements on PSEA accompanied by tailored bi-lateral support where technical capacity was required.

 

Purpose :

The purpose of the consultancy is to design training material and facilitate 5 series of 7 workshops to support CSOs partners to elaborate and establish the necessary measures and structures required to by each of the six core PSEA standards as outlined below :

Introduction : Basic introduction to PSEA :

1. Core Standard 1: Organizational Policy : Required 1: An organizational policy on PSEA exists and describes appropriate standards of conduct, other preventive measures, reporting, monitoring, investigation and corrective measures.

2. Core Standard 2: Organizational Management and HR Systems : Required 1: The organization’s contracts and partnership agreements include a standard clause requiring contractors, suppliers, consultants and sub-partners to commit to a zero-tolerance policy on SEA and to take measures to prevent and respond to SEA ;

Required 2: There is a systematic vetting procedure in place for job candidates (e.g. reference checks, police records, Google searches) in accordance with local laws regarding employment, privacy and data protection, including checking for prior involvement in SEA.

3. Core Standard 3: Mandatory Training : Required 1: The organization holds mandatory trainings for all personnel on the organization’s SEA policy and procedures and the training includes 1) a definition of SEA (that is aligned with the UN’s definition); 2) a prohibition of SEA; and 3) actions that personnel are required to take (i.e. prompt reporting of allegations and referral of survivors).

4. Core Standard 4: Reporting : Required 1: The organization has mechanisms and procedures for personnel, beneficiaries and communities, including children, to report SEA allegations that comply with core standards for reporting (i.e. safety, confidentiality, transparency, accessibility) and ensures that beneficiaries are aware of these.

5. Core Standard 5: Assistance and Referrals : Required 1: The organization has a system to ensure survivors of SEA, including children, receive immediate professional assistance, referring them to qualified service providers

6. Core Standard 6: Investigations : Required 1: The organization has a process for investigation of allegations of SEA and can provide evidence that it has appropriately dealt with past SEA allegations, if any, through investigation and corrective action.

The 7 workshops material will be developed based upon existing UNICEF PSEA Toolkit as well as other existing material such as IASC Learning Package on Protection from Sexual Misconduct for UN partner organizations “Say no to Sexual Misconduct”. The trainings will initially be delivered directly by the consultant to UNICEF and implementing partners. However, they will include a “Training of trainer” approach to enable trainees to replicate the sessions later as needed.

In addition, the consultant will set up and manage a virtual helpdesk in order to provide technical guidance to UNICEF and WFP partners after the training, in order to support them in the development or improvement of procedures/tools to improve their organizational capacities to prevent and respond to SEA.

 

Scope of Work and Activities :

The consultant will :

1. Elaborate the material and methodology to facilitate the 7 workshops aligned with the above-mentioned introduction and the 6 Core Standards, using the existing UNICEF PSEA Toolkit, WFP guidelines and protocols and any other relevant material ;
2. Roll-out and facilitate 5 series of 7 practical workshops sessions for UNICEF, WFP and CSOs partners. Due to COVID-19, the training is planned to take place remotely through virtual sessions ;
3. Set up and manage a virtual helpdesk in order to provide technical guidance to UNICEF and WFP partners after the training, in order to support them in the development or improvement of procedures/tools to improve their organizational capacities to prevent and respond to SEA.

 

Qualifications and Competencies :

Reputable consultant shall be required to have the following attributes :

• An advanced university degree (Masters and above) in one of the following areas is required : international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field ;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience in Child Protection, Safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and/or Gender Based Violence is required, including very good knowledge of the technical area ;
• Familiarity with the latest development in PSEA and inter-agency PSEA responses ;
• Experience working in South Sudan is an advantage ;
• Experience working in a context similar to South Sudan is required ;
• Experience in conducting trainings, capacity building and systems strengthening in the area of Safeguarding and/or PSEA is required ;
• Experience of conducting similar training in humanitarian settings ;
• Very good organisational and facilitation skills required ;
• Proficiency in English is required.

 

Deliverables :

The table below sets out the expected deliverables with estimated timelines:

• Deliverables (SMART) ;
• Details Personnel / Days Deadline ;
• Deliverable 1 – Elaborate the material and methodology to facilitate 7 ToT workshops ;
• The content of the 7 workshops will have to be aligned with the above-mentioned introduction and the 6 Core Standards, using the existing UNICEF PSEA Toolkit, WFP resources or any other relevant material ;
• The training material will be submitted to UNICEF and WFP for review and approval. 20 days 20 October 2020.

Deliver 2 – Roll-out and facilitate 5 series of 7 practical workshops sessions for UNICEF, WFP and CSOs partners. Due to COVID-19, the training is planned to take place remotely through virtual sessions. The trainings will initially be delivered directly by the consultant to UNICEF, WFP and implementing partners. However, they will include a “Training of trainer” approach to enable trainees to replicate the sessions later as needed. 40 days 31 March 2021.Deliver 3 – Set up and manage a virtual helpdesk for UNICEF and WFP partners. The consultant will set up and manage a virtual helpdesk in order to provide technical support to UNICEF and WFP partners after the training, in order to support them in the development or improvement of procedures/tools to improve their organizational capacities to prevent and respond to SEA. 45 days 31 March 2021.

Estimated Duration of the Contract : 105 days over 6 months.

Duty Station and Official Travel : Home based

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy : Applicants are required to submit detailed  technical and financial proposal

The consultant will invoice after approval by UNICEF and WFP for each set of deliverables.

UNICEF Supervisor : The Consultant will be co-supervised by UNICEF PSEA Specialist and WFP Head of Programme (Alternate PSEA Focal Point).

Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract : If the final deliverables are not submitted according to what is outlined 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.

Ahead of each deliverable being embarked on that the parameters/contents of each deliverable will be mutually agreed between the Consultant and UNICEF to avoid any miscommunication over quality of contents etc

 

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.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.