Organization: UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Location: Dhaka
Grade: Consultancy – International Consultant – Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Communication and Public Information
Education, Learning and Training
Peace and Development
Closing Date: 2024-11-20
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
D
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
CONS International
Target Start Date
2024-11-24
Deadline for Applications
November 20, 2024
Terms of Reference
The escalation of the conflict in Rakhine State since November 2023 has impacted the overall protection of refugees inside the refugee camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. The rapid deterioration of security in the camps is due to the expanded presence and operations of organized groups. As per the Protection Sector’s joint protection monitoring reports, in 2023, 1,830 serious protection incidents (murder, physical assault, kidnapping/abduction, extortion) have been recorded across the camps (a 181% increase from 2022). There were 1,263 serious protection incidents reported by the end of Q3 of 2024. In Q3, the total number of incidents decreased compared to Q2. However, the number of affected refugees rose by 70% in comparison to the previous quarter. Gunshots/suspected use of firearms increased by 157% in comparison to Q2 2024. Verified safety and security incidents in Q3 included abduction/kidnapping (157), serious physical assault (98), extortion (74), gunshots/suspected use of firearms (59), recruitment2 (28), as well as killing/ murder/ manslaughter (19).
Protection actors in Cox’s Bazar have also noted a trend of organized groups recruiting refugees ostensibly to support the armed conflict in Myanmar. Reports of systematic campaigns to recruit were recorded throughout the year, with a significant acceleration between April and May 2024. Recruitments are done through serious threats to the physical security and integrity of the targeted persons, including kidnapping, extortion, and killings, as well as threats against family members, including women and girls.
Community consultations indicate a high level of fear among the refugees as a result of the violence at the hands of the organized groups. A higher perception of violence against women has also been noted, and the reporting of sexual violence has seen a gradual increase. Community consultations also show a low level of trust among refugees towards Law Enforcement Authorities.
Peace & Security Campaign
Building on a 14 May 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Non-Paper, members of the ISCG Protection Sector in Cox’s Bazar and other humanitarian actors supporting the Rohingya Response started working on a campaign for “Peace and Security”. UNHCR is co-leading the Campaign working group and contributing strongly to its implementation with different activities. A Work Plan has been developed with contribution from various actors.
The new Interim Government confirmed its commitment to the Peace & Security Campaign and the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) launched the campaign on 14 October 2024 at an event attended by Camp-in-Charges and the international community in Cox’s Bazar.
A community-based approach is adopted in this campaign. This encompasses the meaningful engagement of key stakeholders in the camps to first inform the messages, the communication channels and build the resilience of the refugees in the camps. The campaign will therefore engage with the communities, refugees and host, to support confidence building measures – initiatives to rebuild trust including with law enforcement actors in the camps and peaceful initiatives led by the refugees and their host communities. Given the real and serious risks in the camps, the Campaign will be underpinned the principle of Do No Harm and the Duty of Care to the humanitarian staff and refugee volunteers alike.
The planned capacity building sessions will strengthen the skills of UNHCR staff, implementing partners and refugee community leaders to support the implementation of the Peace and security Campaign work plan in 2025. The training will build capacity in the following areas: conflict prevention, dialogue promotion, confidence building and conflict transformation. With the skills acquired, they will be able to contribute to the implementation of the Peace and Security Campaign through identified interventions and by choosing a communication which helps strengthen connection and resilience and bring clarity to conflictive situations with a Do No Harm approach.
The sessions are to take place in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in early December 2024 throughout the period of 8 days.
DELIVERABLES
• Training of UNHCR Cox’s Bazar staff
• Training of UNHCR’s implementing partners
•Training of refugees (youth, women, religious leaders)
REPORTING AND VALIDATION PROCESS
• The consultant shall maintain regular communication with UNHCR during the preparation of and during the assignment.
The consultant will prepare a detailed training plan adapted to the three audiences, their different profiles and taking into account the language barriers.
• The consultant will write an activity report on the capacity building workshops, which reflects the following points:
-Main training outcomes
-Key learning points
-Examples of transformation
-Challenges and Lessons Learned
-Recommendations and next steps
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Required/Mandatory: At least 10 years’ progressive experience in providing training and coaching on Nonviolent Communication, transformative leadership, mediation and advocacy with experience in conflict and post conflict settings. Desirable: Experience working in South-East Asia.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
English
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based
No