Organization: UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Remote | Nairobi | Bujumbura
Grade: Consultancy – Consultant – Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Women’s Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
Gender-based violence
Drugs, Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism and Human Trafficking
Closing Date: 2024-11-11
On 21 August 2024, UNICEF initiated a Level 3 Corporate Emergency scale-up in countries affected by outbreaks of mpox. This followed the declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) of a public health emergency of continental security on 13 August and the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August. The mpox outbreak is placing further strain on the overburdened health system and social services in the affected countries (Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda). Furthermore, the mpox outbreak is occurring concurrently with additional outbreaks of cholera and recently Marburg, which are having a significant impact on several countries in the East and Southern Africa region. The current situation has necessitated a significant expansion of PSEA initiatives, particularly in light of the rising risk of SEA in this complex humanitarian emergency. Factors such as heightened vulnerability among the population, accelerated recruitment of frontline personnel, and the scarcity of functional complaint mechanisms have contributed to this necessity.
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, reimagine the future.
Protecting affected populations from sexual exploitation and abuse is a core business priority for UNICEF. It is a cross-cutting issue that applies to all UNICEF interventions, including in public health emergencies. This is in line with the UNICEF Global Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan.
ESARO is committed to integrating PSEA more comprehensively into both preparedness and response plans related to public health emergencies. While the Regional Office has previously provided country offices with technical guidance and specific tools, it is now essential to ensure a comprehensive package of resources for country offices to guarantee the integration of PSEA in preparedness and response actions.
This should include training presentations and a list of resources that have been organised and made available for use by country offices at different stages of the preparedness or response process. It is essential to implement a system for evaluating the integration of these tools into existing programmes and operations. For this reason, ESARO is seeking to engage the services of a consultant to consolidate the work completed to date and develop further resources for the country offices. Furthermore, the consultant will document promising practices and lessons learned on the integration of PSEA in PHEs across the region.
SCOPE OF WORK
Goal and objective:
The consultant will work under the supervision of the PSEA Program Specialist to support efforts to enhance PSEA systems across ESAR, with a specific emphasis on PSEA in public health emergencies. It is a priority for UNICEF ESARO to strengthen PSEA systems and ensure that PSEA and safeguarding are systematically integrated into emergency response and preparedness. In light of the significant impact of the current public health emergencies in the region, including the activation of the L3 Emergency for the MPOX response, the Child Protection Section requires additional technical expertise to ensure comprehensive support to country offices involved in PHEs. This will ensure that PSEA and safeguarding are prioritized and that country offices and implementing partners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to successfully integrate PSEA and safeguarding in current PHE responses, as well as in preparedness efforts. Furthermore, the consultant will document lessons learned and promising practices in key country offices on integrating PSEA into PHE response and preparedness efforts. There is still limited guidance and practical examples of successful integration of PSEA in this type of crisis in the region. Therefore, this documentation process will be important for building UNICEF’s capacity in the ESAR and likely beyond.
Details/reference to AWP areas covered:
The consultant will support work to strengthen PSEA systems across ESAR, with a particular focus on PSEA in public health emergencies. This area of work falls under the Child Protection Section, Output: STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO ADDRESS PSEA AND SAFEGUARDING ACROSS ESAR.
Activities and Tasks:
The consultant will develop a resource package for UNICEF Country Office staff and UNICEF implementing partners on how to systematically integrate PSEA in public health emergency response and preparedness efforts. The resource material will comprise presentations with training guides for UNICEF staff and UNICEF implementing partners, as well as a list of key resources that can be used by COs and IPs staff to complete key tasks in PHEs, including SEA risk assessment, inclusion of PSEA/safeguarding into response and preparedness plans, and integration of PSEA/safeguarding considerations in RCCE activities. Furthermore, the package will include a checklist to monitor the integration of PSEA into PHE response and preparedness efforts.
The consultant will also collect lessons learned and promising practices in the region on the integration of PSEA in PHEs and will develop a summary document featuring at least four countries’ practices or lessons learned.
Work relationships: The consultant will work under the supervision of the Program Specialist (PSEA) and will collaborate with country office PSEA specialists or focal points. She/he will also collaborate with other key stakeholders within UNICEF (ESARO CPiE specialist, CO Emergency specialists, Chiefs Child Protection, SBC/AAP specialists) and with UNICEF implementing partners.
Outputs/Deliverables and Payment Schedule
Deliverables (SMART)
Duration
(Estimated # of days)
Timeline/
Deadline
Schedule of payment
Resource package for Country Offices and Implementing Partners on integrating PSEA into public health emergencies.
Activities:
Review of existing training material and resources (toolkits, tip-sheets, guidance notes)
Development or adaptation of training material (slides with included training guides) on integrating PSEA in PHEs preparedness and response plans
Development of list of resource material (English and French) for UNICEF staff and UNICEF Implementing partners
Development of a checklist to monitor the integration of PSEA into PHE response and preparedness efforts
12 days
2 December 2024
55%
Documentation of best practices and lessons learned on integration elements of PSEA programming into public health emergencies (PHE) in the region (especially in MPOX response).
Activities:
Interview with a minimum of five country offices focal points and analysis of their activities/interventions as part of the PSEA implementation plans
Participation in the Workshop on Integrating PSA in PHEs and presentation of the resource package.
Development of a summary document featuring at least four lessons learned and promising practices in the region.
10 days
10 February 2025
45%
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
Education: Advanced degree Social Science, International Relation, Human Rights or related field. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
Required:
Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience on PSEA / safeguarding.
Demonstrated experience of work in PSEA/safeguarding in emergency.
Experience in developing technical tools, guidance notes, training material on PSEA/safeguarding.
Availability to travel to target countries.
Desired / It is an asset:
Previous experience in Child Protection in Emergency, GBV in emergency or Accountability to Affected Population.
Previous experience with UNICEF on PSEA
Experience in developing training material and delivering training session is preferable.
Experience in ESAR region.
b. Competencies: Builds and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results, manages ambiguity and complexity, works collaboratively with others.
c. Fluency in English and French is required.
How to apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.
Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
Administrative issues
The consultant is expected to be remote (or Nairobi) based with potential travel to up to two countries in the region (Burundi and Kenya or Uganda)
Weekly meetings will be organized to follow up on the implementation of the deliverables.
Conditions
The consultant will use personal IT equipment.
All travel will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
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.
Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
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 or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees 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. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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.