Consultancy - Support to UNICEF’s CSO partners in implementing systems and policies to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) (Open to National and International Candidates)

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to support and build the capacity of UNICEF implementing partners in relation to Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), addressing capacity gaps as identified through the PSEA assessments.

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

All forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) are a violation of human rights and an abuse of a position of power over a vulnerable population that the United Nations and other humanitarian and development actors have pledged to protect. SEA can lead to serious, sometimes life-long, adverse consequences for the survivors, particularly for child survivors.  UNICEF is fully committed to ensuring the vulnerable are protected from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). 

UNICEF’s approach to PSEA focuses on three primary programmatic outcome areas: (i) safe and accessible reporting mechanisms, (ii) quality, survivor-centered support, and (iii) accountability for every child and adult survivor in all humanitarian responses. Delivering on these commitments involves ensuring UNICEF and its partners have adequate safeguards and take appropriate action to tackle SEA.

In February 2020, UNICEF released a Procedure for Managing Risks of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Implementing Partnerships (applicable to all offices) as well as a PSEA Toolkit for UNICEF implementing partners.  A key element of the new PSEA procedure was the requirement to conduct PSEA Assessments for all CSO partners. 

The objective of the PSEA Assessment is to facilitate a sustained improvement in SEA prevention measures and a reduction of SEA risks in program implementation. It is required for all CSO partners and valid for 5 years and rates organizational capacities to prevent SEA and provides organizations with a baseline for tracking progress.  As per the PSEA procedure, national CSOs are assessed by the country office while International CSO is assessed globally by HQ.  UNICEF Malawi Country Office has conducted PSEA assessments of all of its active national CSO partners (including a self-assessment by the partner).

As a follow-up to these assessments and to support partner’s efforts in addressing identified capacity gaps (absence or weak PSEA policies, no mandatory training, no vetting procedures, no procedures/processes in place for reporting or investigating cases of SEA, etc) and improving their risk rating as identified through the PSEA assessment, UNICEF Malawi is looking for an individual international or national consultant to support UNICEF’s CSO partners to strengthen their policies and procedures in relation to PSEA.

JUSTIFICATION

As a follow-up to the PSEA assessments, and to support partner’s efforts in addressing identified capacity gaps and improving their risk rating as identified through their assessment, UNICEF Malawi is looking for an individual international or national consultant to support UNICEF’s CSO partners to strengthen their policies and procedures in relation to PSEA.  The section is inviting applications from either national or international candidates.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant is expected to complete the following tasks and submit deliverables in line with the work calendar below:

1. Provide technical support and advice to Implementing Partner (IPs) on their PSEA policies and procedures in line with the UN PSEA protocols policies and procedures
   • Desk review of selected PSEA assessments report of UNICEF Malawi implementing partners
   • Technical review of partners existing PSEA policies and procedures and identification of gaps
   • Discuss and engage with partner senior management and PSEA focal persons to understand needs and expectations
   • Provide recommendations, guidance, and support to address identified policy and capacity gaps
   • Provide advice and coaching to partner PSEA focal points to strengthen PSEA efforts within their respective offices 

• Based on identified gaps, document lessons learned and best practices on PSEA implementation with IPs, including relevant tools/checklists
  • Share findings/observations with UN PSEA Working Group 

2. Design and delivery of PSEA Training of Trainers training

• Review existing policies and training materials (to be provided by UNICEF)
• Conduct a pre-training assessment
• Adapt existing materials into a Training of Trainers kit (specific to Malawi context)
• Deliver virtual PSEA Training of Trainers for UNICEF implementing partners (since the training will be virtual the content should be creative and be that which encourages participants engagement)
• Conduct a post-training assessment

3. Review of existing PSEA reporting processes/structures

• Review and map existing PSEA existing complaint and feedback mechanisms
• Identify opportunities for strengthening reporting of SEA allegations
• Provide recommendations on what UNICEF could do to strengthen SEA reporting procedures/mechanisms

The tasks will be implemented concurrently, and the consultant will be required to manage the three tasks in parallel.   

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The consultant will report to the Implementing Partnership Management Specialist.  All work will be delivered remotely, via email and Microsoft Teams/Zoom. Regular update meetings between UNICEF and the consultant will be conducted to monitor activities' progress and identify and address any issues.

The consultant will be expected to prepare the following reports/documentation:

• Inception Report: outlining proposed methodology including anticipated risks and mitigation factors and work plan amongst others.
• Final Report: a final report of all work completed, including:
  • summary of the support provided to implementing partners, including identification of key issues and recommendations for UNICEF to strengthen support to implementing partners
  • mapping and recommendations of PSEA complaint and feedback mechanisms
  • short summary of the training provided (incl. any major observations/suggestions for improvement)
• Training Materials (incl. standard PowerPoint presentation, group work exercises, facilitators guide etc) 

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

• Advanced university degree in international development, human rights, social science, psychology, and other relevant degrees
• At least five years of relevant professional experience working on gender, PSEA, GBV, human rights, child protection, safeguarding, etc.
• Experience in designing and delivering training
• Relevant experience in working with the UN agencies is an asset
• Experience working with CSOs in Malawi is an asset
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment
• Good understanding of rights-based approaches and gender equality
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Fluency in English

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

For further information about the consultancy, refer to the attached ToR

 TOR - IP PSEA Consultant .pdf

Use this template to submit your financial proposal

 Template for Financial Proposal.xlsx

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.