International Consultant for drafting of Policies related to: 1. Family Violence 2. Harassment

To draft two (2) Polices for the Government of Guyana: 1. Family Violence 2. Harassment

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

Scope of Work:

The Government of Guyana formulated a National Policy on Domestic Violence in 2008, which is underpinned by the Domestic Violence Act, 1996. The National Policy on Domestic Violence is premised on a multi sectoral approach to violence and has been formulated in several crucial thematic areas. Additionally, this Policy is intended to guide interventions and all activities and programmes aimed at the prevention of Domestic Violence and the provision of services to victims/survivors. To ensure the full implementation of this policy, a Domestic Violence Policy Unit was established in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Oversight of the implementation of this policy is vested in a National Domestic Violence Oversight Committee which consists of senior officials in Government Ministries, and Agencies, and other Organisations which have a role to play in reducing domestic violence.

Currently, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the leadership of Hon. Dr. Persaud, a new Act (to replace the Domestic Violence Act) is being drafted- Family Violence Bill, 2022. Accordingly, while there may be some relevant approaches still applicable in the current Domestic Violence Policy, 2008 (such as the need to stronger multi-sectoral approaches), based on the consultations and the new proposed legislation, there is a need for the articulation of a new, modern policy for Family Violence (that will be in line with the intended legislation). Additionally, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is currently working on new legislation with regard to Harassment which is intended to ensure greater prevention and protection and extend the scope of harassment as it is currently articulated in the Prevention of Discrimination Act, 1997. There is also a need for a policy with respect to prevention and response to harassment.

Based on the background, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (supported by UNICEF Guyana) and seeks consultant to draft a new Policy on Family Violence which would complement the intended Family Violence Act and strengthen the legal and enabling environment on all aspects of Family Violence. Additionally, the consultant is expected to draft a policy relating to prevention and response to Harassment which would complement the work on legislative reform in this area. Both policies would also assist in sharpening the focus in and between sectors for greater accountability, ownership and results on the matter of violence prevention and response. The intended policies revision will also be critical in outlining the Government’s vision and collaborative work on protective measures, care for victims/survivors, sanctions and/or rehabilitation for assailants, and stronger defined roles for public agencies and assist Civil Society in their roles as part of a stronger collaborative response

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

-Masters in Social Sciences or related field
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Sound knowledge of and experience of Guyana’s context in terms of policy planning/dialogue, development and reporting
- At least 5 years of experience in policy planning/dialogue and development (on VAC and related areas)
- Sound awareness of Human Rights (especially CEDAW and CRC)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  Please access the complete ToR here:  Terms of Reference drafting of policies related to FV and Harassment.pdf

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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. 

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. All candidates are required to submit a financial and technical proposal.

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.