Capacity-building and supervision of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) in selected provinces – National IRANIANS only

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

Since 2021, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated dramatically, with significant consequences for the most vulnerable among the population. This situation has increased cross-border movement of Afghans seeking protection and asylum in Iran. Protection needs remain widespread amongst Afghans residing in Iran, as well as those in Afghanistan, the latter resulting in continued arrivals in Iran. Forced displacement, poverty and limited livelihood opportunities, gender inequalities, social cohesion challenges, and lack of hope contribute to severe mental health issues among Afghan in Iran. Of particular concern is emotional distress which can have long-term implications, if not addressed. Results of a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) gap analysis conducted by the UN Protection Sector in 2022 highlighted considerable gaps in preventing and addressing MHPSS needs of Afghans in Iran, with a notable gap in community-based interventions.

In response to this situation, UNICEF Iran is strengthening the capacity of national NGOs in provision of community-based child protection and MHPSS services to Afghan children, parents, and caregivers through establishment of CFS in Afghan-populated areas and settlements. Part of this effort includes training and supervision of CFS staff on CFS management, Psychological First Aid (PFA), case management/referral, and supporting them to provide quality services in four CFS in Golshahr and Torbat-e Jam (Khorassan Razavi), Dasht-e-Zahmatkeshan (Kerman), and Maybod (Yazd).

How can you make a difference? 

This consultancy is in line with UNICEF’s efforts to support enhancement of national capacities for provision of

quality Child Protection services to Afghan children.

This consultancy will contribute to achieving the following key objectives:

1. Equip CFS’ social workers/facilitators with the complementary knowledge and skills required to manage CFS and its sub-activities, including case management and referral.

2. Provide CFS’ social workers/facilitators with knowledge of PFA.

3. Support CFS’s social workers/facilitators through mentoring and supervision of case management and referral, including development of service mapping and referral tools.

Methodology

 The consultant, while being mindful of the unique local context, existing infrastructures, and available capacities, will employ participatory methodologies to deliver comprehensive training to the social workers/facilitators of CFS. This training will encompass key areas such as effective management of CFS, case management, and the referral process. The consultant’s role extends beyond training, as s/he will also provide supervision to the facilitators, particularly in the areas of case management and referral of cases that require additional protection support. In undertaking these responsibilities, the consultant is expected to incorporate insights and lessons learned from similar countries or contexts. Furthermore, s/he should utilize national and global resources on Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), PFA, and the management of CFS. This approach ensures that the training and supervision are grounded in promising strategies and best practices, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the CFS.

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

• Minimum master’s degree in social work, emergency and disaster management, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 5 years of working experience in the field of Child Protection, including field experience in Child Protection in Emergencies including supervisory role.
• Proven experience in development of curriculum and training materials.
• Proven experience in facilitating relevant training/workshops.
• Previous working experience with UNICEF/UN and relevant national and international organizations involved in emergency response is an asset.

Conditions of work

The consultant shall use her/his own facilities to manage the work, but, where circumstances demand otherwise, shall be allowed to make use of available UNICEF office space, computer and internet facilities with prior notification and arrangement with the supervisor and UNICEF Admin/ICT. The provision of these facilities by UNICEF shall be subject to their availability.

Criteria for evaluation

Note for consultants and individual contractors:

The Consultant should submit a technical proposal including a plan and a timeline for conducting the consultancy and an overview of the subject to demonstrate his/her knowledge.

Please submit a financial offer along with your proposal, which contains the following information:

•  Fee for services to be provided – based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference

•  Wherever possible, indicate the itemized cost of the travel (air tickets etc.) if an international consultation, and daily living costs for your stay in the country.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

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. 

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.