Consultancy – Review of ASEAN Regional Plan of Action Eliminating Violence against Children, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to facilitate the end term review of the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children and develop the next ten year Second Regional Plan of Action with ACWC, ASEAN Member States, UNICEF Country Offices and key partners and consultations on priorities for the next ten years; produce ten country reports capturing progress and challenges for ASEAN Member States, and a consolidated regional end of term review report, which has a chapter on VAC-VAW intersections including but not limited to harmful practices; and develop the RPA on EVAC 2026-2035, including a chapter/annex covering priority actions on intersections between VAC and VAW including but not limited to harmful practices.

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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to facilitate the end term review of the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children and develop the next ten year Second Regional Plan of Action with ACWC, ASEAN Member States, UNICEF Country Offices and key partners and consultations on priorities for the next ten years; produce ten country reports capturing progress and challenges for ASEAN Member States, and a consolidated regional end of term review report, which has a chapter on VAC-VAW intersections including but not limited to harmful practices; and develop the RPA on EVAC 2026-2035, including a chapter/annex covering priority actions on intersections between VAC and VAW including but not limited to harmful practices.

Work assignment, Expected deliverable and Delivery schedule:

This work assignment is remote/home based but with travel expected to the regional office in Bangkok and to countries in the region.

Assignment 1: Develop a strengthened regional framework for action on eliminating violence against children, including harmful practices and identifying VAC-VAW intersections, through a review of progress of the current RPA on EVAC and the development of a second ten-year RPA on EVAC 2026-2035 with M&E framework, with a common chapter on VAC-VAW 

1. Act as the lead technical consultant for ACWC/ASEAN for the RPA on EVAC review process and development of the next 10-year RPA on EVAC
2. Remotely attend all Drafting Committee, Technical Working Group and ASEAN meetings for this process(es) on RPA on EVAC and select meetings for the RPA on EVAW
3. Develop an assessment process and a self-assessment framework for ASEAN Member States to complete in order to capture progress on the RPA on EVAC against key indicators, the baseline and mid-term review, including harmful practices as well as the challenges
4. Undertake a desk review and key informant interviews (where necessary) to complement progress reports provided by ASEAN Member States 
5. Facilitate remote and in person country and regional consultations on progress on the RPA on EVAC and the next ten-year RPA on EVAC
6. Attend and support a regional consultation on VAC-VAW intersections (planned to be consecutive with the RPA on EVAC consultation)
7. Write ten country reports to capture progress by each ASEAN Member State on the RPA on EVAC against key indicators, the baseline and mid-term review, as well as the challenges. Final reports to incorporate feedback on the draft from UNICEF, ASEAN Member States and ASEAN (max 30 pages each)
8. Compile a summary regional report consolidating progress by ASEAN Member States. Final report to incorporate feedback on the draft from UNICEF, ASEAN Member States and ASEAN (max 70 pages with footnotes, citations and annexes)
9. Develop the next ten-year RPA on EVAC, with an M&E framework, in the ASEAN format
10. Develop a common chapter on EVAC-EVAW intersections and harmful practices with UN Women and ACWC that will be included in the RPA on EVAC and RPA on EVAW

Expected deliverable 1: est 202 days

1. Process for the review of implementation of the RPA on EVAC developed, with proposed set of indicators for review, and for the development of the new ten year plan in consultation with ASEAN = 1 day
2. Review tools (survey and in person) developed for dissemination to ASEAN Member States and for use at country level consultations [Methodology to include an examination of the concurrence between EVAC and EVAW and progress on harmful practices] = 2 days
3. Attendance at all Drafting Committee, Technical Working Group and ASEAN meetings for this process(es) (remote) = 5 days
4. Technical support, including in country support as requested, provided to ASEAN Member States and UNICEF Country Offices on the review process (2 days in country, 2 days technical support) = 40 days
5. Children and young people consulted on priorities for next 10-year RPA on EVAC (done in consultation with other foras, etc.) = 4 days
6. In person regional consultation (3 days) for the implementation of ASEAN RPA on EVAC (and on EVAW) and new RPA(s) conducted = 5 days
7. Ten country reports capturing progress by each ASEAN Member State on the RPA on EVAC against key indicators, the baseline and mid-term review, as well as the challenges produced, incorporating, feedback on the draft from UNICEF, ASEAN Member States and ASEAN (max 20 pages each) = 100 days
8. Summary regional report consolidating progress by ASEAN Member States, including chapter on VAC-VAW intersections. Final report to incorporate feedback on the draft from UNICEF, ASEAN Member States and ASEAN (max 70 pages with footnotes, citations and annexes) = 20 days
9. Ten year Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children in ASEAN 2026-2035, with M&E framework, and a common chapter on EVAC-EVAW intersections and harmful practices, following the ASEAN format and incorporating feedback on the draft from UNICEF, ASEAN Member States and Technical Working Group = 25 days 

Delivery schedule: 15th December 2025 

Assignment 2: Support the roll out of the strengthened ASEAN framework on EVAC (and intersections with EVAW), including key provisions related to harmful practices

1. Provide sensitization and technical support for UNICEF Country Offices and partners to implement the RPA on EVAC
2. Organise a regional virtual launch with ASEAN of RPA EVAC (jointly with RPA EVAW) and common chapter on VAC-VAW
3. Support national launches of the RPA EVAC (and RPA EVAW and annex)
4. Develop a child friendly version of RPA on EVAC

Expected deliverable 2: (est 17 days)

1. Remote sensitization of Country Offices and key partners on the findings of the end of term review of the RPA EVAC and EVAW (webinar) = 1 day
2. Regional virtual launch with ASEAN of RPA EVAC (jointly with RPA EVAW) and common chapter on VAC-VAW  = 1 day
3. Minimum of four regional exchange sessions/community of practices held on different aspects of prevention of VAC, VAC-VAW and harmful practices = 2 days
4. Two-page fact sheet on prevalence of EVAC in South East Asia and key findings of the end of term review of the RPA on EVAC in the section format = 2 days
5. Two-page fact sheet on prevalence of harmful practices in South East Asia and key findings of the end of term review of the RPA on EVAC (and EVAW) and key actions in the VAC-VAW intersections common chapter, in the section format = 2 days
6. Two-page fact sheet on VAC-VAW intersections (offline and online) South East Asia including key findings of the end of term review of the RPA on EVAC and EVAW and key actions in the VAC-VAW intersections common chapter, in the section format = 2 days
7. External advocacy brief EVAC and EVAW concurrence and implications for prevention and response (5 pages) = 4 days
8. Child friendly version of RPA on EVAC, including feedback from UNICEF, key partners and ASEAN = 3 days 

Delivery schedule: 31^st March 2026

Timeline/Deliverables (see attached)

 Full VA.pdf

Duration of Contract:    15 September 2024 – 31 March 2026

Duty Travel:  Travel based on the needs of the countries in East Asia and the Pacific and to facilitate the regional consultation(s) on for the End Term Review RPA on EVAC and next ten year RPA on EVAC (expected to be held in Bangkok, or Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur), or to provide support (as needed) to national consultations.
 

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

Essential

• Master’s degree in human rights, international law, evaluation or a related field
• 8 years of professional experience in a relevant field(s)
• Demonstrated expert and up to date knowledge of child protection
• Demonstrable excellent organizational skills
• Experience in multi country research
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven high quality writing skills (fluency in English) and excellent communication skills
• Proven drafting skills (i.e. development of strategic organizational documents)

Desirable:

• Child protection experience in EAPR
• Knowledge of ASEAN frameworks and experience of working with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies
• Experience in multi-country research and analyis
• Experience/understanding of legal standards and legal reform
• Experience in the provision of technical support to Government partners

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 31 July 2024.

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.

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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 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. Consultants 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.