Prevention of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse (PSEA) National Consultancy (120 working days, UNICEF South Sudan (for South Sudanese only)

The purpose of this consultancy (6 months) is to: 1) lead and coordinate the in-country research study assessing the availability, effectiveness and quality of existing community-based mechanisms for reporting SEA including providing technical support, trainings and capacity building to partners, data collectors; 2) leading the in-country consultations with vulnerable groups to identify their preferences and needs related to SEA reporting; support the design of an evidence-based and fit-for-purpose programming model for reporting SEA suitable for South Sudan; and, 3) implementation of the evidence-based and needs-informed PSEA programming model for reporting and gathering of lessons-learned.

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
UNICEF South Sudan is a seeking a qualified National Consultant to lead and coordinate the in-country research study assessing the availability, effectiveness and quality of existing community-based mechanisms for reporting SEA; Consultations with vulnerable groups to identify their preferences and needs related to SEA reporting; support the design of an evidence-based and fit-for-purpose programming model for reporting SEA suitable for South Sudan; and, implementation of the evidence-based and needs-informed PSEA programming model for reporting and gathering of lessons-learned.

South Sudan is considered one of the top countries in the world at heightened risk of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). This occurs against a backdrop of widespread Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and deeply entrenched harmful gender norms and practices across the country where needs among women and girls supersedes available services. Women and children are increasingly vulnerable to SEA due to poverty, economic hardship, conflict and violence, food insecurity, persistent gender inequalities and harmful norms. Limited access to basic social services, poor living conditions, among others.

In South Sudan, despite high risks outlined above, data on SEA prevalence is limited due to underreporting. Fear of retaliation, a lack of information on SEA and where to report, limited trust and confidence in reporting channels including community-based complaints mechanism (CBCM), stigmatization, possible negative economic consequences coupled with harmful gender norms promote a culture of silence and impunity.

Towards this, UNICEF aims to ensure that affected populations are protected from SEA and have access to safe and confidential complaints and reporting mechanisms and response systems including survivor assistance. To address the challenges of under-reporting and systemic issues of the CBCM, UNICEF aims to undertake research that will focus on two key outputs: 1) a global evidence-based review of SEA reporting practices in humanitarian contexts; and 2) the development of programmatic guidance for humanitarian practitioners grounded in evidence base in order to strengthen inter-agency community-based reporting channels for SEA. The main aim of the research is to inform the design and development of a best-practice programming model that is fit for purpose and suitable for a diverse population, including women and children. South Sudan is selected for this multi-country research study.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The purpose of this consultancy (6 months) is to: 1) lead and coordinate the in-country research study assessing the availability, effectiveness and quality of existing community-based mechanisms for reporting SEA including providing technical support, trainings and capacity building to partners, data collectors; 2) leading the in-country consultations with vulnerable groups to identify their preferences and needs related to SEA reporting; support the design of an evidence-based and fit-for-purpose programming model for reporting SEA suitable for South Sudan; and, 3) implementation of the evidence-based and needs-informed PSEA programming model for reporting and gathering of lessons-learned.
The Consultant will receive overall guidance and day-to-day supervision from the PSEA Specialist. S/he will work closely with the UNICEF sections, field offices and partners.
Scope of Work:
Main tasks and deliverables related to the consultancy:
1.Provide technical support to assist with data collection for the research study of existing community-based complaints mechanisms for reporting SEA.
2.Plan and facilitate field-level trainings on PSEA, GBV and tools and guidance on protocols to be followed during field activities in selected locations.
3.Facilitate community-level field data collection including focus groups discussions in coordination with selected implementing partners in selected sites.
4.Lead in-country key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders.
5.Lead in-country analysis of community-level data and report drafting in collaboration with the HQ Technical Support Team.
6.Support the design of quality reporting model for piloting in-country.
7.Facilitate country-level consultations and validation of the design of the community-based reporting model.
8.Coordinate implementation of the pilot community-based complaints mechanisms in selected sites by providing mentoring, supervision and technical guidance to UNICEF partners.
9.Facilitate gathering of lessons learned during implementation of the pilot community-based complaints mechanisms in selected sites.
10.Lead country level dissemination events of the community-based reporting model and technical guidance.
Deliverables
Provide technical support to assist with data collection for the research study of existing community-based complaints mechanisms for reporting SEA.
•CBCM implementation plan developed and implemented 20/5/2024 20%
Plan and facilitate field-level trainings on PSEA, GBV and tools and guidance on protocols to be followed during field activities in selected locations.
•Five field trainings facilitated 30/5/2024 10%
Facilitate community-level field data collection including focus groups discussions in coordination with selected implementing partners in selected sites.
•Data collection in five selected sites completed 15/6/2024 10%
Lead in-country key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders.
•Minimum 15 KII conducted 20/6/2024 10%
Lead in-country analysis of community-level data and report drafting in collaboration with the HQ Technical Support Team.
•Draft report produced, reviewed and inputs incorporated 30/6/2024 10%
Support the design of quality reporting model for piloting in-country.
•Inputs for South Sudan model CBR collated and shared with HQ team 30/7/2024 5%
Facilitate country-level consultations and validation of the design of the community-based reporting model.
•Facilitate 5 Field-level and 1 national consultations
•Report produced with findings and recommendations from consultations 30/7/2024 5%
Coordinate implementation of the pilot community-based complaints mechanisms in selected sites by providing mentoring, supervision and technical guidance to UNICEF partners.
•At least 5 field visits conducted to monitor implementation of the pilot CBR and consultations with key stakeholders including UNICEF partners 15/10/2024 15%
Facilitate gathering of lessons learned during implementation of the pilot community-based complaints mechanisms in selected sites.
•Methodology for collecting lessons developed.
•Lessons learned collected and documented. 31/12/2024 5%
Lead country level dissemination events of the community-based reporting model and technical guidance.
•Dissemination events organized and facilitated 31/12/2024 10%

Qualification
1) University degree in Social Sciences, Gender and development studies, social development, Community development or in other similar fields. Master’s degree will be an advantage.
2) A minimum of five years’ relevant professional experience working in development and emergency settings, on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA); Children’s and Women’s rights; Violence prevention and response, in particular, sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence; Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP); Safeguarding and/or child protection.
3) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment.
4) Ability to collect, collate and analyze data in an effective manner and strong writing skills.
5) Proven experience of planning and facilitating trainings, workshops and other capacity building modalities.
6) Ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
7) Ability to work productively in a team and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise.

8) Fluency in English. Fluency in Arabic an asset.

All applications MUST be submitted with accompanied with detailed technical and financial proposal.

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.