Consultancy : Prevention Of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)Specialist , Tripoli, Libya Office

Job no: 539276

Position type: Consultancy

Location: Libya Division/Equivalent: Amman(MENA)

School/Unit: Libya

Department/Office: Tripoli, Libyan Arab Rep.

Categories: Consultancy

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, opportunity

The prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse has, for decades, been at the core of UNICEF's mandate. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated by employees, personnel and sub-contractors of UNICEF and implementing partners. In December 2018, under the Championship of UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, the IASC Principals laid out in a Plan for Accelerating PSEA at Country-Level. The plan outlines three main priorities: 1) safe, accessible and dignified reporting that is gender and child sensitive; 2) quality SEA survivor assistance; and 3) enhanced accountability, including through prompt and respectful investigations. To demonstrate UNICEF's commitment to advance the agenda on PSEA, ED Fore allocated US$11 million in 2018 to support 16 countries,[1] where crises have created a spike in vulnerability. A Results Monitoring Framework has been developed and rolled-out at country level to measure progress and results at country and global level. Following the endorsement of the United Nations Protocol On Allegations Of Sexual Exploitation And Abuse Involving Implementing Partners (hereinafter referred to the UN Protocol) in February 2018, UNICEF has incorporated prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse standards in the General Terms and Conditions of partnership agreements with civil society organizations. The most significant changes in the General Terms and Conditions are as follows:

  • Article 4.0 clarifies that if the implementing partner is using further tiers of sub-contractors (e.g. sub-sub-contractors), they are required to adhere to the agreement; [1] Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen. 2
  • Article 11.2(b) provides that sexual exploitation and abuse, or child safeguarding violations perpetrated by implementing partner workers, or a failure of the implementing partner to properly address such issues, each constitutes grounds for immediate termination of the agreement;
  • Article 13.0 lists policy obligations concerning protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding and fraud;
  • Article 14.0 defines sexual exploitation and abuse and child safeguarding violations, and prescribes expectations of 'zero tolerance', preventative measures (including training), obligations to report to UNICEF, and investigation obligations; and
  • Article 16.0 extends assessments from ones relating to finances alone, to ones assessing capacity to address sexual exploitation and abuse or child safeguarding violations. Considering the above, UNICEF has developed a procedure and related tools to support UNICEF Offices and their Implementing Partners to abide by the requirements of the UN Protocol and the General Terms and Conditions of their partnership agreements with UNICEF. UNICEF Offices around the world are organising PSEA trainings for staff and Implementing Partners and conducting PSEA risk assessments, and thereafter working with Implementing partners to jointly strengthen prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse through strengthening prevention, reporting, referral and investigation capacities. Through these measures, UNICEF together with Implementing Partners aims to create a safer and more protective environment for every child. Given this backdrop, UNICEF Libya, which is one of the 16 countries where dedicated funds on PSEA were provided in 2018, as the crisis situation has created a spike in vulnerability of women and children against SEA, is seeking an international consultation to provide support in training, capacity and systems strengthening, and conducting PSEA Assessments in Libya. Further, UNICEF Libya is co-leading with UNFPA the PSEA Network at the UN CT level where strengthening its work at the inter-agency level is also expected at a matter of priority

How can you make a difference?

Given the spike in vulnerability against women and children against SEA (sexual exploitation and abuse), the international consultant on PSEA is expected to strengthen the following: - Strengthen the PSEA network capacity and accountability, including through awareness raising of PSEA and mainstreaming of PSEA and background checks in HR policies and recruitment practices - Developing training materials and organizing and cascading training for organization and agencies codes of conduct and awareness raising sessions on prevention and response to SEA. - Strengthen capacity of national and international CSOs on PSEA, including the mainstreaming of PSEA policy - Strengthen government capacity and accountability on PSEA - Establish and Strengthen Safe and Accessible reporting on SEA through the establishment of the community-based complaint mechanism - Ensure Quality Survivor Assistance - Strengthen capacity on investigation procedures of IPs

Training: Conduct face to face/virtual group trainings for UNICEF staff, Implementing Partners on PSEA and PSEA Network agencies' focal points etc using available PSEA Toolkit training package and other available products and sometimes adapting them to suit local contexts. Develop compendium of FAQ from trainings and share with responses and links to relevant reference materials. Complete a report of each training event, including List of Participants with relevant details of their organization, position and contact details.

Conducting PSEA Assessments: The PSEA Assessment is intended to give UNICEF and its partners a baseline for tracking progress of partners' organizational capacities on PSEA. Consultant is expected to complete the assessment together with the UNICEF implementing partner before UNICEF enters into a partnership. The Assessment, when completed in collaboration with the partner, provides a shared understanding of the partner's organizational strengths and areas of improvement on PSEA moving forward. After completing the UNICEF PSEA Toolkit Training Package (to ensure that the Consultant has a complete understanding of the PSEA Toolkit and the PSEA Assessment), and using the standard UNICEF PSEA Assessment questionnaire and the related instructions for completing the questionnaire, the Consultant collaboratively conducts PSEA Assessments of national CSO (Civil Society Organization) implementing partners of UNICEF. The PSEA Assessment is documented in the provided template, and supporting evidence is collected and filed against each Core Standard. COVID19 Remote PSEA Assessments for National CSO Partners: Verification of Self-Assessments by Partners The consultant will verify PSEA self-assessments completed by the national CSO partner. Ideally, the self-assessments will be completed during a remote PSEA Toolkit Training session, as described in the COVID19 Implementing Partnership Management Guidance.

Steps for Review and Verification of Partner PSEA Self-Assessment

1) Review documentation: Consultant verifies that the supporting documentation provided by the partner adequately justifies the self-assessment rating of the partner. This is done following the guidance in the Methodology for Review of Assessments . The consultant documents findings of the review, clearly indicating questions and missing documentation for partner in the Template for Feedback to Partner.

2) Follow up with partner: Consultant shares the Feedback with partner and asks for further clarification and documentation for finalizing the assessment as needed. The partner is given a reasonable period of time to gather or develop the additional policy, procedure or system, and is guided to the PSEA Toolkit for resources to help with this.

3) Update review: Consultant adds additional information received from partner to updated Template for Feedback to Partner.

4) Provide final feedback to partner: Consultant informs the partner of the outcome of the verification process, using the final section of the Template for Feedback to Partner

5) Record review outcomes: on conclusion of the process the consultant records the PSEA assessment in eTools against the partner record. Strengthening Prevention, Reporting, Referral and Investigation Capacities of national CSO implementing partners: Using the PSEA Toolkit as a primary reference, collaboratively work with national CSO implementing partners to develop an Action Plan to address gaps in organisational PSEA capacity, as highlighted through the PSEA Assessment. Thereafter, provide support to the national CSO to develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems to improve PSEA organisation capacity of the CSO. To support partners' efforts in addressing identified capacity gaps, the PSEA Toolkit provides practical guidance on PSEA as well as an extensive list of additional resources in each section. Technical Support for Country Offices/Regional Offices The consultant may assist with facilitating UNICEF internal training needs that may arise, for example: training of PSEA focal points in country offices; training of programme sectoral technical staff in conducting PSEA Assessments; training of programme sectoral technical staff in carrying out beneficiary level monitoring with SEA questions.

Expected Deliverables

1. Support the re-activation of the PSEA Network (as the technical support lead whom will be supporting UNICEF and UNFPA co-leads) through:

  • Support in organizing monthly PSEA network meetings (including preparations of meetings minutes and follow up on the action points)
  • Ensure the review and adoption of the PSEA SOP and TOR at the Network/ UN CT level
  • Conduct PSEA training/refreshers to PSEA focal points from agencies (at least 3 trainings)
  • Mentoring and follow up with the PSEA focal points of different agencies

2. Ensure safe and accessible reporting channels on PSEA through:

  • Roll out of the community-based complaint mechanism toolbox developed by UNICEF (including pilot testing)
  • Review, develop and standardize IEC/awareness raising materials around PSEA to IPs, community members (including children, refugee and migrant population and other vulnerable groups), including the printing and dissemination
  • Ensure and facilitate the different awareness raising activities conducted to ensure safe and accessible reporting channels on PSEA (joint development of a community engagement/awareness raising plan by PSEA network and Protection sector/GBV sub-sector/child protection working group
  • Review and work with the existing Community-based feedback mechanism (CFM, a helpline which includes a feedback loop) in a way to ensure safe and secure reporting mechanism on SEA in Libya

3. Ensure quality survivor assistance through:

  • The development of a victim assistance/referral pathway in coordination with the GBV sub-sector
  • Ensuring quality and efficient survivor centered assistance

4. Strengthen PSEA capacity amongst IPs (National and international NGOs) through:

  • Institutionalizing capacity needs assessment to IPs and trainings on PSEA (development of a standardized capacity needs assessment/checklist; and training package/PSEA Toolkit training package)
  • Conduct and roll out a TOT for PSEA members (where the co-trainers will be the PSEA network members)
  • Conduct and co-facilitate a TOT for IPs in coordination with selected IP partners (such as IRC)
  • Conduct and co-facilitate TOTs and roll out trainings for Government partners
  • Develop compendium of FAQ from trainings and share with responses and links to relevant reference materials.
  • Complete a report of each training event, including List of Participants with relevant details of their organisation, position and contact details (establish a PSEA trainers' roster database)

5. Support in conducting PSEA Assessment to Partners including:

  • Conducting the PSEA assessment to newly identified partners (conduct at least 5 assessment, contributing to timely and quality completion of PSEA assessments
  • Coach and mentor PSEA focal points on how to conduct assessment and to address the 'problematic' IPs (ensuring 85% timely and quality completion of assessments)
  • Ensure 80% of IPs with reduced ratings (from high to medium to low risks)

6.Strengthen Investigation Capacity amongst IPs (national and international NGOs) through:

  • Conducting TOTs on investigation procedures

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

Education:

An advanced university degree (Masters and above) in one of the following areas is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in child protection, or prevention or protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, or gender-based violence is required, including very good knowledge of the technical area. Experience in conducting trainings is an asset. Experience working in multi-cultural settings is an asset. Experience in capacity building and systems strengthening is an asset. Very good organisational and facilitation skills required.

Language:

Proficiency in English is required. Proficiency in Arabic is an asset and desirable.

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

Advertised: Mar 31 2021 E. Europe Daylight Time Application close: Apr 10 2021 E. Europe Daylight Time

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This vacancy is archived.

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