UNICEF recrute un consultant international pour documenter les leçons tirées du programme conjoint UNFPA / UNICEF sur l’élimination des mutilations génitales féminines pendant la crise du Covid-19 en Guinée-Bissau

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, hope :

The UNFPA/UNICEF Joint programme on Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea-Bissau is working with the government and civil society organizations, over the past 10 years, to support the national efforts to end FGM in the country. The JP continues to provide substantial support to the national coordination structure -Comite Nacional para o Abandono das Praticas Nefastas (CNAPN) to ensure increased Government and SCO’s accountability in implementing and monitor the National Action Plan (2018-2022).

The JP is working together with different partners and IPs to ensure that service provider’s capacities to address proper responses to cases of FGM and other forms of gender violence are strengthened under a broader effort to improve the signalization, referral and case management responses to FGM and other forms of violence against children and women. This includes addressing Investment in capacity building of stakeholders to improve FGM case management protocols and coordination among different actors (police, courts, hospitals, shelters, social workforce from justice, health and protection services) are ongoing. One of the main strategies still focused on the increased social and community support to FGM abandonment. Community level service delivery continued to provide evidence for policy development. Education sessions and community dialogue to address FGM and other violations of women and girl’s rights are being supported, along with public declarations to end FGM. Strengthen girls and women’s capacity to influence social norms change, through alternative educational and life skills programmes is a key approach, particularly at rural stings.

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in Guinea-Bissau, and  with limited research and documentation on the impact of humanitarian crisis on female genital mutilation, the UNFPA/UNICEF joint program in Guinea-Bissau, along with the Comite Nacional Para o Abandono das Praticas Nefastas, would like to document lessons learned during the current Covid-19 crisis, based on consultations and documentation of what strategies were used for adapting interventions to ensure business continuity in the face of the pandemic, and captures learning that will inform the programme’s strategies for the coming year. Also, the consultancy will develop human interested stories along with other communication materials.

In line with the above resented, the UNICEF Child Protection and Communication programmes are looking for a communication expert with good skills on reports writing that will work with national counterparts and both UNICEF and UNFPA FGM programmes to review progress towards achieving the expected results of the project, identify and document lessons learned including human interest stories and the contribution of the UNFPA/UNICEF Joint programme on Female Genital Mutilation to support the national efforts to end FGM in Guinea-Bissau.

 

How can you make a difference?

ACTIVITIES, TASKS, DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES :

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Child Protection Manager and Communication Officer, in collaboration with UNFPA Gender Officer (FGM JP focal point) and the National Committee for the Abandonment of Harmful Practices (CNAPN) by performing the following tasks :

• Develop a document with main strategies and activities undertaken by the JP’s implementing partners (both UNICEF and UNFPA) during the Covid-19 crisis in Guinea-Bissau and its key lesson learned. The document should be edited in English (photos, short stories, among others) and ready for printing. The document should be short and concise (maximum 10 pages) ;
• Prepare 3 Human interest stories on FGM in English (topics to be discussed with UNICEF and UNFPA JP focal points and CNAPN) ;
• Develop 2 banners (1 in Portuguese and 1 in English) on the UNICEF/UNFPA joint programme ;
• Develop a leaflet with summary information on the JP project results in Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese-English) and prepare its editing (including images) for printing. Consultant should use information on Guinea-Bissau JP annual reports as well as Global JP annual reports ;
• Contribute to the UNFPA/UNICEF JP 2020 annual report by compiling and editing information.

Date	Length	Activities	Deliverables
October to November 2020	13 days	Activity 1: Desk review on the FGM JP and the implementation of the FGM National Action Plan in Guinea-Bissau. (2 days) Working meetings with JP focal points (UNICEF and UNFPA) and CNAPN to collect information and documentation on the FGM JP; (2 days) Review existing and related documents available on the Covid-19 crisis in Guinea-Bissau and special documentation on the impact of the pandemic in the social sector and GBV; (2 days) Interviews with key JP implementing partners (IPs) to assess strategies and activities implemented during the Covid-19 crisis (March to date 2020). (2 days) Review IPs activities’ report, Facebook and twitters, including field visits to 2 country regions of programme implementation (2 days per region). During the field visits, prepare 3 Human interest stories on FGM (English). (5 days) Develop the structure of the FGM Covid-19 Lessons learned report and present to the JP focal points and the CNAPN for validation. (2days)	Inception Report with clear deliverables and calendar of its implementation. Report on IPs assessed, field visits and documentation reviewed. Draft of HIS available and reviewed. Structure of the FGM Covid-19 Lessons learned report and submitted and validated.
November – December 2020	9 days	Activity 2: Finalize the 3 HI stories and submit for validation. (2 days) Prepare the FGM Covid-19 Lessons learned report and share first draft for review. (5 days) After UNICEF and UNFPA and CNAPN review, conclude edited report, ready for printing (maximum 10 pages). (2 days)	First draft of FGM Covid-19 Lessons learned report and shared and review. Final draft of report submitted for printing. 3 HIS finalized and approved.
December-February 2021	7 days	Activity 3: Contribute to the elaboration of the JP 2020 annual report (by 12 January). (3 days) Develop the following communication material: Leaflet with summary information on the JP project results in Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese-English) and prepare its editing (including images) for printing (2 pages). (3 days) 2 banners (vertical indoors) in Portuguese and English (1 days)	Consolidation of the 2020 FGM JP report, including proofreading. Communication materials preliminary models submitted and validated: Banners Leaflet Final comprehensive report on the assignment one week prior to the end of contract.

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

Given the particularity of the context and since the FGM national Strategy aims also at behavior change of families at community level and key stakeholders it is important that the consultant has a good knowledge of the country context as well as good Portuguese proficiency.

The selected consultant will have to possess :

Education :

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, public/external relations, public affairs or social sciences ;
• Knowledge of Social sciences and community engagement strategies/practices.

Work experience :

• Superior proof-reading, editing and writing skills, acquired over at least 3 years of experience, and copy editing of data-rich publications ;
• Portfolio that includes copy editing of advocacy publications written for non-specialized audiences, or technical publications on specialized topics ;
• Capacity to turn complex language into appropriate messaging for a range of audiences and have experience delivering communications using a variety of channels aiming also at ‘hard to reach’ target groups ;
• Experience supporting and working in close collaboration with diverse national teams, especially CSO and government partners ;
• Previous experience in working in similar task with the UN system is an asset ;
• Experience of working in international environments is an asset ;
• Demonstrated understanding of international development issues and/or issues concerning children; familiarity with the subject of the publication desirable ;
• Familiarity with UNICEF mission and mandate is an asset.

Competencies  :

• Knowledge in management, communication strategies, advocacy and networking ;
• Knowledge of theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy ;
• Understanding of United Nations systems and international organizations in general; field/country experience an asset ;
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills; working knowledge of Portuguese language is desirable.

Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment. language is an asset.

Timeframe, payment and supervision :

 ESTIMATED DAYS OF WORK: Approximately 29 days out of which 10 could be remote.

The total period of the Special Service Agreement is foreseen from November 2020 to February 2021 (approx. 4 months)

Methodology and organization of work :

Duration : The contract will be for a total of 4 months. The table above is an indicative timetable for the contract. The consultant is free to propose a different timetable, if the proposal clearly explains the sequence of activities, the resources deployed at each stage and the feasibility of the duration of each stage.

Management and implementation arrangement : The overall management of this contract will be done by UNICEF. Within UNICEF, Protection and Communication Section will jointly supervise the contract.

The consultant is expected to work closely with UNICEF and UNFPA FGM focal points and the CNAPN.

Budget and Remuneration : The consultancy, on an SSA type contract is at the L3 level. The applicants should send a technical and financial proposal along with the application. The contract fee rate will be based on the current market value. The selected consultant will be remunerated according to his/her experience and the negotiations that will follow. This consultancy contract is on lump sum. DSA will not be paid.

Professional fees will be paid on the successful completion of specific tasks and the satisfactory submission of deliverables.

To receive the professional fees, the expert will invoice country office for the number of days devoted to a task (according to “Estimated Days” of work and timeline’section).

No payment will be made without submission of the specified deliverables.

Proposed range for lump sum payment :

1^ST PAYMENT corresponding to 30% of total budget, upon successful completion of deliverables related to activities 1 from time frame table above. 2^nd PAYMENT corresponding to 40% of total budget, upon successful completion of deliverables related to activities 2 from time frame table above. 3^nd PAYMENT corresponding to 30% of total budget, upon successful completion deliverables related to activities 3 from time frame table above.

 

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.

View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 :

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.