Background and Justification
Current Situation
The ESAR region continues to face multiple humanitarian crises with significant sub regional protection dimensions including cross border movement of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC). Since 2013, the numbers of UASC children moving across borders has increased significantly, now totaling more than 35000 children from South Sudan and Burundi who have fled to surrounding countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Uganda. Children involved in these movements are especially vulnerable to rights violations including recruitment into armed, child marriage and sexual violence.
Justification
In order to systematize tracing and reunification of UASC, agencies have developed cooperative standard operating procedures and protocols at country and regional level, notably the Regional Information Sharing Protocol (RISP) signed by UNICEF, UNICEF and associated partners in June 2015.
Operationalization of these instruments is dependent on functional information management systems (IMS) and inter locking processes that provide individualized case management for children. Analysis conducted by UNICEF and UNHCR at a regional level [1]points to a lack of connectivity between the two dimensions, compounded by significant partner capacity gaps, with a trend of compartmentalizing IMS as “data alone”. Further there is a need to strengthen national level coordination and establish systems to monitor progress on implementation.
Accordingly, a consultant is urgently needed to operationalize the RISP at country levels, necessary to build the regional process, involving support to development of strategies, delivery of training packages and monitoring of progress. The consultancy terms of reference are aligned with ESARO planning and commitments, referenced in the Annual Work Plan under global public goods, namely to: Provide technical assistance to operationalize SOPs on cross border tracking and family tracing systems as part of broader response to UASC (South Sudan Sub Region).Moreover, the work is consistent with the cooperation agreement made between Save the Children and UNICEF ESARO with commitments from UNICEF to lead on linking information management systems with programming for child protection.
Proposed Approach:
The consultant will work closely with country offices and partners such as UNHCR and Save the Children and, based on analysis, develop country level plans to operationalize the RISP to be embedded overall case management. Subsequent training packages will be developed and delivered.
To measure impact a baseline will be established on current efficacy of services with a final impact evaluation with recommendations to go forward. Information will also be provided to donors as part of an overall strategy to improve engagement and leverage resources.
Expected Benefits:
· Operationalization of RISP at country level, provided building blocks for regional implementation
· Improved quality of service delivery including tracing for UASC timeliness and
· Documentation of regional level good practices in handling cross border movement of children
· Baseline data on efficacy of system to trace and reunify UASC and interim documentation of impact of RISP operationalization
Scope of Work
Key deliverables will include:
1. Outputs/deliverables:
Establishment of baseline on efficiency and outcomes of tracking and tracing efforts for UASC affected by sub regional crisis.
Estimated Duration (person days): 1 Month
Deadline: 15 October, 2015
2. Outputs/deliverables:
Analysis based country level plans to operationalize RISP containing key milestones for monitoring, and in addition a synthesis regional plan
Estimated Duration (person days): 1 Month
Deadline: 15 November, 2015
3. Outputs/deliverables:
Development and delivery of training packages in 2 priority countries
Estimated Duration (person days): 1 Month
Deadline: 15 December, 2015
4. Outputs/deliverables:
Development and delivery of training packages in 2 (additional) priority countries
Estimated Duration (person days): 1 Month
Deadline: 15 January, 2016
5. Outputs/deliverables:
Final Report (no more than 15 pages) documenting progress against milestones and impact of RISP with recommended road map going forward.
Estimated Duration (person days): 1 Month
Deadline: 14 February 2016
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
Competencies and skills
- Self - motivated team worker
- Good interpersonal skills
- Strong writing skills in English with history of work on documentation and analysis at regional or global level
- Flexibility and responsiveness, ability to think creatively
- Ability to meet deadlines
- French language skills highly desirable for work in the Great Lakes Region
Education/Experience
· Experience at policy level in global developments pertaining to practices on UASC including interagency roles.
· Masters level education in relevant field (Law, International Relations, Social Sciences)
· Experience maintaining and enhancing networks with practitioners and policy makers in UN and partners responsible for protection – including negotiating agreements.
- Experience developing reports for a range of audiences including practitioners in the field and policy makers
Administrative Issues
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of UNICEF ESARO Child Protection Section. She or he will report to Child Protection Specialist in Emergencies. The Consultant will be provided with oversight from the UNICEF-ESARO who will conduct all liaison for mission planning with country offices. The Child Protection Programme Assistant in terms of logistical planning.
The Consultant is expected to travel extensively in the region based on an agreed regional schedule with input and requests from affected countries with a decision also based on the extent and availability of in country existing expertise. In country DSA and travel is to be provided by affected countries. Visiting schedules will be based on a regional assessment of need and capacity at different country levels with the expected focus countries being Kenya and Ethiopia. Timing for visits and planning will be negotiated at country level via UNICEF country offices. Correspondence on schedules will be shared with UNHCR and implementing partners (Save the Children and LWF) at regional level for their information.
Conditions
Travel will be organised by the most economical fare and reimbursed as per UNICEF Policy. UN DSA rates for subsistence and accommodation apply at all times.
Air travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement AS PER UNICEF POLICY; Consultant to complete Waiver for Non-Staff issued with travel authorization in accordance with UNICEF Financial and Administrative Policy 5, Supplement 4 (B.2):
Non-UNICEF staff (including individual consultants) issued with UNICEF Travel Authorization are not covered by the insurance which automatically applies to UNICEF staff, and are fully responsible for arranging their own insurance cover.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The selected Consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
Risks
The major risk is that due to insecurity in field locations the consultant will not be able to travel to site. This will be mitigated by prioritizing locations where security is best, first in order.
Expected start date: 15 September, 2015
Duration of Consultancy: 5 months.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative fee range with reference: ESARO/SSA/CP/2015-026 by cob 29 August 2015 to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenhrvacanciesE@unicef.org
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
