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The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.
To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Zambia, please visithttps://www.unicef.org/zambia/.
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Purpose of the Consultancy:To develop a uniform approach across police, judicial bodies and social welfare in supporting and protecting child victims and witnesses
Location: Combination of home based, and non-home based with travel required to Lusaka for consultative processes
Background
Numerous studies have demonstrated that gender-based violence and violence against children is rife in Zambia (Violence against Children Study, 2014 published in 2018) and that there is a need to continue strengthening prevention and response systems across the country. UN agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and IOM) are implementing a GRZ – UN Joint Programme on gender-based violence which is supported by the Governments of Sweden and Ireland and coordinated by Ministry of Gender. At the heart of the initiative is expanding access to quality prevention and response services for survivors and expanding one-stop centres and fast track courts to address cases of violence and abuse that have taken place. UNICEF plays a key role in supporting the response-side and making sure that procedures and processes are child-friendly. As part of this initiative, UNICEF is responsible for strengthening the capacities of police, social welfare and judicial practitioners to apply child-friendly standards when interacting and interviewing children as victims and witnesses in judicial processes.
Justification
International standards and guidelines point to the necessity of protecting children acting as witnesses in police and judicial processes. This includes protection from “secondary victimization” and adequate preparation of child witnesses, adapting interviews/hearings to the age and maturity of the child, avoiding repeated interviewing of children on traumatic experiences, avoiding direct interaction with perpetrator, providing basic counselling after any interviewing/hearings as well as securing protection from any potential retaliation.
In Zambia, there are no comprehensive guidelines in place for making sure the above international standards are implemented. In addition, various actors are involved in the process, yet a shared understanding of the procedure and roles and responsibilities, does not exist in a written form. Social workers are expected to play a key role in ensuring protection throughout the process. Initial interviews are usually led by police, with subsequent questioning of children being conducted by prosecutors and judges.
It is necessary that all actors involved (social welfare, police, judicial actors) have a shared understanding of the minimum standards of protection of child victims and witnesses in justice processes. It is also necessary that all these actors are capacitated to implement such standards and are held accountable for applying stipulated procedures.
In addition to the key actors on the ground, it is important to emphasize the important convening role of the Ministry of Gender, when it comes to bringing together relevant ministries and practitioners from across sectors in order to work together.
Objectives / Target
The objective of this Terms of Reference is to support four sectors of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Home Affairs and National Protection Authority/Judiciary) to develop comprehensive Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Processes and capacitate key practitioners for their implementation.
Description of the assignment (Scope of work) / SPECIFIC TASKS
The specific tasks of this assignment include the following:
- Draft a ToR for the Technical Team that will be set up by Ministry of Gender and UNICEF for the development of the Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Processes and that involve all key stakeholders from government, UN and NGOs.
- Compile a presentation and discussion paper on the minimum standards for protection of child victims and witnesses, present this to the Technical Team and revise accordingly. Obtain inputs for the structure and plan of the Guidelines from the Technical team. Present methodology for consultations with children and incorporate feedback.
- Draft the Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Processes taking into account: a) international standards; b) existing laws, policies, frameworks and guidelines on child protection; c) best practice examples from other countries and d) feedback and inputs received from the Technical Team.
- Consultations: Facilitate consultations with 8 selected districts to input into the Guidelines and revise draft accordingly. Support consultations with two focus groups of children and youth to input into the Guidelines using methodology approved by UNICEF. Present revised version of Guidelines to the Technical Team.
- In close coordination with selected Master-trainers (appointed by the Technical Team) develop a training package and manual. Co-implement a Training of trainers with selected Master-trainers.
- Develop Tools and a Plan for supportive supervision and oversight of the application of the Guidelines.
Expected Deliverables
Tasks
Deliverables
Timeframe
(Tentative)
1.
Draft a ToR for the Technical Team that will be set up by Ministry of Gender and UNICEF for the development of the Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Processes and that involve all key stakeholders from government, UN and NGOs.
Terms of Reference for Technical Team drafted and discussed with Technical team
5 Days
2.
Compile a presentation and discussion paper on the minimum standards for protection of child victims and witnesses, present to the Technical Team and revise accordingly. Obtain inputs for the structure and plan for the Guidelines from the Technical team. Present methodology for consultations with children and incorporate feedback.
Presentation and discussion paper on minimum standards for victims/witness protection presented to Technical team and Structure and Plan for development of Guidelines approved.
5 Days
3.
Draft the Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Processes taking into account: a) international standards; b) existing laws, policies, frameworks and guidelines on child protection; c) best practice examples from other countries and d) feedback and inputs received from the Technical Team.
Draft guidelines submitted and approved by UNICEF; Draft guidelines reflect/reinforce existing regulatory framework, international standards and best-practice.
15 Days
4.
Consultations: Facilitate consultations with 8 provinces/target districts to input into the Guidelines and revise draft accordingly. Support consultations with two focus groups of children and youth to input into the Guidelines using methodology approved by UNICEF. Present revised version of Guidelines to the Technical Team.
Final Guidelines submitted to Technical Team for approval following implementation of agreed participatory process.
5 Days
5.
In close coordination with selected Master-trainers (appointed by the Technical Team) develop a training package and manual. Co-implement a Training of trainers with selected Master-trainers.
Training package and Training Manual developed and master-trainers capacitated to implement it.
20 Days
6.
Develop Tools and a Plan for supportive supervision and oversight of the application of the Guidelines.
Tools for supportive supervision and oversight and plan for application of guidelines approved by Technical Team.
5 Days
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The consultant will be contracted by UNICEF and will report to the Child Protection Specialist.
PROJECTManagement
The consultant will be managed by the responsible Child Protection Specialist. Guidance throughout the process will be received from the Technical Team set up by Ministry of Gender and UNICEF and including representatives of: Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Home Affairs, Child Justice Forum, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development, the National Prosecution Authority, the Victim Support Unit of the Police, Child Protection Police Unit, the Judiciary and two selected NGOs.
Paymentschedule
Payment
Conditions
50% payment
Submission of Deliverables: 1, 2 and 3.
50% payment
Submission of Deliverables: 4, 5 and 6.
The consultant will be paid upon submission of the report and invoice.
If deliverables are not satisfactory, recommendations will be made for correction within a specified time period. UNICEF holds the right to withhold payments if deliverables are not met or not to expected quality standards
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have;
- Advanced university degree in social work, psychology or a related field;
- A minimum of 8 years-experience in child protection and GBV;
- Demonstrated experience of developing guidelines or training packages for social workers, police or judicial professionals ideally related to child protection;
- Demonstrated knowledge of international guidelines and best practices related to child victims and witnesses in justice matters;
- Outstanding writing skills.
EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS
Interested applicants should apply online:
- The technical proposal should indicate clear methodology of how the consultant suggests the assignment will be tackled (3 pages max).
- A financial proposal for the assignment will be presented separately.
Each proposal will be assessed first on its technical merits and subsequently on its price. The proposal obtaining the overall highest score after adding the scores for the technical and price proposals is the proposal that offers best value for money and will be recommended for award of the contract.
Technical proposal accounts for 70/100 whereas cost proposal accounts for 30/100 of the marks. Bidders will have to score at least 50 on the technical proposal to be considered further with the cost proposal.
Please indicate your availability. Applications submitted without a rate in Zambian Kwacha will not be considered.
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.
ITEM
TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
Points
1.0
Capacity, expertise and experience of the consultant
40
1.1
Relevant qualifications (Education background)
10
1.2
Relevant experience:
- Related to child protection and GBV;
- Developing guidelines or training packages for social workers, police or judicial professionals ideally related to child protection;
- Knowledge of international guidelines and best practices related to child victims and witnesses in justice matters;
30
2.0
Technical Proposal
30
2.1
Understanding of scope, objectives and completeness of response
10
2.2
Proposal arrangement -overall concord between the requirements and the proposals
10
2.3
Technical expertise used in drafting the technical proposal
10
3.0
Financial proposal
30
Only proposals which receive a minimum of 50 points under a technical evaluation will be considered technically compliant
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
- Bidder should include an all-inclusive cost in the financial proposal including all cost implications for the required service / assignment
- Bidder should include the estimate travel related costs in case any official travel out side Lusaka is expected.
- This is a home-based consultancy and no office space or supplies will be provided.
Language(s) Requirement:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
For every Child, PROTECTION
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies required in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework here;Competency Framework – 2020.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:
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.
More Information
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USD
Month