Antecedentes
In 2016, the Ethiopian Humanitarian Country Team (EHCT) requested the Protection Cluster to develop a national strategy to support inter-agency efforts to prevent and to respond to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in humanitarian contexts. The objective was to establish accountability mechanisms to advance the support available for at-risk communities by enforcing zero-tolerance for attempted and actual acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners. The PSEA Network in Ethiopia was thus established in March 2018 and is now co-chaired by UN Women and WFP.
Upon request from EHCT, UN Women then submitted a proposal to fund a pilot-project in three regions of Ethiopia: Somali (Liban, Dewa, Afdar, Fafan, Siti and Erer), SNNP (Gedeo), and Oromia (West Guji). The project was approved by the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund (EHF) in 2019 to support inter-agency efforts to prevent and to respond to sexual exploitation and abuse in the three internally displaced persons (IDP) targeted areas of operation. This would be achieved through the roll-out of risk mitigation actions and activities, tailored to the individual needs of the three high-risk regions of the country.
As such, the UN Women-led project supports the implementation of the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (ST/SGB/2003/13), which emphasises the United Nations’ vision for both preventing and responding to SEA through both “engagement” and “accountability”. An important aspect of the project is then to ensure and to provide (a) information (i.e. one-way communication), (b) opportunities for feedback (i.e. two-way communication), and (c) reporting mechanisms (i.e. accountability, participation and empowerment).
Indeed, affected populations need to have access to safe and to diverse type of mechanisms to share feedback and to raise complaints, including suspected cases of sexual exploitation an abuse (SEA) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This is vital, as experience show that broad SEA/SGBV/AAP complaint and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) and community-based complaint mechanisms (CBCMs) are more effective with a clear framework of well-defined roles and responsibilities. Moreover, a holistic approach will ensure immediate assistance with clear referral pathways identified.
This consultancy will then support this by aiding in the process of establishing safe and functional feedback and complaint mechanisms, with specific attention to PSEA for IDPs in Somali, Oromia and SNNP regions. The deliverables of the consultancy will therefore be two-folded, whereby the consultant will be requested to (1) develop an interactive map of existing CFMs (i.e. a 5Ws tool in the three regions, including CP and GBV services with an analysis of CFMs functionality and gaps), as well as (2) guide on suitable options of mixed mechanisms to complement the inter-agency CBCMs, including the development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), as well as guidance on communication and community engagement and capacity building activities. This will contribute to strengthening prevention and responses mechanisms for SEA.
II. TARGETED DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE CONSULTANCY
The direct beneficiaries of the UN Women led PSEA project are the PSEA Network members, PSEA focal points, SGBV service providers, UN staff and partners (including NGOs and Government). By building capacity amongst the direct beneficiaries, the project aims to contribute to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in Oromia, SNNPR and Somali regions of Ethiopia. At the time of project agreement, as per the Displacement Tracking Matric from DMT (Round 14, November-December 2018), which did not include sex and age disaggregated data, the following numbers of IDPs were identified as indirect beneficiaries of the project:
- Oromia region: 1,145,848 IDPs.
- SNNPR: 284,566 IDPs in West Guji and 275,727 IDPs in Gedeo.
- Somali regions: 1,145,848 IDPs.
As such, both direct (i.e. network members, focal points, service providers, UN staff and partners) and indirect beneficiaries (i.e. IDPs and host-communities in Oromia, SNNPR and Somali regions) will be the targeted demographic of the consultancy.
III. CONTEXT AND URGENCY
In Ethiopia, PSEA is an issue of great importance, as inter-communal conflicts have led to the internal displacement of over three million people in Somali, SNNP and Oromia regions (IOM, March 2019). Despite repeated peace and reconciliation efforts led by the Government of Ethiopia, the current levels of displacement are anticipated to increase (IDMC, October 2019), requiring sustained levels of humanitarian support for the coming year. It is within this context that the risk of SEA is high.
The COVID-19 pandemic may also increase the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian staff and partners. Lessons learned from previous outbreaks suggest that the surge in (new and non-traditional) responders, combined with stringent movement restrictions and unequal access to resources/information, may lead to a concentration of power, wielding to the detriment of vulnerable people. This can lead to negative coping strategies, thereby increasing SEA risks.
Although IA CBCM best practices were highlighted in the context of Ethiopia a couple of years ago, those practices have not been sustainable. Therefore, the current approach in Ethiopia, in the context of the IASC plan for accelerating PSEA in humanitarian response at country-level, need to focus on establishing mixed channels and tools (with detailed SoPs and collective ownership) to support operationalization and reinforce sustainability. As such, similar initiatives and development processes from East Africa and beyond need to be explored and used as a potential source of inspiration.
IV. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The consultant will (1) develop an interactive map of existing CFMs (i.e. a 5Ws tool in the three regions, including CP and GBV servicies with an analysis of functionality and gaps), as well as (2) guide on suitable options of mixed mechanisms for inter-agency CBCMs, with specific attention to Protection from Sexual exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), with development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), as well as guidance on communication and community engagement and capacity building activities. This will be implemented in Addis Ababa, as well as in Oromia (West Guji), SNNPR (Gedeo) and Somali (Fafan, Dawa, Liban, Afdar, Siti and Arer) regions.
Due to the COVID-19 travel and meeting restrictions, the development process will be based on reports, mappings and raw-data provided by the PSEA Network. The resources to be provided will include the inter-agency PSEA Network mapping (focusing on existing mechanisms and resource-needs) as well as the two SEA risk assessments conducted in Oromia, SNNPR and Somali regions of Ethiopia, June-August 2019. The first assessment was an analysis of risks, policy gaps and capacities in prevention and response structures within member agencies, IPs and cooperative partners (including the Government and humanitarian clusters active). The second assessment exanimated available SEA mechanisms.
In addition to the above stakeholders, the consultancy firm will be working closely with the PSEA Coordinator and the inter-agency CBCM Working Group of the PSEA Network, who will be providing direct feedback and technical advice pre, during and post development process. The WFP Logistics Cluster will also provide consultation and support to aid the development of an online platform and to assist in the creation of its prototype. The consultant will formalise the IA CBCMs by working towards the following key objectives:
- Provide a report on lessons learned and needs/gaps with focus on contextualised needs;
- Map existing complaint and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) in the three IDP-targeted regions;
- Design the inter-agency CBCMs and SOPs including complementary mechanisms as assessed
- Deliver hand-over notes with tools for guidance, dissemination and to ensure sustainability;
Write final assessment/report on process and findings.
Deberes y responsabilidades
EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES
The consultant will have to establish strategies to develop interactive map of existing CFMs and guide on suitable options of mixed mechanisms for inter-agency CBCMs, focusing on stakeholders providing support to IDPs in Somali, Oromia and SNNP regions of Ethiopia. Moreover, the consultant is expected to deliver both inception report and final report, as well as provide capacity building activities and CwC on the CBCMs/CFMs. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the consultant will also evaluate the need for contextualised/adapted reporting and feedback mechanisms, as well as its linked materials.
Expected detailed deliverables are:
- Regarding pre-assessment:
- Provide inception report
- Review past experiences and lessons learned.
- Map existing mechanisms.
- Draft co-design interactive mapping on CFMs.
- Draft SOPs with options for sustainability.
- Regarding design/pilot:
- Design and pilot CFMs mapping with SOPs.
- Design complementary IA CBCMs with SOPs.
- Regarding dissemination:
- Organise awareness raising for stakeholders in three regions.
- Organise capacity building activities for stakeholders in three regions.
- Support translation process of relevant materials.
- Compile overview of all tools in final report.
VI. TIMEFRAME
The main expected activities to be undertaken by the consultant are organized under three main categories: “kick-off/mapping”, “design/pilot”, and “share/go”, as outlined below. For the three-month consultancy, 20 working days have been allocated for each category (i.e. for each month). In total, this make up the 60 working days within the three-month contract of the consultancy.
Deliverable
1 KICK OFF/MAP (20 days)
Inception Report 5 days
Understanding of ToRs, needs, and context,
Review of past experiences with lessons learned
(summary report re opportunities, challenges and contextualization.
Detailed agreement of next steps, including adjustments
(including the methodology and measurable milestones)
Mapping the CFMs in 3 regions 10 days
Co-design of the interactive mapping of the CFMs, which should include a
5Ws tool, CP and GBV services, analysis of functionality and gaps, as well as
collection and/or drafting SOPs
Supporting the set-up of a prototype for complementary IA CBCM
Draft SOPs with options for sustainability
Prototype of interactive CFMs mapping and complementary IA CBCM 5 days
2 DESIGN/PILOT (20 days)
Interactive CFMs mapping with SOPs 10 days
Pre-test and final version
Complementary IA CBCM with SOPs 10 days
Pre-test and final version
3 SHARE/GO (20 days)
Awareness raising – Communication with Communities in 3 regions 6 days
In cooperation with PSEA Working Group on CwC and the information campaign
launched by UN Women.
Capacity building for staff and partners in 3 regions 6 days
In cooperation with PSEA Working Group on Capacity Building (CB) and the
training package developed by UN Women.
Translations 1 days
Guide and support the process with Translators without Borders
Review, compilation of tools and report 4 days
With handover notes and guidance
Final report 3 days
Including a case study for sharing at global level
Competencias
- Good interpersonal skills and capacity to liaise with parties concerned;
- Strong facilitation, writing and presentation skills;
- Ability to work with diverse group of partners, under strict timelines.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and highly fluid environment.
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL CONSULTANT
Education:
- University degree in political science, social science, international studies or a related field.
Experience:
The consultant should have experience related to AAP, PSEA/GBV, CE and CFMs/IA CBCMs. As such, the consultant’s experience/track record should include:
- More than five years of experience in humanitarian and/or development context;
- Experience in working with various type of humanitarian actors;
- A good understanding of issues related to AAP, PSEA/GBV and CFMs/IA CBCMs;
- Knowledge of East African context is required, and of Ethiopian context is desirable;
- Prior work experience with UN and/or international agency shall be an advantage.
- Established record and portfolio from work at national and/or international level;
- Proven understanding of AAP, GBV/PSEA, including report mechanisms;
- Experience in conducting research and analysis on AAP, PSEA/GBV, CE and CFMs/IA CBCMs;
- A good understanding of information management (including data flows, protection and analysis), as well as qualitative and quantitative data collection methods;
- Experience in mapping services and developing CBCM SOPS for AAP/SEA;
- IT background would be appreciated.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
The developed materials of the information campaign should be in available in English as well as languages relevant to the three regions. UN Women has engaged Translators without Borders to work closely with the consultant to aid in needed translations.
APPLYING FOR THE CONSULTANCY
Applications should include:
Proposal
- Brief summary proposal for the assignment
- Work plan and budget break down
Attachments
The following items should be included as attachments:
- Cover letter stating why you want to do this work, summary of consultant experience and background and available start date.
- Detailed CV (UN Women P11) - of all the participating consultants. This can be downloaded from the UNDP website.
- List of the most relevant previous consulting projects completed, including a description of the projects and contact details for references.
Applications with the above details should be sent to email (ethiopia.public@unwomen.org)
The selected consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain properties of UNDP / UN Women.