Individual Contractor – Child Protection, Pacaraima, RR, Brazil.

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Background & Rationale

Over 260,000 Venezuelan migrants and refugees arrived in Brazil since the onset of the migration crisis¹⁰. Some 50,000 (of which 30% estimated children) settled in the Northern States of Roraima, Amazonas and Para, where services and monitoring activities focus on 73 identified locations, including 22 official shelters, 17 spontaneous occupations, church/civil society institutions, Operação Acolhida (OA) facilities (screening, reception, transit centres), and indigenous communities. The majority enter the country via the border in the northern state of Roraima, concentrating in the municipalities of Pacaraima and Boa Vista, where 13 official shelters and triage centers, managed by the Brazilian Army and UNHCR, host 5,536 people (1,562 children <15 years). The rapid surge of migrants has strained the capacity of local municipalities in Roraima, one of the most impoverished and least densely populated states in the country (522,636 inhabitants distributed in 13 municipalities and a per capita income of US$268).

Among the migrant population, Venezuelan indigenous communities are amongst the most vulnerable. It is estimated that there are currently 4,654 indigenous refugees and migrants from Venezuela, mainly of Warao (81%), Pemon Taurepang (17%), and Eñepa (2%) ethnicities, with about half living in indigenous shelters in Roraima (900 individuals), Manaus (around 700) and Pará (around 500)[1], and moving in the states of Roraima, Amazonas and Pará. 

The Brazilian Federal Government response, known as Operação Acolhida (OA), was launched in February 2018 and is managed by Casa Civil at the Federal level, with the Army providing the overall coordination of the response at field level. The operation is organized around three key pillars: (i) Reception and documentation, (ii) Emergency Assistance (food, shelter, emergency healthcare, etc.), and (iii) a Federal Voluntary Relocation programme for Venezuelan refugees and migrants.

Since 2018, UNICEF initiated its interventions in Roraima and established an Office in Boa Vista. Building on its development programme to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Brazil, UNICEF’s response to the needs of children and families in the context of the migration crisis focuses on ensuring access to essential services and programmes. UNICEF aims at strengthening the capacity of actors responsible for providing quality protection, education, health/nutrition, water and sanitation services (including Government, non-governmental, and community organizations) so that they are fully equipped to assist children on the move and their families. UNICEF advocates for the rights and voices of children and women as an integral component of the response.

Through the Child Protection programme interventions, psychosocial support activities reached thousands of children, and specialized interventions and mobile teams allowed for the identification and referral of hundreds of cases of violence, abuse, and neglect to the Child Protection statutory services. Since 2019, UNICEF has a dedicated response for unaccompanied and separated children in Roraima, with a dedicated case management team in the border, two units for alternative care arrangement (Casas Lares) in partnership with the local government, and a team dedicated to finding families and support the reunification of more than 300 families across Brazil.

UNICEF together with Organização Pirilampos has established 11 ‘Super Panas’ in Boa Vista shelters, and 3 other “Super Panas” in Boa Vista and Pacaraima Screening Center with AVSI, which are integrated Spaces for education and Child Protection activities and interventions. In addition, UNICEF is developing an adapted and culturally relevant version of the ‘’Super Panas’’ for the indigenous community, reviewing the strategy for Janokoida shelter, and supporting the Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance in Boa Vista with an additional multidisciplinary team for CRAS and CREAS. This strategy aims to include migrant and refugee children and adolescents into the local services and public policies. 

Since December 2018, UNICEF also supports the government in Roraima in co-leading the Child Protection Working Group whose objective is to coordinate effective and timely prevention and response interventions to violence, abuse, and exploitation of migrant children and children affected by the migration crisis in Roraima State. 

While the response has mostly focused on Roraima State, Child Protection programming already expanded to Amazonas and Pará States with technical support in selected cities, including as part of support to interiorization process.

Deliverables: 

1.1. Deliverable: Analyze UASC response and evidence with gaps, key results, challenges, remedial action and priorities actions for the month ahead proposing specific approaches for non-revictimization, integration of municipal system and alternatives complementary to Resolução Conjunta 01 2017 (CREAS, Conselho Tutelar, Federal Police)

1.2. Duration: 30 days

1.3. Deadline: 01 month from the date of contract signature

1.4. Payment: 14.000,00 BRL (16,6% of the total amount)

 

2.1. Deliverable: Report with recommendation providing guidance on how to adapt Child Protection strategy for migrant and adolescent children in the local public services and general public policies on Child Protection in relation to Child-friendly space strategy at the border with protection specificities of PETRIG, CRAS strategy, indigenous shelter ( Janokoida) and Tarau Paru response with gaps, key results, challenges, remedial action and priorities actions for the month ahead (for inter-agency coordination and project monitoring) proposing specific approaches for Violence prevention, GBV, mental health promotion, case management team, parents integration, Early childhood development, CRAS strategy.

2.2. Duration: 30 days

2.3. Deadline: 02 months from the date of contract signature

2.4. Payment 14.000,00 BRL (16,6% of the total amount)

 

3.1 Deliverable: Updated analysis on UASC evidence with gaps, key results, challenges, remedial action, and priorities actions for the month ahead proposing specific approaches for non-revictimization and integration of municipal system (CREAS, Conselho tutelar).

3.2. Duration: 30 days

3.3. Deadline: 03 months from the date of contract signature

3.4. Payment: 14.000,00 BRL (16,7% of the total amount)

 

4.1 Deliverable: Report with updated recommendations providing guidance on how to adapt Analyze Super Panas evidence on Violence response with gaps, key results, challenges, remedial action, and priorities actions for the month ahead (for inter-agency coordination, project monitoring, and accountability) proposing specific approaches for Violence prevention, GBV, mental health promotion, case management team, parents integration, Early childhood development, CRAS strategy, and UASC.

4.2. Duration: 30 days

4.3. Deadline: 04 months from the date of contract signature

4.4. Payment: 14.000,00 BRL (16,7% of the total amount)

 

5.1 Deliverable: Updated analysis on Child Protection Violence response with gaps, key results, challenges, remedial action, and priorities actions for the month ahead (for inter-agency coordination, project monitoring and accountability) proposing specific approaches for Violence prevention, GBV, mental health promotion, case management team, parents integration, Early childhood development, CRAS strategy, Adolescent strategy, and UASC.

5.2. Duration: 30 days

5.3. Deadline: 05 months from the date of contract signature

5.4. Payment: 14.000,00 BRL (16,7% of the total amount)

 

6.1 Deliverable: Final Recommendation and guideline for Child Protection in emergency at the border providing guidance on how to adapt Child Protection strategy for migrant and adolescent children in the local public services and general public policies on Child Protection.

6.2. Duration: 30 days

6.3. Deadline: 06 months from the date of contract signature

6.4. Payment: 14.000,00 BRL (16,7% of the total amount)

 

*A standard monthly reporting format will be developed and agreed upon with the consultant.

 

TIMEFRAME

6 months from the signature of the contract

Starting date: November 2021

Ending date: May 2022

 

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Punctuality in meeting deadlines;
• Quality of the content produced;
• Timely provision of the deliverables;
• The monthly reports shall be subject to review and approval by UNICEF after delivery by the Individual Contractor. If needed, revisions and alterations may be requested by UNICEF related to quality and technical depth parameters. Only after final clearance from UNICEF Brazil, will the payment be processed;
• Activity reports should be submitted with frequency lists of meetings and/or events, minutes of meetings with referrals agreed, photographic record with permission to use the image according to UNICEF standard and life histories;
• If the product’s delivery date is at the weekend or on a public holiday, it must be delivered on the next following business day;
• UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract and/or withhold all or a portion of payment if the rules and the regulations regarding confidentiality, ethics, and procedures of UNICEF and the partners are not followed, the performance is unsatisfactory, or work/deliverables are incomplete, not delivered or fail to meet the deadlines.

 

Technical background, and experience required

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Law or Child Protection relevant field;
• Minimum 2 years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national or international Child Protection systems;
• Background and familiarity with international human rights, children`s rights, and emergency response;
• Fluency in Portuguese and English (verbal and written), and fluent oral Spanish;
• Advanced knowledge of state and municipal governments and civil society organizations and the system of rights guarantee (SGD);
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven ability to facilitate interagency processes to achieve a common goal;
• Experience with SUAS or Juvenile Jurisdictional system is an asset;
• Experience in working with indigenous population is an asset;
• Computer and database literacy will be an asset.

 

Key competences

Builds and maintains partnerships; Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; Drive to achieve results for impact; Innovates and embraces change; Manages ambiguity and complexity; Thinks and acts strategically; Works collaboratively with others.

• Core Values
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Commitment

3 Core Competencies: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results.

6 Functional Competencies: Applying Technical Expertise, Analysing, Formulating Strategies & Concepts, Planning and Organizing, Relating and Networking, Coping with Pressure and Setbacks.

 

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• UNICEF will provide the Individual Contractor all required core equipment and material for fulfilling his duty, including computer;
• Expenses related to travels, if any, will be covered by UNICEF and paid to the Individual Contractor as per UNICEF travel rules and regulations;
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Individual Contractor;
• Consultants/ICs will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

 

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate;
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

 

Payment of fee

• The payment will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables;
• UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

 

 Restrictions

• Consultants and individual contractors may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants and individual contracts must complete the applicable mandatory trainings;
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government, or unless on leave without pay.

 

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.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.