Local home-based consultancy (with travel): Gender-Based Violence Research Consultant, Italy (70 days)

Local home-based consultancy (with travel): Gender-Based Violence Research Consultant, Italy (70 days)

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Job no: 534581
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Location: Italy
Categories: Consultancy

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, results

Children continued to make-up a quarter of all refugees and migrants arriving in Europe through Mediterranean migration routes in 2020. As of March 2020, nearly 52,000 refugee and migrant children were present in Italy, Greece and the rest of the Balkans, almost 30% were unaccompanied. Among all children seeking asylum in Europe in 2019, 55% were boys and 45% girls. The situation among unaccompanied children is different, with mostly boys, and around 15 percent of girls. However, while unaccompanied boys tend to travel alone or in groups and self-identify as children during registration, unaccompanied and separated girls tend to be more ‘invisible’, therefore poorly represented in official statistics. During their desperate journeys through countries of origin, transit, arrival and return, children and women – in particular girls on the move – face a number of risks related to gender-based violence. Once in Europe, they often lack protection and may not be able to access available services.  

To date, Italy has been one of the most affected countries in the world by the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases also registered among the refugee and migrant population. Because of their specific vulnerabilities and the fact that often they are overlooked within policies and plans, the impact of an outbreak is likely to be higher on migrants and refugees. Refugees and migrants in and outside reception centers are a high-risk population group due to limited access by and to the health system, dwelling overcrowding, and multiple co-morbidities.   

The COVID-19 outbreak has further exacerbated the unique vulnerabilities of refugee and migrant women and girl in Italy, given that gender roles have a significant impact on how individuals experience outbreaks. This includes the increased exposure of women and girls to GBV, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV) due to social confinement and movement restrictions. Migrant and refugee women and girls face additional specific challenges in accessing services due to government restrictions, as well as lack of access to appropriate information on rights and available support services during the pandemic. The vulnerability of those who are living in reception facilities can increase due to lack of basic services provision and privacy; those who are held in repatriation centers, are found in even worse conditions. Additionally, they have to face many institutional barriers such as in accessing health services, for example if their residence permit has expired. The socio-economic impact on migrant and refugee women and girls is exacerbated by the fact that they are often employed in informal and low-wage activities that are highly prone to be disrupted during an outbreak; while others remain prisoners of sexual and labor exploitation mechanisms. 

Since the beginning of the migrant and refugee influx, UNICEF is meeting the unique needs of children and young people arriving in Europe, as well as those on the move, stranded or being pushed back, since the earliest days of the migrant and refugee response. UNICEF uses two inter-linked approaches: life-saving service provision in partnership with institutions and civil society organizations (CSO) and supporting existing national child protection systems.  

In Italy, UNICEF has also focused on GBV prevention and response, contributing to overall system strengthening.  UNICEF’s vision is that the rights of girls and women affected by emergencies to live free from GBV are fulfilled. Three outcomes are linked to the realization of this vision, each of which forms an integral aspect of UNICEF’s GBViE programming in practice: support survivors with access to a comprehensive set of services, mitigate the risk of GBV across humanitarian sectors by empowering women and girls, prevent GBV by addressing its underlying conditions and drivers, engaging directly with governments and relevant ministries.  

As part of a broader UNICEF global research on ‘COVID-19 in humanitarian settings: Understanding the impact on women and girls’ safety and well-being’, UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response in Italy and the Washington University in St Luis, with the technical support of UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, will further investigate the impact of COVID-19 measures on migrant and refugee women and girls in Italy. The research will constitute a case study of the UNICEF global research and will take a quantitative and qualitative approach. The research aims at assessing how COVID-19 measures impacted women and girls’ safety and well-being.  The research will also look at the level of availability and accessibility of GBV information provision and response services during COVID-19 and will examine the feasibility and acceptability of COVID-19 GBV service models, identifying remaining gaps in service provision, and distilling lessons learned.  Findings from this research will be used to bolster existing services, design new ways for service provision, ensure greater coverage for more marginalized women and girls, and help inform the development of a structured plan for ensuring the safety and well-being of women and girls during the current and future pandemics. 

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and logistical support to the research conducted by UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response in Italy and the Washington University in St Luis to understand the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on migrant and refugee women and girls in Italy. Key responsibilities which will be conducted in close collaboration with the other members of the GBV team, include: 

  1. Secondary data collection and analysis  

  • Provide support in collecting, analyzing, reviewing and organizing secondary data, information and other relevant resources on GBV and COVID-19 in Italy, including GBV hotline data, relevant reports published by national authorities and other stakeholders, UNICEF guidance notes and organizational guidance documents detailing appropriate service adaptations to be made during the pandemic. 

  • Write-up the desk review. 

 
  1. Qualitative and quantitative data collection 

  • Assist in preparation, designing, translation, marketing and dissemination of an online survey to administer to migrant and refugee women and girls;  

  • Assist in preparation and designing of two U-Report polls;  

  • Assist in preparation and designing of qualitative data collection tools and materials, as needed; 

  • Provide support to the organization of around 25 key informant interviews (KIIs), including but not limited to service providers, staff at GBV hotlines, GBV specialists in-country, cultural mediators and other frontline workers in Lombardy, Lazio, and Sicily, in collaboration with the Washington University; 

  • Provide support to the organization of around 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) with migrant girls in the three Regions, including liaising with local organizations to support all logistical arrangements; 

  • Conduct in-person or virtual KIIs and FGDs or provide support, including through interpretation from Italian to English and vice versa, during KIIs conducted by Washington University staff; 

  • Transcribe and translate data collected verbatim, as needed.

  1. Coordination and technical support 

  • Support with quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reports writing, as needed;  

  • Support ethical review preparation as needed; 

  • Support translation efforts; 

  • Liaise between the team at UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response in Italy based in Rome, the team at Washington University based in St Luis and the team at UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti based in Florence;  

  • Attend calls and other meetings, conferences and webinars, assisting in preparing background material and taking minutes; 

  • Follow up on the design, editing, printing and publication of the research and information material in collaboration with relevant colleagues from UNICEF Refugee & Migrant Response, Washington University and UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, as needed. 

  • Support the communication and dissemination plans, including the development of programme briefs, press releases and blogs, launching event as needed; 

 The consultant is also expected to undertake other tasks that may be required and are appropriate to the role and the research project. 

Deliverables 

 

Performance Indicators: 

  • Quality of written materials produced;  

  • Accuracy, depth and relevance of information provided;  

  • Quality of working relations;  

  • Timeliness of response to the team’s requests for support;  

  • Timely delivery of deliverables and adherence to timeline and set deadlines. 

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

Required: 

  • University degree in law, migration studies, gender studies, or other relevant fields; 

  • At least three years of relevant experience; 

  • Demonstrated experience to facilitate focus group discussions and/or in-depth interviews; 

  • Knowledge and experience on GBV in Emergencies; 

  • Experience with UNICEF or other UN Agencies; 

  • Familiar with the Italian protection and reception system for migrants and refugees; 

  • Excellent planning and organizational skills; 

  • Strong communication skills – both oral and written; 

  • Fluency in Italian and English; 

  • Good team player. 

Desired: 

  • Familiar with UNICEF’s GBViE frameworks; 

  • Experience in working with migrants and refugees

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

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/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.

Contractual arrangements: 

  • Estimated Duration of the Contract: 70 days from October 2020 to March 2021.
  • UNICEF Supervisor: Gender/GBViE Programme Specialist, P4, Refugee & Migrant Response, Rome, Italy 
  • Work arrangements:  The payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of tasks and deliverables (as reported in table 1).  Each request for payment must be supported by the supervisor’s written certification of the assignment performed (deliverable provided and/or days worked). Final payment is made only upon certification of the satisfactory completion of the assignment as a whole, and completion by the supervisor of the evaluation. Payments will be roll out in multiple instalments, based on the tasks outlined in Table 1: 

  1. First instalment (the equivalent of 20 days) after satisfactory completion of tasks 1, 2 and 3; 

  1. Second instalment (20 days) after satisfactory completion of task 4; 

  1. Third instalment (15 days) after satisfactory completion of task 5 and 6; 

  1. Fourth instalment (15 days) after satisfactory completion of task 7 and 8; 

  • Taxes: Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF. 

  • Duty Station and Official Travel:  Home-based in Italy. The work may include incidental travel within Italy to participate in field work, this will depend upon Covid-19 related restrictions established by the Government of Italy. It is expected that the consultant will incur in up to 10 travels in different locations in Italy (North, Centre and South). The average duration of each trip is expected to be of 2 days. In their application, consultants shall propose a lumpsum for travel costs. Agreed travel and related costs will be reimbursed after missions are completed.   

  • Equipment: The consultant is expected to have their own computer and access to internet, common software to conduct video interviews. 

Travel Clause:  

  • All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply. 

  • All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF. 

  • The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract. 

  • The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized. 

  • Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation. 

  • The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSafe certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card. 

Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract: 

  • If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. 

  • UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. 

To apply, candidates are invited to: 

  • complete their UNICEF profile; 

  • attach CV and Motivation Letter; 

  • attach a short reflection on how they would organize and conduct the FGDs/interviews on this topic and what are the challenges they foresee to carry out this research project (the text can be written in English or Italian and it should be of a maximum of two pages).Indicate a consultancy daily fee (for ease of reference you may want to consult the UN salary scale for GS/Professional. This ToR falls under the bandwidth of GS6  – travel not included. Please note that applications without a proposed fee will not be accepted. 

  • Indicate a lump sum for expected travel expenditures. 

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.

Advertised: W. Europe Daylight Time
Deadline: W. Europe Daylight Time

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