Develop guidelines, protocols, standards and reporting mechanism to reduce violence against women and children in Belize Security Forces (Spotlight Activity 1.3.1)

Background

Background information on Spotlight:

Linkages to Spotlight Initiative:

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) are embarking on a new, global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) - the Spotlight Initiative. The Initiative is deploying targeted, large-scale investments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. As such, the Initiative is working with governments and civil society organizations to prevent domestic violence by raising awareness, establishing and implementing laws and policies and improving quality essential services for survivors.  In so doing, the Initiative is placing the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs), specifically SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

In Belize, the Spotlight Initiative[1] will contribute to ending family violence by strengthening policy and legislations that will lead to increased protection of women and girls, building capacity of state and non-state actors to respond to family violence, expanding the range of services available and addressing social norms and behaviors that promote violence against women and girls. The Spotlight Initiative is being implemented through three UN agencies (UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF). The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Belize

UN agencies in Belize (UNICEF and UNFPA) and the Ministry of National Security are partnering to integrate child rights and gender equality in the existing mechanism of the three Security Forces of Belize (The Belize Police Department (BPD), the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Belize Coast Guard (BCG)). To that end, the agencies have been working along with the Security Forces of Belize since 2019, to develop child rights and gender modules for integration into the national training academies of all three Forces.  The intent is to build the capacity of force personnel to better handle situations that involve children, women and family’s violence situations. The modules also focus on the internal policies and reporting mechanism in response to sexual violence within the Forces.

     Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) are unacceptable breaches of fundamental human rights, child and women rights and a deep betrayal of core values.  Assessments have found that there are gaps in how the security forces, respond to sexual violence against women and girls/children, including gaps in the chain of command and accountability, confidence in reporting measures, definitions and protocols to address sexual harassment and sexual assault.  There is a need to include education on alternate routes of addressing crime including the underutilized Court Martial System, issues of privacy and confidentiality, training and sensitization and victim assistance.      

Under the Spotlight Initiative, UN agencies in Belize are committed to supporting the Ministry of National Security in preventing and responding to both SEA and SH by setting out concrete strategies and interventions for creating and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all members of security forces.      

Purpose of Assignment

To support a comprehensive review of existing policies and protocols on the identification, report and response to sexual violence in security forces, including during emergency situations. This

includes, but are not limited to, a review of the Defense Act, Coast Guard Act, Security Services Commission Regulations, core standards, regulations, policies and protocols of the Police Department, BDF and BCG sexual violence protocols.

This comprehensive review is expected to strengthen the internal complaints and reporting mechanisms on sexual violence within the security forces.

Specific Tasks

A consultancy team/institution is expected to complete the following specific tasks under the supervision of the Child Protection Officer and Child Justice Coordinator of UNICEF and UNFPA in close collaboration with the Chief of Staff of the Belize Defense Force and Staff Officer of Ministry of National Security

• Strengthen existing policies on sexual violence and sexual harassment within security forces by completing a comprehensive review of the Defense Act, Coast Guard Act, core standards, regulations, policies and protocols of the BDF, BPD and BCG.
• Identify needs and gaps of these core policies including recommendations of how these may be made to comply with international and domestic standards on sexual violence and sexual harassment within security forces
• Establish an effective reporting mechanism for sexual violence and sexual harassment within the Security Forces including appropriate articulation of the reporting, investigation mechanisms and the routes or referrals for victim’s assistance even in times of emergencies such as COVID-19
• Develop a toolkit that can be used to educate members of the security forces on the protocols and the reporting and investigation mechanisms associated with the protocols.  It should include the protocols themselves and associated materials that can be disseminated to foster understanding of the protocols. It should be useable by trainers as well as for self-paced learning.         

The consultancy team is expected to conduct introductory meetings with UNICEF and Ministry of National Security to discuss the extent and scope of the consultancy required, ensuring a full understanding of the products and deliverables expected. Periodic meetings to discuss progress and other issues will be programmed at these introductory meetings.

Specific Task                    Deliverable                    # of Days      Due Date 

Inception Meeting to establish work-plan           

                                           Work Plan including timeline     1         October 30th, 2020 

Review of existing protocols, documents, procedures, national 
and international law related to sexual violence response in 
security forces                         

                                              Desk review                           5      November 13th, 2020

Draft protocols and guidelines for reporting and investigation 
mechanism for sexual violence and sexual harassment           

                                             Draft protocols and guidelines   30       January 22, 2021  

Presentation and approval of draft protocols and guidelines 
for reporting and investigation mechanism for sexual violence 
and sexual harassment                                                          6            February 5,2021

Toolkit  for responding to sexual violence and sexual harassment 
within security forces communication package            

                                                 Socialization package        10           February 19,2021

Final Report and recommendations for next steps            

                                                Report                                  5           February 26, 2021

Deliverables

1. Inception report
2. Workplan
3. Draft reporting and investigation mechanism
4. Final revision of core policies
5. User friendly version of Women, Peace and Security Agenda
6. Final Report and Evaluation

Regular meetings with the Child Protection Team from UNICEF, and the Ministry of National Security will be held to assess overall progress of the consultancy and address any challenges.

Estimated Duration of Contract

The contract will have an estimated duration of five (5) months. Payment will be done based on delivery of finalized and approved deliverables.  The contract must cover professional fees, transport, or any other additional fees. The consultancy team/institution will be supervised and managed by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security.

Qualifications

The consultancy team should have the following qualifications and professional experience:

1. Advanced degree in Human Rights, Gender and/or Criminal Justice          
2. Knowledge of violence prevention, impacts of power dynamics on subordinates and how to manage such disparities, administration of security forces
3. Experience with working with multiple sectors such as child protection, justice, police, health
4. Demonstrated understanding of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Sexual Harassment Policies
5. Background in a social science field is desirable (Five years or more is considered an asset)

Application Submission

Applicants (teams or institutions) are invited to submit:

• Technical and financial proposals. [The selection of the Team will be based on a “best value for money” principle.]
• Applicants (teams or institutions) are invited to submit bids electronically to: belize@unicef.org with subject line “Develop guidelines and reporting mechanism to reduce violence against women in Security Forces”

Deadline

All technical and financial bids are to be submitted by September 25th, 2020. ONLY completed application packages received before the deadline will be given consideration. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.