APW: To plan and facilitate the Regional Conference to Strengthen Implementation of INSPIRE Strategies to End Violence Against Children During COVID-19 and Beyond

BACKGROUND

At least 1 billion children globally experiencing some form of violence each year. All children are vulnerable to violence however, cultural and social norms together with a lack of protective laws and policies can increase the risk of violence occurring.

Violence against children is preventable, not inevitable. In 2016, multiagency collaboration led to the development and launch of the INSPIRE package which outlines seven strategies to help countries and communities intensify their focus on reducing violence against children. The seven strategies of the package are: Implementation and enforcement of laws; Norms and values; Safe environments; Parent and caregiver support; Income and economic strengthening; Response and support services; and Education and life skills.

To promote and facilitate the translation of the INSPIRE strategies into regional action, WHO and UNICEF supported the Royal Government of Cambodia, to hold the first Regional Conference - towards the Implementation of INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children. The conference brought together representatives from the health, social welfare, and justice sectors, as well as the UN, NGOs, and academics from over 21 countries[1] in the Asia and Pacific region, as well as experts from the region and around the world. The purpose of the conference was to foster commitment and support the development of national capacity for the implementation of evidence-based strategies and interventions for the prevention of and response to violence against children.

Significant efforts have been made to implement these strategies, including through child protection systems strengthening, and increasing evidence has been generated on what works to prevent and respond to violence globally and in the region.

COVID-19 interrupted progress. The pandemic has caused countries to implement lockdowns, stay-at-home, and physical distancing measures to contain virus spread. The home, however, has not always been a safe place for children who are experiencing or are at risk of abuse. Stressors such as economic uncertainty, job losses and over-crowded settings, where physical distancing is not feasible, are likely to increase the perpetration of violence in the home. Limited or no access to protective support networks during mobility restriction or lockdown has further contributed to the risk of violence. The socio-economic impact of the pandemic, including an envisaged reduction in public financing, threatens a roll back of the gains made in reducing prevalence of violence. However, COVID-19 also challenged us all to adapt in order to reach children – adaptations that could support accelerated action.

It is critical that Governments, civil society, the UN and donors are convened to ensure that momentum is not lost in the region to prevent violence against children, innovations are rolled out and gains are protected.

Building upon the Regional Conference Towards the Implementation of INSPIRE: Seven strategies for Ending Violence Against Children, UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific and the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific will support a joint regional conference to take stock of progress made with

implementation of the INSPIRE strategies and explore opportunities for accelerating regional and national progress in preventing and responding to violence against children in the time of COVID-19 and beyond.

Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the impact this has on live events, UNICEF EAPRO and WHO WPRO aim to support a conference that combines innovative methods for both virtual and in-person sessions (where possible) in individual countries that will contribute to the conference outcomes. Furthermore, national consultations and/or preparatory sessions will be held. For both key tasks, UNICEF and WHO seek an experienced consultant to ensure a successful conference. 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF EAPRO and WHO WPRO to plan and implement regional conference.

The specific objectives are to:

• • Lead the planning and overall implementation of the INSPIRE conference
• • Support selected countries (country offices of WHO and UNICEF) to conduct preparatory sessions in country on progress on EVAC and implementing INSPIRE since the 2018 regional INSPIRE conference

WORK TO BE PERFORMED (Tasks, Deliverables and Timelines):

Develop work plan for the planning and implementation of the conference                 

National preparatory sessions

Conceptualize guidance notes on implementing national level preparatory consultations.         

Orient country offices and provide remote technical assistance in the preparations of the national preparatory meetings. This includes supporting country offices budget proposed activities and coordinating with WHO and UNICEF regarding funding needs.

Participate (remotely if possible) in national preparatory meetings as required

Draft report summarizing key outcomes and recommendations from the national consultations in consultation with UNICEF/WHO   

Conference preparation and convening

Lead the design of the agenda and the design/preparation of the conference sessions

Support in identifying potential participants, speakers and facilitators     

Distribute invitations and monitor RSVPs for participants and guest speakers

Lead the identification, securing and briefing of speakers and facilitators

Liaise with host government/s and country focal persons leading up to the conference

Liaise with the multi-media consultant to consolidate inputs and ensure conference is delivered and all relevant conference material are placed on the conference website

Curate background documents for the conference                           

Develop briefing papers for key sessions of the conference                          

Develop session guides and facilitator notes. Hold preparatory sessions with facilitators, panelists and multimedia consultant to ensure smooth running of the sessions.

Develop speaking points.                             

Develop run of show for the conference.                             

Participate in conference and support in facilitating /chairing of sessions             

Write the conference report           

Ongoing tasks

• • Weekly review and planning meetings with UNICEF, WHO and the host Government(s).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• • Advanced university degree in social work, law, or other social sciences preferably with a specialisation on child rights or child protection
• • At least 5 years professional work experience in planning and programming in  end violence against and child protection, including experience in implementing INSPIRE strategies
• • Past work in UN, WHO or UNICEF undertaking similar assignments is considered an asset
• • Experience in implementing or understanding of the INSPIRE framework
• • Understanding of child protection system strengthening
• • Demonstrated high level of communication skills. Must be able to manage diverse viewpoints and work in demanding situations.
• • Proven ability to work in teams, and past work in similar is an asset
• • Written/oral fluency in English
• • Demonstrated strategic and conceptual thinking and analysis of complex issues in past work
• • Excellent facilitating skills and ability to synthesize complex information and issues.
• • Proven ability to organize and plan complex pieces of work following the established timeframes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the work remotely, in their own workplace/country of residence. 

Contract duration

5.5 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists (individual contractor) should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 28 May 2021 (17:00 GMT+8). 

Please use Tender Notice No. 128591 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.