National Consultant for Community-Based Child Protection Programme Review and Revision in Fiji

UNICEF

For every child, Protection

The 2018-2022 UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Child Protection Programme consists of three components: (i) strengthening the legal and policy framework, (ii) building the capacity of prevention and response services across social sectors, including social welfare, justice, police, health and education, and (iii) promoting social and behavioural change.

Comprehensive data is limited, however available information suggests that children in Fiji experience various forms of violence in the home, in schools and in the community. UNICEF’s child protection strategy emphasises a need to address community attitudes and behaviours underpinning children’s vulnerability to create a protective environment. The main intervention under the social and behavioural change component has been the development of a “Community Facilitation Package” and its utilisation at community level.

The first package, consisting of a manual for facilitators to conduct learning sessions in communities and some supporting communication materials (posters, flip-charts, etc.), was developed in Fiji by the Ministry of Women Children and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA). UNICEF supported the development of the Community Facilitation Package and the initial Training of Trainers (TOT) in 2012 and the implementation in communities until 2015. Since 2016, the Government has been continuing to implement the package with its own funds. By the end of 2019, around half of Fiji’s 2,000 rural communities and informal urban settlements had been reached.

Furthermore, the package has been contextualised and translated into Fijian language by the Ministry of iTaukei (Indigenous) Affairs (MTA), with the addition of a Participant’s Manual. As of end of 2019, MTA had reached close to 100 communities.

The implementation strategy has consisted of a TOT, followed by training of a group of leaders from various communities in an area (village chiefs, church leaders, health workers, teachers, women’s and youth representatives, etc.) on the Community Facilitation Package. These leaders are in turn expected to conduct sessions in their respective communities, establish a child protection community committee and develop and implement a child protection village action plan, which is included in the overall village development plan. However, in the absence of a monitoring and evaluation framework and mechanism, results of the programme have not been measured.

How can you make a difference?

MWCPA and MTA have requested UNICEF to conduct a review of the implementation, including achievements and challenges, before the programme continues to expand. Based on the findings of the review, the implementation strategy and the communication and facilitation materials will be revised, and management/monitoring tools and training modules will be developed.

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

 (i) To collect information on programme delivery and achievements at output, outcome and, to the extent possible, impact level, and to facilitate primary research through KIIs and FGDs

(ii) To conduct a KAP survey across a sample of communities engaged in the programme, and analyse results

(iii) To support the revision of the implementation strategy and communication and facilitation materials, and development of management tools and training modules, based on the review findings and recommendations

(iv) To support development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, based on the review findings and recommendations

(iv) To support the initial phase of implementation of the revised strategy, using revised/new materials

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

Education

-Advanced university degree in the social sciences, behavioural sciences, communication for development, anthropology, or related field.

 Experience

-At least 3 years of relevant experience, i.e. familiarity with child protection issues and interventions and assisting a programme review team, data collection/research

-In-depth knowledge of iTaukei culture

Skills/Competencies

-Writing and analytical skills

-People skills, relating with people, team work, networking

-Communication skills, both speaking and writing; in particular the ability to communicate technical concepts, knowledge and skills in a clear, simple and jargon-free language; ability to present information in a well-structured, logical manner

 Languages

-Excellent spoken and written English

-Full competency (reading, understanding, writing and speaking) in iTaukei language

 

Applications close: 11 Feb 2020 11:55 PM Fiji Standard Time