Violence against children (VAC) is a critical concern in Brazil, with alarming statistics from 2021 and 2023 revealing 15.101 victims of intentional violent deaths and 164.199 victims of rape aged 0-19. Factors such as gender and racial discrimination, socioeconomic inequalities and social norms and practices, that naturalize violence, exacerbate the problem, imposing significant health, education, and judicial costs on individuals, families, and society.

Despite these challenges, fragmented government funding and coordination hinder Brazil's progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its international obligations to protect children’s rights. Governments must assess resources needs and allocation for child protection policies while understanding and addressing the long-term economic impacts of VAC.

UNICEF's Child Protection program highlights the multifaceted nature of VAC, advocating for evidence-based approaches and fostering cross-sector dialogue. Meanwhile, UNICEF's Social Policy program collaborates with governments to strengthen public investment to ensure the realization of children’s rights.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The objective of the assignment is to assist the UNICEF’s Child Protection and Social Policy teams with a desk-based study drawing on existing literature and data on the consequences and economic costs of violence against children in Brazil, as well as methodologies to estimate these costs and good practice case studies on prevention policies and programs.

The proposed study is a rapid assessment designed to gather and synthesize key information, including a comprehensive literature review and institutional mapping on the costs of VAC and the investment needed to prevent it. This foundational work will inform and support an in-depth comparative study on the costs of responding to violence against children and the necessary resources to promote universal VAC prevent in the country.

This study will encompass studies estimating the costs of VAC, assessments, surveys, evaluation reports, situation analyses, policy and legal documents, and other relevant data. The review will cover various categories of violence, namely physical violence and corporal punishment, lethal and armed violence and sexual violence. Additionally, the assessment will evaluate methodologies used to estimate the costs of preventing and responding to VAC to map good practice case studies. The costs considered in this study include both direct costs incurred by governments for service provision and indirect costs, such as economic losses stemming from reduced human capital development and lower productivity resulting from violence.

This assessment will also conduct an institutional mapping to identify the roles and responsibilities of various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) at different levels of government involved in Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention and response programs and services. The mapping will focus on institutions within the federal government and include at least one state and one capital city, analyzing how these institutional mechanisms currently interact.

For the institutional mapping, the assessment will define the functions assigned to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) at different levels of government by examining their original legal mandates, authorizing environments, and any subsequent changes or revisions. Coordination between institutions will be analyzed, considering both formal mechanisms and their integration within the broader institutional framework. The consultancy will assess how these functions are distributed within the respective MDAs and document reporting relationships through an organogram that identifies key government agencies and their hierarchical structure. This organogram will outline the primary roles and responsibilities of each agency, highlighting any overlaps or gaps in the allocation of functions.

The final report will present findings from the literature review and will provide a preliminary analysis of the available data to support the forthcoming in-depth comparative study on the costs of VAC and the necessary investment to prevent it. The final report will also identify existing gaps and opportunities for the study. Finally, the report will document the methodology, analysis, and findings of the institutional mapping, along with key recommendations to guide the main study.

DELIVERABLES

              1. Workplan

1.1. Deliverables/Outputs: Detailed work plan of the consultancy, with a detailed timetable, list of necessary data, and feasibility analysis.

1.2. Deadline: 5 days from contract beginning.

1.3. Estimate Budget: 10% of total amount.

2. Comprehensive Literature Review Report

2.1. Deliverables/Outputs:  A detailed report summarizing findings from published literature related to violence against children in Brazil and an overview of studies estimating the costs of preventing and responding to VAC and methodologies used for such estimations. Identification of gaps, opportunities, and good practice case studies relevant to VAC prevention and response. Preliminary analysis of available data to inform the larger study.

2.2. Deadline: 20 days after delivery of product 1.

2.3. Estimate Budget: 30% of total amount.

3. Institutional Mapping Report

3.1. Deliverables/Outputs: Mapping of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) involved in VAC prevention and response at federal, state, and municipal levels. Analysis of institutional mandates, functions, and coordination mechanisms across levels of government. Organogram outlining the roles, responsibilities, and hierarchical structure of relevant agencies. Identification of overlaps, gaps, and opportunities for improved coordination.

3.2. Deadline: 15 days after delivery of product 2.

3.3. Estimate Budget: 20% from total amount.

4. Final Report with Recommendations

4.1. Deliverables/Outputs: Consolidation of findings from the literature review and institutional mapping. Key recommendations for the design and implementation of the in-depth study on the costs of preventing and responding to VAC in Brazil. Documentation of gaps, opportunities, and a proposed framework for the next phase of the study.

4.2. Deadline: 15 days after delivery of product 3.

4.3. Estimate Budget: 30% of total amount.

5. Presentation and Dissemination Materials

5.1. Deliverables/Outputs: A summary PowerPoint presentation of the key findings and recommendations. Materials to support advocacy and stakeholder engagement for the forthcoming in-depth study.

5.2. Deadline: 5 days after delivery of product 4.

5.3. Estimate Budget: 10% of total amount.

DURATION OF CONTRACT: 60 days

TRAVEL PLAN: No travel plan is expected.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Public Management, Development Studies, or related disciplines.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in public management, program evaluation, or policy analysis, preferably in the areas of child protection, violence prevention, or social policy. Additional years of experience are considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience conducting institutional mapping, literature reviews, and/or cost estimations in social or development sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in synthesizing complex information from diverse sources and produce evidence-based reports with actionable recommendations.
• Experience in analyzing institutional frameworks, policies, and legal documents.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Fluency in Portuguese. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary.

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.