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Consultancy Title: GBV Risk Mitigation Institutionalization Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Child Protection Section, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

 

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.  

Related to this mission, UNICEF is directly involved in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in some of the world’s most intense and complex conflicts and disasters. GBV in its various forms constitutes a global crisis which undermines social and economic progress; as one of the world’s greatest human rights violations, GBV must be addressed to ensure universal rights and principles with regard to equality, security, liberty, integrity and dignity of human beings.   Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in emergencies (GBViE) is recognized as a life-saving measure and an essential component of humanitarian action. As a lead agency in addressing GBViE, UNICEF has expanded its on-the-ground programming in recent years and made prevention and risk mitigation of, and response to GBViE one of its targeted priorities in its new Strategic and Gender Action Plans (GAP) 2022-2025, as well as in the new Child Protection Strategy. GBViE contributes to the results under Goal Area 3 and is also now a cross-cutting priority across the new Strategic Plan-, making GBV risk mitigation one of UNICEF’s change strategies and a key contributor across all Goal Areas. GBViE risk mitigation is now also across all sectors and areas of work in UNICEF’s updated Core Commitments for Children.

Over the past five years, UNICEF has made significant progress on integrating GBV risk mitigation across all of the Agency’s programmatic sectors and clusters. Most recently, a new set of “institutionalization” resources - focused on increasing the predictability and sustainability of GBV risk mitigation - has been completed. Dedicated support is now required to increase visibility and uptake of the GBV risk mitigation institutionalization work, within UNICEF and beyond.

UNICEF has identified some concrete next steps within the Agency’s ongoing work on GBV and public health emergencies (PHE) where additional technical support is needed.

In 2024, a theory of change (ToC) on the linkages between GBV and environment/climate change was developed. The next step in the process is to galvanize inter-agency momentum around this piece of work.

Also in 2024, UNICEF has developed and finalized a feminist framework for its GBViE research and learning that outlines what its feminist principles are, criteria for selecting research projects and partners, and considerations for ensuring research and learning projects apply a feminist lens. Further technical advice is needed to support the actual implementation of the framework and to develop a roadmap for its institutionalization.

During the period of the contract, the GBV Risk Mitigation Institutionalization Consultant will provide the technical expertise required to help advance these objectives through specific deliverables.

 

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the GBViE Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables: 

• Support visibility and uptake of institutionalization work within UNICEF and at interagency level;
• Support development of an annex to the GBV Guidelines focused on Climate Change and GBV;
• Support the next phase of UNICEF’s work on GBV and Public Health Emergencies (PHEs);
• Support the rollout and institutionalization of the feminist research and learning framework.

The consultancy will be home-based with travels to emergency-affected contexts relevant to the above tasks, as feasible.

 

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Support visibility and uptake of institutionalization work within UNICEF and at interagency level

• Organize and facilitate webinars focused on the GBV risk mitigation institutionalization work: 6 webinars completed (3 for UNICEF staff and 3 for a broader audience) (31 August 2025)  
• Update the institutionalization sub-page of the GBV Guidelines website with recent developments: Sub-page updated and approved (30 June 2025)
• Develop a 2-pager on the implementation of the GBV Risk Mitigation minimum set of action (SEARO): 2-pager submitted and approved  (30 June 2025)

Develop an annex to the GBV Guidelines focused on Climate Change and GBV

• Present the Theory of Change (ToC) on the linkages between environment/climate change and GBV to the GBV Guidelines Reference Group: ToC presented to the GBV GL RG Members; presentation reflected in the MOM (30 April 2025)
• Facilitate the development and endorsement of an annex explaining how GBV risk mitigation actions can more effectively incorporate climate change considerations: Annex developed and approved (31 August 2025)   

Support the next phase of UNICEF’s work on GBV and Public Health Emergencies (PHEs)

• Review and finalise evidence review and article analysing links between GBV and PHEs: Feedback sent on the report laying out the evidence review of the links between GBV and PHE (written feedback provided), feedback sent on article to the Lancet on the evidence review (written feedback provided) (31 May 2025)
• Provide inputs into preparation for global meeting between GBV and PHE practitioners to discuss research agenda: Feedback on guests and agenda provided (written feedback available), feedback on research agenda put together as a result of the meeting (written feedback available) (31 March 2025)        

Support the rollout and institutionalization of the feminist research and learning framework

• Screen upcoming UNICEF GBViE Research projects and advise on how to apply the framework and process guide: At least 2 GBViE research projects analyzed and supported (written documentation provided) (31 August 2025)
• Develop a roadmap for the roll-out and institutionalization of the feminist research framework and guide: At least 6 meetings held with UNICEF colleagues involved in research, draft roadmap shared (31 August 2025)
• Complete a mapping of potential research partners (individuals or institutions) that could contribute to the roll-out and institutionalization of the framework: Mapping of potential partners submitted (31 August 2025)

 

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in public health, social work, political science, human rights and international law or other related degree, or equivalent programming experience.

 

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least 8-10 years of humanitarian or related work experience in GBV programming in natural disasters and conflict-affected countries.
• Solid understanding of GBV guiding principles and the survivor-centred approach.
• Knowledge and experience working on GBV risk mitigation with other humanitarian sectors/clusters. Proven experience with humanitarian coordination structures (at global and/or field level) preferred.
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to write effectively for UNICEF external products.
• Demonstrated experience and capacity to carry-out GBV-related research and develop technical resources, with a focus on feminist research approaches and/or on the linkages between GBV and climate change.
• Experience in Gender/GBV related knowledge management and sharing is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s working modalities, including related internal communication and advocacy.
• Flexible work attitude: ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment.
• Experience working with a wide variety of stakeholders and capturing of requirements in an inter-agency setting.
• Creative, innovative thinker who can also translate ideas into practical applications.
• Proven skills in networking, strategic thinking, problem solving, advocacy and negotiation
• Fluency in English required. Working proficiency of another official UN language an advantage.

 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.