International Council of Voluntary Agencies
Location: Home based
Contract: Consultancy
Starting date and duration: 10-15 working days over a period of 4 weeks, starting from 25 June, detailed workplan to be developed with ICVA.
About ICVA
Founded in 1962, ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies) is a global network of over 140 non governmental organisations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels, whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. ICVA promotes and facilitates effective NGO engagement in the humanitarian sector, with a focus on Forced Migration, Humanitarian Coordination, Humanitarian Financing, and transformative cross-cutting systems-strengthening issues, including climate change, localization, diversity and inclusion.
Background to Consultancy
Raising community-awareness on the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) committed by aid workers is critical to preventing of SEA, as well as ensuring that survivors know where and how to safely report SEA when it does take place. Local stakeholders have noted the need for effective, updated information, education and communication (IEC) materials on PSEA that are tailored to local cultural contexts, operational realities, the groups that are most at risk, and which take into account, among others, levels of literacy, languages, age and capacity.
To support NGOs in meeting these needs, in February 2020, UNHCR and ICVA partnered to launch the PSEA Outreach and Communications Fund. The Fund aims to support the critical work of NGOs in preventing situations of sexual exploitation and abuse by ensuring all affected people know that humanitarian assistance is never conditional on transactions or exchanges of any kind. Moreover, the Fund invests in community-led efforts to ensure that communities and SEA survivors know how and where to safely report allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. The initiative is rooted in the recognition that local capacities and expertise, including that of affected communities themselves, are indispensable to effectively reinforcing protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Troughout its two rounds, which took place in 2020 and 2021, the PSEA Outreach and Communications Fund has generated a vast interest from NGOs, community-based organizations, safeguarding experts and other humanitarian actors involved in PSEA activites, operating in all regions and humanitarian contexts. 34 projects have been supported so far, which developed materials in some 30 languages, tailored to reach over 20 different Age, Gender, Diversity profiles through 40 types of materials, including print, video, audio, and community discussion guides, amongt others.
Now in its third round, the 2022 Fund will provide rapid, targeted financial support to NGOs which lack the resources to develop and disseminate PSEA outreach and communications materials, and to make available to all IASC members and the wider sector the materials developed through the Fund for their further use or adaptation. In line with these objectives, the outcomes envisioned are that communications materials and strategies on PSEA are more effectively tailored to local needs and contexts, more accessible; that members of communities have greater awareness of their right to receive protection and assistance free from SEA, and that they know where and how to safely report concerns or incidents regarding SEA.
Consultancy Objectives
With this consultancy, ICVA aims to support the review and selection of eligible applications, giving priority consideration to proposals that outline a clear need to strengthen communication with communities on PSEA, demonstrate consultation with affected people in the development of their proposals as well as meaningful efforts to sustain this engagement throughout the lifespan of the project. The proposals will be evaluated based on criteria included in the Call for Applications.
The final selection of the proposals will be carried by the Fund’s Steering Group, made of subject-matter experts from NGOs and UN agencies. Both rounds received a large number of applications, showing that there is indeed a significant gap in PSEA outreach and communication and that there is interest in carrying such projects. The consultant will carry the main bulk of the applications review in order to create a shortlist for the Steering Group.
Reporting Lines
The consultant will work in close collaboration and report to ICVA’s Policy Officer and Associate Policy Officer.
Consultant requirements, competencies and skills:
- Previous experience working in the humanitarian sector including relevant experience in the field of PSEA, safeguarding and/or protection.
- Experience in proposal review preferred.
- Fluent in English; good working knowledge of French and/or Spanish. Knowledge of other languages, such as Arabic and/or Portuguese, is a plus.
- Ability to review a large quantity of applications in a short time while evaluating their quality and relevance.
- Proven ability to work autonomously and meet agreed deadlines with limited direct oversight.
Note: Throughout the work, the consultant must be registered in accordance with legal requirements in their country of residence and must be able to submit documentation that proves that she/ he is meeting all legal obligations for the consultancy, including full compliance with ICVA regulations including its safeguarding policy.
How to apply
Applications including cover letter, CV or resume and proposed consultancy rate (daily) should be sent by email to [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 06 June 2022.
ICVA promotes diversity in its recruitment process.
ICVA’s selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our organisational integrity and commitment to make humanitarian action more principled and effective.