Country: Kenya
Closing date: 01 Jan 2016
Background and Justification
The breakout of civil war in South Sudan in December 2013 resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Over 46,000 South Sudanese have sought asylum in Kakuma Refugee Camp since December 2013, resulting in a drastic increase in the number of refugees residing in Kakuma. The camp currently hosts over 181,000 refugees, about 15% of the total population of Turkana County. Around 60% of the total refugee population are girls and boys aged below eighteen years. Slightly over 12,000 girls and boys have arrived in the camp as unaccompanied and separated minors, resulting in one of the largest unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) caseload in the region.
A Multi-Agency Initial Rapid Assessment carried out in January 2014 identified a number of priority issues in the Child Protection Sector in Kakuma. The capacity of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) to handle the large UASC portfolio and other cases of vulnerability affecting the refugee children was assessed. The findings showed that the high number of UASC, inadequate number of qualified case workers to follow up on the identified protection concerns (case management), the lack of psychosocial support mechanisms and an insufficient number of foster parents to accommodate the growing number of UASC compromised the quality of protection services to children.
As a follow-up to the rapid assessment, UNICEF initiated an examination of the processing capacity of the Case Management System in Kakuma. This analysis established that the system was inadequate to accommodate follow-up care for the pre-influx population of children. In response to these challenges, UNICEF signed a partnership agreement with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to scale up Case Management to contend with the increasing number of UASC and other children in the camp who require specific protection services. The support provided by UNICEF included increasing the number of case workers (Social Workers and Child Development Workers/Refugee Incentive Workers), CPIMS data entry personnel, identification and training of staff on Case Management and Gender Based Violence and the provision of the requisite equipment.
UNICEF support to strengthening case management in Kakuma and working in collaboration with UNHCR and other stakeholders, the entire case management process has significantly improved. All UASC documentation is fully captured upon a child arriving in the camp and Best Interest Assessment undertaken to inform protection services in line with the child’s needs. However, county level case management remains weak.
To further improve service delivery to the growing number of UASC and other vulnerable children in Kakuma refugee camp, UNICEF with funding from ECHO and other resources, continues to provide technical support to the case management strengthening programme in Kakuma refugee camp. In the next phase, UNICEF and LWF will digitise the case management system (case workers using tablets for entering case data which is updated into the system), roll-out of Protection Related Information Management for Emergency Response Operations (PRIMERO) and improving sharing of child protection case management data with relevant countries in the region, as part of the agreed Regional Information Sharing Protocol (RISP).
Learning from the CPIMS in Kakuma, UNICEF also supports the Department of Children’s services in its child protection data collection, analysis and use. Consultant will also be expected to provide County level technical support to the County Children’s Officers of the Department of Children Services to spearhead strengthening of coordination of case management systems to improve protective services to children. This will be done in the four counties covered by the UNICEF Lodwar Zonal Office (Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu). These four counties are often affected by inter-community fighting that results in displacement of girls and boys and their families. The counties are also prone to recurrent droughts which compromises community livelihood and resilience and further compromising family and community based protection of children.
Scope of Work
1) *Goal and Objective:** Under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, Lodwar Zonal Office (With management oversight by Chief Lodwar Zonal Office, and technical back-up by Chief Child Protection Nairobi) the objective of the position is to improve the case management system for unaccompanied, separated and vulnerable girls and boys in Kakuma refugee camp. The incumbent will also support the case management activities in all four counties (Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu) under the Lodwar Zonal office.
2) Provide details/reference to RWP areas/UNDAF output covered:
This position contributes to the following outputs of the Child Protection programme of the GoK and UNICEF Country Programme, 2014-2018:
Output 2, Activity 1.2.1: Provide Technical and Financial Support to the strengthening of administrative data systems and the monitoring and evaluation in Child Protection
Output 3, Activity 1.3.2: Provide technical and financial support for the roll-out of the Child Protection Information Management Systems at County Level
Output 3, Activity 1.3.6: Provide technical and financial support for provision services for child protection in emergencies
Indirectly, this position will also contribute to the following UNDAF outcome:
Outcome 2.4: Social Protection: By 2018 social protection policy and strategies ensure government’s effective leadership role, sustainability of achievement, and promotion of innovation and learning; and the social protection systems are adequately resourced, devolved, well-coordinated, effective, efficient and sustainable
3) Activities and Tasks:
· Based at UNICEF Lodwar Zonal Office, with at least 25% of time in Kakuma refugee camp, and frequent travel to each of the four counties covered by the Zonal Office, the Child Protection Information Management Officer will provide technical support to strengthen the child protection information management system in Kakuma refugee camp. This, in turn will help improve the timely case management services to unaccompanied, separated children and children with protection concerns in Kakuma refugee camp (e.g. shorter time frame for getting a BIA done, faster identification of needed interventions, family tracing, alternative care setting, counselling, follow up, etc.).
· In collaboration with UNICEF Child Protection Specialists (NOC) (Lodwar and Nairobi), and Regional Office Child Protection Consultants, develop guidance and tools as well as provide technical support to digitize CPIMS data collection and information processing systems used in Kakuma Refugee Camp.
· Working in collaboration with UNHCR Community Services, provide technical support in the phased roll-out of PRIMERO, or in the interim, using another UNICEF agreed mechanism.[1]
· Identify the linkage between LWF managed CPIMS and UNHCR ProGress and train the staffs to derive consistent data for unaccompanied, separated and vulnerable children best interest determination.
· FastTrack use of data derived from CPIMS to address child protection concerns including reduction of waiting period for children faced with protection risks through BID process.
· With guidance from the Child Protection Specialist (NOC-Lodwar), provide technical guidance for the implementation of regional priorities identified in the Child Protection Framework for South Sudan Situation.
· Work closely with the DCS and implementing partners’ staff to train them on information management, digitization of CPIMS system of LWF and in collaboration with UNHCR.
· Support the Department of Children Services and partners to bring together CP partners for regular coordination. Participate and contribute to monthly Kakuma child protection coordination meetings with a view to ensure that UNICEF specific components of the Kakuma level Child Protection strategy are implemented and carried out in close collaboration with the partners.
· Support Department of Children Services and implementing partners in strengthening child protection information management through data collection, analysis and use in the four Counties covered by UNICEF Lodwar Zonal Office.
4) Work relationships: Consultant will work as part of the Lodwar Zonal Office team, as well as the Child Protection team. H/she will report to the Lodwar based Child Protection Specialist (NOC) and work closely with the programme team. H/she will also work closely with implementing partner LWF as well as with UNHCR and other child protection partners in Kakuma. In addition, the consultant will work closely together with two international child protection consultants working on case management and information management systems in four countries in the region, including Kenya.
Deliverables
Duration (Estimated # of days or months)
Timeline/Deadline
Schedule of Payment
Digitized CPIMS tools are developed and used for case management in Kakuma Refugee camp
3.5 months
January to mid-April 2016
Monthly
The LWF case workers are trained and their capacity enhanced in the use of digitized CPIMS for case management processes in Kakuma is enhanced (as measured in quality of digital reports)
6 months
January to June 2016
Monthly
PRIMERO pilot in Kakuma, integrating regional protocol on data sharing is successfully rolled out
5 months
January to May 2016
Monthly
Waiting period for girls and boys requiring Best Interest Determination is reduced to less than six months
6 months
January to June 2016
Monthly
Systems put in place and services mobilized to implement Regional priorities on strengthening the protection of South Sudanese children in Kakuma camp (as per agreed indicators and South Sudan framework)
6 months
January to June 2016
Monthly
Ensure the use of digitized CPIMS in the four target counties by the implementing partners (measured through the CPIMS reports)
6 months
January to June 2016
Monthly
Payment Schedule
The consultant shall be paid on a monthly basis based on delivery of implementation report. To facilitate effective planning and monitoring of deliverables, the consultant shall submit an implementation plan covering the six months consultancy period. In all circumstances, payment by UNICEF shall be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables and duly authorized by the Supervisor of contract.
Required qualifications, desired competencies, technical background and experience
(Consult with HR on this prior to signing off on the TOR)
a) Education: University degree in related field such as Information Communication and Technology or Information Systems Management related qualification
b) Specialist skills/Training: State the specialized skills and/or training if needed;
· Analytical and coordination skills
· Good writing and communication skills with ability to present ideas and concepts concisely in written and oral form is required
· Generate and interpret data for a general audience on child protection
· Good facilitation skills
· Be able to work under minimum supervision and to meet tight deadlines
c) Years of experience:
· Minimum four years of experience in information management systems. Experience in children related IMS will be an added advantage.
· Experience in working on Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), including Case Management, Best Interest Assessment and Best Interest Determination processes and procedures
· Experience in end user training
· Kenyan National
d) Competencies:
· Core competencies: communication, drive for results, working with people
· Technical Competencies: Formulating strategies and concepts, analysing, relating and networking and relating, applying technical expertise.
e) Languages required:
Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of local languages relevant to the duty station an asset.
Other: Willingness and ability to frequently travel to field locations in the four counties covered by Lodwar Zonal Office (i.e. Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Baringo), minimum 25 % of time to be spent in Kakuma refugee Camp.
Administrative issues
Conditions
The successful candidate will be based at the UNICEF Lodwar Zonal Office, Turkana County, for the entire period of the contract. The consultant will be technically supervised by the Child Protection Specialist in Lodwar Zonal Office with overall technical backstopping of the Chief of Child Protection. The UNICEF Zonal office is headed by the Chief of Zonal Office. The Chief of Zonal Office will facilitate administrative support to the consultant to ensure smooth delivery of assigned targets. The Chief of Zonal Office shall, in liaison with the Chief, Child Protection facilitate consultant’s field travel, office space and other administrative services to ensure smooth delivery of the agreed deliverables. The consultant reports shall, upon review by the Child Protection Specialist be submitted to Chief, Child Protection for clearance and authorization for payment.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advanc***e*** payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary”.
*The TOR must mention that “the candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.”
Risks
Turkana is a non-family duty station. Similarly, all field travel must be cleared by United Nations Department of Safety and Security. The Consultant must undertake the on-line ‘Basic Security in the Field’ – and ‘Advanced Security in the Field’ trainings before contract will be issued.
[1] PRIMERO roll out will start in Sierra Leone and it is not clear from UNICEF HQ when exactly it will be rolled out to other CPIMS implementing countries. In order not to delay the necessary digitization of the CPIMS, UNICEF Kenya, with support from two international consultants hired by Child Protection section of the UNICEF ESARO, Child Protection, and proposed national consultant, another effective system in the interim will be agreed upon.
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the all-inclusive fee range (travel, accommodation, etc) with reference: KCO/SSA/CP/2015-038 by cob 01 January 2016 to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenhrvacanciesE@unicef.org
Applications submitted without the all-inclusive fee will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
0 Comments