Background :
FGM remains widespread in Nigeria. According to the MICS 2016 -2017, 18.4% of women aged 15-49 years had undergone FGM which is a decrease from 27% in 2011 (NBS & UNICEF 2011; NBS & UNICEF 2017). Statistics from the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey stated that the overall prevalence of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria (25%) is lower than in many countries. However, due to its large population, Nigeria has the third highest absolute number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide after Egypt and Ethiopia. An estimated 19.9 million Nigerian women have undergone FGM meaning that approximately 10% of the 200 million FGM survivors worldwide are Nigerian (UNICEF 2016). The practice of FGM is most prevalent among Yoruba women (55%), followed by Igbo women (45%). In 2014, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme (JP) in collaboration with Federal/State Ministries of Health, Federal/State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development commenced a 4-year programme aimed at achieving the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the next generation in line with United Nation General Assembly Resolution A/RES/67/146 of 2012 and Sustainable Development Goal 5 target 3 using a common coordinated approach and mixed strategy of advocacy, legal/policies reforms, capacity building for social change. Based on the result of an in-depth study on social norms in five FGM/C high prevalence States (Ebonyi, Imo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo) and Lagos State, UNICEF is currently coordinating the implementation of a jointly-developed state specific communication plan, using evidenced-based programming and existing community structures to create network of community champions and reference groups to create a positive social norm and expectations that will motivate community adherents to FGM to abandon the practice.
Justification/Rationale :
UNICEF in partnership with UNFPA and in collaboration with government at Federal, state level and Civil Society Organizations has been implementing a joint programme on Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) (SC170505) in five states, namely, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Osun and Oyo. Nigeria joined in Phase II (2014 – 2017) of the UNFPA UNICEF Joint programme on the elimination of FGM. The four-year joint programme commenced in January 2014 with the aim of contributing to an estimated 40% reduction in the practice of FGM among girls aged 0-14 years in at least 5 countries with at least one country declaring total abandonment of FGM by the end of the programme in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/150 “Intensify global efforts to eliminate female genital mutilations”. UNICEF is responsible for the implementation of outcome three of the joint Programme (most individuals, families and communities in programme areas accept the norm of eliminating FGM). This key result area contributes to other result areas including ‘individuals, families and communities in Programme areas increasingly being educated about the harms and norms related to FGM and alternatives practice and individuals including families and communities increasingly mobilizing collectively to abandon FGM.
Based on the progress made by Nigeria since the inception of the Joint Programme on FGM and UNICEF commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 as reflected in the strategic plan 2018 -2021 Goal 3 Result 2 , Nigeria alongside seven other countries (Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Sudan) has been classified as a Tier 1 country for FGM Programme and has secured a place in the phase III of the joint UNFPA/UNICEF Programme on FGM 2018 – 2021 for another four year period.
The vision of the Joint Programme in Phase III which commenced in 2018 is to contribute to the elimination of FGM by 2030, in line with Target 5.3 of the SDGs, which calls for the elimination of harmful practices. This will be achieved through intergenerational change, in which girls in the immediate term are kept intact and future generations of mothers are free to choose not to cut their daughters. The goal of Phase III of the Joint Programme (JP) is to accelerate efforts towards the reduction of FGM, fulfilling the rights of girls and women by realizing social and gender norms transformation by 2021.
Despite the progress made so far, there is still need to intensify intervention especially at the community level due to the nature of FGM which is deeply rooted in age long culture and tradition, myths, misconception built around social norms. Many communities are still internalizing messages received on the harmful effects of FGM on women and girls and it will take some time for the communities to reach the point of collective decision and public declaration of abandonment. Some other communities have been mobilized and are at the tipping point of taking collective decision for public declaration of abandonment. This is in addition to the emerging and increasing trend of medicalization of FGM by health workers, limited or lack of enforcement/implementation of law prohibiting FGM (where such law exists) including weak capacity to plan, implement, monitor and generate data for evidence informed advocacy and budgeting for sustainable FGM abandonment Programme. Based on these issues, there is need to deepen as well as sustain ongoing interventions in the five states as well as step up engagement with a critical mass of FGM abandonment influencers who have been mobilized at all levels and actively leading community mobilization and dialogues to change existing social norms influencing FGM. This is in addition to a huge population of young people who have been mobilized and are actively creating a movement as social media advocates using the platform for advocacy, awareness creation and engagement of young people for FGM abandonment. Achievements have been recorded in this regard with many communities in the focus states making public declaration of abandonment of FGM. As more communities publicly declare abandonment of FGM, it has also become necessary to establish community-based monitoring/surveillance systems to ensure conformity to the new norm of “not cutting girls”.
It is therefore imperative to build on and sustain ongoing progress, achievements as well as strategically position UNICEF to sustain momentum on FGM intervention at State, LGA and Community levels towards contributing to achieving SDG 5.3. The Child Protection section is therefore looking for a contractor to support implementation of the JP activities in the focus states of Ekiti, Osun and Oyo in the South West. The contractor’s job descriptions include assisting in the implementation and monitoring of the Joint UNFPA/UNICEF Programme on FGM in the focus states including capacity development of implementing partners on Programme implementation, Monitoring and Result Based Management Framework, development and implementation of the Joint Programme states’ action plan ensuring alignment and synergy with the joint Programme strategic goal, outcomes with linkages to the indicators to accelerate efforts towards the reduction/elimination of FGM.
Work Assignment Overview :
Community system (using local leaders and youth leaders linked to government system) for surveillance and enforcement of legislation including Community surveillance system consisting of champions and volunteers that work in a coordinated manner to prevent, respond to and monitor FGM at local government and community level in focus states on the status of uncut girls established and implemented.
Linkages among the different services to ensure integration, referral systems/mechanism, promote systemic approach to facilitate service delivery through creating functional referral linkage created
Monthly updates FGM/C Programme at state and LGA documented provided for uploading on UNICEF Facebook and twitter accounts
Tools for tracking FGM cases through institutions (Police, Civil Defence, Judiciary), national/state committee coordinating anti- FGM response and systematically track cases of enforcement at various stages: arrested, prosecuted, trial developed
Partnership established with child protection networks at different level to systematize and strengthen service provision, action developed and implemented
Strategy for enhanced engagement of men and boys developed and implemented
Report on engagement with media including social media (particularly among the youth), community radios shared bimonthly
Monthly engagement/dialogue with key community, LGA and state level stakeholders, faith-based organizations, youth forum including schools, colleges, groups, networks communities on FGM abandonment initiated and ongoing with summary monthly report/feedback
Innovative youth led events on FGM abandonment including the use of social media and edutainment (drama, folksongs etc.) organized and documented in selected LGAs and communities of focus states
Quarterly State Technical Committee on FGM/C meeting convened, and outcome used to adjust State and LGA implementation/communication and monitoring plan
Monthly tracking of female newborn in focal communities in collaboration with identified community watchdogs to monitor and follow-up these children including trend analysis on FGM at state, LGA and communities reported
Submission of monthly progress report with multimedia materials, case studies and human-interest stories
Minimum Qualifications required :
- Master’s degree in social/behavioural sciences (Health Education, Community development, Sociology, Anthropology) ;
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience but candidates with longer years of progressively responsible work experience in community mobilization and engagement with key community gatekeepers and social development programmes at community level will be preferred ;
- Proven skills in partnership building, networking, advocacy, negotiation and organising community dialogues, campaigns and special events around social norm changes especially on ending FGM at community levels would be an advantage ;
- Good understanding and experience in the field of social norms, gender and gender-based violence, community dynamics ;
- Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral forms ;
- Knowledge of issues related to violence against children and child protection is required ;
- Leadership and participation in previous assignment and in capacity similar or higher than this assignment ;
- Expertise in community mobilization and engagements, and sociocultural relations in the selected areas ;
- Proven ability to work independently
Competencies :
- Analytical, conceptual ability ;
- Networking and partnership skills ;
- Communication, documenting and report writing skills ;
- Fluency in English- and local language of respective state of assignment ;
- Computer skills, including various office applications and internet navigation skills
Duration of Contract : 11.5 months
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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.
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.