UNICEF recrute un consultant pour le renforcement des capacités institutionnelles pour le Youth Empowerment Group (YEG) en Namibie

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Background and Justification :

Adolescents represent 23% of the total population of Namibia. There are over 11 035 adolescents living with HIV, of whom 6 087 are girls and 4 948 are boys. The prevalence of HIV amongst females increases with age, such that the gap widens by ages 20-24, which may indicate perinatal transmission as the main source of infection for the early-adolescence age group and sexual transmission in late adolescence, probably due to intergenerational sex. Most new infections are occurring amongst adolescent girls and young women (UNAIDS 2019 estimates).

Teen Club program, first piloted in 2013 in Uganda, is a globally recognized intervention model that, through a network of peer-support groups, empowers HIV-infected adolescents to build positive relationships, improve self-esteem, and ultimately improve clinical and mental health outcomes.

Over the years, UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to implement the Teen Club service delivery model for Adolescents living with HIV. Nationally there are 100 Teen Clubs with 3291 members. Teen Clubs currently operate in 12 of the 14 regions of Namibia, with national coverage of Teen Clubs at approximately 30% of health facilities. 84% Teen Club members have good attendance, 73% have undetectable viral loads while 20% have improved viral loads since joining Teen Club.

However, despite this success, adolescent participation in health policy, advocacy and programme implementation is very limited and often not documented. Adolescents and adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are instrumental in ensuring peer support, providing valuable input to programming and in ensuring adherence and retention into care for ALHIV. The adolescent initiated and adolescent led Youth Empowerment Group (YEG) is expected to support differentiated models of care for adolescents living with HIV and provide coordination and leadership for meaningful adolescent participation to Namibia’s HIV response. Beyond that, YEG will also support smooth pathways for adolescents transitioning into adult care as YEG members provide peer role model psycho-social support for peers in the teen clubs and those transitioning into adult care.

The YEG, which is a Namibian Civil Society Organisation (CSO), is not yet fully constituted and requires strengthening of its institutional capacity, in particular in management, leadership and governance. CSO governance is generally an issue in Namibia and strengthening the YEG will support the Joint United Nations Team on AIDS (JUNTA) and the Government of the Republic of Namibia’s efforts to strengthen the involvement of people living with HIV in the HIV response as the country strives to achieve epidemic control.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work :

Goal and Objectives :

UNICEF is committed to improving the lives of the most disadvantaged children, families and communities, we know that a key part of our success is due to the contributions of our partners throughout civil society. This assignment will be directed towards strengthening institutional capacity and governance of the Youth Empowerment Group (YEG). Once the YEG is properly constituted and registered, it is expected to be a crucial representative institution for ALHIV and can contribute significantly to prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation among ALHIV and strengthening adherence and retention into care, and meaningful participation of ALHIV in the HIV response.

The specific objectives are :

1. The development of a solid governance structure for YEG, based on accountability, transparency, diversity and inclusion, taking into account proportionate representation of men and women, as well as persons with disabilities, and other relevant factors such as ethnicity and marginalised groups ;
2. The establishment of YEG structures at national and regional levels, including training on CSO management, leadership, governance and meaningful adolescent participation ;
3. The registration of YEG as a CSO with the relevant Ministry and UN Partnership Portal

Activities and tasks :

UNICEF is looking for an individual consultant to strengthen the institutional capacity and governance of the Youth Empowerment Group (YEG) by training YEG leaders and members on CSO governance/management/leadership, including support in constituting YEG structures at national and regional levels and facilitating registration with a line ministry and the UN Partnership Portal. Once the YEG is adequately constituted and registered, it will be a crucial representative institution for ALHIV which can contribute significantly to strengthening adherence and retention into care, the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation among ALHIV and meaningful participation of ALHIV in the HIV response and other areas affecting ALHIV.

In close consultation with the Adolescent Development, Education and Protection (ADAP) team, and under the overall supervision of the Chief Adolescent Development, Education and Protection, the consultant will :

1. Conduct a desk review of relevant theories and approaches to CSO governance, with a particular emphasis on CSOs working with and for ALHIV. Specific emphasis on good governance principles, non-discrimination, equal representation and meaningful participation; and propose one or more options for the governance structure of YEG from national to regional levels ;
2. Develop a training package for the YEG on governance, management and leadership, and meaningful participation ;
3. Conduct 3-day workshop for YEG members covering :

• Situational analysis of HIV and involvement of adolescents/ ALHIV in the HIV response ;
• Orientation of YEG leaders and management on key tenets of good CSO governance/ management/ leadership ;
• ALHIV here and beyond – look at internal issues (strengths and challenges), the role of YEG, its goals and mission, exploring registration as a CSO/support options short and long term/ Regional Membership.

4. Facilitate the registration of YEG with a line ministry and the submission of the registration in the UN Partnership Portal.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

1. 1. Required qualifications are advanced university degree in organisational development, management, governance, public health, communication, social sciences, or related field ;
   2. At least 5 years of experience working in organisational development/ training/ business/ health or education in Southern Africa is a must ;
   3. Experience and presence in Namibia is a very strong asset ;
   4. Expertise and experience in developing training programmes and materials, including through meaningful participation ;
   5. Proven extensive experience in impactful training (of trainers) ;
   6. Familiarity with UNICEF Adolescent, education, and child protection programmes is highly desirable ;
   7. Experience in and knowledge of UN and IASC policies and guidance related to but not limited to PSEA, AAP, GBV and Centrality of Protection ;
   8. Excellent communication skills in English is required; knowledge of local languages is an asset ;
   9. Proven strong interpersonal and intercultural skills ;
   10. Capacity to ensure deliverables within the specified timeframes ;
   11. Evaluation/ research methods and co-creation skills is a strong asset.

Desired profile :

To ensure the success of the project, the Service Provider must show documented evidence of the knowledge of and experience in the following areas:

How to Apply :

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on   https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/   Suitable candidates are also requested to send their CVs, letter of interest clearly indicating how their qualifications and experience matches the requirements, as well as samples of relevant previous work products. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.

Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, transport etc.).

Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

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.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will only be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.