UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child,
Violence against women and children is widely recognised as a global problem and one of the most widespread violations of human rights. SDG 5- Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is one of 17 goals for the United Nations 2030 Agenda and it is integral to all dimensions of inclusive Sustainable Development. Furthermore, SDG 16, which seeks to promote promotes peace, justice and strong institutions for sustainable development, calls for an end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children. Gender equality by 2030 requires urgent action to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s and children’s rights in private and public spheres given that this is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world today.
Ghana has made progress in its efforts to reduce violence against women and children. This is evident in the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act including its Legislative Instrument, the Trafficking Act, the Children’s Act, the Juvenile justice Act as well as the National Plan of Actions on the Domestic Violence and trafficking. In 2015, Ghana further received Cabinet approval for the Child and Family Welfare Policy and Justice for Children Policy. These policies provide the framework for providing preventive and responsive services to children. Despite these Laws and policies, a lot remains to be done as women and children continue to experience violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
The impact of violence has profound consequences for women, children, families and whole communities. The experience, and or exposure, of violence against children also violates the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child which requires the protection of children who are exposed to and witness family and domestic violence.
The annual police report documents Statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service indicate rising number of cases against women and children. In 2010, 986 cases of defilement were reported. There was an increase in 2011, where 1,176 cases were reported. The country recorded 10 spousal murders, the majority being husbands killing wives, in 2012. In 2014, out of 17,655 cases reported to the DOVVSU, non-maintenance was high on the list with 6,158 cases.This was followed by 5,212 reported cases of wife battery and assault. There were also 1,667 reported cases of threat, 1,111 cases of defilement and 290 cases of rape. Only reported cases were represented in the data.
In 2016, a research commissioned by the Domestic Violence Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) with support of UK Department for International Development (DFID) estimates that 28 per cent of women experienced domestic violence in 2015. Embedded in these reports are numerous intimate partner violence cases of a nonsexual nature; an indication of the extent of the problem. If the lot of women and children are to improve, it will depend on the capacity of the Police to prevent and respond to violations against women and children.
The Ghana Police Service through its specialized unit, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, has been making good progress in preventing and responding to violence against women and children over the last 20 years. Last year DOVVSU marked 20 years of its establishment. While the unit continues to provide services to women and children, the strategic plan which guides their operation elapsed in 2015. DOVVSU has therefore expressed the urgent need for the development of a new strategic plan that will guide the effective delivery of preventive and responsive services to women and children. The strategic plan is expected to create a single plan for the prevention, early intervention and response to violence against women and their children in Ghana.
The strategic plan is expected to be based on the fundamental premise that violence against women and children is unacceptable. The plan must therefore articulate a commitment to strategic and collaborative action across the continuum of service to: Prevent violence against women and children from ever occurring; Intervene early to identify and support women and children who are at risk of violence; and Respond to violence by holding perpetrators to account, while ensuring that connected services are available for women and children. The strategic plan should be built on the momentum, achievements and leadership that has been demonstrated by DOVVSU over the last 20 years.
How can you make a difference?
The purpose of this assignment is to lead the preparatory process in facilitating the development of a renewed strategic plan for DOVVSU for 2020-2025. As part of this process, the consultant will review the implementation of the DOVVSU strategic plan 2011-2015 and based on this review, facilitate the preparation of a renewed strategic plan for DOVVSU for the 2020-2025. Thus, the reason for the engagement of a consultant.
Tasks To be Completed
This assignment is expected to be of the duration of approximately 16 weeks and is anticipated to commence in June 2020.
Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist (Justice for Children) and the Chief of UNICEF Child Protection Programme, the consultant will undertake the following :
- Review and assess to what extent DOVVSU strategic plan 2011-2015 have been implemented and identify key areas of success and key areas of challenges. After the initial document review, the consultant will develop a work plan to guide the situational assessment and the development of the strategic plan ;
- Undertake a situation analysis of DOVVSU operations to date including institutional capacity, organizational set-up, data collection mechanism and make recommendations for addressing gaps ;
- Through a consultative process and application of an appropriate tool of analysis, identify focus areas and develop strategic objectives and strategies based on point 2 above ;
- Plan and facilitate workshop/s to prioritize strategic objectives and strategies for achieving the strategic objectives and key results; This may be done virtually with Stakeholders given the ban on social gathering during COVID 19 ;
- Develop a draft strategic plan including Results and Resources Framework for the planned period ;
- Hold stakeholder meeting(s) to validate the draft Strategic Plan and incorporate feedback into the plan. Meeting could be face to face or virtual depending on the level of restrictions posed by COVID-19 ;
- Finalize Strategic plan and submit to UNICEF.
Payment plan :
- The consultant will be paid fees based on specified deliverables and schedules of percentage instalments ;
- The contractual total amount is to be negotiated with successful applicant and UNICEF following established contractual processes.
- 20% of fee upon completion of deliverable 1 ;
- 20% of fee upon completion of deliverable 2&3 ;
- 30% of fee upon completion of deliverable 4&5 ;
- 30% of fee upon completion of deliverable 6&7.
Proposed payment schedule :
- Field visits are expected for this assignment to different regions where necessary and where there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions. UNICEF will cover the cost for such field visits (based on agreed lump sum) and/or arrange for transportation where feasible. All travels must be according to the work plan and travel plan approved by supervisor. The consultant/s will not be entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree in relevant field in the area of planning, public policy, development studies ;
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in strategic planning and management ;
- Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs especially in the area of capacity development ;
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with government and development partners ;
- Ability to work with minimal supervision ;
- High level written and oral communications skills in English ;
- Must be result-oriented, a team player, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm ;
- Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops ;
- Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments.
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.
The functional competencies required for this post are…
View our competency framework at : 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.
TOR Consultant- Strategic plan for DOVVSU.pdf