Terms of Reference: Consultant for

Gender-based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) SURGE TEAM

  1. Background

As part of UNICEF’s new Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2014-2017 that was presented at the June 2014 Annual Meeting of the Executive Board, the new GAP is integrally linked to the Strategic Plan and provides a clear programmatic focus on the gender equitable results that UNICEF aims to achieve across all seven result areas. The GAP articulates the investment that is required in capacity and resources to realize these results in terms of achieving gender equality. Addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in emergenciesis one of four cross-sectoral targeted priorities that has been identified in the GAP. One of the key focus areas for addressing GBV in emergencies is the development of an enabling environment for prevention of GBV in emergencies and care and support for survivors. Strengthening the collection of GBV-related data is an essential part bolstering systems for the prevention of and response to GBV in emergencies.

The Gender-based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) was created to provide GBV programme managers with one simple system to manage their data on reported GBV cases, including through a safe and ethical sharing of reported incident data. Effective utilization of the GBVIMS can also assist service providers to better understand reported GBV cases they receive in order to: adjust their programming to more effectively respond to the needs of survivors; aggregate data to analyse wider trends and threats; and enable safe sharing for improved inter-agency coordination on GBV data collection.

Over the past five years since the system was introduced, the inter-agency GBVIMS team—now comprised of UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and the International Rescue Committee (IRC)—has continued to design, test, refine, and implement components of the GBVIMS in humanitarian contexts throughout the world.

In January 2012, UNFPA and UNICEF were awarded a grant from UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) to support on-going implementation of the GBVIMS in different conflict-affected contexts and provide technical assistance to other past or potential roll-out sites. Under this grant, UNICEF, on behalf of the GBVIMS Steering Committee, established a GBVIMS Surge Team, comprised of two part-time consultants who are supported by UNICEF. In early 2013, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNHCR were awarded additional funds through UN Action to expand and support the implementation of the GBVIMS, including through maintaining the GBVIMS Surge Team as instrumental assets to the GBVIMS Global team until September 2014.

Over the past two years, the GBVIMS Surge Team has significantly contributed to the implementation of the GBVIMS tools in humanitarian and post-conflict contexts in various countries including Liberia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Nepal, Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Central African Republic. Rollout contexts were selected based on a predetermined set of eligibility criteria already in use by the inter-agency GBVIMS team, while also taking into consideration UN Action’s list of priority countries and current major crises (e.g. Syria and the Sahel). Remote and in-person support and technical backstopping have been provided by the Surge Team to requests that are made by GBVIMS users and/or service providers operating in humanitarian contexts.

In early June 2014, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNHCR were awarded additional funds from the Canadian Government to maintain the GBVIMS Surge Team and to develop new tools and resources to support

prevention of and response to GBV in emergency contexts. In particular, this will include development and pilot testing of the “GBVIMS+” to enable both basic data collection and tracking of clients through various services for enhanced case management. Currently under development by UNICEF, the GBVIMS+ is proposed to take all of the elements of the current GBVIMS system and add a function for case management, so cases can be tracked over time through a system. While not yet in place, it is anticipated that the GBVIMS+ will be ready for pilot testing in up to 3 countries during year 2 of this project.

The GBVIMS+ development is also linked to UNICEF’s broader leadership on “Primero”(Protection-related Information Management for Emergency Response Operations), which is a next generation open source software application that will help partners securely and safely collect, store, manage, and share data for protection-relatedincident monitoring and case management. The GBVIMS Surge Team will play a critical role in the Primero project in two key areas:

1)Development: The GBVIMS Surge Team, will play a key technical role as contributors and as coordinators of field level feedback for further development of the GBVIMS+ and the broader Primero platform.

2)Deployment and finalization: The GBVIMS Surge Team will provide technical assistance in the field testing of the GBVIMS+ including to support the collection of end user feedback in order to assist the developers in identifying issues and challenges prior to finalizing the software.

  1. Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to ensure that the GBVIMS has a mechanism for the provision of hands-on technical support to country roll-out sites and a system for rapid trouble shooting as GBVIMS implementation issues arise in emergency-affected countries throughout the world, and to lead development of key tools and resources related to the GBVIMS, GBVIMS+ and Primero.

  1. Expected results
  • Provide on- and off-site technical support to existing and new GBVIMS users working in a minimum of 5 conflict-affected and/or other humanitarian contexts;
  • Lead targeted, on- and off-site roll-out efforts focused on inter-agency GBV networks working in a minimum of 2 conflict-affected contexts;
  • Lead facilitation of coordinated GBVIMS implementation with Caring for Survivors of Sexual Violence/Case Management for 1 to 2 countries.
  • Lead development of 4-5 key GBV-related PRIMERO tools.
  • Develop 2-3 tools for the PRIMERO dashboard and report templates.
  • Every 2 weeks, vet, contribute to and validate software release on the PRIMERO user-testing cloud site.
  • Define the quality assurance criteria for the GBVIMS+ and PRIMERO.
  • Quality assurance on migration from current GBVIMS to GBVIMS+/PRIMERO for approximately 10 countries.
  • Develop and disseminate broadly new, easily-accessible GBVIMS reference tools (FAQs, webinars, how-to videos, e-learning modules, etc.)
  • Develop Guidance Notes for GBVIMS users that will respond to user needs identified in the GBVIMS Evaluation that will be completed by June 2014, including the development of at least 1 Guidance Note.
  • Expand and strengthen existing GBVIMS platforms to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, trouble-shooting and general support among the community of GBVIMS users working in conflict-affected and other humanitarian contexts.
  • Co-facilitate the UNHCR-led GBVIMS Global Training being planned for September 2014.
  • Attend and provide inputs to the 2014 GBVIMS Global team Strategic annual planning meeting and provide inputs to the monthly GBVIMS Steering Committee meetings, and support follow-up on action points.
  • Participate and provide inputs for technical workshops, meetings, retreat, and other event in New York (or other UN HQ and/regional offices) upon the request of the GBVIMS Global team.
  1. Duration

The duration of the contract will be for 224 days including a combination of home-based and remote technical assistance and field deployments from July 21, 2014 – May 31, 2015.

  1. Major Outputs and Timeline

The Consultant will work in close consultation with the UNICEF GBV Specialist in Emergencies and with other colleagues within the child protection section. The UNICEF GBV Specialist in Emergencies will provide overall guidance to the Consultant who will be part of the GBVIMS Surge Team and work directly with the GBVIMS inter-agency Coordinator based at UNFPA in New York and with the inter-agency GBVIMS Steering Committee. The Consultant will also liaise with the GBV AoR IMS Consultant based in New York. The Consultant will provide on- and off-site field support to the GBVIMS roll-out process, with a focus on conflict-affected contexts and on contexts where the GBVIMS has already been introduced.

The major duties and responsibilities of the consultant will include:

  • Initiate and provide on- and off-site technical support to existing and new GBVIMS users working in a minimum of 5 conflict-affected and/or other humanitarian contexts;
  • Lead targeted, on- and off-site roll-out efforts focused on inter-agency GBV networks working in a minimum of 2 conflict-affected contexts;
  • Lead facilitation of coordinated GBVIMS implementation with Caring for Survivors of Sexual Violence/Case Management for 1 to 2 countries.
  • Lead development of 4-5 key GBV-related PRIMERO tools.
  • Develop 2-3 tools for the PRIMERO dashboard and report templates.
  • Vet, contribute to and validate software release on the PRIMERO user-testing cloud site very 2 weeks (at minimum).
  • Write the quality assurance criteria for the GBVIMS+ and PRIMERO.
  • Ensure quality assurance on migration from current GBVIMS to GBVIMS+/PRIMERO for approximately 10 countries.
  • Develop and disseminate broadly new, easily-accessible GBVIMS reference tools (FAQs, webinars, how-to videos, e-learning modules, etc.)
  • Write Guidance Notes for GBVIMS users that will respond to user needs identified in the GBVIMS Evaluation that will be completed by June 2014, including the development of at least 1 Guidance Note.
  • Make changes to strengthen existing GBVIMS platforms to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, trouble-shooting and general support among the community of GBVIMS users working in conflict-affected and other humanitarian contexts.
  • Co-facilitate the UNHCR-led GBVIMS Global Training being planned for September 2014.
  • Make recommendations to the 2014 GBVIMS Global Team for its annual planning meeting and provide recommendations and formulate inputs for the monthly GBVIMS Steering Committee meetings, and support follow-up on action points.
  • Participate and provide inputs for technical workshops, meetings, retreat, and other event in New York (or other UN HQ and/regional offices) upon the request of the GBVIMS Global team.
  1. Location

The consultancy will be home-based with significant travel to emergency-affected contexts. Countries for support and roll-out missions will be determined through country-driven demand, consultation with country GBV working groups, a predetermined set of eligibility criteria already in use by the inter-agency GBVIMS team, that is being adapted based on the Syria+, South Sudan+ and on-going cyclical crises in the Sahel.

  1. Key skills, technical background, and experience required
  • Master in public health, social work, political science, human rights and international law or other related degree, or equivalent programming experience;
  • At least 5 years of programme management experience, preferably including at least 2 years implementing a GBV program in a humanitarian context;
  • Experience developing and facilitating workshops;
  • Experience in database development, usage and management;
  • Demonstrated capacity to analyze data/statistics for humanitarian operations;
  • Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Access and database software, including in depth knowledge of pivot table/chart analysis;
  • Demonstrated organizational skills: the ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment;
  • Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise;
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues related to confidentiality, data safety and other ethical concerns related to the sharing on sensitive data between humanitarian agencies;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment
  • Fluency in English and French strongly preferred

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a short cover letter (maximum 2 short paragraphs), CV and SIGNED P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at to with subject line “Consultant for Gender-based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) SURGE TEAM” by JUNE 27, 2014, 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

General Conditionsof Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

3. Title rights

UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

4. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:

(a)UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.

(b)UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

5. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.