Result of Service

The National Consultant contributes effectively to the production and validation of a comprehensive, evidence-based study on violations of children’s rights in the Bolama-Bijagós Region, with particular attention to sexual exploitation and other forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices affecting children. The National Consultant will help ensure that the study reflects the national and local context and provides practical, contextually appropriate recommendations to strengthen prevention, child protection, referral mechanisms, accountability and institutional responses in Guinea-Bissau.

Work Location

Guinea Bissau

Expected duration

Three (3) months

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of OHCHR-WARO/PAPEV and in close collaboration with the International Consultant (Team Leader) – Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Guinea-Bissau: Focus on the Bolama-Bijagós Region, the National Consultant will:

Provide substantive contextual inputs on Guinea-Bissau’s child protection framework, institutions, relevant legislation, policies, practices and available national information related to violations of children’s rights, including sexual exploitation and other forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices affecting children.
Support the International Consultant in the desk review and identification of relevant national and local sources, documentation and stakeholders.
Contribute to the development and contextual adaptation of the study methodology, research tools and workplan.
Facilitate engagement and coordination with national and local authorities, including IMC, child protection actors, civil society organizations, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
Support the organization and implementation of field research in the Bolama-Bijagós Region, including stakeholder consultations, interviews and focus group discussions.
Conduct data collection activities assigned under the agreed workplan and support communication in Portuguese and/or Creole as required.
Provide contextual interpretation of qualitative and quantitative findings, including relevant cultural, linguistic, institutional and community dynamics.
Contribute substantively to the analysis of data and to the preparation of the draft and final reports, particularly sections requiring national contextualization.
Support the identification of practical and nationally relevant recommendations for the prevention of children’s rights violations and for strengthened protection, referral, accountability and institutional response.
Participate in the presentation of preliminary findings and the technical validation meeting and support follow-up with national stakeholders.
Support the International Consultant in incorporating relevant stakeholder feedback into the final study.
Ensure compliance with ethical standards for research involving children, including safeguarding, informed consent, confidentiality and referral procedures where necessary.
Complete assigned tasks and contributions within the agreed timeframe.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Public Policy or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be considered, subject to applicable recruitment requirements. At least five years of relevant professional experience in child protection, human rights, social research, community-based research or related fields in Guinea-Bissau.

Good knowledge of the national child protection system, relevant institutions and legal and policy framework.
Demonstrated experience in field research, interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations or qualitative data collection.
Experience engaging with national and local authorities, civil society organizations, communities and child protection actors Knowledge of the Bolama-Bijagós Region and/or experience conducting fieldwork outside Bissau is highly desirable.
Experience contributing to analytical studies, reports or assessments is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in Portuguese is required.

Fluency of Guinea-Bissau Creole is required.
Working knowledge of English or French is required.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

National Consultant – study on violations of children’s rights in the Bolama-Bijagós Region of Guinea-Bissau