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Protecting affected populations from sexual exploitation and abuse is a core business priority for UNICEF. It is a cross-cutting issue that applies to all UNICEF interventions, including in public health emergencies. This is in line with the UNICEF Global Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan.

ESARO is committed to integrating PSEA more comprehensively into both preparedness and response plans related to public health emergencies. While the Regional Office has previously provided country offices with technical guidance and specific tools, it is now essential to ensure a comprehensive package of resources for country offices to guarantee the integration of PSEA in preparedness and response actions.

This should include training presentations and a list of resources that have been organised and made available for use by country offices at different stages of the preparedness or response process. It is essential to implement a system for evaluating the integration of these tools into existing programmes and operations. For this reason, ESARO is seeking to engage the services of a consultant to consolidate the work completed to date and develop further resources for the country offices. Furthermore, the consultant will document promising practices and lessons learned on the integration of PSEA in PHEs across the region.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the PSEA Program Specialist to support efforts to enhance PSEA systems across ESAR, with a specific emphasis on PSEA in public health emergencies. It is a priority for UNICEF ESARO to strengthen PSEA systems and ensure that PSEA and safeguarding are systematically integrated into emergency response and preparedness. In light of the significant impact of the current public health emergencies in the region, including the activation of the L3 Emergency for the MPOX response, the Child Protection Section requires additional technical expertise to ensure comprehensive support to country offices involved in PHEs. This will ensure that PSEA and safeguarding are prioritized and that country offices and implementing partners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to successfully integrate PSEA and safeguarding in current PHE responses, as well as in preparedness efforts. Furthermore, the consultant will document lessons learned and promising practices in key country offices on integrating PSEA into PHE response and preparedness efforts. There is still limited guidance and practical examples of successful integration of PSEA in this type of crisis in the region. Therefore, this documentation process will be important for building UNICEF's capacity in the ESAR and likely beyond.

The consultant will support work to strengthen PSEA systems across ESAR, with a particular focus on PSEA in public health emergencies. This area of work falls under the Child Protection Section, Output: STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO ADDRESS PSEA AND SAFEGUARDING ACROSS ESAR.

The consultant will develop a resource package for UNICEF Country Office staff and UNICEF implementing partners on how to systematically integrate PSEA in public health emergency response and preparedness efforts. The resource material will comprise presentations with training guides for UNICEF staff and UNICEF implementing partners, as well as a list of key resources that can be used by COs and IPs staff to complete key tasks in PHEs, including SEA risk assessment, inclusion of PSEA/safeguarding into response and preparedness plans, and integration of PSEA/safeguarding considerations in RCCE activities. Furthermore, the package will include a checklist to monitor the integration of PSEA into PHE response and preparedness efforts.

The consultant will also collect lessons learned and promising practices in the region on the integration of PSEA in PHEs and will develop a summary document featuring at least four countries' practices or lessons learned.

Work relationships: The consultant will work under the supervision of the Program Specialist (PSEA) and will collaborate with country office PSEA specialists or focal points. She/he will also collaborate with other key stakeholders within UNICEF (ESARO CPiE specialist, CO Emergency specialists, Chiefs Child Protection, SBC/AAP specialists) and with UNICEF implementing partners.