Social survey on corporal punishment, and child sexual abuse, including children in conflict with the law in select ECA countries and territories

Undertake a social survey on violence against children, with a focus on corporal punishment, child sexual abuse & children in conflict with the law to understand the structural causes, and social norms in addition to individual behaviours.

Summary:

Title: Social survey on corporal punishment, and child sexual abuse, including children in conflict with the law in select ECA countries and territories. 

Purpose: Undertake a social survey on violence against children, with a focus on corporal punishment, child sexual abuse and children in conflict with the law to understand the structural causes, and social norms in addition to individual behaviours: knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of key stakeholders, as well as the norms and other factors that impact contribute to engagement in sexual abuse and corporal punishment.

Location: Eastern Caribbean Area

Duration: 5 months

Start Date: 15 June 2024

Reporting to: Social and Behavior Change Officer

Background: 

Robust evidence generation plays a pivotal role in fulfilling UNICEF’s mandate. Understanding these varying dimensions of child rights and welfare is crucial for designing targeted and culturally sensitive programmes. By engaging with communities through participatory research methods, UNICEF can identify some of the root causes of issues, while also seeking to foster/identify sustainable solutions that resonate with the local context. This approach provides a lens through which changes in attitudes, behaviours, and social dynamics can be observed over time. This deeper understanding enhances UNICEF's ability to adapt and refine strategies, ensuring that interventions not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to long-term, positive transformations in the lives of children.

A priority area of focus for UNICEF in the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA), in the framework of the 2022-2026 Multi-Country Programme, is the elimination of violence against children (VAC). UNICEF programming seeks to ensure that by 2026, children and adolescents in ECA in all settings grow up in a safe and protective environment with enhanced, child-friendly (justice) systems and institutional response mechanisms. The 2019 Situation Analysis (SitAn) for the ECA identifies the main forms of VAC experienced in the region as physical abuse, corporal punishment, and child sexual abuse. Studies have shown that physical abuse and corporal punishment are pervasive within the ECA. The latest round of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) undertaken found that 60-70 per cent of children had experienced some form of physical and/or psychological violence in the month before the survey, and 50 per cent of parents/caretakers reported using physical punishment as a measure to instil discipline, prevent misbehaviour, and encourage obedience. Adults are also more likely to support banning corporal punishment in schools than in the home.

It is still difficult to determine the actual incidence of child sexual abuse in the ECA. Perception surveys in the region are instructive in understanding the extent to which child sexual abuse is considered a problem in the ECA. The 2019 CADRES Social Survey Report found that 57 per cent of public adults maintained that child sexual abuse is a major problem, whereas 24 per cent described it as a minor problem. The results of this survey also indicated that many adults in the region believe(d) that girls are subjected to sexual abuse because of the way that they dress.

Another issue facing the region is effectively responding to children in conflict with the law. Within the Eastern Caribbean, up-to-date data on children in conflict with the law is not readily available. However, UNICEF has supported assessments of Child Protection Systems in the Eastern Caribbean which revealed that there are small numbers of children arrested in ECA countries/territories. Notwithstanding, the perceptions of the public and key stakeholders as it relates to children in conflict with the law can hurt not only advancing reform of the juvenile justice system but more importantly affect the overall well-being of children.

Building on evidence generated with MICS between 2012-2022, Social Surveys in 2014 and 2019, and the Child Protection System Assessments undertaken from 2016-2017, UNICEF ECA wants to undertake Social Surveys to gain a deeper understanding of the public’s perception of corporal punishment, child sexual abuse and juvenile justice. Findings from these surveys will help UNICEF and partners to understand the diverse factors that perpetuate VAC and will inform programming to address the associated needs.

Specifically, these surveys will seek to understand:

1. Public’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards the use of corporal punishment in schools and homes, including the contribution of parenting styles, in the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
2. The public’s KAP towards child sexual abuse, the appropriate response thereto and the sources of information the public relies on to derive knowledge on abuse and the avenues available for response.
3. The social and other norms that prevent duty bearers from reporting instances of child sexual abuse.
4. Stakeholder’s (including parents/caregivers/media/law enforcement/public) attitudes towards children in conflict with the law and attitudes towards juvenile offenders, as well as other norms that influence behaviour and attitude; knowledge and approaches in juvenile justice diversion, rehabilitation, and reintegration; readiness of communities to support diversion, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children in conflict with the law.

Specific Tasks:

Under the guidance of the Social and Behavior Change team, with support from the Child Protection and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation teams, the selected Contractor will review and undertake:
1. Relevant documentation from UNICEF and partners about addressing VAC, specifically corporal punishment, child sexual abuse, positive parenting, and juvenile justice, including previous quantitative and qualitative research on the topic.
2. UN and other technical guidance on the subject matter, including https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/inspire-package/en/
3. Previous studies and evidence generation supported by UNICEF ECA, to ensure comparability and alignment with quality standards of other countries.
4. Interviews with relevant UNICEF personnel and implementing partners to obtain an enhanced understanding of the organization’s support to countries in addressing these issues.
5. As a part of the Inception, develop a solid methodology for conducting the study.
6. Undertake a Social Survey among adults in the selected countries/territories to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of key stakeholders as well as the social and other norms related to violence against children, with a focus on corporal punishment, child sexual abuse and juvenile justice.

Methodology:

1. The selected Contractor will develop a clearly defined methodology, including timelines, and analysis of risks.
2. The survey will be implemented in the following ECA countries/territories: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
3. The sample size will endeavour, to the extent possible, to be representative of the diversity of the country/territory being surveyed.
4. At the minimum, a mixed method study is envisioned comprising two components: Part 1 – Quantitative Survey and Part 2 – Qualitative Survey. The findings of the surveys should, whenever possible, be disaggregated by age, gender, ethnicity, geographic area, rural/urban, and other standard socio-economic characteristics.
5. Data collection should include in-depth interviews and focus groups for the qualitative approach, with pre-defined clusters/participants.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Inception report – describing the methodology for undertaking the social surveys, including timelines and data collection tools (questionnaire, checklists, interview questions).
2. Draft Report – for internal review by UNICEF and feedback.
3. Final Report – Social Survey on corporal punishment, child sexual abuse and juvenile justice in the Eastern Caribbean; including references and annexes.
4. PowerPoint Presentation – Summary of Key Findings from Survey including visual graphs.
Note UNICEF will review all deliverables and share feedback for response during the assignment.

Ethical Considerations:

UNICEF supports the conduct of ethical data collection. Ethical considerations for the proposed study, including risks and mitigation, will be assessed, and documented by the consultant/institution at all stages (proposal, tools, and data collection).7 Ethical review and clearance of the survey instruments (proposal, tools, ToRs) will be obtained by the consultant/institution with the support of partners in accordance with the process/requirements of the Ethics Review entity identified.

Reporting:

Supervision for this assignment will be provided by the Social and Behavior Change Officer, UNICEF ECA. Periodic (fortnightly) updates on the progress, challenges encountered, and support requirements should be shared, as necessary.

Expected Background and Experience:

1. Team members should have at least a Masters in the Social Sciences or a related field.
2. The team leader should preferably have a PhD in Social Sciences or a related field, but a master’s degree is the minimum requirement.
3. The company should have at least 5 years’ experience demonstrated experience in conducting mixed methods (qualitative/quantitative) research, including engagement in KAP studies. Having research teams within each of the Caribbean countries outlined is required.
4. Excellent written and oral skills in English is required.
5. Knowledge of the Eastern Caribbean or previous work in the region is an asset.
6. The institutional contractor must provide UNICEF with a Certificate of Incorporation/ documentation proving that they are a registered company or institution.

Evaluation Criteria:

The technical evaluation will be considered in accordance with the following information:

Technical Proposal (70 points)

1) Overall Response (10 points):
a) Understanding of, and responsiveness to UNICEF requirements;
b) Understanding of scope, objectives, and completeness of response;
c) Overall concord between UNICEF requirements and the proposal.

2) Company and key personnel (20 points):
a) Team leader: Relevant experience, qualifications, and position with firm;
b) Team members - Relevant experience, skills, and competencies;
c) Organization of the team roles and responsibilities;
d) Professional expertise, and knowledge of similar projects, contracts, and consulting assignments;
e) Financial status.

3) Proposed Methodology, Approach and System (40 points):
a) Quality of the proposed approach and methodology;
b) Quality of proposed implementation plan, i.e., how the bidder will undertake each task, and time-schedules;
c) Risk assessment - recognition of the risks/peripheral problems and methods to prevent and manage risks/peripheral problems.

Note: The Financial Proposals will be opened only to the companies considered technically approved (range between 49 to 70 points).

Financial Proposal (30 points)

The Financial Proposal will be opened and tabulated within the Technical Proposal and the final range will be provided. 

Recourse:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

Property Rights:

UNICEF shall hold all property rights, such as copyright, patents, and registered trademarks, on matters directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with UNICEF. The bidder must submit all documentation and source code where necessary to UNICEF upon successful launch. 

Payment Terms/Schedule:

Payments will be made against all agreed upon deliverables after successful provision of the services at each stage and submission of final invoice to the Contract Manager. Final payment within 30 days after completion of the satisfactory performance. UNICEF General Terms and Conditions will apply for non-satisfactory performance. The payment schedule is as follows:
• 20% upon submission of Inception Report
• 20% upon submission of draft Report
• 40% up submission and approval of Final Report
• 20% upon completion and submission of PPT Presentation

How to Apply:

The application package should include the following:
a) Technical Proposal
b) Financial Proposal* (Detailed budget stipulating all-inclusive fees)
c) Evidence of similar services provided in the past or currently; include a maximum of two (2) examples showcasing company expertise in the areas outlined in this terms or reference:

Prospective institutional or corporate contractors should apply to the email address above by clicking on the "apply now". Ensure include in the subject line “Social Survey on Violence Against Children in the ECA” no later than 10 May 2024, 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time).