About UNICEF: Employment
Consultant Child Protection - Urbanisation, Social Change, Dakar Regional Office, Senegal (Consultancy)
It is proposed to carry out a desk study on the effects of urbanisation and other forms of social change on forms of social organisation, on traditional forms of social protection, opportunities for and risks of social mobility, and on the impacts that all of these changes are having on child protection. The study will provide a broad overview of the available literature and fill a major gap in our understanding of social change processes in West and Central Africa and how they impact on child protection. It will identify what is known and where the gaps in understanding and knowledge are. The study will inform child protection teams and partners in the region in developing child protection strategies.
The purpose of the study is to (a) identify opportunities for using informal and ‘traditional’ (social) protection mechanisms for child protection; and (b) better understand changes in forms of social organisation and how they affect children – in positive and negative ways – and incorporate these in programmes.
Research issues and key questions
All questions need to consider age and gender differences
a) How are forms of social organisation changing as a result of urbanisation and migration?
• What is happening to forms of social organisation (“communities”, extended families, kinship systems…) as a result of urbanisation and migration (social, professional and religious networks…)?
• What are new opportunities for and risks of social mobility and how are they affecting forms of social organisation? (increased stratification, inequality, individuality, networks, changing forms of families and households)
b) How are young people’s roles changing as a result of urbanisation and migration?
• How are young people’s social and economic roles changing (opportunities and risks)?
• What strategies are young people developing to cope with risk and vulnerability? (see for example Marc Sommers “Africa’s Young Urbanites” and Plan International study on young people in West Africa)
c) How are informal and traditional forms of social protection (and social mobility -including confiage, domestic servants, informal networks, etc.) changing as a result of social and economic changes (migration, urbanisation, conflict, HIV/AIDS…)?
d) How are changes in social organisation and in social protection affecting the protection of children, positively and negatively? How are these changes affecting different children differently – consider age, sex and socio-economic factors.
e) How can informal social protection be linked with formal mechanisms?
• How can informal social protection mechanisms be strengthened (or how can informal social protection mechanisms be protected from being weakened)?
• What has been tried to link informal and formal social protection mechanisms? What has worked?
Method
An extensive literature review by an experienced anthropologist or sociologist who has worked on these issues to provide a broad overview of issues, patterns, trends…
• General overview of literature: informal social protection mechanisms and social change (urbanisation, migration…)
• Several case studies on specific themes, such as confiage, particularly for West Africa. The case studies will be based on available literature for specific cities in the region.
• Consultant needs to cover at least English and French literature.
• Output: A substantive report that clearly identifies the broad patterns and trends and draws clear conclusions (but no recommendations, except for the need for more specific research).
Qualifications
Advanced degree in social science, preferably in sociology or anthropology.
At least ten years relevant professional and research experience.
Highly developed social science analytical skills.
Experienced in preparing clear and concise reports.
Good understanding of issues related to social change and child protection in Africa.
Good knowledge of Africa and especially West and Central Africa.
Excellent writing skills.
Able to work independently and to meet deadlines.
Fluent in English and French.
Fee: US$ 500/per day
Duration : 50 days
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with duly completed UN Personal History Form (available at www.unicef.org/employ), a detailed curriculum vitae in English and a Candidate Self Assessment form to scisse@unicef.org, by 3 July 2009.
