Inter-Agency Coordination

Example 1

Anchoring GBV risk mitigation in UNICEF-led/co-led clusters and AoR

Embedding GBV risk mitigation into clusters’ work through creating GBV specialist posts

In recent years, UNICEF has significantly increased its human and financial resources to fulfil its core commitment to GBV risk mitigation within cluster coordination. In 2017, UNICEF established a full-time GBV specialist position in its Global Cluster Coordination Unit (GCCU) to work with all UNICEF-led and co-led clusters to integrate GBV risk mitigation. This position was the first of its kind at UNICEF and dedicated solely to GBV risk mitigation. The specialist collaborated with all clusters and AoRs to identify unique entry points tailored to each cluster's priorities, integrating GBV risk mitigation into their work at both global and country levels.

Since then, two additional GBV specialist positions have been created with NORCAP support, embedded directly within the Global Education and Global WASH clusters. These specialists have become integral members of their respective teams, anchoring GBV risk mitigation into the clusters’ core functions and processes, including needs analysis, strategic planning, advocacy, standard setting and capacity-building.

The GBV specialists offer direct field support to country cluster teams by assisting in the implementation of GBV risk mitigation actions, documenting best practices, and facilitating peer learning and knowledge exchange. Their work includes conducting annual HNO/HRP analyses from a GBV risk mitigation perspective, developing various tip sheets and resources, and creating comprehensive training packages, including e-learning courses.

Example 2

Integrating GBV risk mitigation into cluster capacity-building work

Many clusters have integrated GBV risk mitigation into their capacity-building plans and training package. Below are some examples from CCCM, GEC and GWC, though many other clusters have done similar work. (More information will be added in the inter-active GBV risk mitigation resource package.)

CCCM

In 2017, IOM and UNHCR launched the revision of the Global CCCM Cluster training package. The newest version, released in 2019, features multiple examples, activities and key messages regarding the protection of women and girls and the reduction of GBV risks in CCCM operations. While modules on GBV and GBV risk mitigation already existed in the previous cluster training package, the innovation in the 2019 version came from the mainstreaming of the topic throughout the whole package, complemented by the addition of specific, dedicated modules. As such, by integrating GBV risk mitigation in core sectoral modules, the initiative became a core part of the sector’s responsibility for a new generation of trainees, instead of the optional add-on that it had been in the past.

GEC

In 2023, the Global Education Cluster completed a comprehensive mainstreaming of GBV risk mitigation in its five-day coordination training known as CORE 2. The CORE 2 training is based on a simulation of a deployment to an imaginary context, Sparkea, with coordinators expected to draft a mock strategy and present it to donors. Pre-deployment, they are immediately informed of reports of increased GBV, especially sexual violence including rape on the way to school and child marriage, dramatically affecting girls’ education in Sparkea. The training provides multiple examples and tips on how to integrate GBV risk mitigation actions across the humanitarian programme cycle, including conducting GBV risk analysis, monitoring and addressing GBV risks in and around schools, and measuring the effectiveness of GBV risk mitigation actions. It also focuses on actions at the coordination level, including enhancing inter-sectoral collaboration with the Child Protection and GBV AoRs, engaging with leadership of women-led organizations (WLOs), and standardizing school safety audits and consultations with adolescent girls. In 2024, all groups dedicated a whole outcome of their mock strategy to ensuring child protection and GBV risk mitigation and advocated for earmarked funding for GBV risk mitigation for education. In the GEC’s standard needs assessment training package, there is also a specific module on how to respond to GBV disclosures from GBV survivors, and especially child and adolescent survivors.

GNC

Since 2017, the GNC has made significant strides in integrating GBV risk mitigation into their training programs. In 2020, they introduced the "Gender and GBV-Responsive Nutrition Programs in Emergencies" module as part of the existing nutrition training package. Additionally, in 2021, they led the development of two e-learning courses on safety audits and GBV risk mitigation in nutrition programs. Notably, the GNC became the first cluster within UNICEF-led/co-led clusters to embed GBV risk mitigation in the core competencies of cluster coordinators.

GWC

GWC integrated its people-centred approach, which includes GBV risk mitigation, in its capacity strengthening resources, guidelines and policies. For example, the emergency training package for coordinators and the five-day interactive WASH Operational Coordination and Leadership (WOCL) training includes a stronger emphasis and practical approaches on how to engage women and girls in WASH. The WOCL training dedicates a whole day to cross-cutting issues, including people-centred programming, for which engaging women and girls is central.