UNDP Jobs - 34992- Baseline for Support to Women’s Peace building in

Baseline for Support to Women’s Peace building in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2013

Application Deadline :

21-Jan-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

22 working days (ten days in Juba, twelve days in Eastern Equatoria)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

22 working days (ten days in Juba, twelve days in Eastern Equatoria)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Background and Justification:
UN Women is launching an initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MOGCSW) and UNDP to improve the gender-responsiveness of community-based conflict mitigation mechanisms. The project will strengthen and enhance ongoing community-based conflict mitigation mechanisms by identifying key mitigating initiatives at the county level. Heretofore, women’s input and analysis has been largely left out of peacebuilding priorities, to the detriment of response mechanisms. Consultations with ROSS and other interlocutors have revealed a broad consensus that women’s contribution to peacebuilding is inadequately harnessed in South Sudan. In addition to ongoing stability concerns, there is agreement amongst all stakeholders that urgent actions must be taken to prevent increased inter-communal conflict and criminality as the euphoria of independence wears off and demands for peace dividends increase. UN Women and MOGCSW intend to replicate this approach in further state once best practices have been established.

Objective:
The purpose of the baseline study is to generate enough data and findings to assess the realistic potential impact of the project and facilitate its monitoring and evaluation. The result of this study will be used to revise and adjust the project’s expected outcomes, outputs, and indicators and will facilitate replication in additional areas of South Sudan once more resources are secured.

Composition and Methodology:
The baseline study will consist of an analysis of data collected by surveys designed by the consultant/s in one community in three counties in Eastern Equatoria state, security conditions permitting, as well as a desk review of available information.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

Conducting a desk review of all relevant information available for Eastern Equatoria state. Information will be gleaned from humanitarian actors, UN entities and NGO partners, as well as statistics and data available from the government ministries.
Field work expected to cover one community in each of the three counties selected. Instruments to apply will include individual surveys, group interview and in-depth interviews with community members and relevant stakeholders (i.e. local authorities, community leaders especially women, security sector personnel).

The key elements that the baseline will cover are:

Extent of women’s and girls’ physical security, including perceptions of physical security and fear, impact of physical security on ability to participate in public life or to carry on with regular activities. Perceptions and tolerance towards violence against women and girls.
Existence of support services for survivors of violence.
Existence of community security / peacebuilding initiatives at the community level and women’s participation and influence therine
Existence of women’s organizations at the local level and their engagement in peacebuilding and community security.
Existence of women-led community security or peacebuilding initiatives.
Rates of women Early and forced marriages.
Abduction of women and children
Number of Female Headed households.

METHODOLOGY

The exercise will adopt a participatory approach ensuring ongoing interaction of the team with UN Women and partners. At the onset, consultant, and UN Women will have an inception meeting to clarify the terms of reference and plan together for the Baseline survey exercise.
Literature review through revisiting various reports existing at UN Women’s and partners’ offices. The literature review should also include - but not be limited to - other relevant documents including UN Women and partner reports
Field visit to Eastern Equatoria state where UN Women plans to operate to conduct interviews and focus group discussions. Key informants for the Baseline will include: Women, girls, State Government authorities, UN Agencies, women’s groups and other partners, as well as staff of Women South Sudan.
Deliverables:

The following will be the deliverables by the consultants:

Inception report containing
Interpretation and evidence of application of the TORs
Design of Baseline methodology
Work plan
Baseline survey tools
Sampling Design and Data Collection & Management Protocol
A 15 to 25 page baseline report with the following:
Summary and analysis of the findings of the desk review and field work.
A robust and user-friendly monitoring and evaluation framework (logframe) for the project oversight.
Recommendations to UN Women, MOGCSW and UNDP on how to ensure the project meets its objectives.

Please note that the contents of the report will be analyzed and final payment will only be made upon agreement on the final Base-line Survey Report from the UN Women Team.

Competencies

Knowledge of methodologies and best practices for promoting community security and women and security in particular.
High degree of political sensitivity and demonstrated ability to achieve results in politically and operationally complex environments.
Knowledge of and experience in South Sudan highly desirable.

Planning and Organizing:

Ability to plan work assignments, establish priorities and to meet strict assignment deadlines.
Coordination and monitoring:
Ability to build strong relationships with clients and to focus on impact and results.
Demonstrated aptitude to build effective partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Capacity to coordinate monitoring activities in the field, to mentor programme/project staff and provide guidance and support.

Communications:

Compelling communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports, formulate and defend sound recommendations and articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information.

Teamwork:

Excellent interpersonal skills; capacity to recognize and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

A postgraduate degree in gender, women’s studies or related discipline.

Experience:

At least ten years progressively responsible experience in the field of women’s empowerment and gender equality in post-conflict or least developed countries.
Significant experience in research and data collection on women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, community security and violence against women.
Experience with implementing ethical research methodologies in conflict-affected populations, especially with women and girls.

Language Requirements:

Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Arabic a plus.