Background

The Caribbean has made incremental gains towards the achievement of gender equity, particularly since the first UN Decade for Women, particularly in the area of gender-responsive legislation, improved social policy, strengthened labour market participation, and increased access to public resources such as secondary and tertiary education and health care. All countries have signed and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and girls (CEDAW) and the Inter-American Convention on the Eradication, Punishment and Prevention of Violence against Women.
 
At the same time, however, there are continuing challenges to the full attainment of the goal of gender equity as well as areas in which progress has been reversed due to socio-economic instability and the changing role of the state occasioned by policies of adjustment and trade liberalisation. In addition, there are new threats to the wellbeing of Caribbean men and women and children, chief among these the rising incidence of crime and violence, the unrelenting spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the impact of natural disasters.  
 
However along with the signs of progress, there are also clear signs of the durability and persistence of inequality and it is in the areas of culture and ideology that the main challenges for gender equity continue to be felt in the Caribbean. 
 
Chief among these indications of inequality is violence against women. In addition to domestic violence, gender-based vulnerability to sexual violence has received little sustained attention. The sexual violation and exploitation of women and children (now better understood to include both boys and girls) is inadequately addressed. While statistics in the area of gender-based violence remains a challenge, the data that does exist points to disturbing trends in prevalence, as well as response.
 
In relation to incidence, the World Bank report on Crime and Violence in the Caribbean states that according to the latest available data from the UNODC’s Crime Trends Survey (CTS), three of the top ten recorded rape rates in the world occur in the Caribbean. In addition, all countries in the Caribbean for which comparable data are available (Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago) experienced a rate of rape above the unweighted average of the 102 countries in the CTS. Additionally, another regional victimization survey revealed that 48 per cent of adolescent girls’ sexual initiation was “forced” or “somewhat forced” in nine Caribbean countries. According to a recently concluded study by the Pan American Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) large proportions of women in Latin America and the Caribbean report sexual violence in their lifetime, perpetuated mostly by men known to them. The study also notes that in addition values, attitudes and behaviours perpetuated by men which sanction VAWG, that “large proportions of women supported norms that reinforce gender inequality or discourage families and communities from helping women who experience violence, though levels of agreement with these norms varied widely among and within countries”.  
 
The persistence of cultural, social and behavioural norms related to masculinity and femininity which contribute to the perseverance of gender based violence and gender inequalities, impact gender relations at the individual, family and community level. These norms and behaviours also have an impact on levels of ambivalence toward gender-based violence by state actors and in turn contribute to cultures of impunity.
 
In spite of progress mainly in terms of legislative reform related to domestic violence in the Caribbean region, sustained and strategic approaches to the prevention of gender-based violence has been fragmented.
 
Over the years, UN Women has sought to build knowledge, partnerships and capacities which address the persistence of gender inequality and the consequences in key thematic areas, including violence against women, and has supported prevention strategies and efforts which have included;
  • Court based psycho-educational programmes with male perpetrators of domestic violence;
  • School based violence prevention initiatives for boys and young men;
  • The UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women;
  • Leadership and empowerment programmes for girls and young women;
  • Training with police and judicial officers;
  • Supporting strengthened legislation to combat gender-based violence, and supporting the development of national strategic plans for addressing Gender Based Violence.
Within the context of UN Women Multi Country Office - Caribbean four year strategic plan 2014-2017 which is currently being developed, UN Women is seeking the services of a consultant to design a four year strategy on the Prevention of gender-based violence. This strategy will focus specifically on the Eastern Caribbean States.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Consultancy

The main goal of the assignment is to design a strategy for the prevention of gender-based violence, with specific emphasis on the Eastern Caribbean states.
 
Outputs and Specific Activities
Produce, for UN Women’s endorsement, a methodology and work plan to guide the development of the prevention strategy.
Conduct a literature review and analysis of behavioural change approaches related to the prevention of gender-based violence and community-based violence, to include:
  • Review of the work of international and national partners in the Caribbean to prevent gender-based violence, and to combat crime at the community level;
  • Review of the methodologies of successful campaigns in the Caribbean which have targeted behavioural change. These strategies need not have dealt with gender or GBV, but rather are primarily behavioural change programmes to promote community well-being (i.e. campaigns on communicable diseases; stay-in-school campaigns; etc.); The purpose of this review is to identify tested and successful behavioural change strategies;
  • Review and analysis of documentation related to UN Women MCO - Caribbean supported programmes of work on ending gender-based violence over the past ten year period;
  • Review and analysis of key strategy and policy related documents including national action plans on GBV and gender policies of governments  which speak to ending GBV, including ending GBV among youth and children;
  • Review and analysis of corporate UN Women strategic information and documentation on ending violence against women and girls.
Conduct interviews with key stakeholders among national and international partners to inform strategy development.
Produce a draft strategy on the prevention of gender-based violence in the Eastern Caribbean incorporating a clear theory of change into the strategy design. The strategy should include a monitoring and evaluation framework including clearly articulated goals, outcomes, outputs and indicators.
Finalise strategy, based on feedback from UN Women and key stakeholders.
 
Deliverables:
  • Produce a methodology and work plan related to the development of the prevention strategy;
  • Produce a draft strategy on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in the Eastern Caribbean;
  • Produce a final strategy on the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls in the Eastern Caribbean.
Reporting Requirements
The Programme Specialist with responsibility for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls located in the UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean, based in Barbados, will manage the execution of this assignment by the consultant under the overall guidance of the UN Women Representative.

Competencies

Core Values:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Core Competencies:
  • Extensive experience in the area of ending gender-based violence, and/or mobilizing social change in support of evolving cultural attitudes;
  • Solid academic and professional background in the field/area of social assessment, strategic planning, and socially inclusive approaches;
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
  • Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Graduate level university degree in the area of social sciences, communications, gender and development, public administration, or relevant field.
Experience:
  • At least five years of experience in supporting behavioural change and prevention work in the promotion of social change;
  • Solid background in the area of human rights, gender and development, with a specific focus on ending gender-based violence considered an asset;
  • Solid and proven expertise in research and analytical work, including data analysis;
  • Ability to work in an independent manner and organize the workflow efficiently;
  • Understanding/experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is considered an asset;
  • Strong research, analytical and excellent report writing and communication skills;
  • Excellent computer skills particularly related to Microsoft Office and other relevant software;
  • Ability to use electronic communication media (e.g. Skype, or MSM);
  • Ability and willingness to travel.
Language:
  • Fluency in spoken and written English.
Location and Duration
Home-based with travel required to the Caribbean. Duration of the consultancy shall be within the period 01st October to 15th December 2013.
 
Administrative Information
Payment: The fee will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and the contracted individual/institution and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.
 
Hardware, software, and communication: The consultant (must be equipped with a portable computer (laptop). The consultant must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based communication (Skype or equivalent) is required.
 
Expressions of Interest
EOIs should be submitted to gabrielle.henderson@unwomen.org by 30th September 2013. by 30 September 2013.

All EOIs applications must include:
  • The completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment
  • A cover letter highlighting the specific post for which you are applying;
  • Detailed curriculum vitae including a description of main achievements;
  • A price proposal quoted in United States dollars (US$) indicating daily rates and preferred fee structure based on deliverables, including estimated cost of travel to carry out deliverables.