UN WOMEN Jobs - 69663- International Consultant to support implementation

International Consultant to support implementation of the EVAW Survivors Empowerment Journey Programme in Afghanistan

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul with travel to provinces, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

180 working days within 9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

180 working days within 9 months

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

UN Women Mission Statement:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Organizational Context
The overarching programme for UN Women Afghanistan is articulated in the 2014-2017 Strategic Note and Development Results Framework (DRF). This document outlines the new approach for the ending violence against women (EVAW) component of the DRF with the necessary links to the women’s economic empowerment (WEE) component. This programme is a collaboration between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) and UN Women Afghanistan Country Office (ACO). The aim of this programme is to implement innovative prevention of violence against women (VAW) approaches, improve the delivery of protection and reintegration services for survivors of VAW in Women Protection Centres (WPCs) and Family Guidance Centres (FGCs), and promote economic empowerment of vulnerable women. This is consistent with the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA), National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of gender equality and empowerment of women. EVAW and WEE are important goals articulated in GoIRA’s commitments to Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF). This programme is focused on achieving the best outcomes for vulnerable women, and seeks to maximize resources at WPCs/FGCs for the benefit of survivors. Strong partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) and local communities ensures effective implementation of this programme and serves to promote cooperation and coordination between government, CSOs and local communities.

UN Women Afghanistan delivers its programme through three thematic Pillars, to ensure greater cohesion between the program areas, namely: (i) Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Pillar, (ii) Economic and Political Empowerment Pillar (PEEP) and (iii) Coordination and Advocacy Pillar (CAP). The Survivors’ Empowerment Journey programme works across all units. Thus, while this consultancy will be managed by the MSU, close coordination and consultation with other programme teams such as EVAW, PEEP, CAP, and Senior management is required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
Under the direct supervision of the MSU Gender Specialist, in coordination with other units, and the overall guidance of the ACO Senior Management as well as in consultation with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, MRRD, MoHRA, private sector, UN Agencies, the Afghan civil society, communities, women and men, boys and girls, the International Consultant will work with the ACO team to provide technical assistance and expert support for implementation of The EVAW “Survivor’s Empowerment Journey” programme. The program document has the following components:

Component 1: Changing social norms through community mobilization: Community mobilization involves community-level organizing, working with advocates (service providers, community leaders, faith-based leaders, etc) to involve people across the community in dialogue and reflection about power and violence, promoting equal relationships and non-violence.

Component 2: Early intervention and protection with a survivor-centered approach: By applying a survivor-centered approach the delivery of services will improve, including entry point services, mechanisms for early mediation and counselling.

Component 3: Economic opportunities for effective reintegration: Support effective social and economic reintegration of women through income security and livelihood skills building, seed capital as safety-nets, and promoting inclusive markets.

Component 4: An enabling policy and legal environment: Continuous action for effective implementation of laws and policies that address both prevention of and response to VAWG, in line with the constitutional framework of Afghanistan, and the international agreements such as CEDAW and CRC.

Scope of Work:

Overall: Substantive technical support to the implementation of EVAW SEJ, including the following areas:

Capacity Building;

Coaching support to MRRD-SEJ training team and Provincial mobilisers;
Support in conducting training needs assessment and development of a Capacity Development plans for Village (Mobilisers, Change Champions, SHGs) and Provincial (WPC / FGCs) partners and beneficiaries;
Support in the implementation of Capacity Development plans – coordinate with SEJ components for preparation and conducting trainings as per training needs prioritized in the Capacity Development plans;
Support in monitoring the implementation of Capacity Development plans – review monitoring reports, develop recommendations for follow up actions;

Deliverables and timeframe:

Guidance note developed for Village/Provincial Capacity Development Plans (5 days);
Training and follow up coaching to trainers’ team conducted for undertaking needs assessment and capacity development planning (15 days within the period of 3 months);
Concepts for training modules developed as per training needs and Capacity Development Plans (20 days, ex. three topics: conflict management, behavioral and social changes, gender responsive planning and monitoring, etc.);
Action plan for coordination of capacity development activities with other SEJ components, ensuring timely delivery of planned trainings (ex. WEE, EVAW, Islam and WHRs, etc.) (5 days);
Sub-total: 45 w/d

Partnership building

Support to operationalization of the Gender Equality Fund through technical guidance and coaching support to MRRD SEJ team (trainers/provincial mobilisers), including on how to apply for funding to different sources by preparation of small scale projects (as part of village gender equality plan);
Maintain cooperation with partners (private sector, donors) to advocate for / attract contributions / donations to GEF for community initiatives;
Maintain cooperation with development partners (USAID, IFAD, FAO, WFP, HiH) to collaborate in the areas of joint advocacy, gender responsive planning and budgeting, local economic development;
Ensure coordination and strengthening partnership with relevant ministries (MRRD, MOWA, MOHRA, etc.);

Deliverables and timeframe

GEF established in pilot villages and governance system is operational for advocating priority community initiatives among partners (15 days within 9 months);
Follow up on signed / and develop new partnership agreements for promotion GEF (20 days within 8 months);
System of coordination and partnership with relevant ministries established and functional (10 days within 6 months);
Sub-total: 45 w/d.

Advocacy

TA to MRRD SEJ team for to ensuring coordination of advocacy activities at all levels (closely working with the Company on Advocacy support);
Quality control of advocacy reports and products;
TA support to MoHRA and MoWA on EVAW SEJ;

Deliverables and timeframe:

The system of coordination of advocacy activities at all levels established and functional (15 days within 6 months);
Technical feedback provided to advocacy reports and products (15 days within 9 months);
Sub-total: 30 w/d.

Monitoring

TA and oversight of village baseline collection and development of Village Profiles;
TA (training/coaching) for monitoring process, review and quality check of monitoring reports and recommendations for post-monitoring follow up'
TA for documenting the process of ‘Modeling of Community approach for EVAW’, including key principles and standard methodological approaches for social mobilization, lessons learned and findings for replication within and outside of target village/province;

Deliverables and timeframe:

The system of regular monitoring established and functional, including recommendations for post-monitoring follow up (20 days within 9 months);
Guide for documenting the process of ‘Modeling of Community approach for EVAW’ developed and operational (15 days within 3 months);
Sub-total: 35 w/d.

Resource Mobilization

Provide substantive inputs to RM efforts of ACO for EVAW SEJ Programme, including submission of proposals to foundations, bilateral donors and other potential partners;
Provide substantive support with finalization of partnership arrangements;

Deliverables and timeframe:

Number of proposals finalized and submitted to bilateral donors and foundations and philanthropies following their templates (20 days within 3 months but can be extended if new opportunities arise);
Finalization of partnership agreements in line with UNW rules (5 days throughout assignment);
Sub-total: 25 w/d.

Grand total: 180 w/d within 9 months

Competencies

Excellent analytical, facilitation and communication skills; ability to negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders;
Ability to work under pressure, to follow deadlines and handle numerous tasks simultaneously;
Proven ability to liaise with myriad stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations;
Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UN Women;
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
Master’s Degree in social development, gender, or other related social science related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years relevant professional experience in conducting community assessments, project formulation, and knowledge of gender, GBV and the impact of conflict on women;
Minimum 8 years expertise in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Especially experience on VAW prevention work;
Experience of working in Afghanistan will be an additional asset.

Language requirement:

Professional fluency in English (written and oral)

Submission of Applications
The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 180 working days within 9 months. He/she must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate the qualifications:

Cover letter: (not more than 450 words) explaining their suitability for the work and a brief description of approach to work/methodology;
Financial proposal: indicate fee per day as well as travel cost by most direct and economic route (return ticket);
Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references and signed P11 form.

Financial Proposal:
The contract is based on fees per day tied to achievement of satisfactory deliverables as per the scope of assignment and deliverables table. Payments will be made upon receipt of deliverable reports, certified by supervisor and approved by the Country Representative.