UN WOMEN Jobs - 71326- National consultant for a baseline Study on Violen

National consultant for a baseline Study on Violence Against Women and Girls in seven districts of Uganda

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

17-Apr-2017

Application Deadline :

07-Apr-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 days

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 (UNW), 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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality are translated into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts while building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Violence against women and girls (VAW/G) is one of the most systemic and endemic human rights violations which disproportionately affects women and girls worldwide. The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS (2011) shows that 56% of women aged 15-49 reported having experienced physical violence at least once since age 15. The same survey further found that wife battering is widely accepted, with 58% of women and 44% of men believing that it is justified for a man to beat his wife under certain circumstances.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Government of Uganda has over the years demonstrated commitment to prevent and respond to VAW/G through the development of appropriate legal and policy frameworks, gaps still exist due to limited funding for effective prevention and response efforts, inadequate resourcing of the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) institutions and limited capacity of duty bearers and other stakeholders to implement the legal and policy framework and exercise accountability and limited awareness by women of their own rights and the mechanisms for enforcing them.

Under its mandate to support member states to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gender- related targets in general and in particular SDG 5 target of Eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation; UN Women Uganda in partnership with CSOs initiated in September 2016 a two years and four months programme on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAW/G) in 7 target districts in Uganda, funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala. The EVAW/G programme has adapted a three-pronged approach aimed at (i) realizing an enabling legislative and policy environment in line with international standards; (ii) increasing the use of available, accessible and high quality essential services by women and girls who experience violence and (iii) reducing social tolerance to VAW/G. The EVAW/G programme is structured around three main interventions:

Research and monitoring the implementation of EVAW/G legislation and advocacy for review and reform of women’s rights legislation in Uganda;
Provision of legal aid for Women’s Access to Justice and referral for other multi-sectoral services;
Develop and implement a multi-media, multi-channel and community based advocacy campaign to raise awareness and change attitudes to VAW/G.

UN Women seeks to contract an experienced consultant to support baseline data collection against which the impact of the EVAW/G programme can be measured in December 2018.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the survey:

The baseline study will assess the level of knowledge, attitudes/ perceptions and behaviours in relation to violence against women and girls and women’s access to justice and analyse the social norms that perpetuate the social tolerance of VAW/G. The overall objective is to provide an information base for measuring the impact of the EVAW/G programme in 7 target districts of Kampala, Kamuli, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Moroto and Kaabong. The specific issues the baseline study will explore include:

Knowledge:

Understand communities’ knowledge on VAW/G, its drivers and mitigation measures;
Understand communities’ knowledge of the available and referral services for VAW/G services including justice services and how to access them;
Understand communities’ knowledge on Women’s rights to participation in the Economy and in politics.

Attitudes and perceptions:

Assess community perceptions on VAW/G and women & girls’ access to justice and other referrals services;
Analyse community’s perceptions of the formal and informal justice system;
Assess community perceptions on Women’s participation in the Economy and Politics.

Social Norms and Practices:

Assess and analyse social norms and practices that perpetuate VAW/G and other women’s rights (participation in the Economy and Politics) in the 7 target districts;
Assess practices and challenges that impede women and girls’ access to justice and other multispectral referral services;
Assess measures put in place by the community, government and other stakeholders to respond to and prevent VAW/G from occurring.

Methodology:

Under the overall guidance and support of UN Women, the hired consultant will conduct the study in collaboration with UN Women implementing partners. S/He will review the programme indicators (to be provided by UN Women) and develop the study protocol and instruments, train data collectors, supervise and ensure quality control during data collection in the 7 target districts of Kampala, Kamuli, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Moroto and Kaabong and manage (data entry and cleaning), analyse the data and write the report.

The baseline survey will use a combination of qualitative (questionnaire/survey) and quantitative data collection techniques to measure indicators contained in the log frame. The consultant will propose the detailed methodology for the baseline study which will be reviewed and finalised in consultation with UN Women.

The hired consultant will work with a team of three research assistants: (i) One with expertise in Statistics and the use of typical data analysis/statistical tools like SPSS, Stata; (ii) One with expertise in data management including use of tools like Epi Info, Fox Pro; (iii) and one with expertise in qualitative data collection and analysis. Their specific roles and responsibilities should be described and included as part of the submission.

The lead consultant shall take the responsibility of engaging/hiring the research assistants, but will be accountable to UN Women to assure that the team composition as proposed is maintained for the conduct of the study.

Scope of the Assignment:

The baseline study will comprise three key components:

A survey of 5,600 respondents (800 respondents per district);
Twenty-one (21) Focus Group Discussions (3 per district);
Forty-two (42) Key Informant Interviews (6 per district).

The entire period of this consultancy will last 45 working days and will be organised into three phases:

Phase 1 Design:

April 2017: The consultant will review the programme back ground information including the project log frame and indicators; develop the Research design (including refining the research questions; sampling, developing the analytical framework) for both the qualitative and quantitative components of the study; prepare the data collection tools and data collection plan and the timeline for completion. S/he will train data collectors, pretest and revise data collection tools. The consultant will submit a brief progress report (2-3 pages) on field and data collection activities and training of data collectors.

Phase 2 Data Collection and Data Entry:

1st Half of May 2017

Quantitative data (the survey): UN Women and partners will provide the data collectors and the necessary logistics for the training and data collection activities. The consultant will be responsible for supervision and quality control during the collection of the data.

Qualitative data (FGDs and KIIs): The consultant will conduct the Key Informant Interviews, and the Focus Group Discussions.

Phase 3 Data Management (cleaning, entry), Analysis and Reporting:

(2nd Half of May 2017): During this phase the consultant will be responsible for data cleaning and entry, analysis, interpret the information collected during the baseline assessment and write the report. S/he will submit a preliminary draft of the baseline results (25+ pages) and prepare and submit final report of findings after validation by the different partners. The consultant will also review the monitoring and evaluation framework of the programme and make recommendations for adjustment.

Deliverables:

Prepare and submit an inception report detailing study objectives and scope, outlining the research design, approach/methodology, work plan and schedule;
In consultation with UN Women, design and draft data collection tools Train data collectors, pre-test and revise data collection tools for the survey;
Conduct qualitative data collection (KIIs and FGDs);
Submit a brief progress report (2-3 pages) on field and data collection activities and training of data collectors;
Supervise data collection activities;
Manage the data (entry, cleaning);
Analyse, and interpret the data;
Prepare the draft report of the study;
Present the key finding to the programme partners and other stakeholders (UN Women to organise);
Incorporate input from UN Women and partners and submit the final report with specific recommendations on issues related to women’s rights and access to justice.

Competencies

CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

Integrity:

Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;

Professionalism:

Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity;

Organizational Awareness:

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;

Work in teams:

Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;

Communicating and Information Sharing:

Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication;

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others;

Conflict Management:

Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution;
Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Excellent analytical, editing and writing skills demonstrating complete fluency in English language;
Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse and multicultural supervisors and staff members;
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Focuses on impact and result for the partners and responds positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's or advanced degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Gender Studies.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in conducting research or baseline studies using mixed methods;
Proven expertise in supporting research and statistical processes in the area of violence against women and girls, gender equality and/or women’s empowerment interventions;
Exposure in working with UN, International Donors and development agencies.

Language:

Fluency in English is required and knowledge of one the local languages is an asset.

Evaluation of applicants Candidates will be selected on the basis of cumulative analysis of:

Technical Qualification (100 points) weight [70%];
Financial/Price Proposal (100 points) weight [30%].

A two-stage procedure will be utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

Technical Qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the offer or/individual is evaluated based on following:
Demonstrated understanding of the objectives and completeness of the assignment. This section should not merely be a replication of the TORs- 30 Points;
Methodology and implementation plan: Details and quality (adequacy) of methodology proposed for the assignment. The methodology should incorporate human rights and gender equality perspectives; Detailed implementation plan indicating the timeframe; Detailed description of the proposed team, and specific roles on the consultancy- 30 points;
Qualification and experience of Lead consultant: Masters or advanced degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Gender Studies; Strong professional experience (at least 7 years); and understanding of gender equality, human rights and women’s empowerment programming; Relevant experience in conducting similar or related studies on EVAWG- 20 points;
Qualification and experience of the Research Assistants: Qualifications and Experience of the Research Assistant on Statistics (8); Qualifications and Experience of the Research Assistant on Data management (6); Qualifications and Experience of the Research Assistant on Qualitative data collection and analysis (6)- 20 points.

Financial Proposal review criteria:

The financial proposal will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100;
The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price;
The financial proposal should clearly and separately indicate the cost in UGX of conducting the baseline survey.

Application procedure:

Interested Consultants are required to upload an electronic application in one single PDF . The application should include the following documents/information:

Letter of interest (using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II); http://www.ug.undp.org/content/uganda/en/home/operations/procurement.html) containing the statement on candidate’s experience in the field of recruitment;
A technical proposal clearly detailing the methodology, work plan and time lines (should be a maximum of 10 pages excluding annexes);
A financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a daily professional fee for both the Lead consultant and the Research assistants;
A detailed financial proposal for the consultancy in UGX. This should exclude the survey data collection related costs which shall be met by UN Women;
A completed Personal History Form - P11” which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references and links to edited documents, publications in the areas of focus as a requirement for the process.;
Signed CVs of the proposed three research assistants.