Historique

The Republic of Croatia is a party to all major international human rights mechanisms, including specific instruments aimed at ending discrimination against women. The Law on the Protection from Domestic Violence[1] was adopted in 2003 and it laid down the legal foundation for protecting victims and their families from domestic violence (DV). Since then, the Law has been amended several times, most recently in 2010, for example, when data gathering and reporting became compulsory. The legislation against domestic violence also comprises the 2004 amendments to Criminal Code that introduced the criminal offence of domestic violence, whereas the Law on the Protection from DV covers misdemeanours.[2] The policy framework for addressing domestic violence has so far been delineated in two consecutive National Strategies for Protection against Domestic Violence (2005-2007 and 2008-2010, respectively). These documents are based on CEDAW definitions[3] and other UN, as well as Council of Europe and EU standards. The policy framework for addressing domestic violence has so far been delineated in two consecutive National Strategies for Protection against Domestic Violence (2005-2007 and 2008-2010, respectively). These documents are based on CEDAW definitions and other UN, as well as Council of Europe and EU standards. was adopted in 2003 and it laid down the legal foundation for protecting victims and their families from domestic violence (DV). Since then, the Law has been amended several times, most recently in 2010, for example, when data gathering and reporting became compulsory. The legislation against domestic violence also comprises the 2004 amendments to Criminal Code that introduced the criminal offence of domestic violence, whereas the Law on the Protection from DV covers misdemeanours. The policy framework for addressing domestic violence has so far been delineated in two consecutive National Strategies for Protection against Domestic Violence (2005-2007 and 2008-2010, respectively). These documents are based on CEDAW definitions and other UN, as well as Council of Europe and EU standards.
 
While a population-based survey on the prevalence of domestic violence has not yet been conducted, a 2003 survey of 1000 women[4] found that one in five had experienced physical violence from a male partner at least once in their lifetime. Among the respondents in the sample, half of all divorced women reported having been subjected to serious psychological and physical abuse. The same survey found that one in three women experienced sexual abuse. Of those women who reported having been abused, more than half did not turn to anyone for help, and of those who did, most turned to friends and family. found that one in five had experienced physical violence from a male partner at least once in their lifetime. Among the respondents in the sample, half of all divorced women reported having been subjected to serious psychological and physical abuse. The same survey found that one in three women experienced sexual abuse. Of those women who reported having been abused, more than half did not turn to anyone for help, and of those who did, most turned to friends and family.
 
Currently available data are insufficient to analyse the effectiveness of the legal and policy framework for prevention and protection from DV. Whilst statistics are available on reported cases of DV, including the number and type of court decisions, a lot of important areas of concern are still left uncharted. For example, there is little knowledge of what on average happens to victims of DV once they leave shelters, or how effective psychosocial treatment is in changing perpetrators’ behaviour. Systematic needs assessments are also missing, while existing assessments show, for example, that there is currently a lack of shelters and the capacity of the counselling centre services is low compared to the need.
 
Importantly, there is also no data estimating the total cost of DV, the funding required to tackle the estimated level of the problem of DV in Croatia or regarding the cost-effectiveness of current policies being implemented. Such information would enable better channelling of resources, including, for example, by stepping-up investment in preventive measures.
In this context, and particularly in view of the current development of the new National Strategy for Protection against Domestic Violence that will be implemented beginning of 2011, UNDP Croatia, with technical assistance from UNIFEM CEE (part of UN Women) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Family, Intergenerational Solidarity and Veteran’s Affairs have set out to conduct an analysis of the costs for different sectors (police, the judiciary, health, NGOs) to respond to domestic violence against women, who are disproportionately affected. The overall objectives of the analysis are:
 
(1) To design a costing framework for domestic violence in Croatia, which may become institutionalized and applied regularly;
(2) To apply the costing framework in a pilot exercise to determine the economic and social costs of domestic violence in Croatia, which will include the costs borne by state-funded services that respond to or act to prevent domestic violence (police, social services, justice sector, medical care and others); by social providers (NGO-run victims’ services); by employers (loss of economic outputs, caused by injuries) and by victims themselves.
 
The analysis will be carried out in a team under the supervision of UNDP Croatia, with technical assistance from UNIFEM CEE (part of UN Women), and under the guidance of a working group composed of UN agencies and the Ministry of Family, Intergenerational Solidarity and Veterans’ Affairs.
 
It is envisaged that the study will be developed in five stages:[5]
 
1)    Stage 1: Desk research – approx. 1 - 6 September
A brief overview of relevant international and regional commitments to ending violence against women to which Croatia is a part and identification of relevant costing studies and costing methodologies on DV from the EU and neighboring countries applicable to Croatian context.
2)    Stage 2: Development of methodology – approx. 15 September – 15 October
The types of costs to be measured, their definition and a mapping of available data sources will be included in the methodology for the study. The design of the methodology will be led by the international consultant, who will work in cooperation with the team of researchers and in consultation with the working group.
3)    Stage 3: Data Collection (field work) – approx. 18 - 29 October
Official statistical and budget information sources; survey with institutions in charge of tackling DV cases as well as with civil society organisations and donors; in-depth interviews with public servants; interviews with victims.
4)    Stage 4: Data analysis - approx 1 - 12 November
Data analysis should include: help seeking behaviour and institutional response maps; estimations of direct costs; indirect costs estimations and comparisons.
5)    Stage 5: Drafting the report and presentation to stakeholders – approx. 15 – 26 November
Draft report (expected 25 November) should present relevant data and initial analysis which should be presented to the stakeholders for consultations and refinement of analysis. A final report will be prepared to integrate the feedback.
 
            The study will dwell, among others, on the experience of conducting a costing study of domestic violence against women for FYR Macedonia, which was supported by UNIFEM under the auspices of its sub-regional programme Gender-Responsive Budgeting in South East Europe: Advancing Gender Equality and Democratic Governance through Increased Transparency and Accountability.
 
As contribution to the development of the above study, UNIFEM CEE (part of UN Women) is seeking to recruit an international consultant, who will provide expert inputs into the development of the methodology of the study and provide guidance in the writing of the study.

[1] 2003. Zakon o zaštiti od nasilja u obitelji [Law on the Protection from Domestic Violence], Narodne Novine [Official Gazette] 116/03.
[2] Clanak 215a Kaznenog zakona Republike Hrvatske [Article 215a of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia], Narodne Novine [Official Gazette] 110/97, 27/98, 129/00, 51/01, 111/03, 105/04 i 84/05
[3] Croatia ratified CEDAW on the 9th of September 1992.
[4] Otrocak, D. 2003. Interpretacija rezultata istraživanja nasilja nad ženama u Republici Hrvatskoj [Interpretation of the Results of Research into Violence against Women in the Republic of Croatia], pp. 18-19.
[5] These stages are developed based on the first study on the costing of domestic violence in the FYR of Macedonia. (See: Gancheva, Yordanka (ed.) 2008. The Costs of Domestic Violence against Women in FYR of Macedonia (A costing exercise for 2006). UNIFEM CEE, Bratislava online resource. Available at: http://www.unifem.sk/uploads/doc/The%20costs%20of%20DVAW%20in%20fyr%20Macedonia%20-%20eng.pdf) However, the stages may be refined and adapted, once the methodology for the present costing study has been developed and endorsed by the working group.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Duties and Responsibilities:
 
Under the supervision of UNDP Croatia and UNIFEM CEE (Bratislava), and in cooperation with Social Inclusion and Justice and Security Programme team, the international consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
  • Contribute to the preparation of the methodology for costing domestic violence against women, based on international good practice examples and recently prepared similar analysis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia;
  • Contribute to the preparation of standardized questionnaires for relevant institutions and NGO representatives;
  • Provide inputs and feedback to the outline of the study, as well as inputs into the analysis of findings and conclusions;
  • Peer review of the report analyzing the costs of domestic violence in Croatia.
Deliverables
 
The following deliverables (outputs) are expected:
 
10-page (Times New Roman, 12 font, 1.5 spacing) description of methodology, including review of existing peer-reviewed methodologies and their adaptation to the costing of domestic violence against women in Croatia;
  • 2-page (Times New Roman, 12 font, 1.5 spacing) outline of the study;
  • 10-page (Times New Roman, 12 font, 1.5 spacing) analysis of findings, including concluding comments to the study.
  • Comments to the questionnaires for relevant institutions;
  • Two sets of comments to drafts of the study.

Compétences

UNIFEM is looking for applicants with the following competencies:

  • Thorough understanding of gender equality, human rights and international development
  • Experience and understanding of the regional and sub regional context; 
  • Ability to analyse issues from a multi-variable perspective in both national and comparative international context;
  • Ability to analyse issues and information and to prepare concise briefs and summaries on key ideas;
  • Creativity and resource investigation skills;
  • Excellent communication skills;
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, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 

Qualifications et expériences requises

Qualifications and Skill Requirements
  • MA in economics, social sciences or related field. PhD would be an asset;
  • At least ten years of proven experience with gender responsive budgeting and costing estimates;
  • Proven track record of at least seven year work on policy analysis related to domestic violence against women;
  • Experience in providing expertise to governments on the prevention and response to domestic violence against women;
  • Experience in data collection, questionnaire development, data analysis and presentation
  • Strong English skills, both written and oral. Knowledge of C/B/S is an asset.
Qualified and interested candidates are requested to submit their application online no later than 24th of August 2010.

The application should contain:
  • Filled out P11 form.
  • Kindly provide a short letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the daily fee (in USD) requested for the work envisaged in the description above.
    UNIFEM (part of UN Women) and UNDP apply fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. A lump sum will be provided to cover costs of travel and accommodation to Croatia, which will be released upon start of assignment.