Background

Reports from the Sierra Leone Police Family Suport Unit (FSU) have indicated limited prosecution of Sexual and gender Based Violence (SGBV) resulting from several factors impeding the investigation and management of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone. 

Whilst several efforts have been made by the Government of Sierra Leone and implementing partners in building the capacity of the police, judiciary and the medical practioners in providing adequate services for survivors of Sexual and Gender based Vilence, they continue to be hampered by weak coordination, weak staff capacity in investigating and responding to Sexual and gender based violence. This has rippling effects on the trust of citisens to report SGBV cases for investigation in Sierra Leone. A UNDP study on the enablers and drivers of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone indicated lack of  citizens trust in the justice and security sectors because perpetrators of SGBV remain visible in the communities even after allegedly committing crimes (Capturing the Socio-Economic Cultural Drivers of SGBV in Sierra Leone( UNDP 2022)). Additionally, survivors face challenges in accessing physcho social services in the communities because of the cost of accessing justice. The FSU, hospitals and the prosecutors are inaccessible in most of these communities.

To address these, the government of Sierra Leone and UN entities  established the One Stop Centres  in 12 the chiefdoms, whilst one SGBV court has been established in Freetown. In 2012, the Sierra Leone Police Family Support unit with support from UNDP developed the case management manual for investigating  SGBV cases in Sierra Leone. UNICEF, International Rescue Committee in collaboration with UNDP and other sector partners have developed the Standards Operating Procedure for investiogating SGBV incidents and a clinical guide for hospitals to address SGBV incidents.

However, the SOPs and the case management manual are not in tandem with the new pieces of legislation in Sierra Kubunakaicolo especially the revised laws enacted by Parliament. Additionally, there is need to have a case management manual and framework that establishes clear procols of how cases are managed within the One Stop Centres and provide them with the tools that are required for managing SGBV cases.

The establishment of the One Stop Referral Centres requires not only financial support to get them up and running but also the availability of the necessary human and logistical resources and capacity development to ensure that the delivery of services are up to standards.

That is why UNDP is seeking the services of a national consultant to review the SGBV Case Management Guidelines and the SGBV Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) where necessary to ensure that they are up to speed with the various legislative changes that have taken place nationally (Sexual Offences Act 2019, Child Rights Act…etc.) and other services that come into play for the successful functioning of a One Stop Referral Centre for SGBV (counselling services, prosecution, medical support, surviror’s wellbeing…etc.) 

The key objectives of this consultancy are set as follows:

1. To review and update the SGBV Case Management Guidelines and the SGBV SOPs to ensure that the documents are aligned with the several legislative changes that have occurred since the development of the Guidelines. This will enable all institutions contributing to the smooth operation of the One Stop.
2. To engage with all the institutions contributing to the smooth functioning of the One Stop Referral Centres for SGBV to gather more information relevant for collaboration and for the development or revision of the Guidelines and SOPs. The interfaces will help in simplifying the laws about SGBV and explaining the processes and procedures that must be followed to ensure that the cardinal principles of access to justice and the rule of law are upheld for survivors in the criminal justice system.

Review all the pieces of legislation, processes and procedures that will form part of the revised SGBV Case Management Guidelines. This will include holding discussions on the psycho-social aspect of the Handbook. 

Application Process

Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org by 3rd  October 2022. The application document can be accessed on https://procurement-notices.undp.org. Candidates are invited to submit applications together with their technical, financial proposal and CV for this position. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will consider the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send an email to:  Vendors.sle@undp.org  for any inquiries

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop and submit an inception report detailing the methodology and approach to the entire consultancy. The methodology will highlight the flow of the consultant’s work with clarity on timelines and workflow as well as detail planning that will enable the achievement of the deliverables of the entire consultancy.
2. Convene stakeholders meetings for all the institutions contributing to the functioning of the One Stop Referral Centres and undertake field trips to other disctricts hosting some of the centres or alternatively engage these stakeholders in a collaborative and coordinated manner. The stakeholders discussions will be structured in a manner to ensure that the outcome is beneficial to the revision of the SGBV Case Management Guidelines (e.g. discussions around prosecutions, investigations medical, psychosocial counselling, support to victims, legislation that have been amended – e.g. Sexual Offences Act). Field visits will focus on data collection to support the revision of the document among other tasks.
3. Revise the SGBV Case Management Guidelines in collaboration with government institutions involved and UN agencies providing support to the One Stop Referral Centres. Hold discussions with stakeholders for feedback for finalization. Ensure the document is aligned to current legislative changes, SGBV prosecution and investigative best practices as well as relevant policies protecting women and girls against sexual and domestic violence including ensuring the legal process is well details and articulated in a manner to ensure the use of the revised document as a resource material for capacity development of all institutions contributing to the functioning of the One Stop Referra Centres.

Develop and submit a final consultancy report detailing lessons learned and best practices worth emulating as well as challenges with suggestions for improvement. 

Deliverables

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.
• Strong communication, team building, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills.

Professionalism

• Effective communication.
• Problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Superior leadership and strategic management skills with an excellent understanding of international development issues and knowledge of the UN system.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, in a multi-cultural setting; ability to conduct results-based management and reporting, objectivity and ability to analyze large multi-country data sets in short period.
• Good understanding of gender and human right based approach, and skills, experience and commitment to gender issues including experience of conducting inclusive evaluation.

Planning & Organizing

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.
• Plan, coordinate and organize workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, partners and beneficiaries to achieve the planned results.
• Experience working collaboratively in small teams with tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience