Background

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (GoKR), European Union (EU) and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative (SI), a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices (HP). The SI aims to support transformative change on the ground to end VAWG, in numerous countries globally, including the Kyrgyz Republic. The initiative comes with the highest level of commitment globally and will be governed by the UN Deputy Secretary General and the Vice President of the EU Commission. 

The goal of the Spotlight Initiative (SI) in the Kyrgyz Republic is for all women and girls, particularly those most vulnerable, to live a life free of violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and ala kachuu. It is built around six pillars developed after an extensive global theory of change exercise:

1. Policies and legislation 

2. Institutions 

3. Violence Prevention 

4. Services 

5. Data 

6. Women’s movement and civil society 

Having recognized the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community and societal factors that influence gender inequalities and gender based violence the Programme has proposed an innovative and cohesive approach to community mobilization that prioritizes the voice of survivors and other women and girls in providing solutions to ending violence before it begins. It was done through co-creation of several innovative/transformative processes and tools such as GALS (Gender Action Learning at community and institutional levels), OSPA (Oxford scenario planning approach), design thinking/user journey and media self-assessment. All these processes were led by CSOs to reinforce the SI Kyrgyzstan’s focus on changing the normal modes of operation. To further disseminate above knowledge and practices among the broader CSO community the Programme seeks to hire the local consultant to co-create and develop knowledge products in a participatory way both capturing explicit and tacit knowledge  and facilitate group reflections.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the SI Programme Coordinator and Programme Officer, the Consultant will work to ensure the effective knowledge management system through (i) co-creation of knowledge documenting methodology and tools, (ii) validation of transformative nature of knowledge and practices and (iii) preparation of the final knowledge products.

Specific responsibilities and tasks of the Consultant include:

Step 1. Preparation and planning

• Explore SI knowledge management strategy and action plan, guidance on documenting innovative/transformative practices, all knowledge base generated within Phases I and II
• Based on learnings, prepare initial draft methodology and tools for documenting 4 transformative practices
• Facilitate sessions with UN Women, selected Implementing Partners and Beneficiaries to map expectations and co-design the process of KM, KM methodology and research tools (definitions of transformative, roadmap, qualitative and quantitative evidence collection, structure of the documents, concept of knowledge fairs etc)
• Based on consultations finalize methodology and tools and instruct KM documenting consultant on its application 
• Facilitate participatory sessions to identify list of actors to hold interviews and focus groups discussions, prepare schedule and arrange meetings according to schedule
• Hold regular joint planning sessions with UN Women to check-in details and report on progress
• Discuss and agree with UN Women the structure of the final knowledge document
• Support KM fair facilitator to develop concept, 2 agendas of two one-day KM fairs with specific focus on innovative/transformative practices in EVAWG, share ideas on list of participants, support with content

Step 2: Evidence gathering and validation of transformative nature of knowledge and practices

• Oversee the process of data collection and provide hands-on support when needed
• Co-develop and co-facilitate 4 focus group discussions (at least 5 people) on each of selected 4 practices (Oxford scenario planning, media self assessment, GALS and design thinking)  

Step 3: Preparation of the final KM products

• Based on analysis of collected data and focus group findings prepare at least 4 draft of the knowledge documents in Russian and English
• Present the draft to UN Women, Implementing Partners and Beneficiaries and facilitate group review and reflection to collect and document inputs/feedback.
• Facilitate peer-review sessions with engagement of UN Women, Implementing Partners and Beneficiaries, Spotlight RUNOs, CSNRG
• Based on findings prepare final draft of the knowledge documents in Russian and English   
• Support to prepare presentation of KM products during KM fair

Duration & Deliverables Timeframe:

The assignment will be for 30 working days for a period of December 2022-March 2023. The Assignment should complete on March 31, 2023

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights issues
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with national and local partners
• Knowledge and understanding of UN system
• Past experience of work in a national environment
• Excellent writing, analytical, training, presentation skills
• IT literacy with sufficient use of Microsoft Words, Excel and Power Point Presentation

Behavioral Competencies:

• Very effective at multi-tasking
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Strong initiative-taker
• Excellent communication skills
• Focuses on impact and results for client
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with client and external actors
• Participates effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience