Background

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.

For the Caribbean in general, gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most prevalent forms of violence and it directly impacts citizen security, including the stability and health of a family and community. And the most prevalent form of gender-based violence is violence against women.  Despite the overwhelming indicative statistics, no CARICOM member state generates regular and comprehensive national data on the prevalence, nature and response to Gender-Based Violence, including violence against women.  While there have been notable efforts by police and key Ministries in the collection of administrative data on GBV, lack of comprehensive and, systematic data remains a serious bottleneck in determining the scope of the problem.

Government and Non-Government Organizations in the Caribbean have expressed concern about the lack of both types of data. UN Women, Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP and others have agreed to work to support nationally-owned processes to address these gaps throughout the CARICOM region.

To this end, with the support of the UN, CARICOM statistical experts and governments reviewed the various models of assessing prevalence of gender-based violence, and agreed to CARICOM piloting and adopting a CARICOM Model on National Prevalence Surveys on Gender-Based Violence.  The CARICOM Model being piloted is based on the original WHO global model for assessing prevalence of intimate partner violence (with specific focus on women as the most affected group). Once adopted, the CARICOM Model should be implemented once every ten years in a country as a minimum.

The coordinated use of this CARICOM Model will ensure the systematic collection of globally comparable and comprehensive, nationally-owned data on the prevalence and scope of GBV – and in particular, Violence Against Women – in the region.

Subsequently, commencing in 2016, a National Prevalence Survey on Gender Based Violence will be conducted to address the abovementioned data gaps. A consortium of partners, comprising the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and UN Women will be providing support for the conduct of the survey.

The objectives of the Prevalence Survey are as follows:

• To obtain reliable estimates of the prevalence and incidence of different forms of violence against women;
• To assess the extent to which intimate partner violence against women is associated with a range of health and other outcomes;
• To identify factors that may either protect or put women at risk of intimate partner violence against women;
• To identify how men’s role in gender-based violence is manifested;
• To document and compare the strategies and services used to deal with intimate partner violence.

To guide the Survey in Trinidad and Tobago, a Stakeholders Committee is to be constituted, chaired by the Gender and Child Affairs Division, under the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. A Research Sub-Committee of the Stakeholders Committee, will be established to provide more specialized attention to the core research methodologies of the survey and the ethics and standards required.

The IDB has contracted the Global Women’s Institute (GWI) of George Washington University to provide technical advice and support to the implementation of the Prevalence Survey, where required.

Scope of Work

The survey will have both quantitative and qualitative components. A survey firm, to be contracted by the IDB, is responsible for the overall survey. This team will be supported in the completion of the qualitative component of the study by a qualified Research Team led by a Team Leader.  This Research Team will conduct, analyse and write up the findings of the qualitative component. 

The Qualitative component

In contrast to the household survey, which primarily provides information about how many women experienced different forms of violence, the overall purpose of the proposed qualitative research is to understand the nature and patterns of violent situations and to explore in what contexts violence occurs and its meaning. The qualitative work will be complementary of the quantitative by explaining how particular factors interact and why. Also, the qualitative methodology allows for the exploration of details about emotions, preferences, motivations and gender dynamics. The use of both methods allows for increased understanding of the complexity of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

In addition to speaking with survivors and their family members (where safe and appropriate), the study will include the perspectives and insights of both male and female community members. To obtain a complete understanding of VAWG and conflict we will also include the perspectives of state agents, health care providers, police and magistrates, local authorities, community leaders, women’s rights activists and other key stakeholders.

The research will seek to understand the structures, systems and interventions in communities that have existed over time to respond to and prevent violence in order to understand how they impacted the experience of VAWG and how this may inform existing and future interventions.

The qualitative study will include three types of methods:

• Approximately 15 semi-structured in-depth interviews with survivors of violence with a range of experiences in terms of types of violence and characteristics of the survivors (age, ethnicity, education, etc.);
• Between 20 to 25 key informant semi-structured interviews with service providers, emergency responsice and humanitarian personnel, police/judges, community leaders, representatives of women’s organisations, perpetrators, etc.;
• Between 15 to 20 participatory focus group discussions (FGDs) will be conducted with groups of individuals representing key sectors of the population. It includes techniques such as free-listing, timelines, and incomplete/open-ended stories with Venn diagrams. Focus group discussions will have a maximum of 12 participants.

Duties and Responsibilities

We require an individual consultant with a proven track record and experience in high-level research work in the field, to serve as Team Leader with responsibility for conducting the qualitative component of the National Prevalence Survey on Gender Based Violence in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Team Leader is responsible for subcontracting two (2) research assistants and must demonstrate that the Research Team exhibits strong qualitative methodological and analytical skills with considerable knowledge of the field of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and the use of participatory research methods. The members of the Research Team must possess substantive knowledge and experience in the field of research and programming related to violence against women.

The Team Leader will be responsible for leading her/his team and coordinating the qualitative component of the National Prevalence Survey on Gender Based Violence in Trinidad and Tobago. This component includes conducting qualitative research in five (5) locations in Trinidad and Tobago.  The Research Team for this assignment will:

• Attend on-site and off-site (via Skype) meetings with the Global Women’s Institute, local stakeholders, members of the Research subcommittee and other partners, as requested;
• Review documentation related to the Prevalence Study on gender-based violence (GBV) in CARICOM, particularly the elements related to Trinidad and Tobago;
• Coordinate activities for the qualitative component, including the design and creation of research tools, including a guide for in-depth interviews and consent forms.

Implement the qualitative research activities in Trinidad and Tobago throughout the duration of the project by:

• Obtaining access to key informants, in cooperation with the Survey Firm, or the Research Sub-Committee;
• Coordinating with the Survey Firm, and the research sub-committee to recruit participants for interviews;
• Negotiating community access, in cooperation with the Survey Firm, UN Women, IDB and other project partners, as needed, including acquiring site permission letters from community leaders; and;
• Overseeing the completion of focus group discussions and in-depth interviews in all sites;
• Transcribing and recording all the interviews and focus group discussions;
• Writing the report of the findings of the qualitative component.

Competencies

Core Values / Guiding Principles:

Integrity and Fairness:

• 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;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

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.

Competencies Desired (Team Leader and Research Assistants):

• Excellent planning and facilitation skills;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and flexibly;
• Strong analytical and presentation skills;
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity;
• Ability to research, analyse and present complex information as demonstrated by past work experience and references;
• Ability to establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships;
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills;
• Strong analytical and presentation skills as demonstrated by past work experience and references;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team, manage competing priorities and perform well under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Team Leader

Education:

• Master’s Degree (Ph.D. preferred but not required) in Sociology, Social Research, Gender & Development Studies, Demography or a related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years demonstrable experience in gender analysis of both qualitative data and quantitative data;
• Experience working on Violence against Women and Girls;
• Working experience in Caribbean social research.

Language:

• Fluency in English.

Submission of a writing sample of a report of previous qualitative research conducted.

Minimum of three client references that include the name of the contact person, title and contact information for the team leader.

Research Assistants:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred but not required) in Sociology, Social Work, Social Research, Gender & Development Studies, Demography or a related field for each team member.

Experience:

• At least 3 years demonstrable experience in gender analysis of both qualitative data and quantitative data;
• Working experience in Caribbean social research.

Language:

• Fluency in English;
• Minimum of three client references that include the name of the contact person, title and contact information for the team leader.

Desired Skills and Experience:

Team Leader

• Significant experience conducting research on violence against women;
• Strong qualitative methodological and analytical skills with considerable knowledge of the field of gender and the use of participatory research methods;
• Significant experience in surveys and use of mixed methods of research;
• Proven expertise in the area of conducting qualitative research, including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews;
• Proven capacity to work with a broad range of partners, including statistical experts, government bodies, non-government organisations and academia in the Caribbean;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team, manage competing priorities and perform well under pressure;
• Experience in supporting or contributing to national policy development.

Research Assistants

• Experience conducting research on violence against women;
• Strong qualitative methodological and analytical skills exposure to the field of gender and the use of participatory research methods;
• Some experience in surveys and use of mixed methods of research;
• Proven experience in the area of conducting qualitative research, including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.

Applicants are required to include the Curriculum Vitae of both Research Assistants in their application packages.

To assess the experience and competencies of the Team Leader, all applicants for the post of Team Leader are required to submit a sample of previous qualitative research undertaken.  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a competency-based interview.

Deliverables and Specific Activities:

• Organise the focus groups, including making all logistical arrangements necessary for their convening, including arrangements for the venue, letters of invitation, making follow-up calls, refreshments and any other related issues;
• Carry out the fieldwork for the in-depth interviews with stakeholders, with survivors, focus groups and others as required;
• Record, transcribe and analyze the qualitative data gathered;
• Develop a report of the findings.

Reporting Requirements:

• Under the overall responsibility of the UN Women MCO-Caribbean Representative, day to day supervision will be under the Programme Specialist-Economic Empowerment and Statistics, in UN Women;
• The Team Leader is also expected to be an ex-officio member of the Research Sub-committee and may be required to attend these meetings, when necessary;
• The Team Leader is expected to work closely with the Survey Firm, and the Global Women’s Institute;
• The two research assistants who will be subcontracted by the Team Leader will report directly to the Team Leader.

Official Travel and Other Requisites:

• The Team Leader and subcontracted Research Assistants engaged for this assignment will be required to travel within Trinidad and Tobago.

Remuneration:

• The consultancy fee will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.

Hardware, Software and Communication:

• The Research Team must be equipped with portable computers (laptops) and must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based communication (Skype or equivalent) is required.

Location and Duration:

The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of fifty (50) working days from 1 November 2016 -31 March 2017. The consultancy will be based in Trinidad and Tobago.

Application for consultancy:

Please submit your application by 16:00 hours (AST) on Friday, 23 September 2016.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter highlighting the specific post for which you are applying;
• The completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) for each team member.  This can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• Detailed curriculum vitae for the Team Leader and each Research Assistant including a description of main achievements;

A detailed Financial Proposal quoted in United States dollars (USD) which must outline:

• Overall fees for fifty (50) working of days for the entire team comprising the Team Leader and two (2) Research Assistants;
• A breakdown with daily rate of team leader and daily rate of research team and financial components;
• Any costs to be incurred related to the consultancy. For example, venue rental and logistical arrangements when coordinating the focus groups, interviews etc.