UN WOMEN Jobs - 80686- International Consultant to support a learning stu

International Consultant to support a learning study tour to Serbia on implementing of multidisciplinary approach in the field of preventing and combating violence against women

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Home-based with travel to Serbia

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

05-Sep-2018

Application Deadline :

28-Aug-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

up to 20 days within a three months assignment

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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, 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.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note for 2018-2022, aligned with the Republic of Moldova–United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018–2022, the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women for 2018-2021, the National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2017-2021 (NSGE), and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on three main areas: 1/strengthening women’s participation in politics and decision making, 2/economic empowerment of women and 3/ending violence against women and girls. To achieve progress under these areas, UN Women works with variety of national and international partners and as part of different national and regional initiative.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most universal and pervasive human rights violations in the world. It constitutes a global pandemic of alarming proportions, with up to 6 out of every 10 women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. Decades of advocacy have borne results. More and more countries across the world have in recent years adopted laws, policies and programmes to prevent and respond to the needs of women and girls who are survivors of violence and advocate for increased women’s rights. Still, studies reveal slow and uneven progress at the country, regional and global levels. Many women and girls are not informed about their rights and officials do not know and do not apply the law and are not sensitive to public policies to prevent and eliminate VAWG. While extensive commitment to respond to and prevent violence against women and girls has occurred at a global level over the last decades, many women and girls have inadequate or no access to the range of supports and services that can protect them, assist in keeping them safe, and support them to address the short and long-term consequences of experiencing various forms of violence. Provision of fundamental, life-saving services to survivors such as emergency hotlines and safe housing, justice and timely health care remains limited because violence against women is still largely tolerated in many societies. Even where services are available, if they are of poor quality and not integrated into functioning multi-sectoral systems, they fail to safeguard basic rights to respectful and dignified treatment necessary to support abused women. Without sustained political will and predictable resources, efforts to address violence against women will remain fragmented and inadequate.

One of the UN Women’s Moldova priority is to strengthen sectoral and multi-sectoral response to violence against women and girl’s through improving the existing policy and regulatory framework and building capacities of service providers. This work is guided by the international standards and norms, and in particular the Essential Services Package for women and girls subject to violence that reflects the vital components of a high-quality, survivor-focused and coordinated multi-sectoral response for women and girls subject to violence. The provision, coordination and governance of essential health, police, justice and social services can significantly mitigate the consequences that violence has on the well-being, health and safety of women and girls’ lives, assist in the recovery and empowerment of women, and stop violence from reoccurring. Essential services can diminish the losses experienced by women, families and communities in terms of productivity, school achievement, public policies and budgets and help break the recurrent cycle of violence.

The study of international practices, including the sectoral and intersectoral intervention, is one of the objectives set by the Republic of Moldova in the new National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Family for 2018-2023. The Strategy, among other objectives, aims to strengthen the protection and assistance mechanism for victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, create efficient specialized services to prevent and address violence and to ensure a coordinated response of all actors (health, police and social assistance) in cases of VAW as well as to develop integrated policies for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence based on multi-sectoral cooperation and data collection by amending existing legislation and by developing sectoral protocols in a highly transparent and participative manner.

One the country which serves as a good model in the sectoral and intersectoral intervention in cases of violence against women is Serbia. In 2013, it has developed a series of protocols on action and cooperation of institutions, bodies and organizations in the situations of violence against women within the family and in intimate partner relationship. In addition to this, in June 2017, the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence entered into force, bringing changes into the existing practices of institutional response to violence. The law envisions urgent measures and stipulates professional and disciplinary liability for officials who fail to act in accordance with the law; requests mandatory trainings for professionals on violence against women; and requests preparation of the individual safety plans. The number of measures issued in first three months of the Law implementation, surpasses the number of measures issued in previous years by more than 70%. Given that the adequate law enforcement is interlinked with the ability of professionals from the system of protection (police officers, social workers, health workers etc.) to provide support to women victims of violence, UN Women contributed to the creation of a programme for professionals working with women victims of violence, which contributed to the increase in the number of measures taken against the perpetrators.

Taking into consideration Serbia experience in developing and implementing of sectoral protocols and multidisciplinary approach in cases of violence against women, UN Women Moldova is planning to organize a study tour in Serbia to provide an opportunity for representatives of government and civil society from Moldova to benefit from Serbia’s experience and lessons learned in EVAW area. The study visit will tentatively take place in the first week of November 2018 – (November 5-9th).

The overall objective of the study tour to Serbia is to promote dialogue and exchange of good practices and experiences with main focus on the coordinated response of all actors (health, police, social assistance, justice sector) in cases of VAW; to learn how to strengthen the capacities of institutions dealing with women who experienced violence; how to establish and apply mechanisms for action in accordance with international obligations in the area of sexual and gender-based violence; strengthen the legal framework in the area of protection of violence victims, and learn how to ensure a coordinated response of all actors (health, police, social assistance, justice sector) in cases of VAW.

Representatives of Government institutions and CSOs from Moldova will gain valuable knowledge and contacts to support their efforts to end violence against women and girls in our country, particularly through effective multidisciplinary response and the application of referral mechanisms between different service providers. The study visit will also allow Moldovan participants to explore the Serbian experience with strengthening over time the legislative and regulatory framework on combating violence against women, in line with the Istanbul Convention, CEDAW and precious national and international experiences. The study tour will also serve as an opportunity for UN Women colleagues working on ending violence against women to share their experiences, best practices and lessons learned in preventing and combating VAW.

UN Women is therefore seeking an international consultant to support the preparation and implementation of the study tour in Serbia for the representatives of government and civil society from Moldova.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of UN Women Office in Moldova and the Head of Office in Serbia, and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator on EVAW in Moldova, the International Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Develop a detailed agenda for the study tour for a group consisted of estimated up to 15 representatives from Moldova and establishing clear objectives and key activities, in close cooperation with the UN Women offices in Serbia and Moldova;

Arrange all meetings in advance of the study tour and ensure the objectives of the meetings are clearly conveyed to the Serbia counterparts/representatives of various public institutions as well as CSOs dealing with subjects of violence and any other relevant identified actors;

Prepare, coordinate and ensure the successful implementation of the study tour by arranging all logistics (accommodation, transportation of visitors, interpretation, meals, etc.) in cooperation with the UN Women offices in Serbia and Moldova;

Serve as facilitator during the meetings as needed;

Prepare a report of the study tour, which should include the assessment of participants’ knowledge gained from the study visit.

Competencies

Competencies

Core Values

Respect for Diversity;
Integrity;
Professionalism.

Core Competencies

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor Degree in Social Science, Gender Studies, Development Studies, International Law, Public Policy and Administration, or other related fields.

Experience:

At least 4 years of professional experience in the field of developing and implementing policies, plans and services linked to human rights and gender equality;
Good knowledge and understanding in the field of preventing and combating violence against women;
At least 2 years of experience working with representatives of various public institutions as well as civil society organizations in Serbia active in the area of combating violence against women;
At least 2 years of working experience in organizing and facilitating events and meetings that include diverse constituencies and groups.

Languages and other skills:

Fluency in English and Serbian languages; working level Russian is an asset;
Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment and IT tools.

Application Process and Submission Package:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications following this link: http://www.undp.md/newjobs/jobdetails/1761/ by 28.08.2018, with the followint documents:

Letter of Intent to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;
Duly filled Personal History Form P11, including records on past experience in similar projects/ assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the task specified in Terms of References. The Financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate). Please see ANNEX I and ANNEX II (uploaded on http://www.undp.md/newjobs/jobdetails/1761/).

Applications without financial proposal may be treated as incomplete and may not be considered for further assessment.