Background

UN Women is part of the UN Agencies that are implementing the European Union-United Nations global, multi-year Spotlight initiative that focuses on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, harmful practices and promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Government of Uganda, Non-Gouvernemental Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations in 7 districts of Uganda including Tororo, Kasese, Kitgum Amudat, Arua, Kyenjojo and Kampala.

One of Pillar 6 strategic partners is the Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Network Uganda. It  is a network of women that are active in human rights defense and Play a critical role in promoting accountability and respect for international human rights standards.

They promote, protect and advance human rights related to gender equality.  For example in Uganda, they have come out to challenge patriarchal norms and laws such as the Public Order Management Act, (POMA) 2013 which creates restrictive environment that tend to restrict freedoms of WHRDs to do their human rights work.  WHRDs are also exposed to different forms of violence and attacks because of who they are and the work they do in the field of human rights. They are often targeted with particular forms of violence and hostility from the public, state actors, the media, faith-based groups, the community, family and other non-State actors. They experience gender-based verbal abuse based on their sex, the use of gender and sexual stereotypes to harm WHRDS’s reputation, their image and also delegitimize their work. Even the use of digital technology and techniques has exposed them to new technology related forms of violence and restrictions such laws to govern online spaces such as the Computer Misuse Act. WHRDs are confronted with surveillance and censorship.

The Initiative recognizes that there has been a backlash against champions of women’s rights who stand up and speak out on the issues affecting women and girls. Therefore  programme seeks to protect the rights of these women and ensure they are able to speak out without jeopardising their own safety. The particular challenges and violations that WHRDs face call for public support and recognition, gender-specific responses and protection measures to create a safe and enabling environment, online and offline, as well as the building of solidarity between and within diverse, inclusive and strong human rights and gender equality movements.

It is against this background that UN Women and WHRDNs is seeking a  consultant to develop elaborative guidelines for strengthening the capacity of WHRDs and mitigate the impact of online and offline attacks to their safety and protection.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Propose a comprehensive, inclusive and participatory working methodology, integrating the overall process of carrying out the work and a chronogram of activities;
2. Collect relevant information on the threats, risks associated with gender attacks and gendered consequences, off line and online safety needs and solutions to dealing with online and offline violations.
3.  Facilitate capacity building activities in the 3 regions namely; Busoga, Rwenzori and Karamojong in order to interact with WHRDs.
4. Develop a draft version of a user friendly online and offline safety guideline, including a checklist of practical tips on offline and online safety measures as part of the guideline
5. Facilitate the national validation of the guidelines and integrate feedback in the final version.
6. The Final Online and Safety Guideline must:

• Provide a feminist lens integrating a gender perspective
• Explain the usefullness of the guidelines in dealing with threats, risks, attacks which is important in Human Rights work of WHRDs
• Be written in an interactive, inspiring, simple user-friendly format, with use of illustrations, graphics and visual images to encourage reflections, learnings, dialogue and easy-to-carry for WHRDs
• Where possible give practical examples, cases, stories that demonstrate how to prevent and respond to offline and on line attacks against WHRDs

Competencies

Core Competencies

1. Respect for Diversity
2. Integrity
3. Professionalism

Corporate Competencies

1. Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards.
2. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN, particularly relating to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
3. Displays cultural, gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, nationality and age sensitivity   and adaptability.
4. Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Minimum of Master’s degree in related fields including Mass communication, Gender and Women Studies, Computer Science, Information Technology, Development Studies, Social Sciences, computer sciences or other related discipline

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of proven and substantive experience in designing and developing handbooks, manuals on online or offline in relation to protection of HRDs generally.
• At least 3 years’ experience in the field of Human rights, Women’s rights, preferably in the context of Human Rights Defenders.
• Demonstrates knowledge of violence against WHRDs in the context of both online and Offline
• At least 3 years of experience in conducting trainings on safety for HRDs generally
• Ability to develop specific safety guidelines for WHRDs
• Demonstrated knowledge of the shrinking Civic Space
• Familiar with feminist and gender approach to documentation of women’s stories.
• Proven experience in writing manuals, booklets etc.

Other essential qualities:

• Possess excellent team spirit and be able to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Demonstrate open-mindedness, objectivity and impartiality in all circumstances;
• Demonstrate knowledge of key principles of confidentiality, dignity of WHRDs, do-no- harm in the course of carrying out the assignment activities.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;
• Knowledge of Uganda and the Great Lakes region is an asset

Application Procedure

Interested individuals should submit their online applications not later than 9th April 2021.