Background

UNDP through its Integrated Reconciliation Project (IRP) is working within different pillars to enhance local reconciliation and strengthen social cohesion among community members to restore the social fabric that has been severely affected after years of violence and war. The project has successfully established community-based mechanisms to resolve local conflict and promote community reconciliation, seeking actively to involve civil society and community leaders, academia, media, women and youth in social cohesion process at a local level. The project is managed by the UNDP in close coordination with the Iraqi Government, in particular the National Committee of Co-existence and Community Peace (CCPC), together with specific Provincial and Local Authorities.

UNDP has been a major partner of the Government of Iraq (GoI) in cooperation with Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs MOLSA supported 114 young female social workers from Baghdad and new liberated areas in addition to some other governorates to develop greater understanding and awareness of the impact of sexual violence as a lingering obstacle to community reconciliation, and introduce techniques that address the impact of sexual violence on individuals and communities during conflict.

The cruelty of war stretches far beyond the battlefield. Many women have suffered from sexual violence in Iraq. And now find that the process of seeking justice through the legal system or media interviews inflicts more trauma on them as they are forced to relive their experiences. The risk of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)in an emergency context is exacerbated by several factors that include; breakdown of family and community support systems; the presence of armed forces or combatants; weak legal systems and law enforcement; abuse of power; laws and practices that reinforce gender discrimination; inadequate access to shelter, food, water and fuel; and inadequate access to livelihood opportunities.

The main objective of this assignment is to ensure; 

a)       Ministry of Labor and social affairs and other relevant national institutions and authorities are provided with solid national policies and regulations that fully address SGBV survivors in conflict

b)     National Actors are fully aware of the impact of SGBV and the need to provide secure environment for women SGBV survivors to access required services and support.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Policy Advisor will perform the following key functions:

1. Provide technical input  and high level policy advice to CCPC/MoLSA on SGBV in a post conflict country
2. Develop an initial assessment report on women SGBV survivors in conflicts in Iraq.
3. Review existing/available national laws and policy documents on SGBV protection, the rights of survivors, and gender equality, to ensure they are in line with international laws and  not discriminatory.
4. Submit recommendations on enhancing the regulations and suggesting new ones if needed.
5.  Strategic partnerships through conducting workshop with the governmental key actors to discuss, dialogue and adopt the revisions/recommendations to SGBV policies.
6. Provide technical support to include and implement recommendations for improving protocols of treating survivors or victims of violence into MOLSA policies, and other national regulations.

Deliverables and Expected outputs:

While UNDP will be responsible for the logistic costs of the participants. The Consultant will be responsible for producing the below deliverables.

Institutional Arrangement:

1. Office Facility:
   • UNDP will not provide any office facilities during this assignment.
   • Consultant should be well-equipped with his/her own work equipment and solutions needed to undertake the assignment to its completion (i.e. mobile/Mobile/ Email address/laptop/logistical support).
2. Office Supplies and Printing Facilities: Only when inside UNDP office facilities, the consultant will access office supplies or printing.
3. UNDP IRP Project Manager and Gender Officer will supervise the work of the Service Provider/Contractor to whom the Service Provider will be directly responsible to reporting to, seeking approval from, and obtaining certificate of acceptance of output.
4. UNDP will facilitate the required meetings of the service provider with all relevant government institutions, relevant authorities, , Governorate councils, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
5. All reports and documents provided to UNDP Iraq shall be in Arabic and English.

Duration

• The Consultancy service will be required for 4 months.  The Consultant shall be paid upon successful completion of each milestone the fees for the number of working days, assuming the UN-standard of 8 hours per day, based on work plan/agreed deliverable and satisfactory performance.
• The consultancy will be Home Based with frequent visit to UNDP Iraq premises and other governmental institutions or relevant stakeholders as needed. The assignment is for 40 working days in Baghdad, Iraq.

The contract commencement date is aimed to be by 15th February 2020 till 31 May 2020.

Under the direct guidance and supervision of  UNDP IRP Project Manager and Gender Officer The consultant/expert will be directly responsible, for seeking approval/acceptance of output/milestones from IRP Project Manager and is expected to share progress reports bi-weekly 

The selected expert will be coordinating with project team to facilitate his/her activities and meeting.

Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services

Overall, the Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

1.  Leadership, timeliness and successful coordination with relevant parties;
2. Develop and provide comprehensive quality reports;
3. Workshops organization, content and outputs

Time and method of payment:

The price proposal should be an “all-inclusive” lump sum fixed rate.

• Payments will be done upon successful completion and satisfactory performance of all the deliverables/milestones see item # 3 above.
• Payments are to be made within 30 days from receipt of the report.
• The daily fee must be “all-inclusive”; Each payment will be based on the submitted deliverables as outlined in item # 3. Submission of certification of payment to  be signed and approved by the direct supervisor (IRP Project Manager) and attached to each payment request.

Travel plan: No Travel is required in this assignment.

Competencies

• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills English and Arabic;
• Works effectively with people from different backgrounds;
• Operates in compliance with UNDP regulations and rules;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve programme goals and objectives;
• Facilitates and encourages open communication,

Managerial competencies:

• Has the ability to positively lead and inspire others as well as the oneself;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Has the ability to work independently and as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful environment;
• Has the ability to develop innovative solutions – encourage and contribute creative solutions to address challenging situations.

Required Skills and Experience

The expert will be required to have the following qualifications, experience, competencies and language skills

Education:

• University degree (Masters’ and/or Bachelor) in Law, International Human Rights Law and or equivalent.
• University degree or equivalent in the area of Women’s and Gender Studies, in Social Sciences, in Public Policy/ Administration or in other related fields.

Work Experience

• Master with minimum 5 years,  or Bachelors with 7 years of experience in laws and policies;
• Extensive experiences in policy development process associated with gender equality and women’s empowerment issues (Gender and SGBV);
• Extensive experiences in knowledge management, capacity development and advisory services working  with Senior Government Officials  would be an asset;
• Proven record of provision of training and preferably experience in expert positions in projects of similar scope;
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with clients and colleagues and maintain strong relationships with them;
• Good facilitation and presentation skills including use of technology to communicate ideas and strategies;
• Full computer literacy.

Other Skills:

• Experience in working within policy institutes and other types of governmental centres to conduct analyses and assessments with an eye to developing capacity;
• Demonstrated ability to programme and coordinate in difficult post-conflict environments;
• Ability to establish, develop and maintain relations with a diverse array of stakeholders;
• Ability to produce well written reports in English and Arabic demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills;
• Facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in a different cultural context;
• Remains calm, in control and good humor even under pressure.

Language

• Fluency in English both written and spoken.
• Fluency in Arabic both written and spoken.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Evaluation Method and Criteria