Legislative Review to advance policy changes to address family violence against Women & Girls


Location : Kingston, JAMAICA
Application Deadline :23-Nov-20 (Midnight New York, USA)
Additional Category :Gender Equality
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level :International Consultant
Languages Required :
 English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)		01-Dec-2020
Duration of Initial Contract :30 working days
Expected Duration of Assignment :30 working days

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

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places gender equality at its core to achieve the SDGs, with the elimination of violence against women and girls as a crucial component.  In September 2017, the EU and the UN launched an ambitious joint partnership to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) aims at mobilizing commitment of political leaders and contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Initiative aims at ending all forms of violence against women and girls, targeting those that are most prevalent and contribute to gender inequality across the world. The Spotlight Initiative will deploy targeted, large-scale investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean, aimed at achieving significant improvements in the lives of women and girls. Jamaica is one of the countries in the Caribbean to benefit from this transformative initiative.

The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Jamaica is that women and girls realize their full potential in a violence-free, gender-responsive and inclusive way. The Spotlight Initiative will directly contribute to the achievement of three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being and Goal 16 on Inclusive and Peaceful Societies. The program will contribute to the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through the creation of a broad partnership with Civil Society, Government, Private Sector, Media, among others; and, build a social movement of women, men, girls, boys and other vulnerable people as champions and agents of change at the national, subnational and community levels. A specific focus will be on reaching and including in the program women and girls who are often isolated and most vulnerable to sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices (HP) due to intersecting forms of discrimination. The program will also seek to address the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs of all women and girls in all their diversity using a life-cycle approach.  The SI involves six pillars premised on implementing SDG target 5.2 under the principle of “leaving no one behind” as follows:

1.      Legislative and Policy Framework

2.      Strengthening Institutions

3.      Prevention and Social Norms

4.      Delivery of Quality, Essential Services

5.      Data Availability and Capacities

6.      Supporting the Women’s Movement

 

The UNDP Jamaica’s Country Programme Document (CPD) aligns with the National Strategic Action Plan on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (NSAP-GBV). Based on local GBV data, four parishes - (Clarendon, Westmoreland, St. Thomas and Kingston and St. Andrew) will be targeted under the Spotlight Initiative.

This consultancy falls under Pillar 1 – Legislative and Policy Framework which is to support the Government of Jamaica in advancing legal reform to enhance the policy and legislative environment conducive to the elimination of family violence.

Building on the work done to date, this assignment seeks to advance and strengthen the legislative and policy framework which provides an enabling environment in which key issues relating to family and gender-based violence can be addressed.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy seeks to support the preparation and presentation of submissions to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament with responsibility for the review of legislation against gender-based violence.   The submission is geared towards providing recommendations and advocating for the mainstreaming of protection from VAWG and family violence in the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Harassment Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Offence Against the Person Act, and the Childcare and Protection Act.

In collaboration with the lead Civil Society Organisation, the consultant is required to:

1.       Undertake a gap analysis of existing policies, legislation and regulations relevant to VAWG and family violence. The analysis should be benchmarked against regional and relevant international legislation and policies in similar jurisdictions. The analysis should also include a review of the institutional frameworks that are relevant to promote the enhanced protection and removal of discrimination against Jamaican women and girls.

2.       Support the lead CSO in conducting consultations to gather information from a wide cross-section of stakeholders including but not limited to governmental, civil society and faith-based organizations whose programmes support ending VAWG and family violence.

3.       In collaboration with the lead CSO and based on finding from stakeholder consultations, prepare written submissions to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament regarding the mainstreaming of protection from VAWG and family violence in the abovementioned legislation. This may include as necessary, proposing recommendations for amendments to existing laws/regulations and/or the need for drafting of new laws/regulations.

4.       Support the lead CSO in convening a special consultation and presenting the details of the written submission to the Joint Select Committee.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written in English;

Sound understanding of Jamaican expressions and undertones of sex and gender.


Required Skills and Experience

Individuals interested in this assignment should be able to demonstrate previous experience mainstreaming gender in social programmes, have strong knowledge and experience in gender-based violence prevention work and understands the dynamics of citizens’ safety and security in vulnerable communities.   

Academic Qualifications and years of experience

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Public Policy, Human Development or Gender Studies or any other social sciences related field - (Mandatory)

·        A minimum of five (5) years of experience with the possession of a relevant Bachelor’s degree OR a minimum of two (2) years of experience with possession of a relevant Post-Graduate degree.

·        At minimum 2 years of experience in undertaking legislative review.

·        Proven professional experience in and knowledge of Family Violence against Women & Girls and family violence.

·        Proven experience in the development or review of policies at a national level. Familiarity with the Laws of Jamaica as well as regional jurisdictions.

 

Important Additional Information:-

Application Procedure:

Proposal should be submitted through the online e-Tendering system https://etendering.partneragencies.org  (search for Event ID: Jam10-31-2020) as per the deadline indicated in the system itself. Detailed user guide on how to register in the system can be accessed using the following link:-

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/procurement/business/procurement-notices/resources/

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.jamaica@undp.org

UNDP will provide responses by uploading them in the system

 

If you are experiencing difficulties with online job applications, please contact erecruit.helpdesk@undp.org.
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