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.

Since 2019, UN Women has been implementing the Spotlight Initiative grounded on the core rallying principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first. The Spotlight Initiative Programme in Malawi, aimed at targeting the most at-risk groups, accelerates efforts towards elimination of violence against women and girls including sexual gender-based violence and harmful practices. A deliberate effort is projected to ensure those facing multiple and intersecting discrimination play a key role not only as beneficiaries but also as key stakeholders, shaping and guiding the program design and implementation. The initiative envisions a comprehensive prevention strategy that addresses structural issues and linkages to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). Innovations through practical application will further enhance efforts to capitalize on lessons learned and link to existing efforts under the UN and other development partners’ programming on Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Human Rights, Girls Education, etc. contributing knowledge and good practices in improving women’s and girls’ life and that of the most left behind through access to quality, integrated essential services that include SRH, justice, economic empowerment and psychosocial support in line with international human right standards and guidelines.

One of the core focus areas of the Spotlight Initiative is reaching the furthest behind first with integrated SRHR, HIV, and VAWG services in a multi-sectoral manner, using the essential services package. Special focus will be on strengthening the provision of the essential services package and on awareness raising to create demand for women and girls so that they are informed and empowered to exercise their rights. Women’s and girls’ rights groups, autonomous social movements, and relevant CSOs, including those representing youth groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalization more effectively influence and advance progress on GEWE and VAWG, including SGBV/HP and SRHR. The spotlight initiative is focused on supporting advocacy initiatives, strengthening coordination structures, and building the capacity of women’s and youth organizations to create an enabling environment for a national women’s and youth movement to emerge and to contribute towards the implementation and monitoring of SGBV/HP, SRHR and HIV interventions at different levels.

In a bid to effectively implement its 2021 Annual Work Plan under impact Area 3. All Women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence. UN Women, Malawi is seeking a competent and experienced consultant to support the development of policy briefs and conduct of related policy dialogues on promoting SRHR and Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls;  support adolescent girls, young women, and youth associations’ to advocate for SDGs implementation and  advocate against SGBV/HP and for SRHR issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the UN Women Representative and the direct supervision of the EVAW Programme Specialist the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

  • Develop the policy briefs highlighting key issues and contextual details in relation to ending VAWG/SGBV/HP and promoting SRHR in Malawi
  • Undertake extensive desk review and targeted consultations in developing the policy briefs
  • Support the conduct of the policy dialogues, support adolescent girls, young women and youth associations to advocate for implementation of SDGs in live with ending VAWG/SGBV/HP and promoting SRHR.

Deliverables

Specifically, the consultant shall be responsible for the following deliverables:

  1. An inception report detailing, among key areas the understanding of the task and how it will be carried out
  2. Four (4) Focused policy briefs with clear specific recommendations developed and utilized in corresponding policy dialogues. These will focus on topical issues on VAWG/SGBV/HP and promoting SRHR in Malawi to be agreed upon with UN Women. The Consultant will be expected to use UN Women Publications User Guidelines in developing the policy briefs.
  3. Four (4) engagements / policy dialogues conducted including one in supporting adolescent girls, young women and youth associations to advocate for implementation of SDGs in line with ending VAWG/SGBV/HP and promoting SRHR

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to implementation of projects, managing data, and reporting.
  • Ability to establish contact with UN agencies and other international partners.
  • Knowledge of gender and women’s empowerment.
  • Knowledge of data collection and reporting

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

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s degree or higher in gender and development or any other related field
  • A minimum of 6 years’ experience in designing, implementing, managing and coordinating gender and development related programmes and projects including those addressing VAWG/SGBV/HP and promoting SRHR
  • Proven experience in developing policy briefs and engaging in policy advocacy
  • Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, validation, entry and analysis
  • Experience with stakeholder networking and engagement in achieving policy advocacy results
  • Ability to communicate using various means including writing high quality, clear, and concise reports in English