Historique
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women (UNTF EVAW) is a global multi-lateral grant making mechanism supporting national efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls, one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. The UN Trust Fund was established through the UN General Assembly Resolution 50/166 in 1996 with UN Women as its Administrator on behalf of the UN system. UN Trust Fund provides technical assistance and funding to advance the development of innovative models and strategic interventions in the area of ending violence against women and girls (EVAW/G). To date, the UN Trust Fund has awarded US $175 million to 572 initiatives in 140 countries and territories. Grant recipients are primarily civil society organizations (CSOs), the majority of which are women’s rights organizations (WROs). The UNTF EVAW is financed through voluntary contributions from UN Member States, partners in the private sector and civil society, and concerned individuals from around the world. The UNTF EVAW awards grants primarily through an annual open and competitive process. Its governance is guided by consultative committees (Programme Advisory Committees – PACs) at global and regional levels comprised of UN agencies, leading experts and CSO representatives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Subsequently, CSOs have reported an alarming increase in violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a direct result of social isolation measures across in the world. There is evidence that CSOs in the front line are providing an early warning system and making every effort to adapt EVAW service provision and integrate violence against women and girls into COVID-19 response plans as the situation continues to evolve. However, they are stretched and adapting with minimal resources and need more sustained support, as well as urgent and increased investment. Analysis also shows that the impact of COVID-19 is not only public health related; VAW is being experienced in different forms and risk factors increasing – from economic, social, political as well as health.
In response to this protracted crisis situation, the UNTF EVAW therefore plans to launch a global “COVID-19 Crisis Response Window” Call for Proposals to fund projects explicitly designed to address VAWG that has arisen due to the crisis or risk factors that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Justification for the consultancy
In order to proceed with the launch of the 2020 COVID-19 Crisis Response Call for Proposals to address and end violence against women and girls, the UN Trust Fund intends to develop specific guidance and grants allocation criteria. This guidance is intended to help identify the types of projects to be funded, the types of experience organizations applying need to implement these types of interventions, and criteria for supporting organizations in the process of developing their applications. This guidance and criteria document will be presented to the UN Trust Fund’s Global Programme Advisory Committee for its review and endorsement before the launch of the UN Trust Fund’s 2020 Call for Proposals.
Development of the guidance and grants allocation criteria requires specialized technical advice from an expert/s with both an in-depth knowledge of WROs working on EVAW, and issues relevant to the situation of women and girls in the context of a crisis, specifically public health crises, pandemics and other disease outbreaks and their intersection with violence against women.
Devoirs et responsabilités
Objectives and Outputs
(1) A brief background paper on the programmatic and funding landscape for WROs on addressing violence against women and girls in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and where the UN Trust Fund could add most value, in a very specific way (i.e. what gaps are there in the programmatic response and funding landscape that the UN Trust Fund’s modality of grant giving could help fill);
(2) A set of specific examples of the kind of interventions (unique or adapted to the COVID-19 crisis) and organizations the UNTF EVAW may consider funding that simultaneously and comprehensively address and respond to the needs of women and girls at risk of violence and survivors of violence and a list of resources that may be especially useful for applicants to consult when developing their proposals (draft by 16 July and final by 24 July 2020).;
(3) In line with the proposed interventions for funding consideration, recommend criteria and guidance by which applicants should be appraised and if granted funding, subsequently monitored (draft by 23 July and final by 30 July 2020).
Activities
- Home-based desk and literature review of the:
- UN Trust Fund’s 2019 Call for Proposals and previous internal memos on the special thematic windows by way of example of the kind of input requested.
- UN Trust Fund’s 2019 application forms and the appraisal guidelines as an example of one approach the UNTF EVAW takes to selection (including example applications).
- UN Trust Fund’s lessons learned documents from the previous Call for Proposal processes and analysis paper of impact of COVID-19 on CSOs.
- UN Trust Fund’s guidelines (for example instructions on reporting and evaluation requirements) on operational and programmatic policies and procedures, as needed.
- Other UN Trust Fund’s related documents to inform the background paper and recommendations on the type of proposals to be funded.
- Own research and literature review of resources regarding funding projects or organizations focused on ending violence against women and girls in the context of crises, specifically pandemics and other disease outbreaks (please reference all sources).
- Produce the first output: a draft short paper (no more than 6 pages, based on templates and examples provided) on the issue of violence against women in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, including the funding and programmatic landscape on addressing VAW/G in the context of the pandemics (with a focus on funding women’s rights organizations); recommendations for how the UNTF EVAW as a grant-giving mechanism could add value / fill gaps; a set of specific examples of the kind of EVAW/G interventions the UN Trust Fund may consider funding; and a list of resources that may be especially useful for applicants to consult when developing their proposals. This should be completed by 16 July 2020.
- Following feedback from the UN Trust Fund’s team on the draft paper, to complete and submit the final short paper by 24 July 2020.
- To develop a draft set of criteria (operational and programmatic) by which applications should be selected for the consideration for the UN Trust Fund’s funding, including guidance for those applying as well as for appraisers reviewing these specific applications. The criteria and guidance for applicants and appraisers should be no more than 2 pages each and first draft should be ready by 23 July 2020.
- Following feedback from the UNTF EVAW team on the draft paper, to complete and submit the final criteria and guidance by 30 July 2020.
Inputs and Timing
- Contribution from UN Trust Fund Secretariat: the UN Trust Fund will provide the consultant/s with access to all the documentation required and the agreed daily rate upon delivery of the work delivered as above.
- Consultants input: A total of 14 days between 3 July 2020 to 30 July 2020
- 7 days for output 1: options and recommendations paper
- 3 days for output 2: criteria and guidelines for applicants and application appraisers
- 4 days for review/editing
The consultant is expected to cover the costs of the home-based activities within the daily rate.
Reporting
The consultant will report to the UN Trust Fund Grants and Programme Manager, in the first instance and for the final approvals to the Chief of the UN Trust Fund.
Compétences
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.pd
Qualifications et expériences requises
Required skills and experience
Education:
- A Masters or higher-level degree in gender studies, human rights or other social sciences fields relevant to the requirements of the TOR.
- A PhD is considered an asset.
Experience:
- At least 7 years of experience in women’s rights, gender equality and elimination of violence against women in the context of global public emergencies, preferably global health crisis, including research/analytical experience.
- Written reports and publications which have made a significant contribution to public policy, programmes or learning in the field of development practice and studies on women and girls in the context of global public crisis, particularly pandemics and other public health emergencies.
- Proven experience in technical advice and delivering quality reports and publications on a tight schedule and in coordination with and input from project partners.
- Proven experience in producing coherent, clear analytic reports and knowledge pieces is a requirement.
Language:
- Excellent English writing and communication and analytical skills are required.
Ethical code of conduct
It is expected that the consultant will ensure that the confidentiality and independence of judgment are maintained, and that findings and recommendations are independently presented. The consultant will operate in an impartial and unbiased manner and give a balanced presentation of strengths and weaknesses of the issues being assessed. The consultant must disclose in writing any past experience, which may give rise to a potential conflict of interest, and to deal honestly in resolving any conflict of interest which may arise.