UN WOMEN Jobs - 73557- National Consultant on Strategic Communications to

National Consultant on Strategic Communications to Support Development of the National Communication Strategy and Action Plan on EVAWG (For Georgian Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2017

Application Deadline :

18-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 working days in the period of September 01, 2017 – December 5, 2017

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

Millions of women and girls worldwide suffer some form of gender-based violence, be it domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation/cutting, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence in conflict-related situations, or other manifestations of abuse. In fact, for women and girls 16-44 years old, gender based violence is a major cause of death and disability and up to 70 per cent of women experience violence in their lifetime (World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, South African Medical Research Council, Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence, 2013). Violence against women and girls persists in every country in the world as a pervasive violation of human rights and a major impediment to achieving gender equality. Such violence is unacceptable, whether perpetrated by the State and its agents or by family members or strangers, in the public or private sphere, in peacetime or in times of conflict. The UN Secretary-General has stated that as long as violence against women continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace (UN, Violence Against Women: The Situation, available online at: http://www.un.org/en/women/endviolence/pdf/pressmaterials/unite_the_situation_en.pdf).

States have an obligation to protect women from violence, to hold perpetrators accountable and to provide justice and remedies to victims. Eliminating violence against women and girls (EVAWG) remains one of the most serious challenges of our time. The knowledge base and tools to prevent and eliminate violence against women developed over the past decade must be utilized more systematically and effectively to eliminate all forms of violence against women. This requires clear political will, outspoken, visible and unwavering commitment at the highest levels of leadership of the State and the resolve, advocacy and practical action of individuals and communities.

Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms and gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. Given the devastating effect violence has on women, efforts have mainly focused on responses and services for survivors. However, the best way to end violence against women and girls is to prevent it from happening in the first place by addressing its root and structural causes. Thus, awareness raising, community mobilization and educational programmes are critical components of an effective prevention strategy.

In the recent years, the Government of Georgia has undertaken a series of international, regional and national commitments to take preventive measures against VAWG, including through education and awareness raising. The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Council of Europe, 2011, The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/168046031c) ratified by Georgia as of May 2017 places the responsibility on the Government of Georgia to regularly promote and conduct awareness-raising campaigns and programmes to increase awareness and understanding among the general public on all forms VAWG. The Convention further obliges the Government to inform general public on measures available to prevent and respond to such violence and to promote changes in the social and cultural patterns of behavior to eradicate discriminatory customs, traditions and practices that perpetuate VAWG. The aforementioned responsibilities are further enshrined in national instruments such as the National Action Plan on the Measures to be Implemented for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and for the Protection of Its Victims/Survivors (DV/VAWG NAP 2016-2017) adopted by the government of Georgia, placing responsibilities on line ministries and state agencies to prevent and respond to VAWG, inter alia, through increasing public awareness about the acting legislation on violence against women and domestic violence and existing services for victims/survivors (National Action Plan on the Measures to be Implemented for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and for the Protection of Its Victims/Survivors (DV/VAWG NAP 2016-2017), 2016, Avaliable at: http://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20office%20georgia/attachments/publications/2016/national%20action%20plan.pdf?vs=659).

UN Women in cooperation with EU works jointly with the Government and non-State partners towards the overarching goal of EVAWG in Georgia. To this end, UN Women provides technical support to the Government of Georgia to meet the set targets under the nationalized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, and to further ensure that national policies and legislation are in compliance with Georgia’s international human rights commitments and obligations on EVAWG. UN Women further provides continuous capacity development to line ministries and state agencies to support them in delivering on their commitments in the field more effectively.

In the recent years and especially since 2014 (After 2014 tragically high femicide rates (34 murdered women) Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Education and Science have shown increased interest and commitment to take part and organize awareness raising events and campaign aimed at promotion of zero tolerance to domestic violence and respective DV services.), the government agencies have been increasingly willing and engaged in conducting various awareness raising programs on EVAWG, most notably around annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence (25 November-10 December) campaigns. In order to ensure more coherent and coordinated approach and that the communication messages are evidence-based and better targeted, UN Women plans to support the institutional mechanism on gender equality – the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence Issues (Under the recent legislative amendments adopted by the Parliament of Georgia as a part of the ratification process of the Istanbul Convention, the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality Violence against Women and Domestic Violence Issues has been established. The Commission is established as a coordination mechanism at the Prime Ministers’ Office to lead implementation of state strategies, action plans and programmes on gender equality and women’s empowerment. (hereafter the Commission) in developing and implementing National Communication Strategy and Action Plan on EVAWG. The National Communication Strategy and Action Plan on EVAWG will be developed in line with the internationally established best practices and based on broad consultations with development partners, national human rights institutions, civil society and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, findings generated by the Nation-Wide Survey on Violence against Women currently being implemented by UN Women, and National Statistics Office of Georgia (GEOSTAT) with the generous support of the European Union, will be used to inform the drafting process and to formulate evidence-based interventions, including strategic messaging.

In line with the above-mentioned efforts, UN Women is planning to recruit a National Strategic Communications Consultant who will support the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality Violence against Women and Domestic Violence Issues and respective line ministries and state agencies in developing National Communication Strategy and Action Plan on EVAWG.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UN Women EVAWG Programme team, the National Consultant on Strategic Communications will be responsible for the following activities:

Review international best practices, knowledge products and tools on awareness raising interventions on EVAWG and familiarize oneself with the findings and conclusions of the Nation-Wide Survey on Violence against Women to inform the design of the Communication Strategy and Action Plan on EVAWG;
Conduct consultative meetings with key national stakeholders in the field, including with development partners, civil society organisations and women’s rights organisations to capture diversity of perspectives, as well as the complex dimensions of the VAWG phenomena and its context-specific challenges in Georgia;
Facilitate a two-day strategy drafting workshop bringing together PR specialists from line ministries and state agencies (members of the Commission) utilizing international best practices and tools on EVAWG campaigns;
Based on the results of the strategy drafting workshop, engage in follow-up work with the state partners to finalize the National Communications Strategy on EVAWG capturing goals and objectives, strategic priorities, target groups, messaging etc. in line with the findings and conclusions of the Nation-Wide Survey on Violence against Women;
Facilitate a two-day workshop bringing together PR specialists from line ministries and state agencies to draft the Action Plan based on the National Communications Strategy on EVAWG utilizing international best practices and tools on EVAWG campaigns;
Based on the results of the action planning workshop, engage in follow-up work with the state partners to finalize the National Communications Action Plan on EVAWG capturing outcomes, outputs and activities, detailing timelines, responsible parties etc. in line with the findings and conclusions of the Nation-Wide Survey on Violence against Women;
Present the draft National Communications Strategy and draft National Action Plan on EVAWG to national stakeholders and based on feedback, incorporate relevant changes to the documents;

Deliverables

At least 8-10 consultative meetings conducted with key national stakeholders in the field, including with development partners, civil society organisations and women’s rights organisations to capture diversity of perspectives, as well as the complex dimensions of the VAWG phenomena and its context-specific challenges in Georgia by September 11, 2017 (3 working days);
Strategy drafting workshop materials, handouts and PPT presentations capturing international best practices, knowledge products and tools on awareness raising interventions on EVAWG developed by September 18, 2017 (3 working days);
A two-day strategy drafting workshop conducted bringing together PR specialists from line ministries and state agencies by September 25, 2017 (3 working days);
Based on the results of the workshop, the National Communications Strategy on EVAWG capturing goals and objectives, strategic priorities, target groups, messaging etc. finalized by September 30, 2017 (2 working days);
A two-day workshop bringing together PR specialists from line ministries and state agencies to draft the Action Plan based on the National Communications Strategy on EVAWG utilizing international best practices and tools on EVAWG campaigns and incorporating findings of the Nation-Wide Survey on Violence against Women conducted by October 30, 2017 (4 working days);
Based on the results of the action planning workshop, National Action Plan on EVAWG capturing outcomes, outputs and activities, detailing timelines, responsible parties etc. finalized by November 06, 2017 (2 working days);
Drafts of National Communications Strategy and National Action Plan on EVAWG presented to national stakeholders, feedback collected and relevant changes incorporated by November 30, 2017 (2 working days);
Final report briefly outlining main activities carried out and results achieved submitted to UN Women by December 5, 2017 (1 working day);

The work of the consultancy is expected to start on September 1, 2017 and end on December 5, 2017.

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.pdf

Functional Competencies

Knowledge of Results Based Management
Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings
Good knowledge of technical area
Good organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in communications, public relations and/or related field;

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in strategic communications and public relations (track record in working around social/human rights issues is essential);
At least 3 years of experience in drafting and implementing communication strategies and workplans;
At least 2 years of experience in designing and conducting trainings on strategic communications, public relations tools, products and activities;
Familiarity with the issues of women’s empowerment, gender equality and violence against women is highly desirable;

Language:

Excellent command of English and Georgian.

Evaluation procedure:

The candidates will be evaluated against the following technical and financial criteria:

Master’s degree in communications, public relations and/or related field (70 points);
At least 5 years of experience in strategic communications and public relations, including experience in drafting and implementing communication strategies and workplans (120 points);
At least 2 years of experience in designing and conducting trainings on strategic communications, public relations tools, products and activities (60 points);
Track record in working on social/human rights issues is essential; familiarity with the issues of women’s empowerment, gender equality and violence against women is highly desirable (70 points);
Excellent command of written and spoken English and Georgian (max 30 points).

Maximum total technical score amounts to 350 points. Only candidates who have passed over the minimum qualification criteria and have accumulated at least 245 points out of maximum 350 under technical evaluation will qualify for the next stage i.e. evaluation of their financial proposals.

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 150

S – score received on financial evaluation.

Fmin – the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;

F – financial offer under consideration.

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical

scoring + financial scoring).

Management arrangements:

The contractor will report to and work under direct supervision of UN Women Programme Analyst and UN Women Project Analyst with overall guidance from UN Women’s international lead consultant on VAW study.

Financial arrangements:

Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by UN Women Programme Analyst that the services have been satisfactorily performed as specified below:

Deliverable 1,2,3,4 – 50 %
Deliverables 5,6,7,8 – 50%

Application submission package:

CV;
Dully filled Personal History Form PHF11 that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
Financial Proposal - lump sum proposal/offer* in GEL (including breakdown of this lump sum amount indicating all necessary costs to complete this mission: total remuneration, travel expenses (per diems, tickets, lodging and terminal expenses, if applicable)

*The applicants are required to submit an aggregated financial offer (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of all tasks spelled out in this ToR).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.