Background

Background Information on the Project:

UNDP’s “Rule of Law and Community Justice for Conflict-Affected Areas in Ukraine” Project started in January 2016 as part of a “Rule of Law for Stabilization in Ukraine” Programme and is an integral part of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in Ukraine Component 3: Community Security and Social Cohesion.   The project is designed to address both the causes and consequences of the conflict, support stabilization efforts, and promote constructive and systemic change.

The Project has two key outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened personal and community security in conflict-affected areas;

Output 2: Increased community justice through capable institutions for rights-based service delivery and effective access to justice.

Output 2.1: Institutionalized primary and secondary legal aid system providing quality legal aid service to the vulnerable and conflict- affected population, including victims of SGBV.

Output 2.2: Justice Sector personnel are more responsive to community security needs especially conflict-related crime and SGBV

 The project has a specific stream of work to support victims of SGBV and provide avenues of redress, including improving the knowledge base regarding the legal framework on gender justice and the social pressures which shape the choice of whether and how to seek external support to resolve intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. This will ensure a better, victim-centred policy response including legal aid, support to development of shelters/emergency accommodation, training and sensitization of justice and law enforcement officers, outreach and information and victim support services.

The reporting and investigation of rape and domestic violence leave much to be desired with high levels of social stigma preventing victims from approaching law enforcement, and a lack of interest or capacity to effectively investigate, punish and correct violent behavior of perpetrators. The lack of protection and social security for victims of SGBV adds further barriers to victims achieving justice.

For promoting access to justice, there is a need to expand and strengthen victims’ of SGBV access to justice by increasing the capacity, legitimacy and accountability of law enforcement and justice institutions. Expected outcomes from such measures comprise improved citizen security and access to justice, and strengthened capacity, legitimacy and accountability of law enforcement and justice institutions to respond to conflict-related grievances. Furthermore, safe and effective mechanisms for victims of SGBV to formally report conflict-related crime/violence, and to receive legal aid for such reporting need to be developed alongside the establishment of a clear and transparent system for investigation of allegations of violence and human rights violations of civilians by armed forces and groups and system of centralized support to victims of SGBV.

The Project will assist in the development of tools and methodology for improvement and strengthening existing system of justice and centralized support to victims of SGBV as well as delivery of training to judiciary, prosecution and law enforcement personnel. Such training will encompass constitutional guarantees, European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), international criminal law, and other applicable international norms, as well as the professional and emotional skills necessary to relate sensitively and effectively with the victims or witnesses of conflict-related crime, especially SGBV, and cope with potentially traumatic evidence. The aim will be to enable local level judges, local court staff, prosecutors, lawyers, as well as security sector personnel and local government officials to understand and apply the criminal law properly, so that violations of the rights of citizens, especially those arising from the conflict, may be identified, avoided, reduced or punished, and ensure that victims receive ‘justice’.

This will also encompass support to ensuring that services are more sensitive to, and geared towards, victims of rape and domestic violence so that local authorities consider the provision of emergency accommodation and medical case, and budget accordingly for victims of SGBV.

In order to acknowledge the suffering of victims of the conflict and begin the reconciliation process, the Project will assist the Government, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a comprehensive policy and action plan, in line with international standards and best practice, for the compensation of victims of crimes – e.g., (S)GBV, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance - or property rights violations that occurred in territory when it was not under government-control, including in subsequently liberated territories, as a result of the conflict.

Moreover, a number of iNGOs are working to provide legal aid especially to vulnerable groups (IDPs, victims of SGBV etc.) such as the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the Danish Refugee Council. 

The project will also research the legal and framework on SGBV and how it is applied in practice, through quantitative and qualitative research (Knowledge Attitudes and Perception Survey as well as in depth sociological research). Research will be published and provide an advocacy platform for changes as well as strengthening project interventions.

UNDP invites applications from highly-qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Consultant on SGBV to provide support to the implementation of the SGBV related Project activities in the justice, law enforcement and community security areas.

Main objectives of the assignment 

The major objectives of this assignment are:

1. Lead a research on legal framework, current system of justice and centralized support to victims of SGBV including domestic violence and capacitation of state bodies as well as local and self-governance authorities at National, oblast and local level dealing with SGBV’s issues in Luhansk region (Krasnorichenske, Troitske, Chmyrivka, Bilovodsk, Markivka, Novoaidar, Popasna, Bilokurakine,  Novopskov, Kreminna communities).
2. Draft recommendations on improving and strengthening of the system of centralized support to victims of SGBV and capacity of Luhansk oblast administration and local authorities in 10 communities of Luhansk oblast.
3. Presentation of developed recommendations in the round table with representatives of Luhansk oblast administration and of local authorities of 10 above mentioned communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities/Scope of work

The Consultant on SGBV, under the supervision of the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist will be responsible for: 

• Visiting the state bodies of executive power acting in Luhansk oblast which are involved in process of dealing with victims of SGBV as well as oblast administration and local authorities in 10 above mentioned communities.
• Collecting the statistical data on victims of SGBV in before and post conflict period in Luhansk region.
• Perusing the already developed recommendations by International organizations on improvement of the system of justice and centralized support to victims of SGBV in Ukraine as a whole.
• Lead a research on current system of justice and centralized support to victims of SGBV including domestic violence and capacitation of state bodies as well as local and self-governance authorities at National, regional and local level dealing with SGBV’s issues in Luhansk region (Krasnorichenske, Troitske, Chmyrivka, Bilovodsk, Markivka, Novoaidar, Popasna, Bilokurakine,  Novopskov, Kreminna communities) which should encompass:

- Assessing the availability of financial resources in budgets of Luhansk oblast administration and in budgets of 10 local communities allocated for purposes of providing protection, assistance and rehabilitation of victims of SGBV;

- Assessing the legal framework and current situation in the field of protection, assistance and rehabilitation of SGBV in 10 hromadas of the Luhansk region and in Luhansk oblast as a whole;

 - Assessing the impact of conflict on the national system for ensuring the protection, assistance and rehabilitation of victims of SGBV;

- Assessing the needs of the victims of SGBV in medical, humanitarian, legal, rehabilitative and administrative, police, justice services, taking into account age, health, gender, social status, family composition of survivors in 10 hromadas as well as current situation regarding accessibility of aforementioned services for victims of SGBV;

- Assessing the work of regional interdepartmental coordination councils in Luhansk oblast on the prevention of SGBV in order to address the current issues;

- Assessing the current mechanism of ensuring adequate response to cases of gender-based violence on the territory of Luhansk oblast with special focus on territories of 10 mentioned communities.

• Drafting the report on findings of conducted research together with recommendations on improving and strengthening of the system of centralized support to victims of SGBV and capacity of state institutions, Luhansk oblast administration and local authorities in 10 communities of Luhansk oblast.

• Presentation of developed recommendations in the round table with representatives of Luhansk oblast administration and of local authorities of 10 above mentioned communities.

Deliverables

Proposed payment schedule

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in two tranches according to the following payment schedule:

• the first payment upon submission and approval of the First report (30%);
• the second payment upon submission and approval of the Final report (40%);
• presentation of developed recommendations in the round table with representatives of Luhansk oblast administration and of local authorities of 10 above mentioned communities (30%).          

The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations whereupon the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist signs the certification of acceptance.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

Solid analytical and presentation skills;

Strong ability to lead and facilitate complex discussions and arrive at conclusions.

Functional Competencies:

Strong understanding of SGBV issues and related subjects;

Ability to organize and interpret data and present findings in both oral and written form;

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;

Ability to meet deadlines in a timely fashion;

Demonstrates strong writing skills in English.  

Strong research and analysis abilities;

Ability to translate strategic thinking and innovative ideas into practical operational recommendations.

Technical Competencies:

Knowledge of and experience in producing substantive papers on SGBV issues;

Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;

Experience working under minimum supervision and tight deadlines;

Prior experience in the work environment of an international agency, NGOs, UN, or international institutions is a plus;

Computer literacy (being able to use MS Windows, office applications, Internet search);

Proven track record and experience in gender-related work especially with focus on SGBV issues.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, international relations, political science or a related field; completed Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant working experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree;
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience including 2 years of practical experience in the field of SGBV is required; 
• Experience in community based development or related area and/or experience with civil society organizations;
• Familiarity or previous experience with national law enforcement or justice institutions would be a strong asset;
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance or development organization would be an asset;
• Experience in preparing action plans, and conducting research is desirable;
• Professional fluency in Ukrainian, and Russian, both written and oral.

Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Financial Proposal

 Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).  

The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment.

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation criteria

1. Master’s degree or equivalent in law, international relations, political science or a related field; completed Bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant working experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree – Pass/Fail;
2. Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience including 2 years of practical experience in the field of SGBV – Pass/Fail.
3. Experience in community based development or related area and/or experience with civil society organizations - Pass/Fail.
4. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian – Pass/Fail.

EVALUATION METHOD

Lowest price and technically compliant offer

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. responsive/compliant/acceptable (fully meeting the TOR provided)
2. offering the lowest price/cost.