UN WOMEN Jobs - 81687- nternational Consultant to conduct analysis on eco

nternational Consultant to conduct analysis on economic empowerment of women survivors of gender-based violence in Moldova

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Home-based with travel to Moldova

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

up to 43 days within a 4 months assignment

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

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.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Strategic Note (SN) for 2018-2022, which is aligned with the Republic of Moldova–United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018–2022 and the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women. The Strategic Note focuses on three main areas: 1/strengthening women’s participation in politics and decision-making 2/economic empowerment of women, and 3/ending violence against women and girls. To achieve progress under these areas, UN Women works with variety of national (government, civil society, private sector) and international partners to advance the implementation of existing international and national commitments to women’s rights and gender equality, it facilitates networking and exchange of good practices and advocates for women’s rights and gender equality in all areas of life.

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations in the world. In Moldova, as in the region and around the world, it affects individuals regardless of context, culture, or socio-economic status, with serious repercussion for women, their families, and society. Despite progress, including in the area of legal and policy reforms, research, and a number of awareness raising campaigns, the prevalence of VAW in Moldova remains high. According to the National study “Violence against Women in the Family”, carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics, and commissioned by UN Moldova in 2011, 63% of women experienced some type of violence (psychological, physical or sexual) from husband/partner during her lifetime, and one in ten women mentioned that she experienced economic violence at least once in her lifetime. Rural women, elderly women, and those separated or divorced reported the highest prevalence rate of multiple forms of violence.

As a response to this challenge, the State has undertaken the initial steps at policy, legislation as well as implementation levels. The Law No 45-XVI on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence (DV) from 01.03.2007 is an important legislative base for combating the phenomenon in Moldova. The Law provides an institutional framework detailing the tasks of the competent authorities, provides for the creation of centers/services for the rehabilitation of victims and aggressors, for a mechanism for settling DV cases and protection for victims of DV, including by using protection orders and punitive measures against the aggressor.

At the policy level, Government adopted the first ever National Strategy on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence for the period 2018-2023 and its associated Action Plan for the period 2018-2020. The National Strategy aims at providing a systemic approach to violence against women and domestic violence phenomenon for ensuring effective and prompt response from relevant stakeholders in cases of violence. The National strategy has a specific objective to promote women's economic empowerment and socio-economic independence. Equipping women who experienced violence with vocational skills that match the labour market and support them to access decent employment is crucial, so that they can start over and be financially independent. Without employment, many women who experienced violence find it impossible to leave abusive situations or may even return to their perpetrators.

Duties and Responsibilities

The major scope of the selected international consultant is to elaborate an Analytical Note including best international and regional practices for women’s economic empowerment for women who have experienced gender-based violence. In adition, the consultant is expected to propose several models of cooperation between different stakeholders (state and non-governmental actors) that put in place a mechanism for job placement/reintegration on the labour market of women who experienced violence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Programme Coordinator and the designated representatives of the MoHLSP and NEA, the international consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1. Reviewing the existing frameworks, mechanisms and good international practices on the economic empowerment, securing economic independence and job placement for women who experience gender-based violence.

This should include overview of existing practices from different countries, including: training and assistance in finding employment/schemes for employers/social entrepreneurship models/referral mechanisms between the social protection system and public employment system etc.

In addition, good practices from selected countries should be identified and described in the form of case studies. The case studies should include description of: key stakeholders involved with their roles/responsibilities, processes, results, lessons learnt etc. For the description of good practices, additional informants may need to be identified and interviewed over phone/internet. The consultant should provide UN Women with contact information and questions of each informant interview.

Task 2. Assessing the current situation of the national legislation and institutional mechanism in the social assistance, health, employment and economic areas in the Republic of Moldova, regarding the economic empowerment of women who have experienced gender-based violence.

This task shall include but is not limited to undertake analysis to better understand and identify:

Key gaps and barriers to the employment, job placement and economic independence of women who experienced gender-based violence
Existing and missing linkages between different stakeholders who play a role in strengthening the integration of survivors of violence on the labour market (state and non-state service providers, employment agency, employers, local authorities etc.)

The national-level assessment should include desk-review and field mission to Moldova during which interviews and focus groups will be carried out.

Task 3. Elaborate an Analytical Note which includes:

Current international practices and approaches, including good examples/case studies, on the economic empowerment of women who experience gender- based violence;

Substantive proposals and recommendations for strengthening the economic independence and facilitating the employment of women who experienced gender-based violence to the labour market taking into consideration the national context in Moldova and good international practices. The recommendations should be organized per the specific national stakeholders to which they are addressed. The consultant should also provide recommendations to UN Women CO with regards further continuing and expanding its work in this field.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in economics, social and development studies, gender studies, or other social science related to this assignment;
Minimum 5 years of proven work experience in the field of gender equality, human rights, employment and labours market, and development;
Minimum 3 years of proven experience in conducting qualitative sociological research with a particular focus on behaviours and attitudes;
Previous work experience with governmental institutions, especially in the labour/employment field will be considered an asset.
Experience with development organizations, especially with ILO, including donors and stakeholders is considered an asset;
Fluent in English, working knowledge of Russian and/ or Romanian is an asset

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online, following this link: http://www.undp.md/newjobs/jobdetails/1776/ by 23 October 2018 with the following documents:

Duly filled Personal History Form P11, including records on past experience in similar projects/ assignments and specific outputs obtained;
Letter of Intent to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;

Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the task specified in Terms of References. The Financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate). Please see ANNEX I and ANNEX II