UNDP Jobs - 98999- National expert to train and coach professionals a

National expert to train and coach professionals and staff of the Center for Crisis Management Center for Sexual Violence Victims to provide support to sexual violence victims

Location :

Tirana, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-May-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

July – December 2021 (maximum 65 working days over a period of six months)

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

Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most pervasive forms of violence. It is a global pandemic that affects all countries, all societies, all religions, faiths and ethnic backgrounds, on a daily basis. Eliminating all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence as one of the most serious forms of human rights violations, is a key priority for the Government of Albania.

As a State party to CEDAW, Albania has an obligation to both prevent violence against women, including sexual violence and provide support and redress for survivors of violence. The Istanbul Convention (IC), to which Albania has been a party since 2014, is the most far reaching international treaty to tackle violence against women and includes multiple obligations with regards to services for women survivors of violence. More concretely, Article 25 requires from the State Parties to take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide for the setting up of appropriate, easily accessible rape crisis or sexual violence referral centers for victims in sufficient numbers to provide for medical and forensic examination, trauma support and counselling for victims.

The Explanatory Report of the IC provides some guidance for centers that provide specialized support services to sexual violence survivors which may take the form of: a) a rape crisis center or b) a sexual violence referral center. According to the sexual violence referral centers as defined in the IC, these centers may specialize in immediate medical care, high-quality forensic practice and crisis intervention. They can for instance be set up in a hospital setting to respond to recent sexual assault by carrying out medical checks and referring the victim to specialized community-based organizations for further services. They also may concentrate on immediate and adequate referral of the victim to appropriate, specialized organizations as to provide the necessary care. Research has shown that it is good practice to carry out forensic examinations regardless of whether the matter will be reported to the police, and to offer the possibility of having samples taken and stored so that the decision as to whether or not to report the rape can be taken at a later date. Such center should be available per every 200.000 inhabitants[1] and that their geographic spread should make them accessible to victims in rural areas as much. Rape crisis centers, on the other hand, offer long-term help such as face-to-face counselling, support groups and contact with other services. They also support victims during court proceedings by providing woman-to-woman advocacy and other practical help. It is important to note that The IC provides States with an alternative, not with an obligation to set up both types of centers.

In Albania, the latest legislative improvements of the Criminal Code[2] with a separate section dedicated to sexual violence and sexual harassment, provides an excellent ground for effective prosecution of all forms of sexual violence and sexual harassment and offers protection to various categories of vulnerable victims, including women and girls. The 2016 Ministry of Justice annual statistics[3] indicates an increase with 12 more criminal cases followed during 2016 (70 criminal cases) as compared with 2015 (58 criminal cases). Nevertheless, sexual violence cases remain underreported.

Considering the challenges and complexity of the sexual violence situation in Albania, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) has prioritized interventions in the National Strategy for Gender Equality (NSGE) and its National Action Plan (NAP) 2016-2020[4] with a specific objective 3.2 that aims to strengthen referral mechanisms and specialized support services for protection and handling of cases of gender-based violence and domestic violence with the objective to prevent and protect sexual violence survivors. Moreover, the NSGE it its NAP has envisaged dedicated measures that aim at gaining experience on establishing new services for other forms of violence against women that are not specifically addressed so far – focusing on specialized services against sexual violence (3.210); and improvement of the capacities of professionals, who offer services (especially specialized support services) to victims/survivors of GBV&DV on Istanbul Convention standards and requirements (3.2.6).

Furthermore, progress was marked with the recent approved ammendmends to the law 9669, dated 18.12.2006 “On measures against violence in family relations” (DV Law). Among many imprivements, the law provides for the establishment of crisis management centers for victims of sexual violence. It requires from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to develop standards for such specialized support service.

To enable law implementation, MoHSP led the process of the development of the profile of the crisis management centers for victims of sexual violence and the relevant standards of services. Standards were approved in the National Gender Equality Council meeting held on 21 November 2018. Last but not least, MoHSP launched the first pilot Lilium Center to provide for specialized support emergency multi-sectorial services to victims of sexual violence. Lilium Center is a one stop center located at the Mother Teresa Hospital Center which satisfies the requirements set forth in the Istanbul Convention. The center serves the survivors through a multidisciplinary team consisting of legal practitioners, gynecologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, police officers, prosecutors, attorneys and nurses. This team takes action on the survivor's health welfare and is responsible for gathering forensic evidence according to the Criminal Procedure Code. The center is accessible for 24/7. The Center has a dedicated full-time center manager and 5 nurses on call. To provide concrete support in managing sexual violence cases is developed a standardized protocol to manage sexual violence (SV) cases at local level through a coordinated multisectoral approach which will be used by all involved professionals from different sectors mandated for managing and supporting victims of SV cases (apart from domestic violence victims).

[1] The Final Activity Report of the Council of Europe Task Force to Combat Violence against Women,

including Domestic Violence (EG-TFV (2008)6), minimum standard https://www.coe.int/t/dg2/equality/domesticviolencecampaign/Source/Final_Activity_Report.pdf

[2] http://www.pp.gov.al/web/kodi_penal_2016_1033.pdf

[3] http://www.drejtesia.gov.al/files/userfiles/statistika/Vjetari_2016.pdf

[4] http://www.shendetesia.gov.al/files/userfiles/Baza_Ligjore/Mbrojtja_sociale/SKGJB-AL-web.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP has provided operational support to the MoHSP in the initial stage of making the Lilium Center functional through the services of a case manager by developing consolidated case management procedures/practice among other related services. However, continuous multisectoral trainings and coaching for LILIUM staff and other service providers at central and local level, development of a diverse means of communication with a wide range of audiences on making LILIUM Center services known would be necessary. To provide further support, UNDP is seeking the services of a trainer/coacher expert.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organize and provide capacity building activities for the multidisciplinary staff engaged in the LILIUM Center.
Design a training/coaching program for LILIM staff and other multidisciplinary service providers for victims of sexual violence - development of agenda, program, and related materials.
Organize and provide capacity building activities for different stakeholders, such as service providers, NGOs and other institutions related, working with victims of sexual violence.
Provide consulting services for stakeholders engaged in the case management process of victims of sexual violence.
Provide coaching and mentoring during the case management process through a victim’ centered and trauma informed approach.
Advocate directly with other institutions/agencies/specialized NGOs as needed to provide support to LILIM staff in referring SV victims.
Conduct capacity building sessions, with Coordinated Referral Mechanisms on domestic violence cases (CRMs) members and other service providers on sexual violence related issues.
Coach LILIUM staff to provide adequate advocacy services and support to survivors of sexual assault or abuse and their children.
Prepare and produce informative and awareness materials related to services and support for sexual violence victims.
Organize activities to raise the visibility of sexual violence and advance the public understanding of the crime.
Oversee the center environment and activities, facilitate and coach problem solving for in-center conflicts and crises, encourage and model appropriate center interactions.
Review and update the Center’ Safeguarding Policy and regulation.
Develop a checklist necessary to establish new Lilium centers as per approved standards of services for victims of sexual violence.
Other duties as required.

Expected Deliverables

Coach LILIUM Staff to manage cases of SV and implement referral procedures to support SV victims with short- and long-term rehabilitation and reintegration services.
Trainings conducted to increase capacities of multidisciplinary team at LILIUM center and related service providers
Develop training/coaching modules as per specific targeted service providers.
Reports for conducted trainings and mentoring by presenting achieved results, target groups and relevant recommendations.
Develop friendly informative sets of materials for sexual violence survivors and service providers.
Checklist developed.
A final report highlighting the expert’s work, outputs, achievements, lessons learned and the proceeding of the expertise, including recommendations for future similar interventions.

Competencies

Core competencies and values

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies

Enthusiasm and self-discipline: Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and significant workload;
Team work: Proven ability to work in a collaborative manner to meet project goals, maintaining effective relationships in multidisciplinary teams and cultivating a culture of information and knowledge sharing;
Interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate easily and well with staff at all levels and also with external counterparts;
Strong results orientation: Maintain focus on results; overcome obstacles and challenges, evaluate and take responsibility for achieving results;
Planning and organizing skills: ability to plan activities/projects well in advance; ability to monitor performance against deadlines and milestones;

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic qualifications

University diploma in social sciences or gender equality disciplines. MA or equivalent in a development related disciplines (social sciences and related fields) is highly preferred. A PhD degree in any of the above-mentioned fields will be an asset;
Demonstrated experience in coaching and leading victims of gender based violence for a successful reintegration in communities;
Sensitivity and understanding of Albania’s socio-cultural situation;
Communication and public speaking skills, team player and capacity to deliver as per deadlines.

Working experience:

At least 6 years of practicing experience as a social worker/counsellor providing services to vulnerable and sexual/domestic violence victims;

5. EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A: Specific education development-related disciplines as mentioned under “Qualifications” section – max points: 15
Criteria B: Work experience – max points: 30
Criteria C: Previous experience with similar works – max points: 25

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application Procedure

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability & Detailed Financial Proposal - please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)

Financial Proposal in ALL*- specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.
Technical proposal – specifying the methodology which the consultant will employ to conduct this assignment.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);
Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);

You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.