Closing date: Sunday, 31 December 2023
Consultant to develop a conceptual framework on VAW prevention in the humanitarian and crisis contexts
Location : Home based
Application Deadline : 31-Dec-23 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
20-Mar-2023
Duration of Initial Contract : 9 months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 9 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
Crises affects women and girls differently and disproportionally. Pre-existing gender-based discrimination and inequalities are exacerbated in crisis settings, where women and girls face violence and exclusion, directly affecting their ability to survive, receive lifesaving assistance and recover from crisis shocks. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is also a very pressing human rights concern and a pervasive issue affecting women and girls during times of conflict and humanitarian crisis. Women and girls’ experiences of violence are not confined to a specific crisis context, rather VAWG exists in a continuum from spanning phases of recovery, peacebuilding and development, as well as a diverse range of contexts, including armed conflict, disasters and humanitarian situations. Women’s lived experiences of violence are complex, intersecting with different forms of discrimination and oppressions. Conflict, climate disasters, and public health crises have the power to escalate and intensify VAWG. At the same time, humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding interventions have the power to accelerate action to prevent and respond to VAWG, building into broader ongoing development priorities to prevent VAWG.
Twenty-five years have now passed since the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women set out an expansive vision and commitments for achieving gender equality in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Platform for Action called for an increase in women’s participation in decision-making and prioritized the protection of women in situations of armed conflict, as well as assistance to refugees, internally displaced and conflict-affected people. Despite this commitment, evidence shows that much remains to be done to advance the goal of gender equality in humanitarian action – in the provision of gendered lifesaving services, and in the promotion of longer-term recovery. Evidence on VAWG prevention programmes in conflict and humanitarian settings are relatively new. However, new efforts to facilitate community-level attitude and social norms change as well as implementing economic empowerment/cash transfers and adolescent girl focused initiatives are demonstrating that VAWG prevention programming can be implemented in these complex settings.
UN Women’s triple mandates as well as its membership in the IASC have positioned UN Women to prevent and respond to VAWG in situations of initial emergency response; phases of resilience, peacebuilding, and recovery; and in its development work, which encompasses longer-term social norm change and national systems strengthening. UN-Women has also developed a strategy to address VAWG across the Humanitarian Development Peace Security Nexus which seeks to consolidate and strengthen UN-Women’s whole of organization approach to address VAWG holistically in different contexts and settings. This is aligned with SG’s Triple Nexus, recognizing that humanitarian action must include prevention and recovery given the causes, nature and length of crises and emergencies.
UN Women seeks to develop a conceptual framework to guide VAWG prevention and mitigation programming in the crisis and humanitarian settings, drawing from existing evidence and literature on what works and what does not work to address causes and factors of violence. This conceptual framework is key to the operationalization of UN Women’s HDPS nexus strategy on EVAW (forthcoming 2023). Relevant partners including UN agencies and civil society will be consulted.
Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct a desk and literature review on VAWG prevention and mitigation programming especially in the context of crisis and humanitarian settings;
Conduct interviews and/or consultations with experts to discuss vulnerability of women and girls to violence in crisis and humanitarian settings, causes and factors of violence, elements of crisis and humanitarian setting that should be considered in developing a VAW prevention and mitigation programme, principles to guide evidence- and practice-based VAW prevention and mitigation programming, different opportunities for VAW prevention work across different crisis and humanitarian settings, and the capacities needed for organizations to carry out VAW prevention work in crisis and humanitarian setting; and
Develop a conceptual framework on VAWG prevention and mitigation work in crisis and humanitarian settings, complementing the UN Women’s Humanitarian, Development, Peace (HDP) Nexus Strategy and IASC guidelines;
Facilitate consultations both internally and externally to solicit inputs from relevant partners.
Update the prevention aspect on the (HDP) Nexus Strategy and toolkit based on the prevention framework developed.
Deliverable
Detailed outline of the conceptual framework
2 days
First draft of the conceptual framework
10 days
Internal consultations conducted
2 days
Second draft of the conceptual framework with internal experts’ and practitioners’ inputs and feedback incorporated
2 days
External consultations conducted
3 days
Third draft of the conceptual framework with internal and external experts’ and practitioners’ inputs and feedback incorporated
3 days
Final draft of the framework with clearance feedback incorporated
2 days
Update the prevention aspect on the HDP Nexus Strategy and toolkit
2 days
26 days
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
Functional Competencies:
Good knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights issues, particularly on VAWG prevention
Excellent writing and analytical skills in English
Knowledge and understanding of UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes
Flawless attention to detail and organizational skills
Required Skills and Experience
Qualifications
Education and certification:
Master’s degree or equivalent in gender equality, women’s peace and security, humanitarian response, social and/or human development, international development/affairs, women’s studies, sociology, public health or a related field is required.
Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programming or policy work on addressing violence against women and girl particularly in crisis and humanitarian settings;
Experience in programme formulation and design on preventing VAWG, especially in crisis and humanitarian contexts;
Experience in research in the field of VAWG prevention especially in humanitarian settings;
Experience in developing policy and technical guidance notes to guide practitioners for programming and policy formulation, particularly on VAWG prevention;
Excellent writing skills;
Experience working with international institutions, donors and civil society organizations;
Experience working in the UN system is an asset.
