Baseline Study (Homebased)

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

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 UN Women MCO Caribbean covers 22 countries and territories in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, which are part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Strides towards gender equality in the countries covered by the MCO have resulted in gains for women and girls in the Caribbean, relating primarily to high education rates and increases in employment rates. However critical gaps remain. These gaps are further exploited during hazards like COVID-19 and other environmental hazards.

The MCO Caribbean 2022 -2026 programme builds on the works of the 2017-2021 Strategic Note with a focus on the Normative Framework (Proposed Outcome 1), Women’s Economic Empowerment (Proposed Outcomes 2 and 3), Ending Violence against Women and Girls (Proposed Outcome 4) and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Resilience (Proposed Outcome 5). All the Outcomes like the SDGs are interconnected and interrelated. Public engagement and events are critical opportunities for networking, sensitization and advocacy.

In 2023, UN Women launched a project titled ‘Vulnerable Population Response for Bahamas Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies’, which seeks to reduce gender-based violence, youth crime and trafficking in persons in The Bahamas. The project’s logical framework is based on the findings of the UN Common Country Assessment, a mapping and assessment of the laws of the Bahamas, and administrative data from police and justice sectors which point to the impact of gender-based violence, youth crime, and institutional gaps in evidence-based policymaking and in the administration of justice as an inhibitor of progress towards advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Against this background, the project seeks to address these issues in three-part by:

1. Assessing the current government capacity to respond to incidences of gender-based violence.
2. Strengthening the capacity of duty-bearers to enhance and deploy prevention and reduction strategies, through training and sensitization, and by developing and implementing dedicated judicial and law enforcement response protocols.
3. Adopting and implementing evidence-based programmes to increase perpetrator accountability and reduce impunity, which offer mechanisms for rehabilitation and prevent recidivism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women MCO - Caribbean Representative, and day to day supervision of the Planning and Coordination Specialist the consultant will complete a baseline study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours among key duty-bearers towards gender-based violence, and violence among key and vulnerable groups to identify possible drivers for change.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Develop a detailed inception report and workplan to carry out the assignment, including a comprehensive timeline, and proposed approach and methodology.
• Obtain ethical approval and other necessary clearances to conduct the study.
• Complete desk research on gender-based violence and violence among vulnerable groups identified within the Programme Document, in the Bahamas.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders including Government, Civil Society Organisations, and Donors/Development Partners to gather information for the assessment.
• Prepare a draft report, on knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours among key duty-bearers towards gender-based violence, and violence among key and vulnerable groups in the Bahamas, and present for feedback.
• Produce a final report based on consultation findings and feedback.

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.
• Results Oriented

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Strong gender and social research, analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including conveying complex concepts and recommendations in a clear style.
• Knowledge of the social, cultural, legal and political context of the Caribbean.
• Ability to interact independently as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and operate effectively in stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced University Degree in any of the following areas: Gender and Development, Statistics, Law, Public Health or a relevant Social Sciences discipline is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience working on gender equality, gender-based violence and human rights issues is required.
• At least 10 years’ experience conducting research and analysis of gender-based violence/crime and violence is required.
• Technical Report Writing skills is required.
• Experience working within the Caribbean region is required.
• Experience working with the United Nations is preferred.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

• The consultancy will be home-based.
• The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 60 working days within the period, 1 May 2024 to 30 September 2024.

Remuneration

• The consultancy fee will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and the consultant and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.
• The remuneration for this contract type is an all-inclusive fee, the organization will not be liable for additional cost or benefits. Hence, it is the responsibility of the consultant to take out adequate medical insurance for the duration of the contract and it is recommendable that the policy includes coverage for COVID-19 related illness. The medical coverage should be international when the contract requires missions or international assignment.
• If selected for this consultancy, proof of medical coverage should be presented within the first two months of the contract.

Hardware, Software, And Communication

• The consultant must be equipped with a fully functional laptop, which must run at least Windows 7. The consultants must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based (Skype or equivalent) is required.

Other:

Submissions to UNDP Jobs are limited to a maximum of 10 MB, virus-free or corrupted contents to avoid rejection, and no more than 1 email transmission. All applications must be submitted through UNDP jobs. Please do not send applications to UN Women staff as they will not be accepted.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

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