Consultant for Development of Shadow Report on the Implementation of the Spotlight Initiative Programme in Nigeria 2020-2022

Contract

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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. In Nigeria, UN Women supports the strengthening of women’s voice, agency, and leadership across sectors to advance their rights, provide space for their meaningful participation, and contribute to tangible differences in their lives. Under the overarching SN 2022-2027, UN Women’s work in Nigeria focuses on four programmatic areas, including, governance and leadership, women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and women, peace and security and humanitarian action, and disaster risk reduction.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) launched in 2017 to? eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) mobilizes commitment of political leaders to support and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Initiative aims at ending all forms of violence against women and girls, targeting those that are most prevalent and contribute to gender inequality across the world. Since its inception the Spotlight Initiative has deployed targeted, large-scale investments in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean, aimed at achieving significant improvements in the lives of women and girls. Nigeria, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda and Zimbabwe are eight of the countries in Africa to benefit from this transformative initiative.

The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative is that women and girls realize their full potential free from violence. The Spotlight Initiative directly contributes to the achievement of three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 3 on good health and well-being and Goal 16 on inclusive and peaceful societies. The program contributes to the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through the creation of a broad partnership with Civil Society, Government, Private Sector, Media, among others; and build a social movement of women, men, girls, boys and women with disabilities as champions and agents of change at the national, subnational and community levels. A specific focus is on reaching and including in the program women and girls who are often isolated and most vulnerable to sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices (HP) due to intersecting forms of discrimination.

The SI Country Programmes use multi-sectoral, multi-layered, interlinked community-centered approach to the implementation of the interventions, on the following six Outcome Areas based on the socio-ecological model for addressing SGBV:

• Pillar One: Legislative and Policy Frameworks
• Pillar Two: Strengthening Institutions
• Pillar Three: Prevention and Social Norms
• Pillar Four: Delivery of Quality, Essential Services
• Pillar Five: Data Availability and Capacities
• Pillar Six: Supporting the Women’s Movement and Women’s Groups

Spotlight Nigeria

One of the priority countries for the Spotlight Initiative Programme is Nigeria, where the Spotlight Initiative focus on eliminating violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and harmful practices (HP). Through a comprehensive approach, the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria aims to support a Nigeria? where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, ? live a life free from violence and harmful? practices. ?The vision will be realized by addressing the linkages between sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices with related aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as a cross-cutting theme. Focus will be on prevention? efforts,? particularly addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and harmful practices (child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)) against women and girls; ensuring access? to justice without discrimination, conditions of freedom and security of women and girls and ensuring? access to inclusive, timely, and quality services for victims and survivors. The Initiative will fully integrate the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’. The geographic scope will be vertical, supporting interventions at federal, state and community levels and horizontally across 5+1 focus states (Lagos,? Sokoto, FCT, Ebonyi, Adamawa and Cross River)? , one per geo-political zone, based on a mixed set of criteria (including prevalence, political will, enabling environment, capacities and potential to facilitate further expansion and upscaling). The most vulnerable women and girls will be targeted.

Civil society engagement and participation

Success of the Spotlight Initiative relies on strong coordination between stakeholders and actors at all levels, through active engagement, dialogue and knowledge sharing. The role of civil society actors and, in particular, women’s rights organizations (including those promoting sexual and reproductive rights), and other gender equality advocates is essential to ensure those facing multiple forms of discrimination are not left behind. Civil society is also a repository of information that acts as a mirror to reflect the priorities, dynamics, challenges, and level of changes in the country. It therefore plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of interventions and facilitating collaboration and negotiations with other stakeholders.

Within the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria, civil society play a key role at several levels: in addition to being a key implementing partner, the Governing Body (Steering Committee) of the Spotlight Initiative includes 25% representatives from civil society. The Governing Body also established a civil society reference group (a small high-level group composed of eminent women’s rights and feminist activists who have global standing on the issue) in line with global guidance. The CS-RGs serve a triple function; to advise the Initiative, to advocate and partner for the realization of its objectives and to hold the Initiative accountable for its commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose, objectives, and scope

1. Purpose

As the Spotlight Initiative accelerates implementation, lessons and insights have emerged. To capture these, and assess the impact of the Initiative’s contributions, the Initiative will launch a Shadow Report in 2023 by the civil society reference group, covering three years of the implementation of the programme in Nigeria in three interconnected areas: CSO engagement, the implementation of the principle of “leaving no one behind (LNOB)” and support to women’s movement building. The report will also consider Spotlight Initiative programmes processes and granting procedures and how the Programme have adapted to the COVID-19 context, providing important learning on implementing programming in the context of a global health pandemic.

By assessing the Spotlight Initiative’s contribution across the three dimensions noted above, the Shadow Report will contribute to the broader evidence and knowledge base on ending violence against women and girls. The report will be publicly available and serve as an advocacy tool and important source of data contributing to the existing evidence bank on engaging women’s rights activists, groups and organizations, and other civil society actors in ending violence against women programming.

Objectives of the Assignment

The Consultant will develop a Shadow Report on the Spotlight Initiative implementation in Nigeria between the period of January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2022. The Shadow Report will be based on the SI Programme Nigeria annual report for the period above.

Scope of Work

The Consultant shall deliver the following results: -

• In consultation with the Civil Society Nigeria Reference Group (CS-NRG) the Consultant shall develop a shadow report on the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative Programme in Nigeria between the period of 2020 to 2022 based on the SI Nigeria country annual reports. The report will include:
  • An assessment of the activities and impact of the Spotlight Initiative in the period mentioned
  • Implementation of the principle of LNOB
  • Engagement of the civil society in the implementation of the programme
  • Recommendations for increased coordinated inputs from the CSNRG into the Spotlight country programme implementation, including improved communications, visibility and advocacy
  • An assessment of the meaningful engagement of CSOs and communities of key and vulnerable groups across the 6 Pillars of the Spotlight Initiative with clear recommendations for improved engagement.
  • Consultations with CSOs and key stakeholders for sustainability of the CSRG under the Spotlight Initiative and develop a comprehensive Report
  • Lead discussions on the review and validation of the Shadow Report at CS-NRG annual meeting

Requirements

• The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the CS-NRG and the SI Management Unit (PMU) of the Resident Coordinator’s Office –with guidance from UN Women Deputy Country Representative to Nigeria.

Competencies

Core Values / Guiding Principles:

• Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
• Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff; Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Core Competencies:

• Results oriented: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Ethics and Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity.
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication with relevant stakeholders and communicating effectively.
• Self-management and Emotional intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of the social, cultural, legal and political context of Nigeria
• Fluency in English and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact independently and as part of a team.
• Technical knowledge of policies and programmes on gender equality and EVAWG
• Analytical and report writing skills

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Experience:

• Minimum of five years’ experience working on gender equality and human rights, especially in the area of elimination of violence against women and girls (EVAWG)
• At least five years’ experience engaging with civil society organizations, women’s groups, or community-based organizations
• Minimum of five years’ experience hosting multi-stakeholder consultations and developing comprehensive reports
• At least five years’ experience working within the Nigeria and African region

Education:

The Consultant should meet the following criteria:

• Postgraduate qualification in relevant areas: Law, Human Rights, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Gender Studies or any similar field
• Bachelor’s Degree in above fields and at least five years’ demonstrated experience in the relevant fields will be accepted in lieu of a post-Graduate degree.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

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, UN Women will not be liable for additional cost or benefits.

References:

• Minimum of three client references that include the name of the contact person, title and contact information.

Other:

• The consultant contracted will be required to sign a statement of confidentiality and freedom from any conflict of interest with potential future contractors with respect to the TORs and work that they will be delivering.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Notes:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

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.)