Consultant to develop a comprehensive Inter-Agency Critical Incident Protocol and Operational Guidelines

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 European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) have embarked on a new, global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) - The Spotlight Initiative.

The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The selection of Trinidad and Tobago as a Spotlight country is a recognition of the high rates of incidence and prevalence of family violence which is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality and associated harmful gender norms and stereotypes. The National Women’s Health Survey for Trinidad and Tobago (2018) found that at least 44% of ever-partnered women reported experiencing IPV within their lifetime, and 1 in 3 women reporting physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner. [1]

The overall goal of the Spotlight Initiative in Trinidad and Tobago is to reduce Family Violence. This will be done through ensuring implementation of integrated, quality and accessible services and prevention approaches. This approach recognises that an architecture of laws, policies and institutions are in place for addressing family violence. Spotlight will build on, consolidate and scale up this progress whilst addressing the significant implementation deficits and programmatic gaps.

At the end of the Spotlight programme, a comprehensive National Strategy will be adopted, practical prevention tools available at community level, and services will be accessible, effective and therefore used by survivors and perpetrators. Service providers will be held responsible for timely correction of implementation failures because systems of supervision and accountability will be strengthened. Civil society and women’s organisations will be empowered to monitor and support responsive and survivor-centred services. These approaches will advance gender equality, reduce indifference and impunity for gender-based violence against women and children.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services as the lead government entity responsible for the implementation of the critical incident protocol and the establishment of related coordination mechanisms, under the Spotlight Initiative, it is noted that there has been an increase in the number and intensity of critical incidents affecting families in Trinidad and Tobago. Such incidents can severely compromise the ability of families to restore their living arrangements, both physically and emotionally, resulting in a real threat of disintegrating family life and a general reduction in the quality of life for such families and wider societal disruption.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services defines a critical incident as “any event that has a stressful impact sufficient to overwhelm the usually effective coping skills of an individual.” Examples of critical incidents that would require intervention include but are not limited to the following:

• Family Violence
• Vehicular Accidents (Especially where there has been a loss of life)
• Homicides/ Suicides
• Singular house fire
• Humanitarian crises and natural disasters

Trinidad and Tobago has the requisite institutions to respond to critical incidents, including various arms of national security, local government, the health systems and the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. Communities and civil society have also been resilient in responding to the needs of individuals and families after such incidents. However, there is not a well-defined coordination mechanism to manage the interventions and ensure quality and essential service delivery to victims and survivors effectively and efficiently.

The nature of the incident determines which of the Government Ministries and/or State agencies are required to coordinate an effective response. However, there is an absence of operational guidelines and procedures which clearly identify the roles and responsibilities and guide the coordination between and among stakeholders.

A key aspect of a strong response system is ensuring practical guidance for the key stakeholders[1], their roles and responsibilities, and the operational procedures integral to effective intervention. UN Women, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, through the support of the Spotlight Initiative, wishes to engage a consultant to develop a comprehensive Inter-Agency Critical Incident Protocol and Operational Manual for first responders within Government and State entities. The Protocol presents an opportunity for formalising and streamlining multi-agency first responder approaches to effectively respond to critical incidents across Trinidad and Tobago. Under Pillar 2 of the Spotlight Initiative, the protocol will contribute to the development of a strategy to integrate family violence policies and programmes within relevant Ministries and state entities.

[1] Key Government Ministries/Entities, the National Gender Machinery, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations.

[1] https://caribbeanwomencount.unwomen.org/countries.html?country=4

Duties and Responsibilities

In the development of the Inter-Agency Critical Incident Protocol and Operational Guidelines, the Consultant will be required to develop the framework for collaboration and coordination, facilitate consultations with stakeholders to agree upon roles and responsibilities, and standardize processes and timelines for addressing critical incidents and define operational procedures for first responders.

Specifically, the Consultant will be required to:

• Prepare and present project related documents and materials, and ensure stakeholder engagement and collaboration through various communication channels including; project meetings, presentations and reports.
• Define the purpose and scope of coordination and collaboration within the Ministry and among stakeholders;
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders;
• Explain steps and identify response time frames for the completion of each step when dealing with each type of critical incident;
• Provide a strategic framework as well as standard operating procedures for handling critical incidents; and
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan to accompany the framework.

CONSULTANT’S DELIVERABLES

Inception Report

• Develop a detailed project plan and work plan to carry out the assignment, this should include detailed times lines, proposed approach and methodology, all mindful of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Conduct a thorough desk review of the first and 2nd responder system in Trinidad and Tobago utilising key reports, national legislation, agencies’ mandates, existing memoranda of understanding as well as internal policies and procedures.

• Review and map stakeholders’ existing protocols and processes to address critical Incidents, highlight gaps and areas for strengthening.

Stakeholder Consultations

• Host a multi-stakeholder project kick off meeting to introduce the project and its objectives, and to outline the roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders.
• Conduct thorough and in-depth stakeholder consultations (including remote consultations) and key stakeholder interviews to map processes and information flows to guide the development of the Protocol and Operational Guidelines.
• Submit a Consultation Report - data collection and analysis of all the key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations conducted shall be conducted and synthesized, highlighting relevant recommendations and action items.

Development of the Inter-Agency Critical Incident Protocol and Operational Guidelines

• Develop the draft protocol framework and operational guidelines and present to key stakeholders for feedback

• Finalise the protocol and operational guidelines based on feedback from key stakeholders

• Ensure buy-in from stakeholders for implementation

Development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

• Develop an M&E plan and logical framework to monitor, assess and report on the adoption and implementation of the protocol, with roles and responsibilities outlined by key stakeholders

Final Report

• Prepare a Final Report/Close-Out which includes:
  1. A Review of project objectives,
  2. Summary of project objectives,
  3. Lessons Learned; and
  4. Benefits realization.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant will report to the UN Women Multi-Country Office- Caribbean, Planning and Coordination Specialist (Trinidad and Tobago), in close collaboration with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.

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

Functional Competencies:

• Integrity and Fairness: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience:

• At least 10 years relevant professional experience in strategic planning, capacity building, crisis/incident management, policy/protocol development, and programme management.

• Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination, negotiations, facilitation and coordination of sectors, reporting and technical writing.

• Experience implementing initiatives on family violence, including the elimination of violence against women and girls.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proven experience in people management and networking skills.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Strategic Planning, Public Policy, Project Management or other relevant fields.

LOCATION AND DURATION

• The consultancy will be home-based (field visits may be required within Trinidad and Tobago if suitable within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic).
• The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 35 working days during the period 14 March 2022 – 31 May 2022.

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 vacant post, 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 comfortably run Office 365 programs, using operating systems Microsoft Windows 10/11, or Mac OS X 10.11 or upward. The consultant must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based (Skype or equivalent) is required.

REFERENCES:

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

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• CV outlining qualifications and experience
• A proposal outlining the Consultant’s approach to the Scope of Works must be submitted with application.
• Interviews will be conducted with the shortlisted applicants.

Note:

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, colour, 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).