Consultant to develop a guidance on cross border GBV referral systems along the humanitarian-development nexus

Consultant Leadership

Overview

Develop a guidance on GBV cross border referral systems.

You have:

• Master’s degree in the field of international development, law, gender studies, social sciences, human rights or other related areas.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of gender-based violence (GBV) across the humanitarian and development nexus, including experience working with GBV case management, GBV service provision and migration.
• Experience working with women migrant workers is an asset.
• Experience working with CSOs and/or CBOs in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar is an asset.
• Good knowledge of gender equality.
• Good knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar.
• Good understanding of social, political and cultural context in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar.
• Fluent in English.

Contract

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Background

1) Background of the initiative

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. UN Women globally focuses on six key priority areas that are fundamental to women’s equality, namely: women’s leadership and participation in political spaces, ending violence against women (VAW), enhancing women’s economic empowerment, engaging in all aspects of women peace and security processes, gender statistics, and making gender equality central to national planning. In addition, UN Women also plays a central role in the intergovernmental coordination of gender equality action.

In South East Asia, UN Women is implementing the regional programme ‘Safe and Fair: Realizing women migrant workers’ rights and opportunities in the ASEAN region’ through a partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Safe and Fair is part of the multi-year EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls. The programme works in close cooperation with governments and social partners to achieve three inter-linking specific objectives: (1) Women migrant workers are better protected by gender-sensitive labour migration governance frameworks; (2) Women migrant workers are less vulnerable to violence and trafficking and benefit from coordinated responsive quality services; and (3) Data, knowledge and attitudes on the rights and contributions of women migrant workers are improved.

Within the framework of the above programme, UN Women is hiring a consultant on “Cross border GBV referral systems along the humanitarian-development nexus”, in close collaboration with:

The Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility (GBV AoR) is the global forum for coordination and collaboration on GBV prevention and response and advancing risk mitigation in humanitarian settings under the Cluster System, as a core component of the Protection Cluster. The GBV AoR, led by UNFPA as cluster lead agency for GBV in emergencies, works to strengthen system-wide preparedness and technical capacity to respond to humanitarian crises, bringing together non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, academics and others under the shared objective of ensuring life-saving, predictable, accountable and effective action on GBV. In the Asia-Pacific, the inter-agency Regional Emergencies GBV Advisor (REGA) team represents the GBV AoR, providing tailored technical advice, capacity building and high level advocacy to enhance coordination of GBV interventions at the regional and country-level. The GBV AoR, where present at country level, facilitates inter-agency service delivery for GBV survivors in emergencies, including coordination of referral pathways and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for multi-sectoral service delivery and safe referrals.

International Labour Organization (ILO)- ILO is the UN Agency for the World of Work. The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. ILO is the only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 and it brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. ILO Convention No. 190 (or C190 for short) is the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. The Convention was adopted in June 2019, by the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and came into force on 25 June 2021.Governments that ratify C190 will be required to put in place the necessary laws and policy measures to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work. The Convention represents an historic opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect for all. The ILO also works to forge policies to maximize the benefits of labour migration for all those involved in line with International Labour standards.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) - the UN Migration Agency - is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental partners. In 2016, IOM formally joined the United Nations system as a related agency, consolidating its position as the leading organization on global migration-related issues. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services, assistance and advice to governments, non-governmental partners and migrants/people on the move. It promotes international cooperation, assists in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and provides humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, refugees and internally displaced people as well as host communities. Since its creation in 1951, the Organization became the leading international agency dedicated to advance the understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and people on the move.

UNHCR has been entrusted with the mandate to provide international protection to refugees and, together with governments, to seek permanent solutions for the problem of refugees. Paragraph 8(a) of the UNHCR statute and the preamble to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees confer responsibility upon UNHCR to supervise the application of international conventions for the protection of refugees. The High Commissioner is primarily mandated to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance and to seek permanent solutions for persons within the Office’s core mandated responsibilities. In performing these functions, UNHCR collaborates in the development of partnerships with other international agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), promoting and facilitating coordination to enhance the welfare of refugees.

UNFPA (UN Population Fund) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with a mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works to ensure implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). As part of the strategic direction of the organisation, UNFPA has a three-part strategic plan leading to 2030 with focus on three transformative results: (a) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; (b)ending the unmet need for family planning; and (c) ending preventable maternal deaths. UNFPA works to prevent and respond to gender-based violence through its work with policymakers, health systems and humanitarian partners.

2) Scope of Work

Migrant populations and especially women, including women migrant workers and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics are at risk of multiple intersections of discrimination and violence based on race, ethnicity, nationality, age, migration status or other sex- or gender-associated characteristics.[i] During emergencies, such as the recent COVID-19 crisis, the risk of being exposed to violence and harassment perpetrated by employers, partners, law enforcement officials, members of the public, duty bearers, other migrants or front line service providers further increase, at a time when violence response services, migrant support, and legal aid are hard to access.[ii] “Social distancing” measures, particularly when implemented through movement restriction and quarantine procedures, may increase the risk of violence and abuses, and limit the timely access to services . Individuals may find themselves trapped with those who perpetrate violence against them.

In the Asia-Pacific region, migrant and refugee populations have experienced increased risk to gender-based violence (GBV) due not only to the multi-faceted health and socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, but also to the political insecurity and conflicts that have intensified, particularly since the start of 2021 and increased displacement within country and across borders.

In this context, efficient and safe cross border referral systems that respond to the needs of migrant and displaced survivors of GBV are highly needed within the development-humanitarian nexus. While there is anecdotal information available about existing informal cross border referrals, there is not adequate documentation and understanding among agencies (UN, government and civil society) about how these referral systems are developed and constructed, how they operate and who and how can access them. Also, while many cases are managed within countries, not enough systems and mechanisms exist that would ensure efficient cross border management of GBV cases. And, when systems and mechanisms are in place, the affected population often lacks knowledge about them. Mechanisms that ensure efficient and safe data protection are also often lacking.

To address these concerns raised by multiple agencies, 1) a desk review, 2) a practical basic inter-agency regional guidance note and 3) a training tool are proposed to scan and compile existing information and identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen these referral systems The desk review, guidance note and training package will explore CSOs/CBOs as main stakeholders with a focus on the Mekong region, more specifically Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Myanmar. Taking a corridor approach will enable the guidance to be targeted and practical with elements which could be adapted and used elsewhere in the region.

3) Purpose

The aim of the consultancy is to compile and analyse existing information on GBV cross-border referral systems across the development-humanitarian nexus, with a focus on the migration corridors in the Mekong region, to identify existing gaps, bottlenecks and challenges and make recommendations to enhance GBV service delivery to migrant, asylum-seekers and displaced populations, including women migrant workers survivors of violence. Based on the analysis, a step-by-step guidance note and a training tool will be developed to orient CSOs/CBOs frontline workers on how to develop cross border referral mechanisms supporting migrants, asylum-seeking or other displaced persons who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) crossing international borders. in countries where trade union organisations provide services and information to migrant workers, they would also be involved.

4) Objectives

a). Conduct a desk review:

• Review of the current status of CSOs cross-border referrals in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Myanmar, including any informal mechanisms for referrals, gaps, challenges and entry points
• Review evidence/good practices on existing cross-border referral mechanisms in other nexus contexts (Latin America, Southern Africa etc)
• Map existing cross-border referral pathways and protocols established by CSOs/CBOs and government actors for safe referral of migrant, asylum-seeking and displaced GBV survivors.
• Analyse what is happening formally and informally and where do formal or informal cross-border referrals occur?
• Map organizations (CSOs/CBOs and government actors) who already have mechanisms and capacity to provide cross-border case management in the focus countries and other potential actors who could play a role.
• Identify promising practices or practices from other regions that broadly apply to the Mekong region, and specifically to the five focus countries.

b) Develop a guidance note for CSO/CBO frontline staff:

• Offer guidance on how to safely and ethically respond to GBV survivors who are in transit or likely to be in transit and crossing borders in the future.
• Provide recommendations on how to develop cross-border referrals to enhance cross-border case management, service delivery and data protection.

c) Develop and pilot a training tool for CSO/CBO frontline staff:

• Explore how to develop efficient and safe referral pathways and how to engage survivors of violence safely, considering the ‘do no harm’ principle.
• Pilot the training tool within a network of CSOs/CBOs that does case management and offers specialized GBV services across the focus countries.

d) Offer direct support to the development of referral pathways

• Using the developed guidance note and training tool, give technical support to at least 5 identified actors (CSOs/CBOs) to develop and strengthen cross-border referral pathways across the focus countries.

5) Methodology

The desk review, guidance note and training tool will be developed by using the following data collection methods, to be discussed and adjusted with the consultant, when hired:

• Review of secondary data (including material produced by UN agencies and partner organizations)
• 10 Key informant interviews (KIIs), with relevant actors, including UN Women, IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR partners and counterparts working on cross-border referral systems.
• Consultations with 20-30 key stakeholders who do case management and who are providing specialized GBV services.
• If possible, consultations with 10-15 women and individuals with diverse SOGIESC who are migrant, migrant workers, asylum-seeking and displaced populations

Duties and Responsibilities

6) Expected Deliverables

Key Tasks

Deliverables

Target date

Payments %

1. Conduct a desk review on the current status of cross-border referrals among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam

1.1 Validated and finalized desk review report, incorporating at least one round of feedback from the interagency peer review group.

28 February 2022

10

2. Conduct

a) consultations and key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant UN Women, ILO, IOM, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR partners and counterparts working on cross-border referral.

b) consultations with CSOs/CBOs who provide specialized GBV services.

c) consultations with migrant, asylum-seeking and displaced populations, including women migrant workers, through peer networks

2.1 Validated report that presents the data collection process, analysis and results received through the KIIs, CSO/CBO consultations and consultations with migrant, asylum-seeking and displaced populations, including women migrant workers, incorporating at least one round of feedback from the interagency peer review group.

30 April 2022

20

3. Develop a guidance note and a training tool

3.1 Validated and finalized guidance note and training tool incorporating at least one round of comments by the interagency peer review group.

31 May 2022

40

4. Pilot the training tool within a network of CSOs/CBOs that does case management and offers specialized GBV services across the focus countries and provides direct support to at least 5 identified actors (CSOs/CBOs) to develop and strengthen cross-border referral pathways across the focus countries.

4.1 Validated training tool after the pilot, report of the pilot training organized and of the direct support provided, at least one new cross-border referral pathway enhanced/created, incorporating one round of comments by the interagency peer review group

31 July 2022

30

7) Supervision

The consultant will work under the supervision of the EVAW Programme Specialist of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, who will coordinate and consolidate the technical comments received from IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR.

8) Copyright/Intellectual Property

UN Women will retain copyright and intellectual property rights over all resources and content created as part of these Terms of Reference. However, the credit for the production of the content will be given to the service provider and the partner agencies.

All information pertaining to this project (documentary, digital, cyber, project documents, etc.) belonging to UN Women, IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR, which the consultant may come into contact within the performance of his/her, duties under this assignment shall remain the property of UN Women, IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever without written permission of UN Women, IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

Competencies

9) 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

Functional Competencies:

• Good analytical skills
• Good knowledge of violence against women

Required Skills and Experience

10) Eligibility criteria

• Master’s degree in the field of international development, law, gender studies, social sciences, human rights or other related areas.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of gender-based violence (GBV) across the humanitarian and development nexus, including experience working with GBV case management, GBV service provision and migration
• Experience working with women migrant workers is an asset
• Experience working with CSOs and/or CBOs in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar is an asset
• Good knowledge of gender equality
• Good knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar
• Good understanding of social, political and cultural context in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar

• Fluent in English

  11) Roles and Responsibilities of the Parties

UN Women, IOM, ILO, UNHCR, UNFPA and GBV AoR will provide technical guidance where possible and written comments in select deliverables, as mentioned above. The service provider shall be required to bear all the related costs and work independently to successfully achieve the end results.

12) Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis.

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilized in evaluating the applications, with evaluation of the technical application being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

Technical qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individuals is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Obtainable Score

A. Education

• Master’s degree in the field of international development, law, gender studies, social sciences, human rights or other related areas.

  20%

B. Substantive experience and skills

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of gender-based violence (GBV) across the humanitarian and development nexus, including experience working with GBV case management, GBV service provision and migration
• Experience working with women migrant workers is an asset
• Experience working with CSOs and/or CBOs in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar is an asset
• Good knowledge of gender equality
• Good knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar

• Good understanding of social, political and cultural context in the Mekong region, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and/or Myanmar

  70%

C. Reporting writing, editing and language skills

• Fluent in English.

  10%

Total Obtainable Score

100%

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allocated for the financial component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technically qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
• Financial proposal: the financial proposal shall specify a lump sum amount breaking down the professional fee for each deliverable, in local currency.

13) Submission of application

Submission package includes:

• CV
• P11 https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc
• Financial proposal: the financial proposal shall specify deliverable fees breaking down into the professional fee per day

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.)

**Please note, you can only submit 1 file in the UNDP application system. If you submit your application through the UNDP application system, please create one file with all the required documents. Applicants with incomplete submission will not be considered.*

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org