Development of the Prevention Framework for UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

Result of Service Development of the Prevention Framework for UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

Work Location NY

Expected duration 2 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background

1. The CRSV Mandate

Conflict-related Sexual Violence (CRSV) is frequently and deliberately used to target civilians, inflicting long-term trauma and humiliation, fracturing the social fabric, triggering displacement and fuelling armed actors’ activities. Such violence is motivated by political, military or economic objectives to control territory or resources and also serves as a tactic of violent extremism and terrorism. Women and girls continue to be those primarily affected by CRSV, not least due to patterns of gender discrimination and inequality predating the conflict.

The United Nations Security Council has recognized the link between sexual violence, gender equality, and the restoration of peace and security. Through a series of UNSCR on Women, Peace, and Security, it has stressed that sexual violence can significantly exacerbate situations of armed conflict and impede the restoration of international peace and security. CRSV is a serious violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, which under international criminal law can amount to a war crime, crime against humanity, or a constituent element of genocide. These resolutions have laid the conceptual and operational framework for the UN system, together with Member States and the international community, to prevent and respond to CRSV. The most recent WPS resolution, UNSCR 2467, explicitly recognized the need for a survivor-centred approach in preventing and responding to CRSV and the continuum of violence perpetrated against women and girls. It also calls for the deployment of Women’s Protection Advisors at a senior level within offices of UN Resident Coordinators in all relevant situations of concern to implement the commitments outlined in all UNSCRs on CRSV. Ten years after the establishment of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG)on Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2019, SRSG Patten denounced the alarming trends of CRSV reported across conflict and post conflict situations and the prevailing and profound accountability gap for sexual violence crimes. For the next decade of mandate implementation, the SRSG called for a new era of decisive action centred around 1) empowering survivors and those at risk notably through enhanced quality service-provision, 2) acting on available information to bring parties into compliance with international norms; and 3) enhancing accountability as a critical pillar of prevention and deterrence.

2. UN Action

UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) unites efforts across the UN system with the goal of preventing conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), meeting survivors’ needs and enhancing accountability for CRSV. Launched in March 2007, the Network currently embraces 20 UN entities .

UN Action, working as one UN, aims to prevent and response to CRSV through a survivor-centred approach. Such an approach includes, but is not limited to meaningfully engaging survivors and meeting their needs, addressing root causes to CRSV, enhancing accountability and justice mechanisms, establishing protective environments propitious for the full enjoyment of survivors’ human rights, self-determination, and personal, social, cultural, political and economic undertakings, including in leadership roles if they so choose.

The Network is chaired by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and supported by the UN Action Coordinator and UN Action Secretariat, located in the Office of the SRSG-SVC. Every member entity has a dedicated Focal Point at the working level, and a Steering Committee member at the Principal level.

Objectives Following the creation of a strong normative framework and the signing of commitments by relevant governments and parties to conflict, UN Action is the main forum through which the SRSG-SVC promotes cooperation and coordination efforts among all relevant stakeholders. The SRSG-SVC has articulated a three-pillar priority strategy that serves as a guiding approach for UN Action’s work: 1. Converting cultures of impunity into cultures of deterrence; 2. Addressing structural gender-based inequality as the root causes and invisible driver of sexual violence in times of war and peace; and 3. Fostering national ownership and leadership for a sustainable, survivor-centred response that empowers civil society and women’s rights defenders Thus, the SRSG-SVC envisioned the development of a Prevention of Conflict-related Sexual Violence Framework. This Framework will translate the concept of CRSV prevention as an international norm into a practical reality that can be implemented at the regional, national and local levels. The Framework will serve as a tool for more dynamic programmatic efforts to prevent CRSV among all stakeholders, particularly governments and the UN to address CRSV at its root. It is intended to be a ‘road map’ to address prevention efforts and to serve as a tool to advocate for more broad-based initiatives. To achieve this goal, a working group within the UN Action Network was created in May 2021 to provide multi-layer action, multi-dimensional range, and multi-implementers to the Framework. This ensures a coordinating and multi-sectoral approach involving multiple strategies implemented in a mutually reinforcing way, with the goal of collaborative efforts to create synergy among all stakeholders and avoid duplication of efforts. UN Action seeks a consultant to develop and finalise the Framework, including through a short desk review and consultations with the UN Action network and relevant stakeholders.

The development of the Framework will be led by an external consultant who reports to the UN Action Coordinator and the Chair of the working group. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, based on this expected timeline: 1. Document Review and Analysis: Review and analysis of reference documents provided by the UN Action Network, 2. Identification of and consultations with key stakeholders: Hold regular working sessions with the working group and separate bilateral meetings with the UN Action Network and other stakeholders to discuss the development of the Framework 3. Development of First Draft: Based on the research conducted, develop a complete first draft of the Framework 4. Feedback from key stakeholders 5. Development of Final Draft: Based on feedback received, finalise the Framework 6. Present the final Framework to key stakeholders

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UN Action Coordinator and the Chair of the working group. The consultant will keep both jointly and fully apprised of the progress including weekly updates. The working group will meet with the consultant at the start of the development process and to review and discuss the Framework prior to finalisation.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Strong writing skills. - Good communication and facilitation skills. - Cultural awareness and sensitivity to gender issues. Academic Qualifications: Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, communications, marketing and business administration, international relations and/or related field Experience: - A minimum of 7 years of work experience in research, writing, and related fields is required. - Extensive experience in research design and implementation is required. - Previous experience working on CRSV and/or GBV, Women, Peace and Security, or related field is required. - Demonstrated experience of having successfully undertaken similar assignments is required. - A minimum of 2 years of work-experience in conflict-affected settings is desirable. - Previous experience serving in, or demonstrated knowledge of, UN field missions, or serving in inter-agency coordination in the UN or comparable international organisations will be considered as an asset. - Knowledge of the United Nations is an asset. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.