International consultant - Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Area of expertise

The GBViE specialist shall have expertise in implementing GBV response, case management programs in the health sector; possess strong interagency GBV coordination skills, functional understanding of ethical issues related to GBV information management systems.

Purpose of consultancy

WHO seeks a qualified individual consultant with expert knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV) response and prevention, as well as demonstrated professional experience in humanitarian response and preparedness, to implement activities to strengthen the integration of GBV interventions into WHO health emergencies response to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh.

Background

WHO has led an initiative to scale-up of health care services for survivors of GBV in the Rohingya refugee response since 2018 with funding from the US State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM).

Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) in refugee contexts and emergencies remains one of the key challenges for the humanitarian sector. Research suggests that approximately one in five refugee or displaced women experience sexual violence. Health services for survivors of GBV can be lifesaving and are a minimum standard of health care in humanitarian settings. However, access to this essential care is often limited. The Rohingya have been fleeing from Myanmar’s Rakhine State to adjacent districts in Bangladesh for decades. The latest influx began in August 2017 and has led to a fourfold increase in the Rohingya population in Bangladesh. It is estimated that close to one million Rohingya are now living in Bangladesh in camps located in two Upazila (Ukhia and Teknaf) of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

In 2023, the Health Sector is targeting approximately 1.4 million people out of which about 950,000 are refugees. Key sector priorities include strengthening the quality of health care services through regular monitoring, supportive supervision, and improved patient feedback mechanisms, increasing the availability and utilization of facility-based comprehensive reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services with an emphasis on increasing institutional deliveries and family planning uptake and improving emergency obstetric and referral services and immunization coverage.

Summary of assigned duties:

The consultant will be under the overall guidance of the Head of Sub Office and the direct supervision of the Public Health Response Officer in the WHO emergency sub-office Cox’s Bazar and work closely with the Rohingya Response Health Sector Coordinator, the WHO PRSM Coordinator in CXB, and HQ GBViE Technical Officer.

Priorities of the consultancy to support WHE work in Cox Bazar to address GBV include the following:

• Strengthening the capacity of the health workforce, in line with WHO tools and guidance
• Strengthening multi-sectoral engagement and coordination, under the auspices of the Health Sector
• Ensure integration of GBV response and prevention actions into WHE operational and strategic planning

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1. Strengthen the capacity of the national health workforce and Health Sector partners working in host and refugee communities to address GBV. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 1.1 Work in collaboration with Government and Health Sector partners to assess the quality of healthcare services for GBV survivors, in line with WHO tools and guidance. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 1.2. Deliver interagency training on clinical management of rape and intimate partner violence survivors, in line with work plans and collaboration with other agencies/organizations as possible. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 1.3. Adapt and deliver interagency training for health managers to improve facility preparedness for the provision of clinical management of rape and intimate partner violence (CMRIPV), by WHO curricula and guidance. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 2. Strengthen WHO engagement in multi-sectoral action to address GBV. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 2.1. Strengthen essential linkages with the Protection Sector (Child Protection, GBV) to support GBViE service referral and awareness among health providers and communities. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 2.2. Ensure WHO representation and engagement in the Health Sector and other interagency fora (e.g., PSEA network, GIHA working group, Protection Sector, etc.). Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 2.3. Contribute to the integration of GBV in Health Sector led assessments, initiatives, and advocacy as appropriate. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 3. Ensure that GBViE workstreams are appropriately integrated into WHE strategic and operational planning and reflected in resource mobilization efforts. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 3.1. Integrate GBV into WHE health service information management systems, reporting tools, and advocacy efforts, as required. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.
• Deliverable 3.2. Monitor implementation of action plans developed by WHE to address GBV service gaps. Expected by: Ongoing, monthly basis.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Education:

Essential: First-level university degree in one of the following fields:

Public Health, Women's or Gender and Development Studies, Social Sciences

Desirable: Advanced Degree in Public Health, Women's or Gender and Development Studies, or Social Sciences is desirable.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of work experience in violence against women/gender-based violence, ideally with some of this in humanitarian settings, and experience in training health organizations and health providers.

Proven work experience in violence against women/gender-based violence in emergencies, with proven knowledge of health and gender-based violence issues, a good understanding of gender quality and survivor-centered perspectives, and a good understanding of the humanitarian organizational structure.

Desirable: Previous experience working in emergencies in the Rohingya context is desirable

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Demonstrated capacity to work in challenging circumstances, administer projects and build partnerships involving technical and political elements.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural settings and excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

A demonstrated field-based experience in working withing the health cluster/sector coordination systems and partners.

Languages required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English spoken and written

Computer Literacy:

Proficient in using computer software applications (MS Office) to produce reports, prepare correspondences, compose e-mails, and create multimedia presentations.

Location:

On site: _Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Travel:

The consultant is expected to travel from home of record to the Cox’s Bazar. Local travel within the Cox’s Bazar district / interaction with partners and beneficiaries as needed.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

1. Remuneration:

• • Pay band level: B
  • Remuneration currency: USD
  • Pay band: 8490 (Monthly)

2. Living expenses: ASD rate in USD as per WHO rules as appropriate

3. Expected duration of contract: 11 Months

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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