International consultant on services for victims of sexual violence
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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. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world.
The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its Country Strategic Note for 2018-2022, aligned with the Republic of Moldova–United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018–2022, the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women for 2018-2021, the National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2017-2021 (NSGE), the National Strategy for prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence for 2018-2023 elaborated in line with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). UN Women Strategy for Moldova 2018-2022 focuses on three main areas: 1) strengthening women’s participation in politics and decision making, 2) economic empowerment of women and 3) ending violence against women and girls. To achieve progress under these areas, UN Women works with a variety of national and international partners and as part of different national and regional initiatives.
Based on the European Commission Decision ENI/2018/041-302 regarding the Annual Action Program 2018 in favor of the Republic of Moldova for support for the implementations of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, UN Women Moldova CO is implementing a three-year project (January 2020 – December 2022) under the name “Strengthened Gender Action in Cahul and Ungheni districts” (hereinafter EVA). The project is implemented in line with and in contribution to the Gender Action Plan II (GAP II) of European Commission “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the lives of girls and women through externa relations 2016-2020”, adopted in September 2015.
The project started in January 2020, funded by the European Union, co-founded and implemented by UN Women Moldova Country Office and in partnership with UNICEF. The overall purpose of the EVA Project is to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment through strengthened implementation of gender mainstreaming in local policies and combating gender-based and domestic violence affecting women and children in two focal regions: Ungheni and Cahul.
One of the expected results under EVA Project is that gender equality is promoted and mainstreamed in local policy making and decision-making. The project supports Cahul and Ungheni localities to integrate gender equality in their policies and budgets, through training elected and appointed representatives of the LPAs on gender equality and gender mainstreaming and its implications for decisions taken by the LPAs; supporting LPAs to contribute to the principles of the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life; raising the capacities and knowledge on women’s rights of local CSOs which advocate for gender equality; raising awareness of local population from selected regions on gender equality and empower women to actively participate in local decision-making processes. Another set of expected results under EVA project refers to a greater access to effective survivor - focused multidisciplinary services for the victims of domestic violence, including sexual violence; and violence prevention programs piloted in local schools and communities. In this sense, UN Women EVA Project supports strengthening the capacities of the multidisciplinary teams for an effective protection of women/children victims of domestic violence, empowering domestic violence survivors, and using innovative tools to raise the capacities of local civil society to change attitudes and behaviors on gender-based violence.
In Moldova, sexual violence (SV) disproportionately affects women and girls. Women who experienced sexual violence require comprehensive and sensitive care to mitigate the negative consequences of SV including health consequences, minimize psychological trauma and promote long-term reintegration to society and recovery.
According to national legislation1, the State shall provide several services to support the victims of violence, including victims of sexual violence: legal counselling; psychological counselling; free legal aid assistance; financial compensation. Despite progress towards the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), serious concerns remain regarding the ensure effective prevention and combating of violence against women and rehabilitation of victims, including sexual violence against women. Main challenges still persist, including underreporting of violence against women; owing to fear of stigmatization and re-victimization; the limited enforcement of the legislative framework to combat gender-based violence due to insufficient resource allocations; lack of shelters and support services for victims of gender-based violence, including counselling, legal assistance, and rehabilitation programmes, particularly in the rural areas.
A recent study on Systemic response to cases of sexual violence in Cahul and Ungheni districts2 shows that at the local level sexual violence among adult women is rarely reported and victims of SV are not provided with all necessary services. The existent services are not entirely appropriate (victim-centered), difficult to access and geographically spread all over the country. From the moment the crime is committed up until the conviction of the guilty person, victims of SV are forced to engage in lengthy procedures, face repeated victimization and have a slim chance to fully recover.
The National Action Plan for years 2018-2020 on the implementation of the national strategy, provides for the specific objective 2.2. "Creation of protection and assistance services for victims of sexual violence" several actions, such as: development of the working methodology of the intervention team in cases of sexual violence (action 2.2.1.), development of instructions for the intervention team in cases of sexual violence (action 2.2.2.) and piloting the activity of the intervention team in cases of sexual violence in 2 districts (action 2.2.4.).
RATIONALE
In order to advance the development of a specialist service for victims of sexual violence from Cahul and Ungheni regions in line with the Istanbul Convention, Essential services package for women and girls subject to violence, and the good practices from EU countries, UN Women seeks to contract an international consultant that will capitalize on the international best practices and lessons learned in establishing/developing the specialist services package to respond to sexual violence in Ungheni and/or Cahul districts of Moldova.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the EVA Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the EVA EVAW Officer and UN Women partners, the consultant will provide expert advice on the format for a specialist service for victims of sexual violence in Cahul and Ungheni districts.
More specifically, the international consultant will be responsible for the following main tasks:
- Provide guidance in operationalization of the concept for the specialist service****. Under this task, the consultant will work closely with the UN Women/EVA project team and local stakeholders to:
- Develop the technical specifications for the spaces dedicated to a specialist service for victims of sexual violence in Cahul and Ungheni in line with the best EU practices and the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence, including but not limited to the projection of the space/rooms set up, medical equipment and furniture for each of the rooms, office furniture, consultations rooms set-up, list of medical and office supplies, etc. The technical specifications must take into account best existent practices for similar services in the region.
- Cost estimate for fully equipping a model specialist service, taking into consideration the peculiarities in both locations to be ready for piloting;
- Describe in detail the status of the service; management and financial arrangements; and the roles of different central government and district level authorities/ institutions at the stage of piloting the service and after UN Women support ends;
- Develop tentative yearly budget for running the service, based on several management scenarios;
- Draft job descriptions for each of the staff and multidisciplinary teams’ members delegated/contracted for the service.
- Provide expert support in assessing the roles of stakeholders and formalizing the cooperation with all relevant national and local level stakeholders for service piloting. Under this task, the consultant is expected to have an active role in drafting memorandums/ agreements of cooperation with all institutions to be involved for efficient response to sexual violence within the specialist service, including but not limited to: police, social assistance, forensic, legal aid, health sector.
- Provide expert advice and guidance for preparing the package for service piloting and accreditation. Under this task, the expert will work closely with central government and accreditation institutions to:
- Draft the Regulation for the service as provided by the normative framework;
- Draft the working methodology/protocol for the intervention team in cases of sexual violence;
- Draft quality standard for the service for government endorsement and accreditation.
- Support capacity development and strengthening intersectoral collaboration in responding to cases of sexual violence. Under this task, the consultant will work closely with the UN Women team and partners and assist in developing the training concept for the staff involved within the service/crisis center and professionals responsible for intervening in cases of sexual violence (law enforcement, medical services, psychological, social, and legal services); and deliver up to 2 trainings on the multi-disciplinary response to cases of sexual violence based on EUMS best practices.
Duties and responsibilities:
December 30, 2021
(Home based: 17 in Moldova: 4)
Activities and Deliverables
Tentative timeframe for completion of task
Tentative number of days required for accomplishment of task
Installments
Up to two sets of recommendations regarding the technical specifications for setting up the spaces for the specialist service submitted and approved by UN Women (task 1a).
November 15, 2021
(Home based: 11)
Up to 6 days
First
Installment
Cost estimate for fully equipping the specialist service in each of the two locations.
Up to two tentative budgets reflecting costs for arranging the spaces, submitted and approved by UN Women (task 1b).
Up to 5 days
An operationalized model for the specialist service describing the status of the service; management and financial arrangements; and the roles of different central government and district level authorities/ institutions at the stage of piloting the service and after UN Women support ends (task 1c).
December 30, 2021
(Home based: 17 in Moldova: 4)
Up to 5 days
Second
Installment
Up to three detailed tentative yearly budgets for running the service, based on several management scenarios (task 1d).
Up to 5 days
Up to eight Job descriptions for the staff/ specialists to be contracted/ delegated to the specialist service, submitted and approved by UN Women (task 1e).
Up to 6 days
Draft inputs for at least five memorandums of cooperation with institutions to be involved for efficient response to sexual violence within the specialist service: police, social assistance, forensic, legal aid, health sector (task 2).
Up to 5 days
Draft Regulation of crisis center for victims of sexual violence submitted and approved by UN Women (task 3a).
May 30, 2022
(Home based: 21 in Moldova: 4)
Up to 10 days
Third
Installment
Draft the working methodology/protocol for the intervention team in cases of sexual violence, submitted and approved by UN Women (task 3b).
Up to 5 days
Draft the minimum quality standards for the specialist service/ or crisis centers in line with the international standards and best practices of EU Member States (task 3c).
Up to 10 days
Inputs to the training concept for the staff involved within the service/crisis center and professionals responsible for intervening in cases of sexual violence (law enforcement, medical services, psychological, social, and legal services).
August 30, 2022
(Home based: 4 in Moldova: 6)
Up to 4 days
Forth
Installment
Conduct up to 2 trainings on the multi-disciplinary response to cases of sexual violence based on EUMS best practices for the staff involved within the service, and stakeholders involved in the referral system. Report on capacity building activities submitted (task 4).
Up to 6 days
Total
Up to 67 days
DELIVERABLES
The assignment should be carried out starting with November 2021, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering services in agreement with the workplan and methodology established, including the deliverables stated in the table below.
All written deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English, in electronic copy.
The consultant should be ready to conduct the assignment online if the COVID-19 restrictions are maintained. Zoom link will be provided by the UN Women office.
For deliverables that envisage two options of implementation, prior coordination and agreement between UN Women and the contractor will be reached about the option to be applied (face-to-face or online).
DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
It is expected that the consultant shall start work in November 2021 with work being completed by end of August 2022, in conformity with the indicative timeframe described under “Deliverables” section.
The total duration of this assignment is tentatively planned for up to 67 days, out of which 53 working days to be home based and 14 working days to be Chisinau based with travels in Cahul and Ungheni. The international consultant is responsible for accomplish the deliverables set up in the table “Activities and Deliverables”.
Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/ feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of the assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women EVA Programme Manager shall be the only criteria for the Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.
INPUTS
UN Women will provide the Consultant with the background materials, UN Women procurement procedures, as well as other relevant materials with regards to implementation of the tasks under this TOR.
TRAVEL AND OTHER LOGISTIC ARRANGEMENTS
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travels to join duty station/repatriation travel. Throughout the assignment, the International Consultant is expected to conduct three missions to Moldova, which needs to be factored in the proposal, with 14 indicative working days to be spent in Moldova.
OTHER LOGISTIC ARRANGEMENTS
UN Women will provide support to the international consultant to reach out to the public institutions in order to undertake the consultations/ study visits.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. All reports must be provided in English, electronically.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Payment will be disbursed to the consultant in four instalments after completing the assignment, upon submission of the report on deliverables and achieved results and certification by the supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
The Consultant is expected to report and coordinate regularly with the EVA Programme Manager and EVA EVAW Officer on the progress of the completion of the deliverables. The proposer is also expected to inform in a written form UN Women of any unforeseen challenge or risk that might occur during the duration of the assignment, as well come with a backup plan to ensure the accomplishment of deliverables.
UN Women will put at the disposal of selected individual all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement and will facilitate the meetings, as needed. During assignment’s related missions, the International Consultant may use the facilities of the office (i.e. internet access, printing, copying, local phone calls, etc.). However, s/he is expected to use his/her own personal computer.
Competencies
Core Values
- Respect for Diversity;
- Integrity;
- Professionalism.
Core Competencies
- Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Human Rights based Approach and 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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in Law, Gender, Human Rights, Labor relations, Sociology or similar fields.
Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of experience working with institutions to strengthen national response to VAW (including sexual violence cases) from different sectors (e.g. police, justice, social services, health sector).
- Experience in developing, supporting the development of at least one specialist services for victims of sexual violence. Evidence about this experience must be presented in the cover letter.
- Experience in the area of VAW in countries from Eastern Europe, Central Europe or Balkan Region will be an asset. Evidence about this experience should be reflected in the cover letter.
- Experience in estimating costs, and/or policy analyses related to VAW (including sexual violence) services will be an asset. Evidence about this experience should be reflected in the cover letter.
- Proven experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies) is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent command of English and Romanian language.
- Working knowledge of Russian languages is an asset.
Application PROCEDURE
Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by October 26, 2021 with the following documents.
- Duly filled Personal History Form PHF11/CV (please download from http://www.unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P_11_form_UNwomen.doc)
- Letter of Intent to include a brief overview on consultant previous experiences makes the candidate the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. It should reflect the above-mentioned required skills and experience.
- Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the task specified in Terms of References. The Financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate). Please see ANNEX I and ANNEX II.
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.)
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