Lead Consultant to conduct a Review of the National Action Plan for the implementation of the State Program for the Prevention of violence in the family (PVF) in RT for 2014–2023

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Background

UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has been created to accelerate up the process of meeting the needs of women and girls across the world. As a part of the UN reform agenda, it brings together resources and mandates which will subsequently have a lasting impact on the whole community.

Forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) vary according to the social, historical, economic, cultural and political contexts of different countries, and the conceptualization of policy must respond to these. Manifestations of VAW are often multiple, interrelated and/or recurring. Women can experience violence in the family, in the community or at the hands of the State, with some forms of violence (such as trafficking and in situations of armed conflict or conflict around natural resources) extending into further settings. Violence against women is still a burning issue in Tajikistan. It negates all the achievements that Tajikistan has achieved over the years of independence in protecting and strengthening the rights of women and girls.

Globally States, including Tajikistan, have clear obligations under international law to address VAW. States are required to exercise due diligence to prevent acts of VAWG; to investigate such acts and prosecute and punish perpetrators; and to provide redress and relief to victims. The requirement to adopt and implement National Action Plans (NAP) to VAWG is set out in international and regional human rights instruments and policy documents****[1]****. Strategic, long-term programme of activity – addressing the underlying causes of domestic violence and VAW and strengthening the systems that respond to it – are a feature of recent policy in this field, as opposed to the more reactive approach of earlier work. NAPs are essential to this effort, providing comprehensive, multisectoral and sustained ‘blueprints for ending violence against women’. Plans can build in the lessons from reviews and evaluations of previous plans and policies in this area, or, if formal evaluations do not exist, undertake a critical review of such policies and plans to assess effectiveness of process, outcomes achieved and gaps remaining.

In Tajikistan the elimination of VAWG is one of the priorities of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan till 2030. With the aim to effectively implement the Law of RT on Prevention of Violence in the Family (PVF) Tajikistan introduced the State Programme of RT on Prevention of violence in the family for 2014-2023 and its Action Plan (NAP) that create mechanisms for the implementation of related legislative frameworks. The NAP on Implementation of the Law of RT on Prevention of Violence in the Family (2014-2023) will be reviewed to ensure continuous improvement, to build evidence for future action with a future new NAP on Prevention of violence against women and girls (beyond 2023) that is to be developed later.

The NAP review is planned to be done in the framework of the Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan – A Joint EU-UN Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls. The Spotlight Initiative contributes to a new way of collaborating to fill important legal gaps and institutional needs and change the norms and perceptions that will address root causes of VAWG and prevent it in Tajikistan, while supporting women and girls - survivors of violence, in a holistic and impact-oriented manner. The programme responses to the needs of women and girls and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women and girls using a multi-sectoral and intersectional approach across the ecological model. The Programme is grounded on the core principle of leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first.

UN Women will hire a Lead Consultant to conduct a Review of the National Action Plan of the State Program for the Prevention of violence in the family (PVF) in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2014–2023 (LEAD CONSULTANT TO REVIEW PVF IMPLEMENTATION PLAN) that will be supported by a second National Consultant (to be hired by UN Women).

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Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Goal and objectives

The main goal is to conduct a review and assess effectiveness of the current Action Plan to State Programme of RT on Prevention of Violence in the Family 2014-2023; and identify achievements, gaps and remaining challenges to tackle with a new NAP on ending VAWG (beyond 2023), drafting of which will be developed later with support of Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan.

This should include an examination of the current situation with PVF in the country and how the State and partners approach emerging issues as they are articulated in their NAPs. In evaluating the NAP, the Review will/should make recommendations to support the Drafting the new NAP on ending VAWG (beyond 2023), based on evidence of the current review findings.

The review should consider:

  • to what extent has the NAP been effective in directing Tajikistan’s efforts to address PFV
  • to what extent is the structure of the NAP, and the identified roles and responsibilities of institutions were appropriate to achieving its purposes.
  • to what extent were the governance arrangements and accountability mechanisms sufficient and

appropriate

  • to what extent actions were appropriate and supporting the implementation and objectives of the NAP

what can be learned from how NAP was implemented

  • what were emerging issues and new priorities for the next NAP
  • how appropriate was the Monitoring and Evaluation framework and provide recommendations for the M&E framework under the next NAP
  • recommend the best international practices suitable for incorporation into the next NAP.
  1. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Programme Coordinator, jointly with a second National Consultant, (to be hired by UN Women), the Lead Consultant will be responsible for the following:

  • Development of the detailed work plan and methodology in consultation with the Committee on women and family affairs under the Government of RT (CoWFA), and under guidance of the Check List (Checklist for review of NAPs on ending VAWG).
  • Gathering information from first hands at 4 one-day national consultations in Dushanbe, Khatlon and Sogd regions and DRS, to be organized by the Lead and National Consultants, about the progress, achieved by stakeholders in implementation of the current NAP on PVF, as well as remaining challenges.
  • Making a home-based analysis of the findings and recommendations, including analysis of recommendations on widening the NAP to other categories/sectors of VAWG for future drafting the new NAP (beyond 2023).
  • Presenting a Report of a Synthesis of findings & results to UN Women, stakeholders and Recipient UN Agencies of the Spotlight Initiative.
  • Reporting.

The Lead Consultant will focus on State bodies as target groups for consultations.

  1. Tasks

  2. COLLECT THE INFORMATION AS PER CHECK LIST FOR REVISION OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW OF RT “ON PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY” FOR 2014-2023 (NAP).

Conducting national consultations to gather information on the advancements on the implementation of the NAP on PVF (2014-2023) consists of several types of activities: the Lead Consultant jointly with National Consultant, to be hired by UN Women, will take care of drafting the agenda of the 4 consultations, invitation the participants of the 4 consultations in administrative centers of indicated localities – Dushanbe, Khatlon, Sogd regions and DRS of Tajikistan, and holding and facilitation of the consultations, supporting the dialogue in both Tajik and Russian languages.

Agenda of consultations****:

The agenda will be guided by the Checklist for review of NAPs on ending VAWG and Annex 1 to this TOR “****Suggested methods of consultations and their facilitation****”. For communicating with the UN Women office and RUNOs, the Lead Consultant will use Teams/Zoom meetings or in-person meetings which will be organised by the Contract Supervisor.

The primary target participants of the 4 national consultations include:

To be covered by Lead Consultant:

  1. Focal points from line agencies in charge of implementing and monitoring VAW prevention and response programmes (ex.: national machinery on gender, health, social welfare, labour, interior, local government);
  2. Representatives from local government;
  3. Representatives from officials in the legislative and judicial arms of government implementing interventions in strengthening legal framework on VAW and strengthening implementation of existing laws;
  4. Representatives from government coordination body;

Time Frame and Formats of the consultations:

The Consultation can be conducted within 8 hours. These can be conducted in-person or in a mixed format – in-person and online via platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, or Google.

On other details of consultations see Annex 1 to this TOR “Suggested methods of consultations and their facilitation”.

Logistics:

  1. CoWFA will coordinate the process of inviting the state partners, proposed by the Lead Consultant.
  2. UN Women will support logistical arrangements of the consultations (hall rent/meal/supply or stationery).

Results of the national consultations:

Specifically, at the end of the national consultations, the participants would be able to:

  1. Share information on key initiatives, programs, and legislation that advance the implementation of the NAP and meet the specific targets for the priority areas at the National Level;
  2. Identify successes and existing assets (to build upon and maximise), and challenges faced in the implementation of the NAP in the last five years; and
  3. Develop recommendations to address challenges to implementation, accelerate progress against the NAP, and achieve expected improvements in each effort to address VAWGs, with a special focus on addressing the needs of specific populations (women with disabilities, women migrant workers, women living with HIV/AIDS).

Ethical guidelines:

Given that the National Consultations is both a form of evaluation as well as research (i.e., primary data gathering), it is important to ensure that the organisers are familiar with the standard ethical guidelines and safety recommendations for social research. In this regard, the Consultations shall be guided by principles outlined in:

  1. UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation in the UN System (2005, updated 2016)
  2. UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation (2008)
  3. UNICEF Ethical Research Involving Children (2013)
  4. WHO Putting women first: ethical and safety recommendations for research on domestic violence against women (2001)
  5. WHO Ethical and safety recommendations for intervention research on violence against women: Building on lessons from the WHO publication “Putting women first” (2016)

Principles of Confidentiality shall be strictly adhered to.

Specifically, the organisers – Lead and National Consultants of UN Women - shall take accountability to ensure the following:

  • consultations will be conducted in a private setting (to the extent possible)
  • information will only be shared internally and externally on a ‘need to know’ basis and only with individuals and/or organisations relevant to the Review process
  • any member of the facilitation team or organisers cannot discuss any case information with family, friends or co-workers
  • only non-identifying data of individuals will be shared in documents and reports, unless otherwise allowed by the participants
  • respondents’ informed consent will be obtained and respected
  • all written information with identifying details will be kept in password protected documents or in locked/secure space (if printed).
  1. ANALISE THE COLLECTED INFORMATION AS PER CHECK LIST FOR REVISION OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW OF RT “ON PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY” FOR 2014-2023 (NAP)

Upon collecting information and findings of the 4 national consultations, the Lead Consultant, supported by the National Consultant (to be hired by UN Women), will be reviewing and analysing the results as per questions of the following control areas and milestones of the Checklist for review of NAPs on ending VAWG with clarifications, notes, examples.

Report of a synthesis of findings & results

The synthesis will provide key findings, results and recommendations for enhancing effectiveness on prevention of domestic violence, and within new NAP implementation based on international standards, including an investment on costing of services for eliminating VAWG (to support an evidence-based approach to this process) and design of a Monitoring & Evaluation framework for the new NAP on VAWG prevention (beyond 2023).

  1. PRESENTING THE DRAFT RESULTS TO SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE’S RUNOS AND STAKEHOLDERS

The Lead Consultant, supported by the National Consultant (to be hired by UN Women), will organize the presentation of the Report of a synthesis of findings & results of the NAP Review for UN Women, stakeholders, and Recipient UN Agencies of the Spotlight Initiative for clarifications and final validation during a one-day event in Dushanbe for about 30 participants.

UN Women will take care of the event’s logistics (hall rent/meal/supply or stationery), while Lead and National Consultants will invite participants, make actual presentation of the Review results, and facilitate the discussion.

The Consultants will split their workflow between themselves as per groups of target beneficiaries.

  1. REPORTING

The Report will cover assessment of the effectiveness of the current Action Plan to State Programme of RT on Prevention of Violence in the Family 2014-2023; identified achievements and remaining challenges to tackle within a future new NAP on ending VAWG (beyond 2023), drafting of which will be developed later with support of Spotlight Initiative in Tajikistan.

Format of the Report

Below is the suggested outline and format for the National Consultations Report:

  1. Executive Summary (Only highlighting key results of the consultation)
    1. Top-line progress against the 5 priority areas and any contributions to the 3 regional priority areas.
    2. Key strengths and successes
    3. Main challenges
    4. Main recommendations to consider during drafting new, comprehensive NAP on EVAW (beyond 2023)
  2. Introduction, Aim & Objectives and scope of the National Consultations.
  3. Description of participants (just an overview of what sectors they represent, with gender disaggregation).
  4. Brief highlights of welcome / introductory activities (ex: Keynote Speakers, special guests, etc.)
  5. Results of Session 1 Small Group Discussions on Priority Areas
    1. Answers of each group to the guide questions, including the tables.
    2. Key Issues raised in Plenary Discussion impacting implementation of the current NAP
  6. Results of Session 2 Small Group Discussions on Key Actions
    1. Answers of each group to the guide questions, including the tables.
    2. Key Issues raised in Plenary Discussion impacting implementation of the current NAP on PVF
  7. Results of Session 3 Small Group Discussions on Recommendations
    1. Answers of each group to the guide questions
    2. Key Issues raised in Plenary Discussion regarding next steps
  8. Other Issues or Observations to supplement the National Consultation
  9. Annexes.

  10. Expected deliverables, timeframes, and payment procedures:

#

DeloverableWorking days

Timeline

Tranche (% of the contract amount)

1

The detailed work plan and methodology are submitted to UN Women

5

by May 10, 2022

20

  1. Information is gathered from first hands at 4 one-day national consultations in Dushanbe, Khatlon and Sogd regions and DRS. Joint Briefing on 4 consultations held is presented to UN Women

40

by July 30, 2022

50

  1. Home-based analysis of the findings and recommendations of the Review is made:

(Joint) Draft Report of a synthesis of findings & results of NAP review is submitted to UN Women

10

by August 15, 2022

30%

  1. The results of the NAP review are validated at the presentation session with UN Women, stakeholders and Recipient UN Agencies of the Spotlight Initiative List of recommendations/ adjustments is made. Minutes of the session is available.

5

by September 15, 2022

  1. (Joint) Final Report is submitted to UN Women.

5

Earlier submission of deliveries is welcome.

Monitoring

It is envisaged that UN Women’s supervisor of this contract will organise, in collaboration with the Lead Consultant, regular virtual meetings to facilitate consultations and assess progress made towards achieving agreed deliverables on time. Reporting will be on a bi-weekly basis. It is expected that these bi-weekly reporting arrangement will provide periodic updates on the progress, challenges and plans towards productions of agreed deliverables.

Performance indicators

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

  • Completion of tasks specified in TOR
  • Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables
  • Quality of work
  • Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with UN Women and counterparts

ANNEX 1. SUGGESTED METHODS OF CONSULTATIONS AND THEIR FACILITATION

Suggested Facilitation Team

  • On top of the 20-25 participants, a facilitation team can be formed by the organizers.
  • It is advisable that the organizers of the National Consultation form a Facilitation Team from the number of participants and consultants themselves, composed of 5-6 facilitators (including one lead) and 5 documenters (including one lead).
  • The Lead Consultant is responsible for the overall facilitation of the Consultation and ensuring that all the Aim and Objectives of the Consultations are achieved by the end of the activity. The Lead Consultant is also facilitating all the discussions and presentations that will be done in plenary.
  • The other 5 facilitators are responsible for facilitating the discussions in the small groups, wherein each group will be assigned to examine and discuss progress and recommendations for each of the NAP Priority Areas at the national level.
  • During small group discussions, the Lead Consultant can go around the groups offering support when needed, ensuring that everyone is clear on the information needed to be gathered by each group, etc.
  • Similarly, 5 documenters will be assigned to each of the small groups. The Lead Documenter is additionally responsible for documenting all plenary discussions.

Participant preparedness

  • Given the limited time to discuss a comprehensive plan such as the NAP on PFV, the National Consultation will benefit from implementing some preparatory activities before the event. These can include:
  • Sharing a synthesized copy of the NAP on PVF (and the State Programme itself) and Key Actions with the participants before the event
  • Identify relevant participants to be included in each of the Sessions’ groupings before the event, based on their area of responsibility or expertise (or let them self-grouping during the registration/ or even earlier- during invitation process)
  • For online consultations, prepare a Guidance Brief on how to use and maximise the features of the online platform being used for the consultation (ex: Zoom, Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams).

Facilitation Team effectiveness

  • Provide briefing or learning session with all facilitators and documenters on the structure and tools for the National Consultation, as well as on the Ethical Guidelines in conducting evaluation sessions / research on VAW.
  • Resource and reference materials – the following resources and handouts would be useful to prepare for the Consultation:
  • Handouts listing the Priority Areas and Key Actions
  • Handouts on the Priority Areas and relevant Recommendations
  • Guide Questions for the Sessions and for small group discussions

In plenary:

  • After each group reports the highlights of their discussion, ask everyone to identify which of the 5 Priority Areas there have been most progress in and least progress in.
  • List the key challenges in achieving progress in each of the areas in plenary.
  • Facilitate a ranking / prioritization exercise by asking the participants to label each challenge as H- high priority, M- moderate priority, L- low priority.
  • What are immediate interventions that can be done to address the high priority challenges?
  • What are more long-term interventions that the government can focus on to accelerate progress and achieve significant institutional and structural changes to better prevent and respond to EVAW?

Monitoring of Progress on Key Actions

  • Divide the participants into groups (consisting of approx. 2-3 participants each), to discuss each of the key actions.
  • Inform the groups the time they have to complete the discussion (45 mins. for 1/day sessions; 75 mins. for whole day sessions).
  • Each group will have a local facilitator and documenter joining them.
  • To ensure that everyone gets enough time to share, the local facilitator can suggest the following structure of the discussion: each participant will be given approx. 5-10 minutes depending on the Consultation format; to be followed by the comment of the other participants.

Making summary of Recommendations

  1. Divide the participants into 5 groups (consisting of approx. 4-5 participants each), to discuss each of the national priority areas.
  2. Inform the groups the time they should complete the discussion (45 mins. for 1/day sessions; 75 mins. for whole day sessions).
  3. Each group will have a local facilitator and documenter joining them.
  4. A set of specific recommendations will be assigned to each group to be discussed and reviewed.
  5. Each group will review the recommendations developed as part of the Review of NAP on PVF, and discuss the following:

(1) How relevant and actionable are these afore-mentioned set of recommendations in their national context?

(2) What are the challenges to implement these recommendations, and how can they be overcome/mitigated?

(3) Identify existing assets/mechanisms/opportunities your country has that will help in implementing these devised recommendations in order to accelerate progress against the NAP on PVF?

Competencies

Core Values:

  • Respect for Diversity
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism

Core Competencies:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender and EVAW Issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication
  • Inclusive Collaboration

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:

  • Possesses the ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines;
  • Good knowledge of technical area;
  • Good organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to details;
  • Experience in facilitating public consultations;
  • Experience in report writing;
  • Proven excellent communication and facilitation skills;

Ability to conduct gender programmatic reviews and strong gender analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University Diploma in the areas of Gender Studies, Human Rights and Law, Social Development, Economic, or an area that is fully relevant to the deliverables of this TOR;

Experience:

  • At least 3 sole assignments with proven results of their implementation in the sphere of Analysis and Review of Legislation and Policy, including NAPs, codes, strategies and programmes, through participatory consultations;
  • A minimum of 5 years on supporting State bodies in strengthening the gender dimensions of Programme Documents, preferably with a focus on ending VAWG;
  • Demonstrated experience in using the gender evidence-based information for shaping or implementing programmes, or in sector planning and policy analysis, or programme evaluation
  • Some prior experience with UN Women or UN agencies in programme planning.

Knowledge of languages:

  • Proficiency in written and oral Tajik and Russian languages is required, knowledge of English is an advantage.
  1. Application Process

The application should include:

  • Personal History Form (P-11 form) - including past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted;
  • Financial Proposal: Specify a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount per deliverable. The proposal must include travel expenses of the Consultant (including accommodation and transportation costs) to administrative centers of Khatlon and Sogd regions and DRS, for public consultations.

Candidates should have the ability to quickly produce degree certificates and medical certification (of good health) should they be short-listed in consideration of the consultancy post.

  1. Payment Schedule

Consultant will be paid by deliverables as per Expected Deliveries (see the table of Section V) upon submission and the acceptance of each deliverable by the time as specified in the financial offer in 3 tranches:

  1. Tranche 1 - payment of 20% of the contract amount upon submission and approval of the deliverable 1.
  2. Tranche 2 - payment of 50% of the contract amount upon submission and approval of the deliverable 2.
  3. Tranche 3 – final payment of 30% of the contract amount upon submission and approval of the deliverables 3, 4 and 5.

Payment of abovementioned tranches for the services provided will be made upon achievement of expected results and approval of all the deliverables described in the sector V and acceptance of services by the UN Women (PERF) that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Bank charges related to any payment will be borne by the consultant. No statement of earnings will be issued by UN Women to the consultant. The service provider is responsible for any taxes levied on the monies received under this agreement.

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