National Consultant to Provide Technical Support to the National Anti-Trafficking Commission of Timor-Leste

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Background

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. 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; fosters women’s empowerment and equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, peace and security. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.

UN Women’s goal in Timor-Leste is to promote women’s human rights and gender equality as the country works towards sustaining and furthering achievements in stability and development. This includes efforts to ensure women’s right to live free from any form of violence, efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and women’s leadership and participation in support of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, and advance international agreements and commitments related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through adequate planning and budgeting. In this regard, UN Women has played a pivotal role in supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in promoting the national agenda on WPS, and providing continued technical support in the development and implementation of the National Action Plans (NAPs) for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (NAP 1325). The first NAP (2016-2020) laid the groundwork for promoting the equal, inclusive and meaningful participation and leadership of Timorese women in national security, and it strengthened efforts to protect against violence, and to enhance gender-responsive conflict prevention and resolution, and peacebuilding practices.

The second NAP 1325 (2024-2028) launched in February 2024, building upon the achievements and efforts of the first NAP 1325, serves as a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder national strategy that integrates WPS lens in addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities in promoting sustained peace and nation-building. The development of the second NAP 1325 is an inclusive and participatory process led by the Ministry of Interior, with UN Women's technical support, following rounds of consultation and validation sessions with government institutions, CSOs, and development partners at both national and municipal levels during the period of 2021-2023. The representatives of women’s groups, rural women, women with disabilities, women survivors of past conflicts, people with disabilities, and the LGBTIQA+ community were actively engaged in the consultations.The adoption of the second NAP 1325 signifies a robust commitment of the Government of Timor-Leste to plan, develop, implement and invest in advancing its national WPS agenda.

In partnership with the Ministry of Interior and key line ministries, UN Women has been providing technical support and embedding the principles of UNSCR 1325 into the national agenda, promoting sustainable peace and security in Timor-Leste by fostering women’s representation and leadership in national security institutions and line ministries within the NAP 1325 architecture, as well as strengthening their capacities to plan, implement, invest, monitor and report their commitments in the second generation NAP 1325 at both national and sub-national levels. The NAP 1325 is structured into four main pillars; Participation, Prevention, Protection, and Peacebuilding. Its content and approach reflect important lessons learned and best practices drawn from the implementation of the first phase and responds to the security needs and concerns of women and girls to address a wider range of non-traditional security threats, such as human trafficking in cyber and offline spaces.

Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is recognized as one of the most rapidly growing criminal industries globally, where the majority of victims involved and targeted are women and girls[1]. Over the past decade alone, organized crime linked to TIP and cyber scams in the region of Southeast Asia has significantly increased, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19[2]. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, such as economic instability, unemployment, and restricted movement enabling traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, the rise in cyber scams has enabled the recruitment and exploitation of victims, as traffickers utilize digital platforms to target and deceive potential victims. Trafficking is a also multi-faceted and highly gendered issue, globally as well as in Timor-Leste. Numerous studies and research indicate that structural gender inequality and violence against women are significantly associated with TIP[3]. Predictive indicators such as the Gender Development Index, women’s labor force participation, women’s access to education and participation in decision-making roles, life expectancy rates, estimated gross national income for women, and incidents of gender-based violence reveal a strong correlation between gender inequality and TIP[4]. As evidenced by existing global data on victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the majority of victims (75%) registered with recognized authorities are women[5]. Registered Victims of Trafficking (VoTs) for the purpose of sexual exploitation are almost exclusively female (96%) – and over 60% of registered victims are trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation.[6] In the context of Timor-Leste, there are numerous sociocultural, structural and institutional factors that contribute to the high vulnerability and exposure of women and girls (and men and boys) to sex trafficking, Commercial Sexual exploitation (CSE) and labor exploitation. The country is experiencing a growing threat of TIP, targeting vulnerable young people seeking economic opportunities. Traffickers lure young Timorese with promises of work in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, while internal trafficking, often involving young women forced into CSE or domestic labor within extended families, all of which go largely unrecognized.

International Protocols & National Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Measuring efforts against TIP presents significant challenges due to its complex and clandestine nature. International protocols and conventions, such as the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949), the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol, 2000), and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) govern counter-trafficking measures globally. These instruments provide a legal framework for criminalizing trafficking and addressing the four main pillars of effective counter-trafficking measures, namely; Prevention, Protection (and assistance), Prosecution and Partnerships (promoting international cooperation and strengthening inter-agency coordination).

Timor-Leste is a signatory member to the aforementioned protocols and conventions, demonstrating its commitment to combating TIP and aligning with international standards. In Timor-Leste’s current legal framework, trafficking is primarily addressed under its Penal Code, particularly Articles 163 to 166, which criminalizes various forms of trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, and the removal of organs. In January 2017 the Government of Timor-Leste adopted a specific law on the Prevention and Fight Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) as an amendment to the penal code (Law No. 3/2017), which outlines comprehensive measures to prevent, protect, and prosecute TIP cases. The 2017 TIP Law provides a robust legal framework to address and mitigate TIP within the country and for specialized agencies to support victims, and provide legal assistance, shelter, and rehabilitation services. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries to effectively combat trafficking networks and highlights the importance of public awareness and educational programs to prevent trafficking and reduce the vulnerability of at-risk populations.

In June 2021, the Government promulgated Decree Law No. 9/2021, establishing the Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Commisao Luta Contra Trafiku Umani (CLCTP), formerly referred to as “KLATU” to coordinate the Government’s efforts to combat trafficking. The Decree Law aims to ensure a more coordinated action between the various stakeholders and to ensure that necessary policies and strategies are defined for effective interventions against trafficking in persons.Top of FormBottom of Form The Commission operates under the Ministry of Justice and is comprised of 11 members with voting rights, including Government ministries, law enforcement representatives and CSOs, including the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), Timor-Leste’s National Police (PNTL), Police Scientific Criminal Investigation (PCIC), the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG), , the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP) and ALFeLa. The CLCTP and its inter-ministerial coordination structure is specifically tasked with coordinating with the different national entities responsible for preventing and responding to TIP. The Commission is also responsible for promoting and ensuring cooperation with international entities in the fight against trafficking, as well as monitoring the application of the provisions of the conventions that Timor-Leste has ratified. Furthermore, the CLCTP is responsible for developing comprehensive policy frameworks such as developing a National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CTIP).

Despite its complex challenges, the Government of Timor-Leste is making significant efforts to strengthen the Government’s approach to combat trafficking. To achieve this, it is essential to develop a comprehensive, strategic, and collaborative pathway forward through a formulated plan of action, aligned with the NAP 1325. Strengthening counter-trafficking measures is also crucial for Timor-Leste in its accession into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as human trafficking remains a significant challenge in the region and a key priority as formulated in the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children. By improving its counter-trafficking efforts, Timor-Leste demonstrates its commitment to the ASEAN community's core values and dedication to protecting human dignity and promoting social justice. Additionally, UN Women has been actively supporting the Government in strengthening community-based prevention and response to trafficking. Through the project "Community-Based Gender-Responsive and Survivor-Centered Prevention and Response to Human Trafficking" implemented in 2023,UN Women in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the JSMP engaged over 400 community members in training programs and outreach activities, placing community-led mechanisms, capacity building and public awareness, and women's leadership at the core to foster a collaborative environment and combat trafficking from a gender-responsive and community-focused approach.

Moreover, in the context of Timor-Leste, adopting a WPS and gender-responsive approach is crucial for addressing the multifaceted nature of trafficking. By strengthening mechanisms for preventing and responding to trafficking and aligning these efforts with broader goals of community peacebuilding and security sector reform, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and tackling the root causes of trafficking while empowering women as leaders and agents of change in the process. The Government of Timor-Leste, through the CLCTP, has requested UN Women Timor-Leste’s support in its ongoing efforts to combat TIP in the country. In response to this request and to ensure more coordinated efforts for the development of a comprehensive national strategy to improve institutional capacities and community-based mechanism to prevent, identify, respond trafficking in person, and support and empower survivors of trafficking, UN Women is seeking to recruit a national consultant to provide technical support to the CLCTP in implementing the annual work plan (2024/2025), and assist the CLCTP in developing a 4-year NAP to combat Trafficking in Persons (NAP CTIP) for the period of 2025-2028.

[1] Polaris Project; 2015. Noting that while sex traffickers victimize women, men, transwomen, transmen, and nonbinary adults and children, women and girls are the majority of victims of sex trafficking; therefore, these are mentioned as the main target group.

[2] Interpol (2024) https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/southeast-asia-human-trafficking-now-global-crisis-interpol-says-2024-03-27/

[3] BMJ Global Health. (2021). Risk factors for violence against women in high-prevalence settings: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-synthesis. Retrieved from https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/11/e007704; UN Women – Asia-Pacific. (n.d.). Preventing and Mitigating the Impacts of Human Trafficking and Transnational Crimes. Retrieved from https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/stories/news/2018/7/preventing-and-mitigating-the-impacts-of-human-trafficking-and-transnational-crimes

World Bank. (2019). Gender-Based Violence (Violence Against Women and Girls). Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/socialsustainability/brief/violence-against-women-and-girls

[4] Indicators of Gender Inequality and Violence against Women Predict Number of Reported Human Trafficking Legal Cases across Countries (2020). Erinn C. Cameron; Icon,Fiona J. Cunningham; Icon,Samantha L. Hemingway; Icon,Sherri L. Tschida; Icon &Kristine M. Jacquin Icon; Pages 79-93.

[5] EU Commission (February 2024) on Newly released data show an increase of trafficking in human beings: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/newly-released-data-show-increase-trafficking-human-beings-2024-02-28_en

[6] EU Commission (January 2024). Trafficking in human beings statistics. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Trafficking_in_human_beings_statistics

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office of UN Women Timor-Leste, direct supervision of UN Women Timor-Leste’s WPS Programme Analyst and in close collaboration with the WPS Programme team, the national consultant will be based at the National Anti-Trafficking Commission (CLCTP) to support the development of the NAP CTIP (2025-2028) and to support the CLCTP in implementing itsannual work plan (2024/2025). The national consultant will be responsible for providing support to the international consultant in conducting meeting and consultations with relevant stakeholders including line ministries, CSOs, local communities, UN Agencies and other development partners in the area.

1. Provide technical support to the CLCTP in implementing the initiatives under the CLCTP’s Annual Work Plan 2024/2025, which includes training workshops with line ministries across municipalities, and community education initiatives and campaigns.

2. Provide technical support to the CLCTP and International Consultant to develop the NAP CT 2025-2028, including:

   1. Liaise with line ministries, CSOs, local communities, and national and international development organizationsto arrange consultations and meetings, according to the pre-agreed consultation plan provided by the CLCTP and UN Women (including attending and facilitating discussions and providing translation support).
   2. Work in close collaboration with UN Women’s international consultant to support and facilitate the collection, compilation and analysis of data and information for the development of the NAP CTIP2025-2028 and related budget for the implementation (2025-2028)
   3. Organize meetings and validation sessions with NAP stakeholders and relevant development partners and Governmetn agencies
   4. Assist in the preparation, drafting and development of the NAP, and the translation of the NAP document and presentation materials.
   5. Provide support to the CLCTP in the process of submitting the NAP for the official endorsement.

3. Coordinate relevant institutions to identify, organize, and manage data and information on the crime of human trafficking.

4. Collaborate with the program team to monitor and evaluate the results of the implementation of policies, programs, and measures to combat human trafficking unde the CLCTP’s annual workplan.

5. Develop a detailed plan for disseminating/socializing the NAP CTIP with the CLCTP, including roles and responsibilities of each member (based on consultations with each member) Conduct dissemination/socialization activities with the CLCTP.

6. Expected Deliverables

The National Consultant is expected to submit a monthly progress report on 20th of each month, which should include the following:

• Work plans.
• Translated documents and presentations.
• Training reports and/or progress reports on any technical support provided to the CLCTP in implementing its annual workplan, and reports on any meetings and training conducted.
• Progress reports on the development of the NAP CTIP, including meeting minutes and updates.

All the deliverables, including the monthly reports, should be written in English, and the meetings minutes, notes and annexes could be in Tetum (with a summary in English).

1. Duration of the assignment

The total duration of the contract assignment will be 8 months (25 September 2024- 25 May 2025), with possibility of extension.

1. Schedule of Payment

Payment in full upon final submission and satisfactory outputs/products in accordance with specified requirements.

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables will be reviewed and approved by UN Women. The period of the review is one week after receipt.

1. Inputs

• UN Women will cover costs of work-related travel to the other municipalities outside of Dili (in Timor-Leste) if needed, as well as daily subsistence allowance (DSA) as per standard UN rate. UN Women will also provide vehicle for field visits in municipalities outside of Dili.
• The consultant is expected to use her/his own computer, stationery, presentation equipment and software for related tasks.
• The cost of telecommunication and transportation within Dili will be covered by the consultant.
• UN Women will cover any printing cost if necessary.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• 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:

https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, with demonstrated experience of researching or working on gender issues;
• Strong research and writing skills, with strong analytical skills and creative thinking;
• Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail;
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Previous experience (also volunteer experience) from the non-profit sector is an advantage.
• Ability to multi-task and address competing priorities
• Ability to produce quality deliverables in a timely manner
• Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Power Point

Required Skills and Experience

Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the deliverables.

1. Required experience and qualifications

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

1. Education

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, social sciences, political science, gender, development studiesor a related field.

1. Experience:

• Master’s degree with minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of trafficking in persons, gender equality and women’s empowerment, Women, Peace and Security (WPS).
• Proven experience in drafting, planning, and formulating government strategy and policy, developing policies and action plans .
• Experience in facilitating consultations, coordination, dialogues with Government and civil society organizations on the development of policies, actions plans and programmes;.
• Extensive knowledge of gender and development context of Timor-Leste, particularly trafficking in persons.

1. Language and other skills:

• High proficiency in oral and written Tetum and English is mandatory. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesian, and/or Portuguese is an added advantage.

1. Submission of package

Interested candidates are requested to submit electronic application to UNDP Job Site no later than 28 August 2024.

1. Cover letter and copy of the latest academic certificate;

2. CV, including contact information for 3 references;

3. Financial proposal**. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount per each deliverable, and indicating separately any travel and administrative fees including daily rate. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of costs calculation.**

All applications must include (as an attachment) the CV and the financial proposal in one package/ document. Kindly note that the system only allowed to upload one document.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be invited to the interview.

Selected candidates will need to submit prior to commencement of work:

1. UN Women P-11 form, available from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

2. A statement from a medical doctor of ‘good health and fit for travel’

3. 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 utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal 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 individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Obtainable Score

Education

20 %

Experience and skills

70 %

Language and other skills

10 %

Total Obtainable Score

100 %

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically-qualified candidate.

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 price component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical 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.

Annex I: Financial Proposal

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS SUPPORTING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Breakdown of Cost by Components to be filled in: The lump sum costs should include administration, travel related costs and expenses related to the consultancy. All prices/rates quoted must be exclusive of all taxes. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of costs calculation.

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Added 2 days ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: jobs.undp.org