National consultant with expertise in psychology to support the public authorities to prepare the draft package of the draft law on the psychological activity in the Republic of Moldova (las

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

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.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies, and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women, 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance, 3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.

Through its programmes and projects, UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners (governmental and non-governmental), including the private sector, in the implementation of existing international and national commitments to women’s rights and gender equality; it facilitates networking and exchange of good practices and advocates for women’s rights and gender equality in all areas of life.

Violence against women as a form of gender-based violence represents a global endemic problem threatening the right to life and dignity of millions of women around the world. Gender-based violence entails several social and health consequences for survivors, ranging from negative health outcomes to the fatal phenomenon of femicide or suicide. In our contemporary world, women who are subject to violence continue to be prevented from a full participation in both public and private life, which seriously affects their human dignity and equality. Gender-based violence not only jeopardies women’s physical and mental health, but also leads to serious violations of all their human rights, be they economic, social, cultural, civil or political.

With regard to the local context, the latest statistics and survey data available show that violence against women is alarmingly widespread in Moldova. According to the first national study on the prevalence of the phenomenon (“Violence against Women in the Family”) carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics and commissioned by UN Moldova in 2011, 6 out of 10 women from urban areas and 7 out of 10 women form rural areas have experienced at least one form of violence (psychological, economic, physical and/or sexual) at the hands of their current or former partner during their lifetime, and 1 out of 10 has been exposed to all forms of violence.

There is evidence that due to widespread gender roles and stereotypes, violence against women in Moldova is not only widespread but, in some cases, also accepted and justified in the name of socio-cultural norms. As a consequence, women facing violence are not fully protected and many of them would report violence only in most serious cases. Therefore, as confirmed by the above-mentioned national study, a significant number of women remain unassisted and continue to be subject to violence.

Comprehensive social services are essential for survivors of gender-based violence. It is well-known that specialized psychological counseling can significantly improve the health outlook for women and girls' survivors of violence, thus further contributing to women’s recovery from violence, their empowerment and prevention the reoccurrence of violence in the future (Essential services package for women and girls subject to violence). As set out in the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, recently ratified by the Republic of Moldova, women and girls should have access to an array of general and specialized services, including psychological support. However, according to the Report on costing of domestic violence and violence against women in Moldova, over 30% of the services that are listed as essential in the international standards do not exist in Moldova or are not efficient. Aware of the existing challenges, UN Women Moldova is committed to contributing to the improvement of psychological services available to those in need, including women and girls survivors of gender-based violence, by providing support to the national relevant authorities in finalizing the law on the performance of the psychological activity.

Given the situation in the Republic of Moldova, when there is no specific legislative framework regulating and harmonizing the psychological activity, the parliamentary standing Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family has started in past years the elaboration of a draft law on the performance of the psychological activity. During 2020, the parliamentary standing committee for social protection, health and family has worked to develop a comprehensive and aligned to the international standards legal framework which will, on one hand, consolidate the efforts made by the psychologists and, on the other hand, will ensure that the specialized psychological services available to those in need, including women and girls survivors of gender-based violence, are efficient and systemic. In this context, UN Women supported the process based on request from the Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family, through national consultants who provided expertise in evaluating and finalizing the draft law on the psychological activity in the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, UN Women supported organization of public discussions regarding the content/adjustment/validation of the developed documents.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support together with another national consultant with expertise in psychology, team leader to the parliamentary standing Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family in finalizing the draft package of draft law and organizing additional public consultations related to the draft law subject for further submission for approval.

Main tasks:

• Support the organisation of additional working groups based on the need in order to present the completed draft law based on the consultancy provided in the past;
• Support the revision of the draft law based on the consultations with legal departments and other stakeholders;
• Provide support in preparing the table with divergences, informative note, impact analysis and other relevant information;
• Provide inputs in the development of the concept, plan for communication campaign, campaign messages general public and mental health specialists;
• Support the implementation of the campaign (participation at public events, meetings with association of psychologists, universities, mass-media);
• Prepare and conduct presentation of the draft law at the public consultations, working groups and provide inputs, intervention where needed;
• Final report, with lessons learnt.

Competencies

Values and competencies:

Core Values:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Gender sensitiveness and empathy towards women’s rights issues
• Respect for UN principles

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Planning and Organizing
• Organizational Awareness
• Team working ability
• Accountability
• Leadership

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Required Skills and Experience

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

1. Master’s degree in psychology and/or other related areas relevant for this assignment;

2. Additional trainings in one of the areas relevant for the assignment would be an asset

Experience:

3. At least (3) three years of experience in the field of psychology;

4. At least (3) three years of proven collaboration with public authorities in the elaboration and/or review of relevant legal, policy initiatives;

5. At least one (1) year of proven experience in the field of preventing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality would be an asset;

6. Experience with development organisations, including donors and stakeholders would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

7. Fluency in written and oral Romanian. Working language of English is an asset.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested applicants should apply to this announcement through UNDP jobs site.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc);
• Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment, please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment;
• Letter of Intent to include a brief overview of the consultant’s 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. Please visit the following link: https://sc.undp.md/jobs/2954/ where you may also find the TOR.
• Applications received after the close date will not be accepted;
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• NB: Open for Moldova Nationals Only.