Terms of Reference

Title: GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CONSULTANT

Contract Type: IndividualConsultancy contract

Duration: 6 months

Start Date: 15 July

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Background

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread human rights abuses. Globally, one in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Though women and girls are overwhelmingly the targets of GBV, men and boys can also be subject to sexual violence, especially if they are perceived to be acting outside the prescribed social norms for males. The humanitarian community has a responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being and rights of those at risk of GBV, regardless of whether data exists on the true scope of the problem. Any available data on GBV, including reports from police, legal, health, or other sources, will likely represent only a very small proportion of the actual number of incidents of GBV. Therefore, it should be assumed that GBV will be an issue in every emergency, requiring that all humanitarian actors take steps to address it.

Institutional arrangements

Under the UNHCR-led global Protection Cluster, the UNFPA and UNICEF co-led global AoR for GBV provides strategic leadership to ensure that issues of importance to the GBV AoR community are placed at the forefront of the humanitarian response.

The GBV AoR provides a forum, bringing together over 60 agencies representing multilateral, NGO and government bodies as well as academics and independent GBV experts, committed to working collaboratively to advance the quality and coverage of GBV coordination and programming in humanitarian contexts.

The GBV AoR accomplishes this through four key areas of work:

  • Supporting field operations
  • Building knowledge and capacity
  • Setting norms and standards
  • Advocating for increased action, research and accountability at global and local levels

In June 2015, it was decided to review the leadership and coordination function of the AoR with particular focus on the challenges related to the absence of a permanent, full-time, senior level AoR coordination team representing both agencies. In order to facilitate a decision on the most efficient leadership structures, UNFPA and UNICEF agreed on carrying out a leadership review.

The review, which was finalised in March 2016, concluded that ‘Amongst the current GBV AoR co-leads, UNFPA and UNICEF, the agency that is best placed to, has strong institutional backing and willingness and has the resources to support efficient and effective coordination at the global and field levels should serve as the lead of the GBV AoR. (…).’

UNICEF and UNFPA have subsequently agreed that UNFPA will take on the role of the GBV AoR leadership and ensure dedicated resources to support efficient and effective coordination at global and field level. UNICEF will support UNFPA in the transition phase covering a period of six months to ensure that there is an effective handover and that decision and new leadership structures are well communicated to all stakeholders within and outside the GBV AoR, including key donors and the IASC.

Objectives

The work of the selected candidate will be supervised by the Chief of the Global Cluster Coordination Unit, UNICEF-EMOPS, and all activities will be carried out in close cooperation and coordination with the GBV AoR Coordinator in UNFPA.

Tasks and objectives will include following tasks:

  1. Develop and disseminate advocacy messages on the GBV AoR transition, which will involve:
  2. Framing positive messaging (talking points and presentations) to key stakeholders around the GBV AoR transition, clarifying new leadership arrangements, rationale, decisions and steps that will be taken to ensure a seamless transition and strengthened support to the field;
  3. Developing and implementing a dissemination plan with a clear timeframe, including;
  4. Identifying advocacy targets and fora, including but not limited to the GBV AoR members, the Protection Cluster, Child Protection AoR, IASC Focal Points, country offices/HCTs/HCs and to key donors to encourage their support of the new leadership arrangements and functioning of the GBV AoR at both global and field level.
  5. Presenting advocacy messages and dissemination plan for approval at a GBV AoR Core Members Meeting;
  6. Implementing the dissemination plan according to timeframe.
  7. Prepare for the presentation of the new leadership arrangements to the IASC Working Group, including:
  8. Assisting the development of a concept note (background document) to be presented to the IASC WG for endorsement;
  9. Developing relevant presentation material and talking points for UNICEF management.
  10. Identification of good practices within the field of AoR/cluster management to inform the future organisation of the GBV AoR, including;
  11. Liaising with other clusters to establish good practices in terms of management structures, membership, task teams, operational support to the field, resource mobilization and communication and knowledge management;
  12. Consolidating and discussing strategic recommendations for strengthening the GBV AoR;
  13. Presenting recommendations at GBV Core Members Meeting.
  14. Conduct consultations with GBV AoRs in the field to identify what support role UNICEF can play at field level after the transition phase, involving:
  15. Exploring options for field consultations;
  16. Drafting recommendations on UNICEF’s future support role at country level;
  17. Presenting recommendations for discussion at GBV Core Members Meeting;
  18. In line with UNICEF’s decision to prioritise GBViE programming, following-up on recommendations to be formulated in the ongoing evaluation of UNICEF comparative advantages in the field of GBViE and of where UNICEF should invest to strengthen GBV prevention and response.
  19. Contribute substantially as a key partner in the GBV AoR and support UNFPA in its lead coordination role at the field level, hereunder:
  20. Actively supporting GBV AoR coordination team activities throughout the transitioning period;
  21. Providing support to current coordination capacities in priority countries, until UNFPA has the requisite resources to take on the management and accountability.

Deliverables

Progress plan with milestones and delivery dates.

Deliverable / Apr. time per task
1. / Development and dissemination of advocacy messages on the GBV AoR transition. / 2 weeks
2. / Presentation of the new leadership arrangements to the IASC working group. / 1 month
3. / Identification of good practices within the field of AoR and cluster management to inform the future organisation of the GBV AoR. / 1 month
4. / Conduct consultations with GBV AoRs in the field to identify what support role UNICEF can play at field level after the transition phase / 1 month, 2 weeks
5. / Contribute substantially to the GBV AoR and support UNFPA in its lead coordination role at the field level. / 3 months

Qualification or specialized knowledge / experience required

  • Advanced university degree or equivalent in gender studies, social anthropology, law and women’s rights, sociology, public health or other field related to GBV in emergency programming.
  • At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, ideally with the United Nations system or NGOs. Experience in GBV related programmes preferred.
  • Experience of partnership approaches and environments – governments, national and international NGOs and UN is highly desirable
  • Ability to work on short time lines, under pressure, and managing multiple priorities simultaneously with minimum supervision
  • Excellent writing, conceptual and analytical skills including the ability to present complex processes and issues clearly to a heterogeneous audience and in an actionable manner.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian reform and the cluster approach.
  • Knowledge of the UN and UNICEF’s system's policies and procedures, including humanitarian response mechanisms.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required.

Competencies:

  • Excellent analytical skills and ability to identify problems and propose solutions.
  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
  • Strong inter-personal skills.
  • Ability to build trust and develop and maintain effective work relationships with sensitivity and respect for diversity and inclusive participation.
  • Excellent communication skills.

How to apply

Applicants are requested to send their submissions to with the subject line “GBV Consultant” by 23 June 2016Please indicate your ability, availability and monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered.

Applications must include:

• Cover letter
• CV
• P-11 form (available at )