UN Women recruits 01 Gender Expert Consultant
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis that is exacerbating violence against women and children; especially girls. As in past pandemics, women and children bear the brunt of emergent risks to public health, safety, human rights and their lives. According to the statistics from the West African Health Organization (WAHO) COVID-19 Dashboard; as at 27th August 2020 there were a Total Confirmed Cases of 156,517, Total Recovered Cases of 128,504, Total Active cases of 25,658 and total deaths of 2,355 in the ECOWAS region. Although statistically there appears to be less women and children affected and dying from the COVID-19, but they are most affected by the fall out of Government responses to manage the pandemic.
The rise in infections worldwide resulted in governments imposing stringent measures to contain the pandemic. These measures have included border closures, ban on international travel, partial/total lockdowns, restriction of movement, shut down or ban on public gatherings among others. This means vulnerable persons are trapped in the same locations as abusers and isolated from their support networks and may be unable to access essential services. A recent study by UN Women found that reports of violence against women and children, and particularly domestic violence have increased in several countries as security, health, and financial worries create tensions and strains accentuated by the cramped and confined living conditions of lockdown.
Since the UN recognizes the responsibility of the state to address the human rights of women and girls, considers violence against women and girls as gender-based, this goes beyond the private problems of individual victims. Sustained VAW and Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention work remains
vital as does addressing the immediate risks to vulnerable persons posed by the pandemic. It is essential to do so safely, ethically, and in adherence with national directives and COVID-19 containment strategies. Civil Society Organizations and Non-State Actors have an essential role to play during this time and indeed they have been very vocal in the face of the unprecedented news reports of rapes and defilement of especially girls all over the world and in this case in the ECOWAS region.
It is apparent that COVID-19 will remain a threat and dangerous reality for some time to come. Consequently, in recognizing the need for creativity and flexibility during the Pandemic and prioritizing GBV as a component of Emergency Protection Programming, the Department of Social Affairs and Gender of the ECOWAS Commission, with the technical and financial support of UN Women, intend to hire a Consultant to conduct a review and analysis of ECOWAS Gender Based Violence Texts and Programs (including Violence Against Children-VAC) as well as develop a Joint Advisory /Technical Guidelines on Mainstreaming Anti GBV (including VAC) in COVID-19 Recovery and National Development Plans.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the EVAW Regional Policy Advisor and the Head of the Human Security and Civil Society Division at ECOWAS, the consultant is expected to:
- Collate, review and analyze, ECOWAS Programs and Instruments related to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (including Child Sexual Abuse),
- Design and administer questionnaires to Key ECOWAS respondents and other stakeholders with respect to integrating the combat of SGBV (including Child Sexual Abuse) in critical sectors.
- Prepare an analytical Report on ECOWAS Programming and Texts with respect to combating SGBV (including Child Sexual Abuse) and identifying critical gaps and providing strategic recommendations.
- Develop a Draft Advisory/Technical Guidelines on Mainstreaming Anti-GBV (including Anti VAC) in COVID-19 Recovery and National Development Plans for Member States.
- Participate in at least two virtual meetings with ECOWAS Staff and Partners
Key Results:
- Inception Report including Desk Review Report on ECOWAS programming and instruments in relation to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (including Child Sexual Abuse).
- Summary Report with findings from the administration of questionnaires and conduct of phone interviews with Key ECOWAS respondents and other stakeholders on integrating the combat of SGBV (including Child Sexual Abuse)in critical sectors.
- Draft Analytical Report on ECOWAS programming and Texts with respect to the combat of SGBV (including Child Sexual Abuse) identifying critical gaps and providing strategic recommendations.
- Draft Advisory/Technical Guidelines on Mainstreaming Anti-GBV (including VAC) in COVID-19 Recovery and National Development Plans for Member States.
Job requirements
- Minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent degree in gender studies, any of the social sciences, criminology, law, public administration, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of international experience and record of accomplishment in international development working on Elimination of Violence Against Women,Violence Against Children and SGBV
- Proven experience with use of gender analysis of the economy, quantitative and/or qualitative and particularly in any of the thematic areas identified in these ToRs
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in research and programming on SGBV or related subjects.
- Substantive knowledge and skill in Legal, Policy and Operational Analysis at regional or international level.
- Strong analytical, drafting, communication and reporting skills.
- Verbal and written proficiency in one of the 3 ECOWAS languages (English, French or Portuguese), competence in a second language is a distinct advantage.
- Computer Literacy and competence in the use of presentation software.
- Experience working in the UN or ECOWAS System is an asset
- Fluency in English or French is required
- Knowledge of the other UN official or ECOWAS working language is an asset;
Application deadline: 30-Sep-20
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