UNDP JOBS - NIGERIA CATEGORY

CONSULTANT TO MAP POLICIES AND LAWS ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Location :	Abuja, NIGERIA
Application Deadline :	19-Mar-13
Additional Category	Women’s Empowerment
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	National Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	01-Apr-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :	2 Months
Expected Duration of Assignment :	2 Months
Background
Conceptual background and Rationale   There is a growing consensus on the need to involve men and boys in gender equality work and especially in the context of HIV and AIDS. Men’s power over women in many contexts necessitates working with men to change the life conditions of women and girls; and ultimately make the achievement of gender equality better attainable. The increased recognition of the need to involve men in promoting gender equality has been accompanied by the growing motivation of men to become engaged. This motivation has emanated from a variety of sources including men’s personal experiences and relationships with women, their concern for their own personal health and well-being, the growing global recognition of the rights of LGBTIs; or simply as a result of men’s deepening sense of social justice.   Studies and researches have shown that the maintenance of unequal power relations in any society is likely to have negative consequences and costs for men as well as women. Such costs for men include the pressure to stay “in control” in a dynamic and rapidly-changing world, exposure to many health risks, not least of which is the risk of HIV infection, narrowing of educational opportunities and damage in interpersonal relations with women. Furthermore, a very practical reason for engaging men in gender equality work in all contexts is the fact that men, more than women, control the resources needed for this work. The existing pattern of gender inequality i.e. men’s predominant control of economic assets, political power, cultural authority and armed forces means that specific groups of men control most of the resources required to implement women’s claims to justice.   The foregoing pattern of gender inequality permeates the realm of the control of HIV and AIDS. In Nigeria where the HIV prevalence among the general population is 3.6%, women constitute 58% (1.72 million) of persons living with the virus. The national median prevalence among pregnant women is 4.1% with less than 30% of pregnant women having access to PMTCT services. HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive ages (15 – 49 years). Gender inequality and gender-based violence have been implicated as key drivers of the epidemic in Nigeria. For example, inter-generational sexual relationships have been identified to contribute three times higher infection rate among young women (15 -24 years) compared to young men of the same age. An alarming number of violence against women is perpetrated by known or intimate males including current husbands, boyfriends or fathers. Other socio-economic factors including illiteracy among women and girls, poor socio-economic status as well as cultural and religious barriers have made significant contributions that serve to further compound the conditions of life of the majority of women and girls in Nigeria.   Among efforts to address women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV in Nigeria is the extraction of a 6- year Strategic Plan (2010 – 2015) from the national strategic plan to mainstream gender, women empowerment and male involvement coordinated by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).   While the increased social momentum for male involvement in addressing the intersection of GBV and HIV infection is necessary and commendable it is important to highlight the principles that must guide this partnership in a systematic manner. Often women’s movements fear that this partnership might result in the diversion of funds meant for women’s empowerment to activities targeting men. Others fear that men will assume leadership and divert the focus of the gender equality struggle. In order to allay these fears and wariness technical and professional expertise is required to guide country-specific initiatives for engaging men and boys using identified principles.   The HIV, Health and Development Practice in BDP, UNDP New York has a cluster on HIV and Gender, Mainstreaming and MDGs (MGM). The Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is UNDP’s policy Bureau and backbone of global practices. The MGM Cluster is currently working on country level support for interagency initiative on addressing gender-based violence and men and boys as partners for gender equality.   In recent years, the UN family has intensified its focus on addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of HIV. In 2009, WHO and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) organized a consultation with expert researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners to review the current state of evidence and practice in developing and implementing interventions to address the intersections of violence against women (VAW) and HIV, and to make policy and programmatic recommendations for national and international HIV/AIDS programmes. Several other policy and programming documents are forthcoming from the UN Interagency Working Group on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV, including a brief, summarising the link between GBV and HIV and effective programmatic responses.   At programmatic level, UNDP, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UN Women, WHO, the Athena Network, the MenEngage Alliance and Sonke Gender Justice, in collaboration, have convened two global workshops on Integrating Programming to Address Gender-Based Violence and Engage Men and Boys to Advance Gender Equality through National Strategic Plans in 2010 and 2011. During the workshops, approximately 100 delegates from 30 countries reviewed their current National HIV Strategic Plans (NSPs) and assessed the strengths and weaknesses of these plans with regard to addressing gender-based violence and engaging men and boys. Each country team developed an action plan to implement activities to integrate gender-based violence and further engage men and boys for gender equality interventions in their NSPs, with a focus on new or revised of NSPs. To further support the participating countries, in collaboration with the UN interagency Working Group on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV, the ATHENA Network and the UNDP Regional Offices, the MGM Cluster will support a couple of pilot country offices in 2012 and 2013to implement national action plans which address GBV and men’s and boy’s engagement as partners for gender equality. While the specific country process will depend on the HIV and GBV context in the country, the process will be designed around five phases: A mapping and readiness assessment – map existing services and other mechanisms available in the country for HIV and GBV intersection. In the PNG readiness assessment, for example, they looked at whether or not workers in PMTCT facilities are trained to recognize and respond to GBV, and conversely, whether GBV mechanisms (Police victim units, for example) are aware of HIV vulnerability and prepared to respond appropriately and in a non-discriminatory fashion. Consultations – convene appropriate national actors – including relevant government ministries and agencies (including law enforcement), women’s health and rights organizations, HIV service organization, GBV organizations, gender experts, HIV experts, etc. Might take place in phases or in one shot. Ideally, there’s an opportunity to do this at the national level, as well as at provincial and district levels. The idea is to get a clear picture on the scale and scope of GBV in the context of HIV, existing service and advocacy initiatives and existing in-country expertise and capacity. It is also an opportunity to push for a multisectoral response. Organizing appropriate mechanisms – including a task team that would include representatives of appropriate government agencies (including HIV, health, gender/GBV, justice, planning, finance, etc.), representatives of appropriate civil society organizations and technical experts. Devise a plan for implementation including monitoring and evaluation, including capacity strengthening workshop or other mechanisms. In all likelihood, hire a consultant in the country to provide on-going technical assistance and monitoring and evaluation. Objective: The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake the first phase of the country follow up process in Nigeria.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work: During the first phase UNDP CO will identify relevant institutions and/or individual consultants to carry out the following: Social survey to map and assess on-the-ground capacity (structures, mechanisms and processes) that respond to GBV and its intersection with HIV, including mechanisms that support the engagement of men and boys Conduct bottle-neck analysis to highlight gaps, potentials, challenges and entry points at various levels Develop and submit a detailed mapping and readiness report Deliverables: An inception report including a detailed work plan, timetable and methodology. A mapping and readiness report Payment Modalities: 15% upon the submission work plan 50% upon submission of inception report 35% upon submission of satisfactory final mapping and readiness report Travel - and other related costs will be borne separately by UNDP Reporting: The Consultant will report to the UNDP HIV/AIDS and Gender focal persons in collaboration with the JUNTA (UN Women & UNAIDS) including the HIV/Gender, Mainstreaming & MDGs Cluster in the HIV, Health & Development Practice, BDP, NY
Competencies
Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional: Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products, Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of the Development or knowledge management field. Project and Resource Management: Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs. Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service. Strong organizational skills. Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs. Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities. Demonstrates well developed people management skills. Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff. Excellent negotiating and networking skills. Demonstrates flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment. Provides constructive coaching and feedback. Partnership Building and Team Work: Communications and Advocacy Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly. Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences. Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically. Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly. Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Master’s Degree in Social Science, Public Health, Gender Studies, Law, Economic, International Development or other related field. Experience: Minimum of 7 years of national/international professional experience in the practice area with policy or programme management experience. Experience working in the field of Knowledge Management and/or organizational management highly desirable. Work experience from a developing country, particularly in Nigeria highly desirable. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages as well as web based management systems. Excellent writing, research, analysis and presentation skills. Knowledge of UN and/or UNDP procedures, grant applications and programme implementation is highly desirable. Any preference in knowledge or expertise in the following areas: Gender analysis HIV Gender Based Violence Experience in policy analysis and programme development preferred How to apply: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work Provide a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable) Evidence of similar assignment implemented in the last 3 years Financial proposal Personal CV including past experience in similar projects with detailed contacts relating to the project and at least 3 references: Financial Proposal (Please quote using the financial proposal form (Annex I) attached to this document. Lump sum contracts The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. Your financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. All travels shall be refunded by UNDP at economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she shall do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets (economy class), lodging and terminal expenses shall be paid at UNDP rate only when the consultant is working outside the duty station. Assessment of the Consultants: Upon assessment, only candidates with a total score of 70 marks or above out of 100marks will be considered for the position. In assessing the candidates, 70% consideration should be given to technical skills and experience while the cost proposal will be awarded 30%. The evaluation Criteria as shown below shall be used to evaluate all the proposals received. The award of the Individual Contractor’s Contract shall be made to the individual contractor whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; [70] * Financial Criteria weight; [30] Only candidates that obtain a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. The maximum 30 points all be allotted to the lowest bid, all other bids shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fee e.g. [30 Points] x [Naira lowest] / [USD other] = points for other proposer’s fees. Evaluation Criteria:   Criteria: Professional Qualifications and Certifications - 50% Experience implementing similar assignment in the past - 30% Educational Qualifications - 20% Individual Consultants responding to this request for Individual Consultant should  also submit their financial lumpsum financial proposal for the assignment. FC: 30000   CLICK HERE TO APPLY