UNDP National Individual Consultant – Trainer on gender-based violence (GBV) for free legal aid volunteers 65 views

I. Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior to the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges built on this earlier engagement, established partnerships, and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP). UN RPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with several partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA). UN RPP was designed to respond to and mitigate the causes and effects of the conflict in the east of Ukraine. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme Document and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF).

In October 2018, four UN agencies (UNDP, UN Women, FAO and UNFPA) have signed a new joint project document, funded by the EU. The overall objective of the Programme is to restore effective governance, support economic recovery and promote reconciliation in the crisis-affected communities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in Ukraine, thereby enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of local governments in the government-controlled areas of the regions. It will contribute to peacebuilding and prevent further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine through effective and accountable decentralization, gender-responsive recovery planning and equal access to services, as well as enhanced economic recovery and development.

The UN RPP’s Component III “Community Security and Social Cohesion” aims to reach some of its goals through implementation support to the projects in strengthening community security and social cohesion through testing innovative legal aid, access to justice, conflict resolution and peacebuilding mechanisms at the local level.

The dwellers of the communities residing in the vicinity of the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts do not have access to the state free legal aid (FLA) services. The problem is linked to the security situation, remoteness of these locations, and limited outreach capacity of the State Free Legal Aid system. In order to increase the level of legal literacy among the population of the contact line locations and to ensure effective outreach of the state FLA services, UNDP jointly with UNHCR, FLA system, and R2P is implementing a “FLA Volunteer” project. In the framework of the project, 20 members of the communities close to the contact line will be trained as FLA volunteers on the most burning legal issues for the communities. These future volunteers will be able to provide basic legal advice and refer cases for deeper legal consultations and secondary legal aid to the FLA centers and bureaus.

One of the most important topics included in the project is gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV). It is important that the future FLA volunteers understand the concept of gender and acknowledge gender equality as a fundamental human right. Upon the completion of the educational phase of the project, the future FLA volunteers are expected to demonstrate respect and non-discrimination in their activities. They will be able to provide basic consultations on gender equality and GBV to raise the awareness of their communities. They will demonstrate the ability to identify risks of GBV and refer persons at risk to respective service providers. The future volunteers will be aware of the Ukrainian legislation in relation to GBV and will be trained on the referral pathways for GBV survivors and persons at risk. The FLA volunteers will be driven be the principles of “do not harm”, respect, confidentiality and non-discrimination in their work.

For this reason, the UN RPP seeks for highly qualified professional who could provide online training on gender equality and GBV, referral pathways, and Ukrainian legislation remedies for GBV prevention and response for the free legal aid volunteers in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

II. Objective of the Assignment / Scope of work

The main goal of the assignment is the capacity building on gender equality and GBV to ensure that the FLA volunteers treat women, girls, men, boys with different needs and experiences, especially the poor and most vulnerable, with equal level of respect, and involve them in their activities. It is expected that the anticipated training participants do not have any GBV related background. For this, Consultant will conduct GE/GBV capacity assessment of the audience. The training should provide the FLA volunteers with the information and skills to identify risks of GBV and to respond to reported situations or refer cases to specialized services, using referral pathways in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Under the supervision of UN RPP Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist, the Consultant is expected to complete the present assignment including the following:

1. Preparation of the plan of online GBV training (to be held in the online mode) on gender equality and GBV, referral pathways, and legal remedies based on the GE/GBV capacity assessment.
2. Development of the educational materials (workbook) according to the plan.
3. Dissemination of the hand-out educational materials among the participants of the online GBV training, educational support of the participants.
4. Provision of 4 online sessions within the scope of the online GBV training (respective online GBV training should be divided into 4 (four) online sessions with at least 2 (two) days breaks between them). Conduct a follow up GE/GBV capacity assessment to measure the effectiveness of training.
5. Preparation of the Training Report as a result of online GBV training.

III. Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in all aspects of training planning, delivery, and evaluation, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behavior, and use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards.

Stage 1. Preparation of the concept and agenda of online GBV training, including handout educational materials (workbook) and schedule of online sessions on gender equality, GBV, referral pathways and legal remedies.

The concept of online GBV training should present the next parts:

• Goals and objectives (including but not limited to capacity gaps identification, objectives of the training, topics to be addressed to the identified gaps, the expected results);
• Skills and knowledge to be obtained;
• Methods and learning tools to be used (including the emphasis on the importance of the communication of their rights during the provision of the free legal aid service);
• Duration of training;
• Information about trainers;
• Hand-out educational materials (workbook).
• Pre- / post-training questionnaires. Pre- / post-training questionnaire should include at least 10 questions. Both questionings are meant to evaluate the understanding, knowledge and skills trainees already have on gender equality and women’s empowerment, and on the gender architecture and gender policy, as well as progress of this knowledge.

The plan and educational materials, pre- / post-training questionnaire, hand-out educational materials (workbook) should be approved by the UN RPP.

The training should use interactive methods and include theoretical knowledge on the overall use and sense of the gender mainstreaming and provide practical skills on the use of this knowledge.

In addition, the training will at least cover the following topics:

• Overview of the basic concept of gender and sex, gender equality, gender stereotypes and gender discrimination, toxic masculinity;
• Provide in-depth understanding of gender equality issues, with latest statists and facts to illustrate the situation of women and men in Ukraine and in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts;
• Consider intersectionality of social categorizations such as gender, age, ethnicity, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, social class, language, rural/urban, IDP, that create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage Provide understanding of the principles of work with survivors of GBV, persons at risk, including specialized protocols and SOPs that ensure GBV survivors’ safety and privacy as well as reduce their further traumatization and victimization;
• Outline specific GBV challenges in the country and in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the legal framework for GBV prevention and response, illustrated by ongoing relevant initiatives;
• Provide practical knowledge of effective referral pathways for Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
• Utilize case studies and real-life examples.

Hand-out educational materials should be disseminated electronically (online) among the participants of the event.

Stage 2. To conduct training:

• The online GBV training – 1 training (it should be divided into 4 online sessions (at least 4 hours each) with at least 2 days breaks between them);
• Number of participants – up to 20 persons;
• Time frames for training delivery – October-November 2020.

UN RPP will provide support with technical organization of training (if required).

Stage 3. To prepare the training report, which will include:

• Pre-/ post-training questionnaire and its results;
• Trainees’ feedback on training – lessons learned and recommendations;
• Conclusions.

The Final Report should be prepared in Ukrainian and provided in the following formats: graphs in *.pdf, *.xls and *.docs formats, at least 10 pages, Times New Roman, 12 pt., lines space – 1,15.

All materials, training delivery and communication under this assignment should be in Ukrainian.

IV. Deliverables

The following deliverables will be provided by the contractor

V. Proposed Payment Schedule

UNDP will pay the negotiated amount in 2 tranches as per delivery of the outputs outlined above.

The payment is made by UNDP within 30 (thirty) calendar days from the date of respective deliverable acceptance by UNDP and submission of originals of invoice, act of acceptance and tax invoice (if applicable).

VI. Monitoring and Reporting Requirement

The Consultant shall work under overall guidance and direct supervision of the UN RPP Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist in accordance with terms of deliverable submission through meetingscallsmails with operational communication with the UN RPP Rule of Law and Access Justice Specialist.

Electronic versions of reports and duly completed timesheets should be prepared and submitted for clearance and approval by the UN RPP Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist in accordance with terms of deliverable submission.

The Consultant should clearly and concisely identify the work that has been carried out during this period, list major accomplishments, and difficulties/problems encountered during the process. The report should also indicate whether the result was achieved or whether there is a delay in the implementation of the planned activities. In the case of a delay, the reasons and advised solutions should be clearly stated.

VII. Experience and Qualifications Requirements

• Education: At least Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, social science, gender studies or another relevant field;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in gender equality issues or another relevant field;
• At least 3 years of adult teaching / training / coaching experience;
• At least 2 certificates within the sphere of this Terms of Reference (on training provision and gender mainstreaming);
• Languages proficiency: Professional fluency in Ukrainian.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity
• Fulfils all obligations to gender responsiveness and zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse
• Ability to perform teaching / training / coaching work;
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Demonstrated strong analytical, coordination and facilitation skills.

VIII. Documents to Be Included When Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

IX. Financial Proposal

Lump sum contract

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 instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

The consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment, including office accommodations, printing, stationery, telephone and electronic communications, report copying etc.

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs and/or accommodation must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. UN RPP, however, may help (if needed) with logistics on mentioned issues around Ukraine. Should the Individual Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.