Consultant: GBV Programming Specialist - Response

Background:

The HRP requested US$1 billion to support over 5.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan with the Protection sector targeting 2.6 million people who are in dire need of protection. Darfur North, West, Central, South and East States have a huge number of vulnerable populations among whom are IDPs, Returnees, Refugees from South Sudan and host communities, making up a combined population of approximately 1.6 million people are living in protracted displacement. Localized fighting continues in parts of the Jebel Marra of Darfur, displacing up to 24,000 people in 2018, and over 8,000 so far in 2019. The ongoing drawdown of UNAMID from four Darfur states (North, South, East & West) is likely to weaken the protection by presence environment as well as absence of patrols. Insufficient presence of law enforcement authorities in return areas is resulting in increasing number of incidences of protection concerns, and an increasing potential for new or secondary displacement. Recently, a series of incidents between Massalit and Arab tribesmen have increased intercommunal tensions in and around Geneina, West Darfur.  In approximately 45,000 people have been displaced, which increased the risk of SGBV incidence.

The economic situation is worsening, thereby affecting the displaced, and host communities included in the larger Darfur - reducing   household purchasing power. As food, medicine, clothing among other basic needs become more expensive, displaced persons and the community at large, are having to sell assets, reduce frequency, quantity and quality of meals, and take up alternative often negative coping strategies. Furthermore, over 60% of IDP/Refugee households in Sudan are food insecure including the IDPs & refugees. Exacerbated by the conflict, inadequate living conditions and the lack of privacy which IDPs face in camps and elsewhere, vulnerable women and girls in areas of conflict need support to prevent risks of GBV, in particular to reduce their exposure, for example during movements for water or firewood. Limited mobility, lack of information on available services and the distances to services, social exclusion and fear of social stigma hamper the ability of vulnerable people to access adequate social protection and assistance. 

Insecurity, low economic status and lack of livelihood opportunities, lack of community awareness on women’s rights and GBV due to cultural and societal norms also contribute to GBV risks for women & girls. The protection response has been hampered by limited presence and capacity of GBV actors including government, national and international NGOs, and UN agencies. The country suffers a lack of human resources with experience and   skills to handle GBV cases. Several GBV programming interventions are ongoing, towards delivery, quality survivor centred GBV programming in some target localities. These services include, delivery through the women centers model, provision of Clinical Management Rape services, establishment and support to community based structures, provision of supplies, and capacity building of partners and GBV service providers. Sudan is among four beneficiary countries of the Comprehensive Coordination Support to Child and Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Emergencies Initiative’s (Child Survivor Initiative) objective is to improve the quality of and access to services for child and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse in emergencies.

Scope of work:

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Sudan CO Representative and/or Head of Office, the consultant will facilitate the implementation of UNFPA’s GBV programming. GBV programming in humanitarian emergencies is multi-sectoral and involves organizations, actors and beneficiaries from the displaced and host communities, NGO and government implementing partners, UN agencies, and other national and international organizations that engage in comprehensive GBV prevention and response initiatives. Guided by available global guidelines and standards, in line with UNFPA’s Minimum Standards for Addressing GBV in Emergencies, the key duties include: assessment and planning; partnership development; training and sensitization; Coordination and monitoring and evaluation.

Programme Development and Implementation

Assessment and Planning: 

• Conduct assessments and situational analyses in West and Central Darfur, identify gaps for GBV prevention and response, the nature and extent of sexual and gender based violence, available partners and services.
• Develop with colleagues and implementing partners the appropriate prevention and response interventions in line with UNFPA minimum Standards for prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, focusing on service delivery and protection.

Sensitization: 

• Sensitize implementing partners, UN sister agencies and national authorities around the existence and implementation of the Guidelines for Integrating GBV   Interventions in Humanitarian Action.

Programme Implementation:

• Support in the implementation of activities funded through humanitarian appeals, CERF and UNFPA Emergency Response Fund, SLF, SHF as well as any other projects in country.
• Ensure availability of minimum integrated survivor centred GBV services for the IDP and host communities in Geneina, Zalingei and their localities.
• Support for the core UNFPA mandate activities to the quality of the GBV guiding documents and protocols.

Coordination

• Revitalize, Multisectoral GBV working groups in Western and Central Darfur, the Zalingei and minding the current situation in Jebel Mara area.
• Ensure Sphere Standards are disseminated and adhered to, including programming standards essential to providing humanitarian assistance supporting life with dignity, inform the community 
• about sexual violence, availability of services, and monitor adherence to standards regarding sexual violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Preparation of the Coordination working group guiding documents such as the Terms of reference and Coordination Strategy.
• Ensure the requisite capacities to support service availability, access and capacity building of partners implementing GBV in the West and central Darfur.

Partnerships

• Maintaining solid working relationships, with the GBV Interagency Coordinator(s) and all humanitarian partners and agencies; and provide regular and comprehensive updates related to UNFPA’s progress to address GBV;
• Maintain and provide technical support for the other Multisectoral partners arrangements such as the Sudan Police Force, Gender desks, Family and Child Protection Unit (FCPU), University of Geneina and Ministry of Health and Social Development (MOHSD).
• As requested, represent UNFPA in relevant humanitarian coordination bodies, including the GBV Sub-Cluster to ensure that GBV issues are adequately considered in the context of the humanitarian response efforts.
• Establish linkages between existing Gender, RH and HIV programmes to ensure synergies between programmes and maximize programme impact.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor GBV assistance provided by UNFPA to implementing partners for crisis affected populations. Paying attention to quality of activities, and documentation.
• Monitor and supervise UNFPA’s GBV programme activities by keeping a close record of activities, expenditures and agreements made with local partners.
• Prepare periodic progress reports and document lessons learned and challenges.
• Support the Coordinator and the CO on the coordination of humanitarian issues and to prepare reports and Sitreps, as required.

Qualifications and Experience needed

• Undergraduate degree in social science or related discipline, advanced degree is desirable 
• At least 7 years of experience working on gender-based violence, of which 4 are at the international level, preferably in a humanitarian context (Seven years with Bachelor degree and 5 years with Master Degree)
• Awareness and demonstrable knowledge of how GBV manifests in humanitarian settings and ability to describe context-specific prevention and response actions.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Proven experience in survivors-centered approach
• Direct experience providing support to GBV survivors an asset.
• Good knowledge on the GBViE IASC guidelines, GBV AOR Handbook for Coordinating- GBViE and on the UNFPA GBVIE minimum standards is strongly recommended
• Fluency in oral and written English essential; ability to communicate in Arabic an advantage.

Duration:  8 months

Expected travel:  Darfur with possibility of roving around other states with emergency context.

How to apply:

All interested applicants should submit their Curriculum Vitae/Resume with letter of motivation with "Consultant: GBV Programming Specialist - Response” as the subject to Shakir@unfpa.org, by 27 January 2020.