Insurgency in the LCB has affected more than 419,000 people in the region of Diffa, Niger of which about 108, 000 are Nigerians refugees 15, 000 are returnees in Niger, 129,000 are internally displaced persons in Niger and some 92 000 are from hosting communities. During this crisis, Niger has to deal with various problems including lack of food, health issues, water and sanitation problems and protection gaps.
In the area of protection, this has resulted to among others, physical and psychological trauma affecting people who have lost their relatives. They are in a situation where traditional protection systems are destroyed and those set up by the Government in response to the crisis are overwhelmed by the multiplicity of problems and the growing demand for social services. In addition, there is an increased in child abuse and violation of women’s rights, resulting in an increased gender based violence (GBV). According to the Niger Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2018, some 361, 986 people are in need of protection and response for GBV.
Against this background, UNFPA and other humanitarian actors have implemented important interventions including (i) setting up of a GBV Sub-Working Group in Diffa, ii ) training of humanitarian and service providers in GBV case management and GBVIMS, (iii) conducting rapid need assessments including risks related to GBV in displaced persons’ sites, (iv) developing a multisector GBV prevention and response SOP and referral pathways, (v) provision of needs based and context specific psychosocial support and medical care to GBV survivors with post-rape kits, dignity kits, (vi) establishing and operationalizing a multifunctional GBV Management Center in the Sayam Refugees Camp, (vii) establishing 10 safe spaces for adolescent girls in displacement sites, (viii) establishing and supporting 22 community GBV advocate groups.
However, despite the various actions undertaken and the results achieved, UNFPA has identified a huge gaps in legal aid for GBV survivors due to lack of trained service providers in the crisis affected regions of the country. As prescribed by the UNFPA Minimum Standards for the Prevention and Response to GBViE, legal services are an essential part of the survivor-centered approach and should be part of a safe, non-stigmatizing multi-sector response to GBV. Legal aid services staffed by appropriately trained personnel should be accessible to GBV survivors and integrated into the general GBV referral system.
It is for this reason that UNFPA Niger Country Office has decided to hire an International Legal-aid Consultant/Trainer to build/strengthen the capacities of national GBV actors and community relay workers to effectively provide a need-based and context specific legal assistance to survivors of Gender Based Violence in the conflict affected regions of Niger.
Overall Objective of the Assignment
The overall aim is to improve the quality of legal support services to survivors of GBV in Niger. Trainings will be conducted on an established module with the aim of imparting the participants with operational knowledge and understanding of international and national legal practices on GBV case management.
These trainings will be preceded by a detailed needs assessment conducted by the expert in Diffa and Tillabery. The consultant is also expected to develop a report for recommendations for the way forward for the development of legal services for survivors of gender-based violence. These trainings will be preceded by a detailed needs assessment conducted by the expert in Diffa and Tillabery. The consultant is also expected to develop a report for recommendations for the way forward for the development of legal services for survivors of gender-based violence.
Scope of Work and key tasks
1. Training and WorkshopThe international expert will be responsible for the planning, development of module and conduct of the five-day workshop for the community relay workers (members of Ecoles des Maris and comités de vigilance), social workers, GBV case managers of the UNFPA’s multifunctional centre for GBV care and police officers.
The training should be practical and based on case studies and practical exercises from across the region.
It is expected that the workshop will provide participants with knowledge and skills on at least, but not exclusive to, the following three main sessions:
1.1 International Standards on GBV and Issue of Gender Based Violence
This session would provide the context and introduction to GBV and the International Standards on Gender Based Violence. The session would be participated in by representatives from all different sectors, and cover at least the following.
a) Convention on Eliminating all forms of Discrimination Against Women(CEDAW): The rationale behind the drafting of CEDAW including what each Article aims to meet, during the implementation of the DPVA it will be possible to synchronize and harmonize the contents of this to provide the victims of GBV the just and required support.
b) Gender Based Violence (GBV): In order to provide support to the survivors of GBV, it will be necessary to have the required knowledge regarding the causes of GBV, prevention, and the sensitivities involved in providing support to clients. Applied to the Bhutanese context, the training should provide the participants with the tools to assess and analyze the gaps in domestic violence response and the best practices in tackling, as well as ways and rationale to reduce/eliminate GBV.
1.2 Legal Service Provision as Part of a Full-Cycle Support
This session would provide and discuss best practice examples as far as the provision of legal support to survivors of gender-based violence is concerned. Practical case studies would be worked through in groups.
Through a detailed consideration and practical sessions developed based on an analysis of the Niger national legal frameworks on the fight against GBV and the GBV Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)and current services provided by different actors, the session would support participants in developing approaches most suited for the Niger context. The session could cover at least the following:
a) Services related to Gender Based Violence: The relationship between legal support and best practices in providing counseling support should also be discussed and covered within the training. The session should also cover the difference between referral of cases and the provision of legal advice.
b) Legal services: The training should expose participants to best practices in the world, related to management of cases and the various legal services provided to the victims of GBV. This is to help us to obtain protection orders as and when necessary in order to protect and assist the victims of GBV. The participants should be able to critically reflect on the types of legal services provided by their organization, and how these could be further developed.
c) Mediation: Make aware of the guiding principles of mediation and as on what issues we can facilitate mediation. This session could be co-facilitated by a national expert on the provision of mediation services.
d) Counselling: The training could include a module on counseling for service providers. The main goal in this area is to equip the counsellors with the knowledge and skills in helping victims to cope with their situation, through group counseling and individual counseling. The training should expose best practices and types of counselling to the participants.
During the workshop, the expert is also expected to provide the participants with relevant reference materials, which may help them in their work.
The expert is expected meet with National Commission for Human Rights (CNDL) and the Association of Female Lawyers of Niger (ANFJ) to discuss on the five day training programme to incorporate any feedback and suggestions.
2. Needs Assessment and Report with Recommendations for the Way Forward
As a result of the needs assessment conducted prior to the training, as well as discussions during and after the training, the expert is expected to produce a report (max. 10 pages) outlining the main opportunities, challenges, remaining needs and suggested way forward for the development of legal service provision for survivors of GBV in Niger.
Expected Deliverables
- Undertake virtual survey and needs assessment for the participants to be trained;
- Develop interactive and detailed training modules/training session plan and all accompanying background material for the delivery of training workshops on capacity building of service providers on effective legal services in prevention of and response to violence against women.
- The training workshop shall include components on the types of legal support services and inter-sectoral collaboration and coordination of various sectors in providing response and ensuring effective prevention coordination, provision of support to victims, mediation and communication skills. The training workshop shall also include detrimental effects of gender based violence on women, short and long term consequences (educational achievements, productivity, mental and psychological health) and gender sensitivity;
- Deliver five-day training for selected service providers and community relay worker on violence against women for different sectors. The training should cover the identification and detection of victims/violence, reporting, response and inter-sectoral cooperation;
- Develop a detailed evaluation of the modules/workshop(s) by the participants so that the workshop/training materials can be improved according to the participant feedback;
- As part of the training, deliver the training guidelines in addition to content and tools;
- Develop training workshop report;
- Develop a report (max. 10 pages) outlining the main opportunities, challenges, remaining needs and suggested way forward for the development of legal service provision for survivors of GBV in Niger. The report should include recommendations for further addressing of violence against women by-service providers and state bodies.
- Travel expected to Niamey and Diffa Regions of Niger
Required Qualifications and Experience
a) Advanced University Degree in law, gender, development studies, international relations or other related disciplines;
b) Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience, preferably in the promotion of women’s access to justice, legal training and international and national laws and policies on gender equality and women’s rights;
c) At least 5 years of experience in the development and provision of support programmes for survivors of Gender Based Violence, including legal services and advice;
d) At least 3 years professional experience in women’s human rights programming, including in the development, mainstreaming and implementation of CEDAW training;
e) Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments such as CEDAW, SCR 1325 etc.;
f) At least 5 years of experience in programme design, implementation, reporting, and monitoring, preferably in the field of Access to Justice or Gender Justice;
g) Good experience in conducting workshop and management, including participatory training approaches;
h) Good knowledge of latest development in international best practices related to the topic, including work of the UN bodies;
i) Excellent writing and oral communication skills in French.
How to apply
a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
b) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
c) Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
The applications should be submitted in electronic format by August 16, 2018 to niger.office@unfpa.org no later than 1:30 PM. Late applications will be rejected.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
