Study the Traditional and Changing Role of Gender and Women in Peacebuilding in South Sudan

Background

The December 2013 and July 2016 conflicts have had a heavy cost on South Sudan’s population, livelihoods and economy. Large portions of the country have suffered significantly, depleting the resources and reducing the level and quality of already limited basic services.

By January 2018, 5.3 million people (48% of the population) were estimated to be facing Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) acute food insecurity, out of which 1 million people were facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity. Compared with the same time last year, this reflects a 40% increase in the population facing severe food insecurity in the post-harvest season. Worsening food insecurity is primarily driven by protracted conflict and displacements, which have contributed to insufficient crop production (only 61% of the 2018 national cereal needs are met by the harvest), disruptions to livelihoods and persistent macroeconomic deterioration.

Estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) suggested that because of the conflict, nearly 2 million people have been internally displaced and over 2 million people have sought refuge in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo with women and children being worst hit.

To revive the stalled 2015 agreement, IGAD is leading a High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) that resulted in the signing of the “Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access” on December 21, 2017. While the parties reached broad consensus on many issues during the Second Phase of the HLRF, the facilitators suspended the second phase on February 16, 2018 to allow the parties to continue their deliberations and consultations. Further, the National Dialogue subcommittees undertook local dialogue forums, which, to date, have been limited to Government-controlled areas.  The Sub-Committee on Refugees and International outreach conducted consultation in Uganda and Kenya with South Sudanese refugees and the diaspora. The Sub-Committee is expected to conduct consultation in Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC and Egypt.   

Conflict affects women and men differently and often the violations women and girls face are ignored or under reported masking the gravity of the crisis. Sexual violence specifically has been used as a weapon of war by all warring parties. Women have been violated, raped, humiliated and forced to relocate. Although sexual violence is not exclusive to conflict, the current crisis has aggravated the intensity of sexual and gender based violence. The culture of shame, around rape in particular, is so severe that many women fear reporting the crime could lead to further repercussions, such as being forced to marry their rapist. Conflict has also disrupted gender roles within families and communities and therefore conflict management and peacebuilding interventions must be continuously informed by these changing roles.

Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) is one of the key pillars of UNDP and is implemented throughout in a two-pronged approach; mainstreaming gender in all core practices and dedicated interventions that empower women and promote gender equality. UNDP’s work on gender is the gender strategy and the 8 point agenda which elaborates practical and positive preventions and recovery outcomes for women and girls in crisis. Further to that is the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UNSCR 1325 and related conventions addressing women, peace and security, and the Agenda 2030 and the Maputo protocol. Those frameworks are reflected in the UNDPs Gender Strategy.

Project Context

UNDP’s Peace and Community Cohesion project (PaCC) contributes to the reduction and mitigation of community level conflicts and insecurity by investing in initiatives that address key drivers of conflict and insecurity. Using UNDPs community security and social cohesion approach, the project is empowering communities to identify – in an inclusive and participatory manner – the drivers of conflict in their communities. Using an integrated and gender-sensitive approach, the project supports the communities to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in a non-violent manner. The project also strengthens communities by identifying and strengthening cultural, social and economic connectors that make communities reliant on each other at times of peace and conflict, across sex and age divide.

The PaCC project builds on practices of UNDP and other partners to reinforce economic interdependencies and indirectly provide women and youth with alternative livelihood opportunities, instigating positive behavioral change through dialogue and reconciliation.  In order to take into consideration the needs and priorities of South Sudan’s most vulnerable groups and with the increasing accounts of unaccounted sexual violence against women and girls throughout the conflict – there is need to commission a baseline situation report to prepare the ground for detailing experiences and the impact UNDP interventions have on women and men and their potential as change agents.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PaCC seeks an international consultant to undertake Study   the traditional and changing role of gender and women in peacebuilding in South Sudan.

The purpose of this assignment is to establish the traditional and changing roles of women/girls and men/boys, how the changing roles affect conflict dynamics and recommend to UNDP and partners, possible initiatives    

Specific objectives

To assess the extent to which gender norms and values have changed following the December 2013 and July 2016 conflicts.  

To assess the extent of gender based violence (GBV) in the selected conflict clusters, map GBV, gender equality and women empowerment interventions and suggest strategies to address GBV and promote peaceful co-existence.

Working under the supervision of the PaCC project Manager; coordinates his/her work with the Gender Specialist and other relevant technical specialists. The consultant will

• Review relevant UNDP documents on the requirements for women peace and security and gender mainstreaming, based on the analysis, prepare an inception report and a work plan on how toconduct the study as per the purpose and specific objectives above ensuring women and youth are part and parcel;
• Conduct field work within the five conflict clusters;
• Prepare a draft report, with specific recommendations addressing issues above andpresent it toa selected stakeholders in a validation workshop;
• Based on inputs from stakeholders, consolidate and finalize the report.
• Develop an integrated plan of action for implementation of key findings in a programmatic approach, and in line with UNDP project log frame, propose gender specific baseline, targets and indicators and key programmatic intervention.

Deliverable and days allocated

• Document review, assessment design, methodology and detailed work plan
• Preparation, submission and presentation of Inception Report with reference group Inception Report In-country 5
• Stakeholder consultations at national level
• Conduct field work within the five conflict clusters
• Preliminary data analysis, debriefing and presentation of draft Report
• Validation meeting with reference group Draft Report In-country 28 Days
• Preparation of Final Report, including Plan of action for gender mainstreaming- incorporating additions and comments provided by all stakeholders and submission to UNDP. Final Report including Gender Mainstreaming Plan of Action Home-based 7 Days.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and learning
• Ability to provide policy advice as well as adaptation and application of knowledge
• Capacity to develop and implement innovative approaches to the provision of technical expertise. 
• Core Competencies:
• Results Orientation and Accountability
• Planning, organizing and team orientation
• Management and Leadership
• Focuses on impact and result for and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Previous work in South Sudan and knowledge of local context is a plus.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Postgraduate university degree in social sciences or other relevant discipline, preferably with a specialization in gender and development.

Technical and Functional Experience:

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in conducting  similar analysis:

• A minimum of 7 years of practical experience in the field of gender equality and gender mainstreaming, UN experience is a plus
• Formal training and experience from in gender analysis and gender planning, and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programs, especially in specific area of intervention;
• Experience in supporting Women’s empowerment and rights, with experience in complex and multi component programs on Women, Peace and Security;
• Thorough understanding of the gender context in South Sudan, and experience working with government institutions and international or local non-governmental organizations supporting gender and development work and familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies in the specific area of intervention;
• Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials.
• Strong analytical skills, including in the identification of key issues and how they relate.

Language:

• Fluent in English.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

The offer will be evaluated by using the Best value for money approach (combined scoring method). CVs relevant with the TOR will be evaluated on 70%. Whereas budget proposed will be evaluated on 30%.

The technical proposal will be evaluated on whether the proposed approach captures the entirety of the essence of the assignment, is clear, is feasible, is acceptable and is time sensitive.

 Below is the marks breakdown for technical proposal:

• Relevance of master’s degree --- 7 marks;
• Minimum of “seven years of accumulated relevant experience --- 14 marks;
• CVs relevance with the TOR --- 22 marks
• Experience in CSO coordination   --- 15 marks;
• Analytical and writing skills in an engaging and succinct manner --- 12 marks.

Total - 70 marks

The financial proposal will be evaluated on whether it is:

Realistic budget and in line with UNDP consultancy rates.

The Consultant will work full time during the consultancy period. Necessary logistical and administrative support will be provided. The consultant will use their own computer and cell phone. The contractor will report to PaCC Project Manager and technical guidance will be provided by the team leader of UNDP Democratic Governance and Stabilization.