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Case manager to support and coach sexual violence survivors in the Center for Crisis Management Center for Sexual Violence Victims

Tirana

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Tirana
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
    • Sexual and reproductive health
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Gender-based violence
    • Managerial positions
    • Drugs, Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism and Human Trafficking
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most pervasive forms of violence. It is a global pandemic that affects all countries, all societies, all religions, faiths and ethnic backgrounds, on a daily basis. Eliminating all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence as one of the most serious forms of human rights violations, is a key priority for the Government of Albania.

As a State party to CEDAW, Albania has an obligation to both prevent violence against women, including sexual violence and provide support and redress for survivors of violence.  The Istanbul Convention (IC), to which Albania has been a party since 2014, is the most far reaching international treaty to tackle violence against women and includes multiple obligations with regards to services for women survivors of violence. More concretely, Article 25 requires from the State Parties to take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide for the setting up of appropriate, easily accessible rape crisis or sexual violence referral centers for victims in sufficient numbers to provide for medical and forensic examination, trauma support and counselling for victims.

The Explanatory Report of the IC provides some guidance for centers that provide specialized support services to sexual violence survivors which may take the form of: a) a rape crisis center or b) a sexual violence referral center. According to the sexual violence referral centers as defined in the IC, these centers may specialize in immediate medical care, high-quality forensic practice and crisis intervention. They can for instance be set up in a hospital setting to respond to recent sexual assault by carrying out medical checks and referring the victim to specialized community-based organizations for further services. They also may concentrate on immediate and adequate referral of the victim to appropriate, specialized organizations as to provide the necessary care. Research has shown that it is good practice to carry out forensic examinations regardless of whether the matter will be reported to the police, and to offer the possibility of having samples taken and stored so that the decision as to whether or not to report the rape can be taken at a later date. Such center should be available per every 200.000 inhabitants[1] and that their geographic spread should make them accessible to victims in rural areas as much. Rape crisis centers, on the other hand, offer long-term help such as face-to-face counselling, support groups and contact with other services. They also support victims during court proceedings by providing woman-to-woman advocacy and other practical help. It is important to note that The IC provides States with an alternative, not with an obligation to set up both types of centers.

In Albania, the latest legislative improvements of the Criminal Code[2] with a separate section dedicated to sexual violence and sexual harassment, provides an excellent ground for effective prosecution of all forms of sexual violence and sexual harassment and offers protection to various categories of vulnerable victims, including women and girls. The 2016 Ministry of Justice annual statistics[3] indicates an increase with 12 more criminal cases followed during 2016 (70 criminal cases) as compared with 2015 (58 criminal cases). Nevertheless, sexual violence cases remain underreported.

Considering the challenges and complexity of the sexual violence situation in Albania, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) has prioritized interventions in the National Strategy for Gender Equality (NSGE) and its National Action Plan (NAP) 2016-2020[4] with a specific objective 3.2 that aims to strengthen referral mechanisms and specialized support services for protection and handling of cases of gender-based violence and domestic violence with the objective to prevent and protect sexual violence survivors. Moreover, the NSGE it its NAP has envisaged dedicated measures that aim at gaining experience on establishing new services for other forms of violence against women that are not specifically addressed so far – focusing on specialized services against sexual violence (3.210); and improvement of the capacities of professionals, who offer services (especially specialized support services) to victims/survivors of GBV&DV on Istanbul Convention standards and requirements (3.2.6).

Furthermore, progress was marked with the recent approved ammendmends to the law 9669, dated 18.12.2006  “On measures against violence in family relations” (DV Law). Among many imprivements, the law provides for the establishment of crisis management centers for victims of sexual violence. It requires from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to develop standards for such specialized support service.

To enable law implementation, MoHSP led the process of the development of the profile of the crisis management centers for victims of sexual violence and the relevant standards of services. Standards were approved in the National Gender Equality Council meeting held on 21 November 2018. Last but not least, MoHSP launched the first pilot Lilium Center to provide for specialized support emergency multi-sectorial services to victims of sexual violence. Lilium Center is a one stop center located at the Mother Teresa Hospital Center which satisfies the requirements set forth in the Istanbul Convention. The center will serve the survivors through a multidisciplinary team consisting of legal practitioners, gynecologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, police officers, prosecutors, attorneys and nurses. This team will take action on the survivor's health welfare and is responsible for gathering forensic evidence according to the Criminal Procedure Code. The center will be accessible for 24/7. The Center has a dedicated full-time center manager and 5 nurses on call.

[1] The Final Activity Report of the Council of Europe Task Force to Combat Violence against Women,

including Domestic Violence (EG-TFV (2008)6), minimum standard https://www.coe.int/t/dg2/equality/domesticviolencecampaign/Source/Final_Activity_Report.pdf

[2] http://www.pp.gov.al/web/kodi_penal_2016_1033.pdf

[3] http://www.drejtesia.gov.al/files/userfiles/statistika/Vjetari_2016.pdf

[4] http://www.shendetesia.gov.al/files/userfiles/Baza_Ligjore/Mbrojtja_sociale/SKGJB-AL-web.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of the Assignment

To support the MoHSP in the initial stage of making the Lilium Center functional   UNDP is seeking the services of a case manager. The expert will help develop case management procedures/practice among other related services.  

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead the needs assessment process for each beneficiary with a keen focus on their long-term support and further integration.
  • Provide one-on-one crisis counseling and de-escalation during medical appointments related to sexual violence.
  • Develop case management procedures and relevant practice to be followed in the center for each case.
  • Maintain the highest level of client confidentiality.
  • Provide advocacy services and support to survivors of sexual assault or abuse and their children.
  • Assess immediate crisis needs of clients and address appropriately. Manage incoming calls and walk-ins and complete necessary documentation.
  • Support the daily operations of the center’s offices.
  • Complete and maintain SV victims records as per standards and regulations.
  • Inform SV victims about dynamics of sexual assault and abuse and resources available.
  • Provide concrete case management and access to internal and external resources.
  • Meet regularly with SV victims to support case plan accomplishment. Refer SV victims to other agencies and resources and advocate directly with other institutions/agencies/specialized NGOs as needed to help sexual violence victims access necessary services.   
  • Oversee that center's security complies with all rules and regulations of agency policies and safety procedures.
  • Document happenings and client activities as necessary. Oversee the center environment and activities, facilitate problem solving for in-center conflicts and crises, encourage and model appropriate center interactions.
  • Mediate on behalf of SV victims when appropriate.
  • Provide appropriate follow-up and documentation of emergency incidents or non-compliance of rules.
  • Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings of the center.
  • Attend and participate in all required meetings, including multi-disciplinary case conferences, departmental meetings, on-going trainings, group consultation and individual supervision.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Expected Deliverables

  • One-on-one crisis counseling and de-escalation during medical appointments related to sexual violence.
  • Short-term case management services to survivors related to sexual violence.
  • Co-facilitated support groups for survivors specific to sexual assault prevention, healing from sexual assault, consent, and related topics.
  • Case management procedures developed for further use in the center.
  • Referral procedures developed to support SV victims with longer term rehabilitation and reintegration services.
  • Documentation of all cases and periodic reporting’s provided on the status and functioning of the center.
  • A final report highlighting the expert’s work, outputs, achievements, lessons learned and the proceeding of the expertise, including recommendations for future similar interventions.

Competencies

Core Values

  • Demonstrating/safeguarding UN core values on accountability, integrity, transparency, mutual respect, professionalism, and results orientation
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
  • Displays cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

 Core competencies

  • Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively
  • Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework
  • Demonstrates self-initiative and responsibility in carrying out tasks
  • Demonstrates the ability to act as a team player and facilitate team work in a multicultural environment
  • Shows readiness to self-development, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others

Functional competencies

  • Demonstrated experience in coaching and leading victims of gender based violence for a successful reintegration in communities;
  • Sensitivity and understanding of Albania’s socio-cultural situation;
  • Communication and public speaking skills, team player and capacity to deliver as per deadlines.?

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic qualifications

  • University diploma in social sciences or gender equality disciplines. MA or equivalent in a development related disciplines (social sciences and related fields) is highly preferred. A PhD degree in any of the above-mentioned fields will be an asset;

Working experience:

  • At least 5 years of practicing experience as a social worker/counsellor providing services to vulnerable and sexual/domestic violence victims;

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant 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.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

  • Criteria A: Specific education development-related disciplines as mentioned under “Qualifications” section – max points: 30
  • Criteria B: Work experience – max points: 20
  • Criteria C: Previous experience with similar works – max points: 20

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • A brief presentation explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position, to be entered in the first part of "Resume and Motivation" (max 1000 characters)
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form... Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.  
  • Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
  • Financial Proposal in ALL - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek ( The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . 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).http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc
  • Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.??

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION 

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

  • Merge your CV or P11, Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
  • Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
  • Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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