International consultant to lead a scoping study on sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces and development of a safe city and safe public spaces programme in the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Rooted in UN Women’s mandate on ending violence against women, UN Women has been working since 2011 to implement a Global Flagship Initiative “Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces” including a Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls Global Programme, in over 40 cities. The Initiative is the first ever global effort to develop model approaches to prevent and respond to sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces, which can be assessed for impact[1].

The Flagship builds on over 40 years of sustained efforts undertaken by women’s organizations, grassroots, and international networks, local governments in cities around the world to create safe inclusive and sustainable cities for women and for all. It was designed with local, regional and global partners in response to the growing concerns about every day experiences of women and girls all over the world, as they experience sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence in public spaces as they go about their daily routines, whether on city streets, parks, market, pathways to schools, buses and trains or in their own neighborhoods. Such occurrences infringe upon women and girls’ rights and freedoms as equal citizens to enjoy and pursue freely opportunities for autonomous mobility, education, work, recreation and participation in political life. Despite affecting millions of women and girls, such forms of violence have long been tolerated, and the issue is largely neglected in policy and practice.

Impact level results of each safe city/safe public spaces with women and girls’ programme include:

• Women and girls enjoy a greater sense of safety, and increased comfort in public spaces
• Increased use of public spaces and increased autonomous mobility of women and girls in the city
• A reduction in different forms of sexual violence in public spaces, especially in the intervention sites

Violence against women and girls and domestic violence are widespread social problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), constituting serious violations of fundamental human rights. This type of violence is still seen and tolerated as “socially acceptable behavior” and is justified by the prevailing socially accepted gender norms on the role and status of women in the family and in society. Results of the latest OSCE led survey Well- Being and Safety of Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina[2] (2019) indicated that almost half of women older than fifteen (48%) have experienced some form of abuse including intimate partner violence, non-partner violence, stalking and sexual harassment. More specifically, 28% of women since the age of 15 have experienced sexual harassment and 10% were sexually harassed in the 12 months prior to the survey. 

In 2020, UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina office will work with local authorities and policy makers, gender institutional mechanisms, first responders, grassroots women organizations, and other partners to assess the potential in developing a multi-year Safe City and Safe Public Spaces Programme in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. City of Banja Luka, the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has expressed high level of interest and motivation to take part in this initiative. The city has a good track record on the work on gender equality and eliminating violence against women, has established support services for survivors of domestic violence and strong network of CSO, including women’s rights organizations. The city has recognized the need to address the issues of violence and public safety in a strategic way and has established a Committee for Safety from members of local government and civil society. Committee has conducted a research to collect information on the level of violence in different neighborhoods, that informed the development of strategic directions of work. Committee represents one potential local platform for the work on Safe City and Safe Public Spaces. 

In this context, UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks an international consultant to conduct a scoping study in the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina guided by the UN Women’s Global Framework on the Flagship Programme on Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces with Women and Girls and Guidance Notes on Scoping Studies and Programme Design, which can be adapted to local city context, and provide technical assistance in developing a comprehensive and evidence based safe city programme involving multi-stakeholders.  

[1] For more information, visit: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/creating-safe-public-spaces

[2] OSCE, 2019: OSCE-led survey on violence against women: Bosnia and Herzegovina, available at https://www.osce.org/secretariat/423470?download=true

Duties and Responsibilities

In this consultancy, UN Women aims to identify gender-responsive locally relevant and owned interventions to address sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces through conducting a scoping study and through holding consultative proposed intervention workshops.

Scoping study objective:

• To provide the evidence-base for stakeholders to identify solutions;
• To provide valid and specific data to ensure a deep understanding of local forms of sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces and the context in which it occurs.
• To build local ownership by creating multi-stakeholder partnerships through inclusive and participatory process;

The Scoping study will collect data from both literature review and local stakeholders including local authorities, civil society organizations and groups of women with particular vulnerabilities and who may be more likely to experience such violence (such as women with disabilities or Roma women) to understand safety concerns for women and girls in public spaces.

The study may be implemented in one or two areas in Banja Luka (to be discussed and agreed with the local stakeholders, guided by UN Women’s Guidance on Scoping Studies in Safe Cities).

Proposed intervention for the safe cities’ consultative workshops:

• To engage key stakeholders in active reflection on the findings of the scoping study in selected area(s) of Banja Luka and to identify key priorities and safety concerns in public spaces.
• To engage key stakeholders to identify common outcomes and outputs to address sexual violence and enable them to develop proposed intervention with a specific set of results, based on the local context, vision, and joint stakeholders’ accountability.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UN Women Programme Specialists, direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Project Manager in Bosnia and Herzegovina and with technical input from UN Women’s Technical Team in the Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Section in Headquarters, the consultant will undertake the following tasks during the period 01 January 2020 to 30 March 2020.

• Develop a qualitative methodology for a scoping study in line with UN Women’s Guidance on Scoping Studies[1]. The methodology should be guided by Key lines of enquiry stipulated in the Guidance, and specific clearly operational definitions for sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence. Produce annotated outline and approved methodology with a list of key informant interviews (short guide that outlines questions) to UN Women for technical input and incorporate feedback in the revised tools;
• Guide local consultants to conduct a scoping study using qualitative methodologies to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG) in selected areas of Banja Luka. Ensure WHO ethnical guidelines on researching violence against women[2] are enforced throughout the research process.
• Conduct desk review of materials related to legislative framework and policies available and prepare a summary to identify gaps. Identify any quantitative data on sexual harassment or other forms of sexual violence in public spaces that may have been conducted, and incorporate in the literature review;
• Submit a draft report on the scoping study to UN Women for inputs and comments;
• With the support of local consultants conduct a validation meeting among key stakeholders on findings from the scoping study, and produce a power point presentation on the findings of the scoping study which will be used in programme design workshops;
• Submit a final report on the scoping study in English, which incorporates all inputs and comments from UN Women;
• Provide technical support to ensure the development of a robust programme design in design workshops, engaging multi-stakeholders (the state/entity government, local authorities of Banja Luka civil society organizations, UN agencies and others). This includes but is not limited to, developing a theory of change and intervention model. This process is conducted in consultation with UN Women Guidance on Programme Design for Safe City Safe Public Space with Women and Girls Programme, and involves the adaptation of a Global Theory of Change (TOC) developed for the Flagship, with inputs from UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina and UN Women’s Global Policy Advisor, Safe Public Spaces;
• Submit a draft programme design, including preliminary inputs from relevant stakeholders to UN Women for inputs and comments;
• Submit a final programme design incorporating all inputs and comments from UN Women.

Key deliverables, activities and timeframe

The consultant is responsible for the complete delivery of the following indicative tasks:

Tasks/Deliverables	Days	Delivery date by
Methodology for the scoping study in consultation with the Scoping Study Guidance Note as suitable for the specific context of Banja Luka.	5	January 15th 2020
Outline of main findings from desk review of available materials	4	January 27th  2020
First draft of scoping study report and submit to UN Women for inputs and comments	8	February 14th 2020
Second draft of report including PowerPoint presentation on the findings sent to review for submission to UN Women.	2	February 21st 2020
Deliver Power point presentation on findings of the scoping study during the programming workshop	6	Within the week 24 - 28 February 2020
First draft programme design document, including preliminary inputs from relevant local stakeholders for UN Women inputs and comments	8	March 13th 2020
Final programme design incorporating feedback and comments from relevant local stakeholders and UN Women, submitted and approved by UN Women.	2	March 23rd 2020
Total	35

[1] UN Women’s Guidance on Scoping Studies

[2] Ethical guidelines are available at: http://www.who.int/gender/documents/violence/who_fch_gwh_01.1/en/

Reporting

Under the overall supervision of Programme Specialist, the consultant will work closely with EVAW Project Manager who will manage the contract.  If needed, UN Women Safe Cities Technical Team will be included for provision of programmatic guidance.  All deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women EVAW Project Manager in English.

Competencies

CORE VALUES:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women;
•  Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies;
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy;
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported;
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems;
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Leadership and Self-Management:

•     Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
•     Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
•     Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
•     Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate;
•    Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in gender, development studies, social research or relevant related field.

Skills and Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in working with gender/social programme design, implementation and management;
• Previous experience in conducting/managing social research, its analysis and programme development related to gender equality and women’s rights, with specific focus on violence against women and girls, sexual harassment and safety (please submit 1 writing sample/research paper to underpin this information);
• Previous experience of managing and coordinating an assignment with diverse group of partners
• Excellent verbal and written English skill;
• Familiarity with the Bosnia and Herzegovina gender context is an advantage;

 

1.DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

1. Expression of interest and 1 writing sample/research underpinning previous expereince
2. Detailed financial proposal inclusive of all costs (which includes consultancy fees, travel to Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, accommodation, subsistence etc.);
3. UN Women Personal History form (P11 http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Please note: All documents have to be uploaded in 1 single file.

2.EVALUATION OF OFFERS

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of applicant qualifications and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the highest score out of below defined technical, interview and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation. Top 3 candidates (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be interviewed.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Technical Evaluation – documents and interviewed based (70%);

Applications will be assessed according to the following Technical Criteria:                      

• Master’s degree in gender, development studies, social research or relevant related field (10 points);  
• At least 7 years of experience in working with gender/social programme design, implementation and management (20 points);
• Previous experience in conducting/managing social research, its analysis and programme development related to gender equality and women’s rights, with specific focus on violence against women and girls, sexual harassment and safety (please submit 1 writing sample/research paper to underpin this information); (25 points)
• Previous experience of managing and coordinating an assignment with diverse group of partners; (10 points)
• Familiarity with the Bosnia and Herzegovina gender context is an advantage. (5 points)

Financial Evaluation - based on submitted offer (30%)

• Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30
  • S - score received on financial evaluation;
  • Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
  • F - financial offer under the consideration.

Qualified women and men and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

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

For any additional information, please contact unwomen.bih@unwomen.org

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Expression of Interest 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.