National Consultant on Gender Mainstreaming in the Education System

Background

Millions of women and girls worldwide suffer from some form of gender-based violence and harmful practices, be it domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation/cutting, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence in conflict-related situations, son preference and the undervaluing of daughters, or other manifestations of abuse. In fact, for women and girls aged 16-44, gender-based violence is a major cause of death and disability (United Nations About UNiTE: Fact Sheet. Available at http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/factsheets/about_unite.pdf). Up to 70 per cent (United Nations, Violence Against Women: The Situation. Avalable at http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/factsheets/unite_the_situation.pdf.) of women experience violence in their lifetime. Violence against women persists in every country in the world as a pervasive violation of human rights and a major impediment to achieving gender equality. Such violence is unacceptable, whether perpetrated by the State and its agents or by family members or strangers, in the public or private sphere, in peacetime or in times of conflict.

UN Women, with the generous support by the European Union supports the Government of Georgia to meet its obligations undertaken on the international, regional and local levels, inter alia in terms of eliminating violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and in particular domestic violence (DV) and sexual violence.  Alongside with the government and development partners, UN Women is working towards addressing gender inequality in a coherent and comprehensive manner, covering a wide range of issues, including prevention and response to violence against women and girls (VAWG).

UN Women has been supporting national partners to end violence against women and girls and domestic violence (VAWG/DV) since 2010. Throughout the past decade, technical assistance has been provided to the Government of Georgia to align national legislation and policies with the relevant international legal frameworks and standards. In 2017, Georgia ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) and adopted a milestone legal framework aimed at harmonizing the domestic legislation with the requirements under the Istanbul Convention. As a result of the legislative reform, the scope of DV-related legislation, which was previously gender-neutral, has now been expanded to also apply to other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) against women. To increase the disclosure rate of VAW/DV incidents, the new legislation extended the group of individuals authorized to report domestic violence cases. Specifically, exceptional circumstances have been determined for professionals with statutory confidentiality obligations (doctors, teachers, lawyers) that permit them to disclose information in the event of a risk of repeated violence.

The 2016 and 2017 amendments to the legislation related to DV reporting require school personnel to report suspected violence against children. Since then, even though still low, teacher reporting of violence against children has been on the rise, according to data from the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (OROEI). Despite the increase in reporting, the data also show that many schools have never reported an incident of violence, indicating that there is a problem of underreporting. Since teachers are the public sector actors that work most closely with children and are often aware of the children’s situations at home, it is critical that they report suspected violence to the relevant authorities.

The UN Women study Teacher Reporting of Violence against Women and Children (The study is available at https://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20office%20georgia/attachments/publications/2019/teacher%20reporting%20of%20violence%20against%20chioldren%20and%20women.pdf?la=en&vs=2939) conducted in 2019 suggests that there are barriers to reporting beyond the scope of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS) mandate which require inter-agency cooperation. The qualitative data of the report suggests that even though teachers know they need to report incidents of VAWG/DV, they do not necessarily understand the mechanisms for doing so. It is therefore necessary to use the findings of the study to design tailored training that enhances the ability of teachers and other education system stakeholders to report cases of violence against women and girls.

Key informant interviews further indicated that the Child Protection Referral Procedures (CPRP) have not been adopted throughout relevant institutions across the general education system. The MoESCS has developed procedures for schools, but it remains unclear as to whether these procedures are more specific than those outlined under the CPRP. By developing specific procedures for schools and providing clear and simple instructions, the reporting procedures are more likely to be used. Hence, is the study recommended that (a) online and printed materials be provided to teachers that clearly and simply lay out the reporting system within schools, with materials incorporated into the training; and (b) a schematic representation of the reporting process outlining each stage of reporting, with short and clear descriptions, be provided to teachers as part of the training. The study also found that teachers are aware of the different forms and signs of child abuse. However, they view “light” forms of abuse as not worth reporting and think that only sexual violence and repeated and “heavy” physical violence are sufficiently severe to warrant intervention. In this regard, it is recommended that teachers be informed through the training about the harm of all forms of GBV, including domestic violence on children.

The study also showed that teachers are often hesitant to report based only on their suspicion when they do not have direct evidence of violence. They are concerned that they may inadvertently make a false report. Some fear legal repercussions as a result of reporting an unconfirmed suspicion of domestic violence. Hence, it is recommended that the training explains what constitutes a well-grounded suspicion based on which teachers are obliged to report, irrespective of direct evidence. Further, teachers should be informed that even if they cannot prove that violence has taken place, they will not be punished if they act in line with the rules and regulations. The data indicate that teacher self-efficacy is strongly and positively associated with reporting behavior. Therefore, training should be focused on not only familiarity with the procedures but also encouraging the development of self-efficacy in reporting by simulating such scenarios.

UN Women’s EU supported action Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Georgia (EVAWGG) aims to address the issue by supporting the MoESCS with: a) the establishment of a coordination platform that will enable a more systematic approach to DV-related interventions and reporting as it relates to the stakeholders of educational and social services systems; b) developing a training manual for teachers, principals and school resource officers covering all relevant aspects of violence against women and domestic violence and pertinent reporting obligations; c) offering the training to selected groups of teachers, principals and school resource officers on domestic violence.

For this purpose, UN Women seeks to recruit a National Consultant who will be responsible for engaging with relevant state (mostly MoESCS) and non-state and international stakeholders (such as the World Bank and others) to support gender mainstreaming in the general education system and in particular, to coordinate the establishment of the platform to develop the systemic approach to DV related interventions and reporting and facilitate capacity development of teachers, principals, and school officers on VAWG/DV.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the National Consultant are:

• To develop a terms of reference for a platform within the MOESCS comprised of the MOESCS and its relevant structural entities that will enable a more systemic approach to DV-related interventions and reporting as it relates to the stakeholders of general educational institutions and social services in coordination with the MOESCS;
• To ensure close cooperation with the MoESCS and its relevant structural entities to establish a platform that will enable a more systematic approach to DV-related interventions and reporting as it relates to the stakeholders of general educational institutions and social services as well as external relations with law enforcement;
• To coordinate with the MoESCS and relevant state and non-state agencies to provide technical support to the capacity development of teachers, principals and school resource officers covering all relevant aspects of violence against women and domestic violence and pertinent reporting obligations;
• To provide technical support to the MoESCS to successfully mainstream gender in the relevant teaching standards, curricula and teaching materials;
• To engage in meetings and discussions organized by state institutions or other donor/international organizations related to capacity development of teachers, principals, and school resource officers on VAWG/DV and GEWE and gender mainstreaming in education, gender equality or DV reporting matters;
• Provide other technical support to UN Women’s EVAW programme as necessary.

Deliverables:

Deliverables should be supported by timesheet and progress report.

• A terms of reference developed for a platform within the MOESCS comprised of the MOESCS and its relevant structural entities that will enable a more systemic approach to DV-related interventions and reporting as it relates to the stakeholders of general educational institutions and social services in coordination with the MOESCS and submitted to UN Women
• Efforts taken to establish platform that will enable a more systematic approach to DV-related interventions and reporting as it relates to the stakeholders of general educational institutions and social services as well as external relations with law enforcement- process monitored and relevant information submitted to UN Women
• Technical support provided to the MoESCS related to the capacity development of teachers, principals and school resource officers covering all relevant aspects of violence against women and domestic violence and pertinent reporting obligations – progress report submitted to UN Women
• Technical support provided to the MoESCS to successfully mainstream gender in the relevant teaching standards, curricula and teaching materials – progress report submitted to UN Women
• Relevant updates/reports developed on the conducted/attended meetings and submitted to UN Women;
• Other tasks performed as requested by UN Women.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills
• Demonstrated organizational and communicational skills
• IT literacy

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced University degree (Masters) in Gender Studies or relevant field

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in working in the area of gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia
• At least 3 years of experience in gender mainstreaming in formal or informal education systems;
• At least 3 years of experience in working with the education system in Georgia, work experience with the general education institutions will be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in Georgian and English.

Evaluation Procedure:

The candidates will be evaluated in three stages: according to minimum qualification criteria; technical and financial evaluation. The candidates must possess minimum qualification criteria to be eligible for further technical evaluation.

The candidate must possess the following minimum qualification criteria to be eligible for further technical evaluation:

• Advanced University degree (Masters) in Gender Studies, Law or relevant field;
• At least 5 years of experience in working in the area of gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia

Technical evaluation criteria (including minimum qualifications):

• Advanced University degree (Masters) in Gender Studies or relevant field (max 80 points)
• At least 5 years of experience in working in the area of gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia (max 90 points)
• At least 3 years of experience in gender mainstreaming in formal or informal education systems (max 80 points)
• At least 3 years of experience in working with the education system in Georgia, work experience with the general education institutions will be an asset (max 80 points)
• Proficiency in Georgian and English (20 points)

Maximum total technical score amounts to 350 points. Only candidates who have passed over the minimum qualification criteria and have accumulated at least 245 points out of maximum 350 under technical evaluation will qualify for the next stage i.e. evaluation of their financial proposals.

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 150

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 consideration.

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

Management arrangements:  

The contractor will report to and work under direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Project Analyst and UN Women EVAW Programme Analyst and overall guidance of UN Women Georgia Deputy Country Representative.

Financial arrangements:

The payment will be disbursed based on the consultant’s request for payment calculated per working day spent for specific activities/deliverables, and upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by UN Women that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Application submission package:

• Duly filled in Personal History Form PHF11 that can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558
• CV; and
• Financial Proposal - lump sum proposal/offer* in GEL (including breakdown of this lump sum amount, indicating all necessary costs to complete this assignment).

*The applicants are required to submit an aggregated financial offer: “aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of all tasks spelled out in this ToR. Travel costs (ticket, DSA etc.)  should not be included and will be paid for separately by UN Women.

How to Submit the Application:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, A list of links or copies of any paperwork on social protection and /or capacity building designing 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.

Notes:

• UN Women retains the right to contact references directly. Due to the large numbers of applications, we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
• The individual consultants should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of assignment– details will follow before the issuance of contract.