Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, 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.

Gender inequality in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is severe, with the country ranked 169 out of 170 globally. Women and girls face high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and low literacy levels. The DHS 2016-2018 indicates that 54% of women have experienced GBV in the past year, and nearly 23% of women aged 15-49 have no formal education.  Structural barriers, cultural norms, and weak protection systems worsen the situation. Tribal conflicts, sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), and small arms proliferation, especially in the Highlands, increase violence. Despite policies to reduce discrimination, comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to address these issues and achieve gender equality. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have displaced communities, further exacerbating GBV incidents. The persistence of these challenges highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to promote social stability and human rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 05 on gender equality, 10 Reduce Inequality and 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions. 

Building on the gains of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS (Agencies) have commenced implementation of a joint initiative entitled “Soim Wokabout: Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme”, financed under the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe).  The joint programme aims to reduce the incidence of GBV in communities in target provinces, including in and out of schools (Eastern Highlands and the National Capital District).  This will capitalize on existing programmes addressing specific forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) while supporting prevention and protection efforts for GBV survivors, strengthening access to justice, and ending violence against women and girls at national, provincial, district, and community levels.  It seeks to scale up effective integrated approaches to deliver quality coordinated services, strengthen referral pathways, mobilize communities and networks to address harmful gender and social norms fueling GBV and SARV and promote implementation of laws and policies to reduce GBV and SARV while mobilizing national, provincial and community leadership on the programme’s investments to enhance sustainability.   

The joint programme’s specific objectives are: 1. To increase access of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity, experiencing gender-based violence, to essential quality services, protection and justice. 2. To improve advocacy and agency of civil society organisations, women’s rights organisations, social movements and communities to end gender-based violence (GBV).  3. To make more effective the engagement of community leaders, male advocates and influential groups and actors in society in changing discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful practices.  

Under the supervision of the Program Technical Coordinator and the overall guidance of the UN Women Deputy Country Representative, the Baseline Analysis Consultant will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant of the Programme and receive inputs from the technical teams of the Programme (UN Women, UNFPA, UNOPS, key Government Agencies and the Donor) to conduct a baseline analysis in National Capital District and Eastern Highlands Province. The Baseline Analysis Consultant will be expected to engage a team of a maximum of four (4) enumerators to support field work. 

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

UN Women PNG seeks to engage a National Consultant to conduct the baseline analysis for the Soim Wokabaut: EU Gender Based Violence Referral Pathways Program in the National Capital District and Eastern Highlands Province. More specifically, the objective of the consultancy is to identify aspects and issues concerning violence against women and girls, its underlying causes, risk and enabling factors, female and male perspectives on VAWG, women’s and girls' safety in public spaces, gender and intersectionality, women’s and girls’ rights to leadership and participation in decision-making that need to be understood in order to support the implementation of the Soim Wokabaut Programme. In addition, the baseline study will provide critical evidence to inform and strengthen the programme log frame, ensuring that indicators, targets, and outcomes are grounded in the local context.

The consultant will build on available data and is expected to propose appropriate mixed methods based on the stated objectives, including quantitative and qualitative, which will be used to collect and analyse data/information to triangulate the information and promote the participation of different groups of stakeholders, and this must be done in line with internally accepted ethical standards. 

However, the consultant will elaborate on the methodologies and scientific sampling techniques for the survey as well as for the other qualitative methods to be used in the baseline survey. Based on the feasibility of their use, the consultant may deploy both Digital Data Collection (DDC) and traditional/conventional data collection. The consultant must, in their application proposal, propose a methodology and plan for this baseline study.

Deliverables

The Baseline Analysis Consultant will undertake the following tasks and delivery of expected results.  

Key Deliverable 1: Inception

• Have a kick-off meeting together with the UN Women Team to understand the processes, methodology, scope and support required.
• Identify 4 enumerators to support the tasks. Preference will be made to select at least 50% female enumerators, i.e. 2 female enumerators.

         Please note: Enumerators will be selected and managed directly by the Consultant. Their remuneration will be included in the Consultant’s overall costing, and the Consultant will be responsible for all payments. UN Women will NOT have direct contact with the enumerators. All reporting and supervision will be conducted through the Consultant.

         The consultant should share the CV of enumerators to the UN Women for review and clearance, once the consultant selection is confirmed by the UN Women.

• Submit an inception report detailing the methodology, reporting format, tools, and work plan for the baseline.
• Work with the coordinating agency to apply for the expedited ethical clearance through relevant bodies in the country and seek fieldwork permission through relevant authorities. 
• Presentation of the inception report to the Coordinating Agency for further sharing with key stakeholders for inputs. 
• Addressing comments for the finalisation of the inception report, including methodology and tools
• Share the final approved Report with the coordinating agency.

Key Deliverable 2: Data Collection, and analysis

• Undertake desk review of relevant and existing documents including log frame and review of existing tools.
• Train the field enumerators from the two focus provinces to jointly review the data tools.
• Pilot the data collection tools and revise them where necessary.
• Conduct both qualitative and quantitative data collection in EHP and NCD through interviews with individuals, key informants from the government, non-government organisations, civil society organisations, select service providers, churches, community leaders, community health workers, as well as community structures representatives and, conduct facility assessments through direct observation.
• Gather secondary data from the selected districts as well as at the national level as necessary. 
• Conduct focus group discussions with community members, particularly community leaders, women, men, first-time young mothers, and male and female adolescents/youths.

Key Deliverable 3: Finalization of the Report

• Conduct data cleaning, analysis and report writing.
• Submit a draft baseline report and presentation: The draft baseline report with the preliminary results of the baseline assessment will be shared for review and comments by key stakeholders after the completion of the data analysis. 
• Address comments from the UN Implementing Agencies and key stakeholders.  
• Submit the final baseline report: The final report may be prepared through multiple iterations if the quality standards are not met within the first rounds.

The timelines for each of the above deliverables will be confirmed upon further discussion with the selected consultant within the 2-month consultancy period. The consultant will be expected to review and finalise the detailed work plan and timeline in consultation with UN Women for all deliverables. All deliverables will be presented in electronic version in English.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

The assignment requires an intermittent presence on UN Women premises. The consultant will be required to travel to the field to conduct the baseline assessment including interviews and meetings with key stakeholders such as the civil society, churches, youths and women’s networks as well as the government officials. 

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills 
• Strong capacity building, facilitation skills and editorial skills 
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management 
• Strong analytical skills 
• Strong networking and coordination skills 

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Required Qualifications: 

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, statistics and/or other social or economic science related to the areas relevant for the assignment 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree 

Experience:

• At least 7 years of similar experience in conducting baseline surveys or research for development programs. 
• One recent report of conducting a baseline survey or research is desirable. Experience in programme management, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting is desirable.
• Proven track record in conducting field assessments in gender equality and women’s empowerment, preferably on violence against women and girls.
• Experience and familiarity with the GBV policies, legislations and regulations in Papua New Guinea
• Good knowledge of the national development context is an asset
• Experience in using the theory of change, and Results-Based Management approaches to development programmes. Familiarity with analysis of human rights and gender-related factors and other social determinants that affect the performance of survivors of GBV service utilization.
• Proven track record in designing quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, conducting data collection and analysis and using participatory approaches both in the field and through digital platforms (phone, online)
• Excellent analysis skills in writing evaluation reports with constructive and practical recommendations
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset
• Minimum 5 years of experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors
• Experience working in the Pacific region, Papua New Guinea, or similar contexts
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset, in the delivery of conducting research and/or baseline surveys.

Languages:

Excellent verbal and written English. Proficiency in Pidgin (PNG) is an asset. 

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.