UN Women: Individual Contract – National Consultant - Gender Based Violence (GBV) Multisector Coordinator, PPEVAWG Phase II (Apia, Samoa)

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.

The UN Women Pacific Multi-Country Office is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside over 20 other UN agencies in the region and in 14 countries across the Pacific: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Under its Strategic Note (SN) 2023 - 2027, UN Women Fiji MCO focuses on delivering on four interlinked programme areas underpinned by support for intergovernmental and normative processes:

• Women’s Governance, Political Participation and Leadership
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Ending Violence against Women and Girls
• Climate Action/Humanitarian Action and Resilience

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

In October 2024, with the support of UN Women, the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs (MFSA) in Samoa developed and launched the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework. This groundbreaking framework aims to drive sustainable change in preventing gender-based violence (GBV) in Samoa by addressing the root causes and promoting early intervention strategies.

To ensure the successful implementation of the Pola Puipui Framework, UN Women Fiji MCO embedded a National Consultant to serve as the National Prevention Coordinator in 2025. Sitting alongside that role, we are now seeking to embed another role within MFSA, the GBV Multisector Coordinator. The GBV Multisector Coordinator sits alongside the National Prevention Coordinator to start the work required for cohesive and effective multi-sector coordination work across government and civil society within Samoa. 

The National Consultant will be hosted within the Research and Policy Division of the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs and will report technically to the CEO and the ACEO of the Research and Policy Division or another senior officer designated by the Ministry. 

UN Women will retain responsibility for the Specialist’s contract administration, remuneration and other contractual obligations. 

Key responsibilities for the GBV Multisector Coordinator include: connecting GBV coordination and response into the wider multisector violence prevention and response system operating under PACT Samoa; fostering interagency collaboration, and strengthening and testing referral and escalation pathways, to support effective GBV coordination and service response; working with the national taskforce and existing coordination mechanisms to identify and act on priority system issues; strengthening governance, accountability and data use across the GBV and GEDSI areas; and leading relevant communities of practice and steering groups across the GBV and GEDSI areas. GBV remains the Coordinator’s specialist focus, with GBV and GEDSI policy consolidation – including the GBV Multisector Protocol and GEDSI Framework – serving as tools that support this wider system rather than as the primary focus of the role.

GBV Multisector Coordination will be embedded within PACT Samoa, which was formed in August 2026. PACT Samoa creates a complementary whole-of-government platform bringing together Police and Prisons, MFSA, Health, and Justice and Courts Administration to address drugs and violence. This is the overarching architecture for the role and GBV Multisector Coordination for Samoa:

PACT Samoa

• overall cross-agency coordination for drugs and violence.

Tier 1 – Senior Management

• strategic decisions, endorsement, escalation and resolving cross-agency barriers.

Tier 2 – Operational Coordination & Integrated Response Team

• operational coordination, referrals, service follow-through, data and implementation.

GBV Multisector Coordinator

• provides technical/coordination support to Tier 2 and helps operationalise the GBV-related components.

National Prevention Coordinator

• leads/supports Pola Puipui prevention implementation and GBV training.

The GBV Multisector Coordinator’s core function is to connect GBV coordination and response into this wider system, so that GBV work is integrated within – rather than run alongside as a separate structure – whole-of-government violence prevention and response.

The National Consultant will work closely with the following stakeholders:

• Chief Executive Officer and senior management;
• Research and Policy Division;
• Programme and delivery divisions;
• Corporate services, finance and human resources staff;
• Planning, monitoring and evaluation staff;
• Ministry GBV and GEDSI focal points;
• PACT Samoa;
• Relevant government ministries and agencies;
• Women’s organizations;
• Organizations of persons with disabilities;
• Youth, older persons and community organizations;
• Civil society organizations;
• Development partners;
• Language and translation specialists; and
• Members of the GBV and GEDSI Community of Practices.

The National Consultant will be reporting to the EVAWG Technical Specialist and will be working closely with the CEO of the MFSA and the UN Women Samoa Country Programme Coordinator, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of EVAWG Technical Specialist and the EVAWG Prevention Coordinator, the National Consultant will be performing the following work responsibilities:

The Consultant’s responsibilities will include:

• provide technical advice on GBV and GEDSI for MFSA;
• strengthen GBV and GEDSI integration in research, policy, planning and programming;
• develop systems to assess and monitor the Ministry’s GBV and GEDSI performance;
• serve as the Ministry’s focal point for GBV Multisector Coordination and the GEDSI Community of Practice;
• develop a simple matrix of the different forms of violence, responsible agencies, existing coordination mechanisms, services, referral pathways and gaps, to clarify where GBV sits within the wider system and avoid duplication;
• strengthen and test referral and escalation pathways across government, NGOs, police, health, justice and other services;
• work with the national taskforce and existing coordination mechanisms, including the PACT Samoa Integrated Response Team, to identify priority system issues, agree actions and follow up implementation;
• support NGOs and community organizations to engage effectively in coordination, referrals, policy discussions and service-system improvements;
• lead regular data and evidence discussions with key actors so that available administrative and service data informs coordination priorities and action;
• establish ongoing GBV multisector coordination meetings for Samoa, including the ToR for the meetings, and maintain a shared action-tracking log so that meetings produce agreed decisions, responsibilities, deadlines and follow-up;
• enhance existing, or create new, GBV and GEDSI policy documents (including the GBV Multisector Protocol and GEDSI Framework) when needed, as practical tools that support the wider multisector system rather than as ends in themselves;
• strengthen the collection and use of disaggregated data within the GBV and GEDSI areas;
• coordinate consultation with civil society and representative organizations, using consultations to identify practical service gaps, coordination problems and solutions – not only to validate documents – that can be addressed during the consultancy; and
• support accountability for national, regional and international GBV and GEDSI commitments.

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 12 months, not exceeding 210 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Monthly reports on major tasks performed and results matched against a detailed workplan with the first report including a draft annual workplan
• Monthly timesheet
• Mid-term 6-month progress report on carried out activities, achievements, and challenges.
• Comprehensive 12-month progress report on activities, achievement, challenges, and future plan.

Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports, and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women. 

All the deliverables shall be agreed by UN Women and the MWCSD, and UN Women will be provided in English hard and electronic copy. 

Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women designated official shall be the only criteria for Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

Institutional Arrangement

The GBV Multisector Coordinator will work closely with the CEO of the MFSA and the UN Women Samoa Country Coordinator, while reporting directly to the EVAWG Technical Specialist.  An annual workplan with key deliverables will be developed with the MFSA and UN Women. 

UN Women EVAWG Technical Specialist will oversee technical quality, including the review and clearance of deliverables for quality as part of the management arrangement.   

The selected candidate is expected to have her/his own laptop, cell phone, internet access and communication equipment.

The Ministry of Family and Social Affairs will host the Specialist and provide the institutional support, information, access and working arrangements required for the assignment. 

The Ministry will not be responsible for payment of the Specialist’s remuneration.

Applicable taxes, statutory obligations, insurance, benefits, leave, travel costs and other entitlements will be governed by the UN Women contract and applicable requirements.

All deliverables will be subject to review and acceptance by UN Women.

All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format. Any printed materials are utilized to be referenced and returned. 

Duration of the Work 

The duration of this assignment will be up to 210 working days over 12 months work assignment.

Duty Station

The position is based in Apia, Samoa.

Travel

The National Consultant may be required to travel within Samoa for consultations, training, monitoring and programme activities; as needed and agreed between UN Women and MFSA. 

In the case of unforeseeable travel, all travel must be agreed upon between UN Women, MSFA and the Consultant.  Travel costs including tickets, daily subsistence allowance and terminal expenses will be covered by UN Women in accordance with the UN Women Duty Travel Policy.

Performance Evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements 

Payments will be disbursed to the National Consultant in 9 instalments, upon submission and approval of deliverables set forth in the section “Expected Outputs and Deliverables” above, and certification by the EVAWG Technical Specialist that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

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:

• Understanding and knowledge in the EVAWG thematic area; substantive knowledge on GBV/GBViE response and prevention, administrative data, intervention research;
• Excellent communications skills;
• Experienced people leader;
• Proficient in writing and delivering clear implementation plans; 
• Ability to advocate with senior representatives from government and other partners and provide policy advice in the context of global initiatives;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to establish and foster strong relations with civil society, across government, UN agencies, donors, and community.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Social Development, Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, Gender or Women's Studies is required.
• 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 5 years (with Master’s Degree) or minimum of 7 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of progressively responsible experience of proven gender experience working/ collaborating with national stakeholders in coordinating/ facilitating and/or implementing strategic plans/ policy recommendations/ or programmes for gender equality
• Minimum 5 years of proven work experience in the area of EVAWG and or GEDSI in Samoa;
• Proven experience working with diverse stakeholders with respect to sensitivity and inclusivity
• Proven experience brokering and negotiating partnerships and relationships with diverse national stakeholders including civil society and government;
• Experience developing or finalizing policies, strategies or institutional frameworks;
• Demonstrated expertise in gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion;
• Experience reviewing and consolidating technical documents;
• Experience coordinating policy consultations and validation processes;
• Experience developing implementation matrices, indicators and monitoring frameworks;
• Experience with disaggregated data and monitoring;
• Experience working with government, civil society and development partners;
• Experience in Samoa or the Pacific region is desirable;
• Knowledge of the Samoan policy and cultural context is highly desirable;
• Proven experience with project management, report writing and documentation;
• Experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset).
• Proficiency in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database applications.

Languages:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Ability to communicate in Samoan language would be an added advantage.

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.)

How to Apply:

• Personal CV or P11 can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc 
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
• UN Women may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.

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.