Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) – Support planning for and implementation of initiative to accelerate action towards ending GBV in the time of COVID-19 and beyond

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains pervasive in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). According to the latest data, the percentage of women who have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in the hands of an intimate partner over their lifetime ranges from 15 to 64 percent.[i],[ii]

Beyond being a major public health challenge, causing serious short- and long-term physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health problems for the victims, their children and families, GBV is also a challenge that has enormous social and economic costs for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, countries around the WPR have taken noteworthy action to protect its general population from both contracting and spreading the virus. Towns and cities have been locked down; large gatherings have been banned; schools have closed; and traveling restrictions have been imposed[iii]. As a result of these efforts, some countries have over-time experienced decreases in national COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization and mortality rates. At the same time, however, these measures have also had unintended consequences for other public health challenges, including GBV.

During this time-period, for instance, stay-at-home measures and lockdowns have increased economic stress on families putting children, and particularly young girls at risk of GBV and exploitation. Moreover, school closures have meant decreased support and the loss of safe spaces for children and especially girls. Additionally, confinement measures have been linked with increased consumption of alcohol and other harmful substances, which increase the risk of violence perpetration. As a result of these unintended consequences, countries across WPR have experienced significant increases in reported cases of GBV across countries, and behavioural insight surveys implemented in the WPR have indicated violence in the home as a common worry expressed by survey responders.

Although anyone can experience GBV, women (including trans women) are more at risk; and women with intersections of marginalization, such as those experiencing poverty or extreme poverty, those working under unsafe or hazardous working conditions, those working in the informal sectors, as well as migrants, are most at risk.

Recognizing the need for accelerated action to prevent and respond to GBV in the time of COVID-19 and beyond, a joint bi-regional, multi-country and inter-agency initiative between WPRO, WHO/HQ, SEARO and UNFPA has been proposed for 2022. Specifically, this initiative has three main objectives:

1. To raise awareness among national and local decision makers of the estimated prevalence of GBV/VAW in the WPR, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on GBV/VAW, and increasing their knowledge of good practices to prevent or respond to VAW/GBV in the time of
   COVID-19 and beyond.
2. To empower national and local stakeholders with knowledge and tools to more effectively accelerate and scale-up action to prevent and respond to GBV/VAW in the time of COVID-19 and beyond;
3. To provide timely and effective technical and financial support to countries that are ready to take action to prevent and respond to GBV/VAW in the time of COVID-19 and beyond. 

 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this APW is to support SDH in the planning for and implementation of a bi-regional, multi-country and interagency initiative to accelerate action towards ending GBV in the time of COVID-19 and beyond.

 

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Phase I:

• • Under the supervision of the regional GER/VIP team, lead and coordinate the tasks required in order to timely and efficiently plan for the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Phase II:

• • In collaboration with regional GER/VIP team, WHO CO GER teams, HQ GBV/VAW colleagues, as well as partner agencies, lead and coordinate the tasks required to timely and efficiently implement activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Phase I:

Output 1: A slide deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline for phase I.

Deliverable 1.1

• • Review relevant documents related to the initiative at hand, as well as to WPRO internal approval processes (including initiative concept note, SPMC approval process)
• • Based on review, develop a slide-deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline for phase I.

Output 2: A series of documents to support the SDH/VIP unit in seeking internal approval for implementing the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Deliverable 2.1

• • Develop and submit a series of background documents to support the SDH/VIP unit in seeking internal approval for implementing the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Output 3: A status report for the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Deliverable 3.1

• • Develop a status report documenting tasks conducted to plan for the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative, noting current status of activities, and highlighting next steps.

Phase II:

Output 1: A slide-deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline for phase II.

Deliverable 1.1

• • Building on status report attained from phase I, develop a slide deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline for phase II.

Output 2: A series of draft documents to support the implementation of the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Deliverable 2.1

• • Develop a series of draft documents to support to support the implementation of the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Output 3: A final report of the various activities implemented under the bi-regional,
multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Deliverable 3.1

• • Develop a report documenting the results and next steps of the various activities part of the bi-regional, multi-country and interagency VAW initiative.

Kindly refer to the attached Terms of Reference for the detailed, expected Outputs/Deliverables for this project.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education                            

Candidates must possess at least a master’s degree in Public Health, or a Master’s degree in a related field such as Social Work.Additional education is an asset.

Experience

• • At least five years of practical experience working in public health, particularly in the field of gender, GBV/VAW, SDH, health equity and/or community engagement.
• • Ample experience in coordinating and managing multi-country or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• • Experience in collecting and analysing information, summarizing results into a report.
• • Experience of having worked in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, preferably within the United Nations System.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

A thorough knowledge of practical approaches to prevent or respond to GBV/VAW, promote gender equality, SDH and health equity, or of community engagement strategies. Familiar with gender, SDH and health equity related issues within the Western Pacific region. Excellent coordination, management, writing and/or communication skills. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, nongovernmental organizations).

Language

Good spoken and written English.

Functional skills and knowledge

• • Ability to coordinate and monitor multi-country or interagency initiatives
• • Ability to analyse and describe findings and summarize results in written reports and presentations.
• • Ability to work independently and deliver high quality work on time.
• • Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Competencies:

• • Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action-oriented and committed to achieving results.
• • Moving forward in a changing environment - Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change.
• • Fostering integration and teamwork - Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflict.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the work in their own workplace/country of residence but is expected to regularly communicate with national and regional WHO GER/VIP teams (by video conference/teleconference or similar).

Duration of contract

15 Oct 2021 – 31 May 2022 (6.5 months)

 

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists (individual contractor) should submit their CV/Company Profile, cover letter and proposal with cost and timelines to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 5 October 2021 (1700 GMT+8 Manila time) 

Please use Tender Notice No. 145304 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.