Pacific Regional Faith Organization to undertake a Mapping of Faith Based Responses to Violence Against Women & Children, and addressing Gender Equality (GE) and Child Protection in the Pacific region

TERMS OF REFERENCE

For a Pacific Regional Faith Organization

to undertake a

Mapping of Faith Based Responses to Violence Against

Women and Children, and addressing Gender Equality (GE) and Child Protection in the Pacific region

 

1.  Background

Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) persists in every country in the world as a pervasive violation of human rights and a major impediment to achieving gender equality and the fulfilment of children’s right to protection. VAWC is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality and the lower status of women and children. In other words, VAWC is a central barrier to gender equality and child protection and a cause of widespread violation of human rights across the world.  Global evidence shows that countries with improved gender equality have better social and economic development outcomes.[1]

 

Much work has been done to understand the nature, extent and consequences of VAWG in the Pacific region, as evidenced by the Family Health and Safety Studies (FHSS) conducted by UNFPA and the Pacific Community across 11 Pacific countries2. The FHSS shows high rates of violence against women: e.g. 68% of women in Kiribati, and 64% of women in Fiji and Solomon Islands experience physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner over their lifetime. In Solomon Islands, 37% of women report that they had been sexually abused before age 15. The most common perpetrators identified were: boyfriend (36%), stranger (24%), family member (20%) and male friend of family (16%). Many incidents of sexual violence involve young girls and children living with extended families (e.g. children from outer islands sent to live in urban centres to complete secondary education), who are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. Also across the Pacific, men outnumber women in paid employment (outside the agricultural sector) by approximately two to one.[2] Women also make up just 7.4 per cent of national parliamentarians in the Pacific (the lowest rate in the world), compared to a global average of around 23.3 per cent.

 

Given the high rates of intimate partner violence in the region, a significant number of children are witness to violence, are likely to be abused by their mother’s violent intimate partner and may be neglected and/or abused by their mother as a result of the traumatic experience she is going through. Furthermore, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu indicate that 85% of children 2-14 years of age are subjected to violent discipline (including physical punishment and psychological aggression), and Child Protection Baseline Studies conducted by UNICEF in 5 countries show rates of physical punishment ranging from 68% to 81%. DHS in 8 countries show high rates of children not living with both parents (from 28% to 45%) and of households raising children who are not their own (from 24% to 48%), a situation which, as mentioned above in relation to sexual abuse of young girls, heightens the risk of child neglect, abuse and exploitation. DHS’s indicate that in 5 countries, between 20% and 25% of girls are married before 18 and that in 8 countries, between 8% and 27% of girls 15-19 have begun child-rearing. Child marriage and teenage pregnancy are forms of child abuse and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls are at a higher risk of intimate partner violence.

Global School-based Health Surveys conducted by WHO in 11 countries report high rates of violence in schools. Between 27% and 67% of children 13-15 years of age report being bullied, 33% to 75% being involved in physical fights, and 39% to 83% being severely injured as a result. Although corporal punishment in schools is now prohibited in 10 countries and no data is available, it is still practiced.

 

1. Purpose and Context

Along with high rates of violence, women and girls in the Pacific region experience constant and continual inequalities including low levels of participation in decision making, limited economic opportunities, restricted access to health services and rights and limited social services and access to justice for women and child survivors of violence. Women’s economic empowerment is increasingly recognised as a path to improved economic development for Pacific communities and countries and can also be linked to increasing women’s agency and ending violence against women. It also has the potential to lead to an increase in violence against women, so consideration must be given to possible harmful unintended consequences. Promoting women in leadership in all spheres of life has been a longstanding challenge in the Pacific.

Other persistent challenges to women’s equality include power imbalances, negative social norms and behaviours and patriarchy being reinforced through culture, religion, practice, policies and archaic laws. Across the region, harmful social norms justify and enable men’s power over women and allow violence to go virtually unchecked by community leaders, including faith leaders. These social norms are rooted in deeply held beliefs that there are “justifiable reasons” for husbands to use physical violence to “discipline and control” their wives, for example. The traditional silence around VAWC makes it difficult for women and children to share and seek support about the violence they experience and for all community members break this cycle. The shame and stigma associated with domestic and sexual violence means that survivors often experience a sense of isolation and fear of retaliation. In the same manner, deeply ingrained social norms and practices rooted in the lower status of children and the belief that violent discipline is necessary for a child’s education makes it an acceptable practice. Yet studies show that child abuse, neglect and exploitation affect brain development, and therefore has a negative impact on the child’s physical, psychological, social and cognitive development, resulting in poor performance at school, poor health and behavioural issues, especially during adolescence. Adults who lived through adverse childhoods are more likely to be unemployed, and to display mental and physical health problems as well as anti-social behaviour. Men who have been abused as children are more likely to abuse their intimate partner and children. Women who have been abused as children are more likely to be victims of abuse as well. Due to its long-term and inter-generational multi-form impacts, in addition to violating individuals’ rights, violence against children bears a heavy cost on society as it brings about a loss of human capital as survivors often do not reach their full potential, and puts a strain on health, security, justice and social welfare services.

Therefore, transforming the harmful social norms that drive VAWC and ensuring access to quality essential services for survivors is crucial to reducing violence and achieving gender equality. By addressing the harmful social norms that justify and perpetuate VAWC, gender equality outcomes across the areas of health, education, economic empowerment and leadership at all levels for women and children in the Pacific will be impacted significantly. Further, promoting positive Pacific social norms that support and protect women and children also benefit men, families and whole communities.    

 

Across the Pacific, faith has been identified as a particularly important avenue for social norms change. As noted in the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women) Roadmap (2017) to EVAWG, of particular importance in the Pacific context are Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) which are central to everyday life and play a uniquely influential role in determining values in the Pacific. There is shared recognition that faith plays a significant part in the lives of many people in the region, and that faith-based organizations have a wealth of experience in addressing the practical, as well as the spiritual needs of their constituencies. Yet the influence that such groups have over grassroots communities is often overlooked in efforts to end violence against women and children and promote gender equality and child protection. Pacific Women is currently in partnership with Uniting World; World Vision and Channels for Hope program engaging in this space. UN Women in previous programming, including through the Regional Pacific Fund to End Violence Against Women,[3] has engaged with faith-based organizations, and through the Pacific Partnership programme is working with House of Sarah in Fiji on violence prevention through social norms change, and is proposing to expand programming through further national and regional faith partnerships. Consultations with faith leaders and faith-based organisations, including the House of Sarah umbrella groups such as Pacific Conference of Churches, are ongoing.

 

Partner Organisations

 

The Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership) brings together governments, civil society organisations, communities and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG), and increase access to quality response services for survivors. The programme’s three outcome areas are jointly coordinated with communities and national agencies through a partnership between the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (Forum Secretariat) and UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO). UN Women’s outcome aims to promote gender equitable social norms at individual and community levels to prevent violence against women and girls, and to ensure survivors have access to quality response services. This outcome is funded by the European Union (EU) and Australian Government with support from the UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) who is also the coordinating agency.   Under this programme UN Women focus on transforming social norms requires engagement across all levels of society and in multiple settings[4].

 

UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Child Protection Programme seeks to protect children from all forms of violence, including neglect, abuse, exploitation, separation from parents and any form of harm to their well-being and development, through strengthening child protection systems for prevention and response, also taking into account the roles of families, communities and traditional and religious organizations. The Programme consists of three outcome areas: strengthening the legal and policy framework, building the capacity of services (social welfare, judiciary, police, health, education) and promoting behaviour change. The Programme is funded by the Australian Government as well as UNICEF’s core resources. As part of the behaviour change outcome area, UNICEF has been in discussion with the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) to explore the possibility of integrating child protection in existing church activities, through the development of (i) Church Child Safeguarding Policies, (ii) a basic sensitization module on child protection to be included in the curriculum of Theological Schools for pre-service and in-service training of priests/pastors, and (iii) strategies and materials to include prevention and response to child protection concerns in regular/existing activities of Church Women’s, Men’s and Youth Groups, Sunday school various age groups and any other. UNICEF Pacific is also supporting the implementation of behaviour change interventions with churches in three countries in the Pacific, through facilitation of dialogue on child protection with communities.

 

Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women) was announced by the Australian Government at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in August 2012. The program aims to improve opportunities for the political, economic and social advancement of Pacific women. Pacific Women will support countries to meet the commitments they made in the Pacific Leaders’ Gender Equality Declaration in 2012. The outcomes sought by Pacific Women are:

• Women, and women’s interests, are increasingly and effectively represented and visible through leadership at all levels of decision making.
• Women have expanded economic opportunities to earn an income and accumulate economic assets.
• Violence against women is reduced and survivors of violence have access to support services and to justice.
• Women in the Pacific will have a stronger sense of their own agency, supported by a changing legal and social environment and through increased access to the services they need.

Pacific Women is managed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and works with a wide range of implementing partners, including the 14 partner governments, multilateral organisations, international and national NGOs and civil society organisations.

 

UN Women, Pacific Women and UNICEF recognise that faith-based actors have an important role to play in addressing violence against women and children, and that many are already responding in diverse ways, although there is limited information available on the work being done at the local levels through networks of faith practitioners. Aware of the significant body of knowledge and expertise available in the region to address violence against women and children, UN Women, Pacific Women and UNICEF are interested to explore which approaches and interventions faith-based actors are currently undertaking, the extent to which there are commonalities between approaches adopted between the various faiths, and to understand better some of the challenges facing faith-based organizations in addressing the issues.

 

Therefore, UN Women, Pacific Women and UNICEF are seeking to recruit a company to carry out a mapping of Faith Based Initiatives in the Pacific on Ending Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC) and promoting Gender Equality (GE) and Child Protection in the region.  As the Pacific Island countries are predominantly Christian this mapping will focus on Christian denominations in the target countries. The exception to this is Fiji, in which both Christian and non-Christian faiths will be mapped. Only in Fiji do other faiths beyond Christianity account for the religious affiliation of a significant proportion of the population.

The aim of the mapping is to gain insight into the range and diversity of faith-based approaches and activities currently being undertaken to address and respond to violence against women and children across the Pacific region, and to identify shared values and commitments between faith-based organizations and secular organizations addressing the same issues. Although the mapping will consider the effectiveness of different approaches implemented to address violence, the primary focus of the exercise is to obtain a ‘snapshot’ of the range of approaches adopted. The findings of this mapping will be used to inform the Pacific Conference of Churches strategic workshop with key faith leaders in 2019 to support the development of a regional faith-based strategy to EVAWC in the Pacific. It will also inform areas for future programming for UN Women, Pacific Women and UNICEF on changing social norms through faith and how to support faith-based organisations to prevent violence against women and children.

 

III. Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to identify and document how the major Pacific faith-based actors in each of the target Pacific countries address violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection. In addition to the initiatives to promote women’s leadership and agency within faith structures and faith communities, and the existing activities run by Faith based actors which could be used as channels/entry points to carry out interventions aiming at addressing violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection. The mapping will focus on the target countries of Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papa New Guinea, FSM, and Tuvalu.

Key tasks:

• Review of Pacific Faith based actors  documentation on response to addressing violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection, and other relevant reports or publications produced
• Develop the methodology that is reviewed and agreed by the Research Reference Group
• Meet with the Research Reference Group to finalise the specific design and methods for the mapping exercise, what is appropriate and feasible to meet the purpose and objectives. Agree on the mapping questions that will need to be answered, given limitations of time, and what materials are already available.
• Organize and facilitate key informant interviews, focus group discussions, online quantitative survey interviews etc. with key Pacific Faith based actors  in each country.
• Collect, code, and analyse data from the survey/mapping
• Prepare the Draft Report and present it to the UN Women EVAWG, Pacific Women and UNICEF teams
• Incorporate final feedback into the Final Report.
• Prepare and present mapping findings and recommendation to PCC members at regional conference

Specifically, key mapping questions include, but are not limited to, the following:

General

1. What are existing activities currently run by each Pacific faith-based actor which are being used or could be used to address prevention and/or response to violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection? (Who, what, where, types of activities, target groups e.g. Women’s, Men’s and Youth Groups, Sunday School various age groups, and any other)

Gender Equality

1. How are Pacific faith-based actors addressing gender inequality? What programmes,  interventions or mechanisms are in place?
2. What has been the effectiveness of the strategies used for faith-based communities? What are the strengths and challenges of these interventions in addressing gender inequality?
3. Is there a policy initiative or church practice on gender equality within each faith? If so, how is it being implemented by faith leaders?
4. What is the role of women within the Church hierarchy and structure? Are women in leadership roles within the Church? If so, which roles?
5. How are Pacific Faith based actors promoting a positive role of women within the Church and demonstrating that through Church leadership?
6. Are Pacific Faith based actors addressing gender stereotypes within their faith? If so, how?
7. What future plans do Pacific Faith based actors  have for addressing gender inequality and promoting women’s leadership?
8. What internal and external factors would help FBO’s response to gender inequality increase or be improved?

Violence against women and children

1. How are Pacific faith-based actors addressing prevention and response to violence against women and children? What programmes, interventions or mechanisms are in place?
2. What has been the effectiveness of the strategies used for faith-based communities? What are the strengths and challenges of these interventions in addressing violence against women and children and child protection?
3. Who are primary targets of Pacific Faith based actors responses to violence in the community, as well as secondary audiences?
4. Who are the partners and networks that Pacific Faith based actors are working with to prevent and respond to violence against women and children?
5. Are there any policies or frameworks that inform Pacific Faith based actors responses to violence against women and children?
6. What are the implications for program and policy responses to EVAWC and more broadly gender equality and child protection?
7. Is there a doctrinal position on violence prevention within each faith? If so, how is it being implemented by faith leaders?
8. Which FBOs have Child Safeguarding Policies? What do these policies include? How are they implemented? How is their implementation monitored?
9. Do pre-service and/or in-service training of priests/pastors’ curricula include violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection? Provide details.
10. Do activities with Women’s, Men’s and Youth Groups, Sunday School various age groups, and any other existing Church groups include addressing violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection? Provide details.
11. Do the Faith based actors  address parenting practices through any activities/programmes?
12. In what ways are women engaged through the Church in addressing VAWG, and how do approaches to EVAWG address or reinforce patriarchy?
13. What challenges and /or constraints do Pacific Faith based actors  face in addressing violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection?
14. What are the gaps and synergies to improve existing services for women and children survivors of violence?

Definition of Faith Based Actors

For the purpose of this TOR, the term ‘faith actors’ encompasses the following two categories to be included into the mapping.

 

 (i) Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) are religious, faith-based, and/or faith-inspired groups, which operate as registered or unregistered non-profit institutions. FBO’s are “organizations that derive inspiration and guidance for their activities from the teachings and principles of the faith or from a particular interpretation or school of thought within that faith”. They comprise a range of religious charitable organizations affiliated with one or more faith and spiritual traditions, which may include:

• Religious congregations (such as churches, mosques, synagogues or temples);
• Charities sponsored or hosted by one or more religious congregations;
• Non-profit organizations founded by a religious congregation or based upon faith and spiritual traditions; and
• National networks, which include national denominations, their social service arms (for example, Uniting World, Caritas and other Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services), and networks of related organizations (such as World Council of Churches, YMCA and YWCA);
• Freestanding religious organizations, which are incorporated separately from congregations and national networks.
• Coalitions that include organizations described above.

 

(ii) Religious leaders (RLs) are men and women with a formal affiliation to a religion or spiritual path who play influential roles within their communities and the broader civil society. Examples include priests, imams, rabbis, clerics, monks, nuns, lamas, traditional indigenous spiritual guides such as shamans and sukias, and lay religious leaders.

 

Church Definition:

•  A distinct legal existence

• A recognized creed and form of worship

• A definite and distinct ecclesiastical government

• A formal code of doctrine and discipline

• A religious history

• Members that are not associated with any other church or denomination

• Ordained ministers who have completed specific studies

• Literature of its own

• Established places of worship

• Regular congregations

• Regular religious services

• Sunday schools for religious teaching of children

• Schools that educate its ministers

IV. Methodology

It is expected that the mapping will primarily use both quantitative (online survey) and qualitative research methods, including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FDG), and other relevant qualitative methods in each of the target countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papa New Guinea, FSM, and Tuvalu).

 

On line quantitative survey will be used for  faith-based actors as defined in this TOR and will have to capture at least 25  persons from each country where appropriate based on number of faith actors available in country.

 

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) will be done with following key target groups:

1. President/ Moderator/ Head of Church /General Secretary or Equivalent
2. Coordinator / Secretary for Women’s Programmes and /or Gender or equivalent
3. Coordinator / Secretary for Justice and Peace / Christian Citizenship or Equivalent
4. Theological College Principal / Theology Lecturer
5. FBO Partners such as National networks, which include national denominations, their social service arms (for example, Uniting World, Caritas and other Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services), and networks of related organizations (such as World Council of Churches, YMCA and YWCA) etc.

 

And will have to be undertaken at least with a minimum of 8  interviews in smaller countries with a limited number of faith based actors, and a minimum of 15 interviews in countries with a larger number of faith based actors

Focus Group Discussion (FDGs): at least one discussion engaging  12 representatives from the above mentioned groups in smaller countries with a limited number of faith based actors,   and a minimum of 2 focus group discussions in countries with a larger number of faith based actors

 

Ethical Considerations

A do no harm approach needs to be taken to this mapping exercise. The development of the methodology should include careful consideration of ethics.  It is imperative that the mapping exercise does not re-traumatise any survivors of violence.  The exercise will need to ensure all participants are well-informed about the purpose of the exercise. Prior consent should be obtained prior to the start of surveys or interviews.

 

These include: engaging with empathy and maturity; sensitization to gender-based violence; ensuring confidentiality and safety; minimising distress and providing referral information; reaching the unreachable; and taking care of the interviewers own well-being.[5] Any disclosures of violence will be kept confidential in order to manage the risk of backlash from family, partners or community. All data should be de-identified in order not to disrupt family or community dynamics and trigger backlash.

 

 

V. Deliverables

During the implementation of this assignment, the company shall be responsible for delivering of the following outputs, comprising of the main milestones:

No.

Deliverable

Activities

Expected timeframe

Estimated % of total volume of work

 

1.

Detailed methodology for the mapping, work plan developed

-Design qualitative information collection tool, including one-on-one (Key Informant Interview KII) and group qualitative tools (Focus Group Discussion FGD), and a quantitative questionnaire (to be administered online)

-Develop mapping methodology and work plan

By first week of July 2019

12

 

2.

Literature review of Pacific FBO documentation on (i) existing FBO activities which already are or could be used to address VAWC; (ii) existing response to addressing violence against women and children, gender inequality and child protection

-Desktop review of all relevant documents, reports or publications produced

-Preparation of literature review summary

-Submission of literature review to Research reference group

By mid July 2019

8

 

3.

Finalized research tools and research plan in consultation with key stakeholders

-Meeting with Research Reference Group in Fiji to finalize the specific design and methods for the mapping exercise, and timeline

By end July 2019

7

 

4.

Data collected from online survey, KII and FGD in 9 target countries:  Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papa New Guinea, FSM, and Tuvalu.

- 7 days (Fiji)

5 days (PNG & Solomon Islands only)

- 3 days all other countries (Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, FSM, and Tuvalu)

-Conduct and complete qualitative & quantitative data collection in country (not including travel days)

 

By end August 2019

33

 

5.

Final report validated with stakeholders (no more than 40 pages), to include findings and recommendations for future programming with FBO’s based on the findings

-Compile findings

-Complete field data analysis

By first week of September 2019

5

 

-Prepare draft mapping report

-Submit report to Research Reference Group

By mid-September 2019

10

 

-Finalize the draft report including incorporation of comments and recommendations from the Research Reference Group

-Submit Final Report to the Research Reference Group

By end September 2019

5

 

6

Present mapping report and findings at the regional PCC convening on Faith and EVAWC (1st week Sept 2019) and Pacific Church meeting (Nov 8 &9th)

-Prepare presentation of faith & EVAWC mapping

-Present mapping findings and recommendation to PCC members

Sept & Nov 2019

 

20

 

 

 

Total

100

 

 

The report shall have the following structure:

1.0 Executive Summary

1.1 Background

1.2 Methodology

1.3 The major religions practiced in the Pacific region, and divisions within each religion, including mainline and charismatic churches

1.4 Summary of participating organizations

1.5 Existing activities of each Faith based actor  (Women’s, Men’s, Youth, Sunday School age groups and other): description, target groups, average  number of participants

1.6 Mapping the Pacific region, including a ‘heat’ map of each country outlining the location and intensity of FBO action on prevention and response to EVAWC, gender equality and child protection

1.7 Key findings: Unique strengths of faith-based organizations and religious leaders, and what is working well, Pacific and faith based approaches.

1.8 Challenges for faith-based organizations in responding to violence, gender inequality and child protection, including identifying gaps and any lessons learned

1.9 Progressing faith-based responses to violence against women and children and gender equality, including tips for engaging churches on gender equality and VAWC

1.10 Concluding remarks and key recommendations

 

V. Management arrangements:

 

The organisation will work under the direct supervision of UN Women Technical Specialist for Primary prevention, and overall coordination of the UN Women/UNCIEF/Pacific Research Reference Group comprised of members from the Pacific Conference of Churches, UN Women Fiji MCO, Pacific Women, UNICEF Pacific MCO, and the House of Sarah for this assignment.

 

 

VI. Duration of the assignment

It is expected that the organization shall begin work by July 2019 with work being completed before  December 2019, in conformity with the indicative timeframe described under “Deliverables and Timeframe” section. However, the above-mentioned timeframe is tentative. The specific sequencing and timeframe of activities will be established once the Contractor is identified and the work plan approved.

 

Performance evaluation

The company’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Travel

The company selected for this assignment will be responsible for all administrative and travel arrangements associated with undertaking this assignment and need to be factored in the proposal. All travels shall be coordinated with the UN Women Primary Prevention Technical Specialist.

Financial Arrangement

This joint initiative will be co-funded by Pacific Women, UNICEF and UN Women. UNICEF will pay or for one of deliverables up to 15,000 USD with the rest being paid by UN Women including with funds from Pacific Women. Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by the UN Women Primary Prevention Technical Specialist and the Research Reference Group that the services have been satisfactorily performed. It is estimated to have 4 installments to be paid to the consultant as follows:

• 20% upon submission and approval of deliverables 1 &2 - literature review, research methodology, tools and plan and validation by Reference Group (to be paid by UN WOMEN)
• 40% upon submission and approval of deliverable 3 & 4 and the report on completed site visits and consultations. It is expected that the Consultant will have sufficient funds to complete the fieldwork phase of the consultancy, should this be considered insufficient, it is the responsibility of the Consultant to note this in their proposal. (to be paid by UN Women)
• 20% upon submission and approval of deliverable 5 and the Final Mapping Report. (to be paid by UNICEF and UN Women)
• 20% upon submission and approval of deliverable 6 and the presentations at conferences (to be paid by UN WOMEN)

Payment will be made within 30 (thirty) days after receipt and acceptance of the specified deliverable and corresponding invoice but only after UN Women, UNICEF, Pacific Women have certified that the services have been satisfactorily performed by the Consultant.

 

VI. Required qualifications, experience and competencies

Required qualification for eligible organizations:

1. Officially registered legal entity;
2. At least 10 years of experience working with multi-faith and multi-denominational

organizations at national, regional and International Organisations

1. At least 2 years of experience in conducting social reviews/or studies, with particular focus on gender mainstreaming;
2. At least 7 years of experience in working with different stakeholders at local and regional level in the Pacific coordinating work around gender equality and EAVW
3. Previous experience of work with a development organization, including UN is a strong advantage;
4. Track record of at least 1 (one) similar assignment.

                                                                                                                                                  

The organization of the task team is of ultimate importance. The required experience of the project team shall be explicitly described in their CVs. The team must include at least 2 team members with team leader having relevant experience as per below requirements:

Education

• Advanced relevant degree in social sciences, human rights, gender studies, theology, development studies and/or other related to the area for this assignment
• Additional trainings in relevant area will represent an advantage

Experience and skills

• At least 12 years’ experience working/collaborating with Faith Based Organisations in assisting/supporting drafting policy recommendations/ policy reports and coordinating activities on human rights, faith and Christian theology in the Pacific
• Proven record of at least 5 years of experience in strategic networking and leading /facilitating consultation meetings with various stakeholders (Church, FBO’s, CSO’s, Government, Donors, Human Rights based agencies and organisations) in the Pacific
• At least 5 years of proven experience in participatory and qualitative research methods, data collection and data analysis
• Previous experience of working on related issues including gender and gender-based violence, prevention, human rights, women’s rights and empowerment, or feminist advocacy or theology, children’s rights and child protection
• At least 3 years of proven experience in carrying out research on gender, gender-based violence, human rights, women’s rights and empowerment, feminist advocacy, theology or social norms, children’s rights and child protection.
• Proven track record in academic publications, presentations and papers in non-formal / non-academic contexts would be an advantage
• Demonstrated experience working with stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds including diverse communities would eb an advantage
• International field research is highly desirable

 

Language and other skills

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Language skills such as Solomon Islands Pidgin, Bislama, Hindi, i-Taukei language an asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

 

VII. Evaluation Procedure

A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals; the technical proposal will be evaluated with a minimum pass requirement of [70%] of the obtainable 700 points assigned for technical proposal. A proposal shall be rejected at this stage if it fails to achieve the minimum technical threshold of [70%] of the obtainable score of 700 points prior to any price proposal being opened and compared. The financial proposal will be opened only for those entities whose technical proposal achieved the minimum technical threshold of [70%] of the obtainable score of 700 points and are determined to be compliant. Non-compliant proposals will not be eligible for further consideration.

The total number of points (“maximum number of points”) which a firm/institution may obtain for its proposal is as follows:

Technical proposal: 700 points

Financial proposal: 300 points

Total number of points: 1000 points

Evaluation of financial proposal:

In this methodology, the maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

A formula is as follows:

p = y (μ/z)

Where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

μ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The contract shall be awarded to the proposal obtaining the overall highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal.

Evaluation of technical proposal:

The technical proposal is evaluated and examined to determine its responsiveness and compliancy with the requirements specified in this solicitation documents. The quality of each technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the following technical evaluation criteria and the associated weighting (total possible value of 700 points):

 

Expertise and Capability of Proposer

Expertise of organization submitting proposal

Points Obtainable

1.1

Reputation of Organisation and Staff (Competence/Reliability) in undertaking similar assignments (experience working with multi-faith and multi-denominational))

50

1.2

General Organisational Capability which is likely to affect implementation (i.e. number and type of products/assessments produced in the past, particularly in developing research methods and conducting social reviews/mapping/or studies, with particular focus on gender mainstreaming in faith-based settings;

 

50

1.3

Quality insurance procedures

5

1.4

Relevance of:

105

 

• Specialized Knowledge

40

 

• Experience in similar Projects

25

 

• experience in working with different stakeholders at local and regional level in the Pacific coordinating work around gender equality and EVAW

40

 

Total Expertise and Capability of Proposer

210

Proposed Work Plan and Approach

Proposed Methodology

Points Obtainable

2.1

The task is well understood and properly (in sufficient detail) addressed and correspond to the ToR

50

2.2

Important aspects of the task are addressed in sufficient details 

50

2.3

Different components of the project are adequately weighted relative to one another

50

2.4

Proposal is based on a survey of the project environment, data input is properly used in the preparation of the proposal

45

2.5

Efficient and realistic work plan corresponding to the needs/specifics stipulated in the TOR (sequence of activities is realistic and will ensure effective implementation of the work plan, plan is falling in indicated under the ToR time frames)

50

 

Total Work Plan and Approach

245

Resource Plan, Key Personnel

Qualification and competencies of proposed personnel

Points Obtainable

Personnel

 

3.1.

Task Manager/Team leader

Sub-score

135

Advanced relevant degree in social sciences, human rights, gender studies, theology, development studies and/or other related to the area for this assignment

Additional trainings in relevant area will represent an advantage

(advanced degree – 30 pts), additional training – up to 10 pts

40

At least 12 years’ experience working/collaborating with Faith Based Organisations in assisting/supporting drafting policy recommendations/ policy reports and coordinating activities on human rights, faith and Christian theology in the Pacific

 

85

• 12 years

65

• 12-15 years

75

• more than 15 years

85

Experience with UN or other donor organizations

10

Sub-Score

135

3.2

Team members/experts

Sub-score

110

degree in social sciences, human rights, gender studies, theology, development studies and/or other related to the area for this assignment

 

30

At last 5 years of relevant experience in EVAW related coordination activities

80

• 5 years

50

• 5-7 years

60

• more than 7 years

70

Sub-score

110

 

Total Resource Plan, Key Personel

 

245

 

TOTAL

 

700

 

 

A proposal shall be rejected at this stage if it fails to achieve the minimum technical threshold of 70% of the obtainable score of 700 points for the technical proposal.