UN Women: WHRD Window Protection Assessment Specialist, Home-based, SSA

Background:

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund was launched in February 2016 as a multi-partner trust fund hosted by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, which acts as the administrative agent for the Fund. In terms of governance, a Global Steering Committee at the global level, comprised of 12 members (UN, donors, and civil society organizations) makes strategic decisions, including on countries’ eligibility and the Fund’s investment. The Secretariat of the Fund provides technical support to the Global Steering Committee and manages the Fund on a day-to-day basis and is hosted by UN Women. Since its establishment, the WPHF has supported over 1,800 civil society organizations and over 1,300 women human rights defenders (WHRDs)

In 2022, the Global Steering Committee established a new funding window for the protection and advocacy of WHRDs which is hosted by the WPHF Secretariat. The WHRDs window provides two types of support: (i) safety net grants that cover protection and livelihood expenses of WHRDs at risk from crisis and conflict settings (implemented together with INGO partners); and (ii) direct logistical support for participation of WHRDs in advocacy and decision-making processes (implemented directly by the WHRDs window unit). Since its establishment, the window has supported over 1,300 WHRDs and their 4,250 dependents through both protection and advocacy support.

WPHF is seeking to conduct an internal review of the verification processes and protection approaches implemented by its eight international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) partners providing urgent protection support through the WHRDs Window’s Safety Net Stream. The review will examine the process from the transfer of applications by WPHF through partner verification, protection support and completion of transfers to WHRDs. The review will also assess partners’ capacity to manage current and future caseloads, as well as support the development of an internal assessment tool in collaboration with WPHF for existing and prospective partners. The review will cover the period of 2022-2025.

The consultant will report to the WPHF WHRD Window Project Coordinator on all matters related to the consultancy.

DELIVERABLES/SCOPE OF WORK

The consultancy is expected to be a total of 30 working days with the following scope of work and deliverables completed. 

1. Inception and Review Plan 

The consultant will prepare an inception report outlining the proposed approach to the assignment (a detailed outline will be provided to the consultant). This will include:

• Objectives, including expected outcomes
• Detailed methodology, including document review, key informant interviews and analytical approach // including all ethical considerations and do no harm approaches 
• A detailed workplan with accompanying timeline 
• Draft interview guides and data collection tools 
• Adapt and update an internal INGO assessment tool through consultation with WPHF

An initial inception call with the consultant will take place, with regular meetings throughout the assignment.  

2. Document and Process Review 

The consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documentation and existing operational processes, including:

• WPHF WHRD Window’s Project Document and four annual reports
• Quarterly financial and narrative reports submitted by INGO partners
• Review systems in place to access timely updates on the status of applications and transfer system to INGO partners, and ensuring Do no Harm principles are followed

The consultant will map the current end-to-end process from referral of applications through verification, protection support, transfer of assistance and case closure. The review should culminate in the production of a document (not more than 10 pages) that outlines strengths, bottlenecks, inconsistencies across partners, operational risks and opportunities for process improvements, with recommendations for alignment with ethical considerations and do no harm principles

3. Consultations with INGO Partners 

The consultant will conduct consultations with all eight INGO partners to understand their internal process to receive, process, reject or approve safety net applications from WHRDs from conflict and crises settings. The consultant will also review a sample of cases processed by the INGO partners between 2022 and 2025 to identify consistency of application of the eligibility criteria, verification processes, and approval/rejection rational. The assessment should examine partner capacity in areas including:

• application validation procedures
• protection risk assessment
• safeguarding and confidentiality measures
• timeliness of processing applications
• financial transfer procedures
• monitoring and follow-up processes in place
• surge capacity to absorb increasing application volumes
• application of do no harm principles
• and other key variables identified during the inception phase with WPHF. 

4. Finalise INGO assessment tool

• Review and co-design the INGO assessment tool for existing and future INGO partners that will be applied by WPHF on a regular basis
• Co-assess with WPHF first round of INGO assessments

5.  Develop Protection Guidelines and Capacity Strengthening on Guidelines

The consultant will develop:

• Practical protection guidance to support consistent implementation of the Safety Net stream by all INGO partners covering from receipt of proposals to closing of individual grants to WHRDs. This document will be used to provide capacity strengthening session with INGO partners as well as WPHF staff. 

6. Summary Recommendations 

A summary paper (maximum 10 pages) highlighting key findings and recommendations for improved application of protection guidelines, opportunities for capacity strengthening and considerations of the Window for improved management and assessment of INGO partnerships, to strengthen the efficiency and value for money of the WPHF Safety Net partnership model. This paper will be discussed in a virtual meeting with WPHF staff, and a final draft will be submitted incorporating feedback and inputs into the summary paper. 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This consultancy is home-based.  

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:

• Program formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations, operational reviews or institutional assessments
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, evaluation ethics, and data protection in conflict and crisis settings
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings 
• Good analytical skills
• Good knowledge of the women, peace and security agenda

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.