Consultant for the Spotlight Project

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization dedicated to promoting reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 4,000 employees. The organization focuses on ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to addressing issues related to gender-based violence (GBV) and has initiated the Spotlight Project to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG) through comprehensive strategies and community engagement.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is part of the Spotlight Project, which aims to eliminate violence against women and girls through a multifaceted approach. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a thorough assessment of barriers to accessing GBV services, analyzing social exclusion in justice systems, and identifying gaps and best practices in GBV service provision. The consultant will work closely with marginalized groups to understand their specific needs and challenges, ensuring that the recommendations developed are actionable and tailored to the context of Sierra Leone. The overall goal is to improve the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of GBV and justice services for survivors and those at risk, particularly in the target districts of Falaba, Moyamba, and Kailahun.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a series of integrated tasks, including:

• Conducting a desk review of national policies and existing research on GBV service access barriers.
• Collecting primary data from marginalized groups, service providers, and community leaders to understand the barriers they face.
• Analyzing data through an intersectionality lens to identify financial, physical, and social barriers to accessing GBV services.
• Reviewing formal and informal justice mechanisms to identify points of social exclusion and bias.
• Conducting an analysis of service delivery practices that reinforce exclusion and developing tailored recommendations for inclusive outreach, infrastructure, and staff training.
• Synthesizing findings to create a detailed list of programmatic, policy, and capacity gaps in the GBV response landscape.
• Documenting best practices from similar contexts and providing recommendations for integrating these practices into the program's implementation.
• Preparing comprehensive reports and presenting findings to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess an advanced university degree (Master's) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Human Rights Law, or a closely related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience in conducting research, analysis, design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, or implementation in GBV response is required. The consultant should have proven expertise in conducting social exclusion analyses using an intersectionality framework and possess in-depth knowledge of the barriers faced by marginalized groups. Experience adhering to ethical guidelines for research involving violence and survivors is essential, along with excellent analytical, synthesis, and report writing skills. Experience in leading teams in a multicultural environment is desirable, and fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Master's) in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Human Rights Law, or closely related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender-based violence and the socio-cultural factors that influence access to justice and support services.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research, analysis, program design, or implementation specifically related to gender-based violence response. Candidates should have a strong focus on protection and human rights, with proven expertise in conducting analyses that address social exclusion and access to justice. Experience in working with marginalized groups and understanding their specific barriers and protection needs is essential. The consultant should also have a track record of adhering to ethical guidelines in research involving sensitive topics.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is essential for this position. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of local languages spoken in Sierra Leone may be considered an asset, as it can enhance communication with marginalized groups and improve the inclusivity of outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 3 months, with the consultant working from the UNFPA Country Office in Sierra Leone. The final report will be delivered electronically, and the consultant will be required to report on progress weekly. Travel within Sierra Leone may be necessary, and UNFPA will facilitate travel arrangements as needed. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Gender Specialist and is expected to engage in regular meetings to monitor progress and address any challenges. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.