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, working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization focuses on addressing issues related to population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence, among others. UNFPA is committed to promoting a survivor-centered and rights-based approach to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly for marginalized groups who face intersectional discrimination and social exclusion.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role is part of the Spotlight Project, which aims to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG) through a comprehensive approach that includes enhancing legal frameworks, preventing violence, ensuring access to support for survivors, and empowering civil society. The consultant will conduct a multi-faceted assessment to identify gaps and best practices in GBV services, focusing on marginalized populations in Sierra Leone. The consultant will be responsible for generating evidence-based recommendations to improve the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of GBV and justice services in the target districts of Falaba, Moyamba, and Kailahun. This role requires a strong emphasis on ethical, participatory, and survivor-centered research principles, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve the objectives of the consultancy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several integrated tasks, including:

• Conducting a desk review of national policies and existing research on service access barriers for marginalized groups.
• Collecting primary data from diverse marginalized groups, service providers, and community leaders to assess barriers to accessing GBV services.
• Analyzing social exclusion in justice services and identifying gaps in the provision of GBV services.
• Developing tailored recommendations for inclusive outreach, accessible infrastructure, and staff training based on the analysis conducted.
• Synthesizing findings to create a detailed list of programmatic, policy, and capacity gaps in the current GBV response landscape.
• Documenting best practices from international and regional contexts to improve access and quality of GBV services.
• Preparing comprehensive reports and presenting findings to stakeholders, ensuring that all recommendations are actionable and based on best practices.

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, as well as 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 multi-cultural environment is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Master's) in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, or Human Rights Law. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender-based violence and the socio-cultural dynamics that affect marginalized populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response, with a strong focus on protection and human rights. The consultant should have a proven track record in conducting research and analysis, as well as program design and implementation. Experience in social exclusion and access to justice analyses is particularly important, along with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse and multi-cultural environments.

Languages:
Fluent spoken and written English is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the local context may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances communication with marginalized groups and stakeholders.

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 at the end of the contract. Weekly meetings will be held to monitor progress, and the consultant is expected to travel within Sierra Leone as needed. UNFPA will provide necessary support services and logistics for travel. The organization promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.