Consultant for Baseline Study

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It works towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of gender equality. Established to place women's rights at the center of its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system's efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action globally. The organization provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. UN Women is currently implementing a seven-year project in collaboration with the European Union Delegation and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, focusing on ending violence against women and girls and advancing women's leadership in the public sector in Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland. The project aims to create equitable environments and services for women, enhance their participation in leadership and decision-making, and support adolescent girls and young women in completing their education. UN Women operates in multiple countries and has a significant presence in various regions, working towards gender equality and women's empowerment.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a baseline study that focuses on collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data for a set of performance indicators related to the project 'Ending violence against women & girls and advancing women’s leadership in the public sector in Zanzibar & Tanzania Mainland.' This study is crucial for establishing targets and guiding the design and refinement of evidence-based project strategies. The consultant will assess the existing legal and policy framework related to violence against women and children in Zanzibar, evaluate multisectoral coordination mechanisms, analyze government institutional systems for gender equality, and assess the capacity of routine data collection systems for gender-based violence. The study will also evaluate the availability and accessibility of services for women and girls who have experienced violence, generating evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. The consultant's work will contribute to a better understanding of the issues surrounding violence against women and girls and women's leadership in Zanzibar, ultimately supporting the project's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a comprehensive baseline study in the project sites of South Unguja in Unguja and Mkoani in Pemba, focusing on violence against women and girls aged 15 and over.
• Collecting and analyzing data on various forms of violence, service access, community perceptions, and social norms related to violence against women and girls.
• Engaging with key stakeholders, including government authorities, community leaders, and service providers, to gather insights and validate findings.
• Developing a detailed inception report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the baseline study.
• Utilizing mixed methods for data collection, including quantitative analysis of existing datasets and qualitative interviews and focus group discussions.
• Drafting and finalizing the baseline study report, incorporating feedback from UN Women and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring adherence to ethical standards in research and maintaining the confidentiality of data collected.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field such as gender studies, sustainable development, public health, sociology, or a related social science field. The consultant must have a minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in conducting baseline studies or research for development programs, with a proven track record in the area of violence against women and girls. Experience in leading research studies and producing high-quality reports at the international level is essential. The consultant should also have experience in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and using participatory approaches in relevant sectors. Familiarity with UN Women programming and knowledge of Tanzania/Zanzibar gender and GBV policy frameworks are desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or higher in a relevant field such as gender studies, sustainable development, demography, public health, sociology, or a related social science field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the socio-economic factors that contribute to violence against women and girls, as well as for developing effective strategies for women's empowerment and leadership.

Experience:
The consultant must have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in conducting baseline studies or research for development programs. Previous experience in conducting such activities in the Tanzania context will be considered an asset. The consultant should have a proven track record in conducting baseline assessments specifically related to violence against women and girls, particularly in the education sector. Experience in leading research initiatives and producing high-quality reports at the international level is also required. Additionally, the consultant should have experience in designing and applying effective research approaches to assess the causes and drivers of violence against women and girls, as well as knowledge of participatory data collection methods.

Languages:
Excellent skills in both written and oral English are mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the Kiswahili language is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the data collection process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to span 31 working days over a period of two and a half months, starting on February 25, 202

• The consultant will be required to submit various deliverables, including an inception report, a zero draft baseline study report, and a final baseline report. Payment will be structured in four installments based on the completion and acceptance of specific deliverables. The consultant will report directly to the Project Manager and will receive technical supervision from the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Specialist. All deliverables must be submitted in English, and the consultant is expected to maintain the confidentiality of all data and information collected during the assignment.