Consultant for Safe Spaces Study

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, advocating for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, and works towards achieving equality between women and men in various sectors including development, human rights, and humanitarian action. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.

Job Overview:
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive study of safe space structures and functionality in Sierra Leone, focusing on the operationalization and scale-up of safe spaces as critical components of community-based gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response systems. The role involves reviewing existing policies and frameworks, mapping safe spaces, assessing their functionality, and developing a business case for sustainable operational models. The consultant will work closely with local councils and community organizations to ensure that the findings are relevant and actionable, ultimately aiming to improve access to quality, gender-transformative services for marginalized groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review national policies, strategies, and operational frameworks related to GBV prevention and response, social protection, and gender equality.
• Map existing safe space structures in selected districts and assess their functionality, accessibility, and quality of services.
• Analyze how safe spaces interface with community-based referral mechanisms for GBV and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop practical operational models for safe spaces, including minimum service packages and governance arrangements.
• Create a business case outlining financing options and sustainability pathways for safe spaces.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations with relevant ministries, local councils, and community representatives to gather insights and validate findings.
• Prepare and submit an inception report, draft study report, and final consolidated report with recommendations for operationalization of safe spaces.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. They should possess strong knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues, with proven networking and communication skills. Familiarity with the UN system and inter-governmental processes is essential, along with strong analytical and interpersonal skills. The consultant should also have a solid understanding of international standards on human rights and women's rights, and experience working in multicultural environments.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Law, Human Rights, Political Science, Gender and Development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.

Experience:
At least 5 years of relevant experience in gender equality and women's rights, including work with women's civil society organizations or in the field of gender-based violence. The consultant should have extensive experience in institutional assessments, programme design, and results-based management, as well as experience working with multi-stakeholder organizations, including governments and CSOs.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of French is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based consultancy lasting up to 90 working days over approximately 5 months. The consultant will need to travel frequently to implementing districts, with travel expenses covered by the project. All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by UN Women, and the consultant will work under the technical supervision of UN Women Sierra Leone.