National Consultant - Gender-Responsive Safety and Access Audit

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. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a significant presence in the Pacific region, including Vanuatu, where it collaborates with over 20 other UN agencies. The organization is committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders in various sectors, including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) is based in Suva, Fiji, and works across 14 countries and territories in the Pacific, focusing on four interlinked program areas: Governance and Participation in Public Life, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and Climate Action/Humanitarian Action and Resilience.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in conducting a gender-responsive safety and access audit of the Port Vila market and the wider Central Business District (CBD). This position is integral to UN Women's efforts to ensure that reconstruction efforts following the 2024 earthquake not only restore infrastructure but also address gender inequalities and enhance safety for women and marginalized groups. The consultant will assess the safety and accessibility of public spaces, identify risks related to violence and harassment, and develop a practical action plan to integrate gender-responsive measures into ongoing reconstruction processes. The audit will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, and community members, to ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard and considered in the planning and design of public infrastructure. The consultant will utilize globally tested methodologies to evaluate how different aspects of urban design affect women and girls, particularly concerning safety and mobility, and will contribute to embedding safety and inclusion into the reconstruction strategy from the outset.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks throughout the consultancy, including:

• Supporting the lead consultant in developing the Inception Report, which involves conducting a desk review of relevant documents, adapting the gender audit framework to the local context, and developing a stakeholder engagement plan.
• Conducting field audits, including leading key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women and girls, documenting findings, and contributing to the Preliminary Findings Report.
• Analyzing qualitative data from KIIs, FGDs, and observational assessments to draft sections of the Full Gender Audit Report, including disaggregated findings on the experiences of diverse groups.
• Facilitating a stakeholder validation workshop to gather feedback on the findings and revising the report accordingly.
• Finalizing the Gender Audit Report and developing a prioritized action plan based on stakeholder input and local context.
• Ensuring that all data collection adheres to ethical standards and survivor-centered principles, maintaining confidentiality and informed consent throughout the process.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality, ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG), social research, or a related field. Experience conducting qualitative research in Vanuatu or the Pacific region is essential, along with familiarity with gender audits, safety assessments, or urban planning processes. Knowledge of survivor-centered principles and ethical standards for data collection with women and girls is strongly preferred, as is familiarity with the Port Vila urban context and key stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related area. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with sufficient relevant experience, specifically two additional years of qualifying experience in a related field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or 7 years for those with a first-level university degree. Candidates should have progressively responsible experience in areas related to gender equality, EVAWG, and social research. Experience in conducting qualitative research, particularly in the Vanuatu or Pacific context, is crucial. Familiarity with gender audits, safety assessments, or urban planning processes is considered an advantage, as is knowledge of local stakeholders and the urban context of Port Vila.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Pacific languages, such as Bislama, is considered an asset and may enhance communication with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for up to 60 working days over approximately four months, with a possible start date from Q3 202

• The consultant will be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and will be required to conduct in-country fieldwork throughout the assignment. Home-based work may be permitted for certain phases, such as desk reviews and report drafting. There is no expectation of official travel unless authorized by UN Women, with travel costs covered separately. Performance will be evaluated based on various criteria, including timeliness, quality of contributions, and adherence to ethical standards. Payments will be made based on deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the consultancy.