Access to Justice Consultant

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 globally. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates in numerous countries, working towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of gender equality as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to addressing severe gender inequality issues, particularly in regions like Papua New Guinea, where women face high rates of gender-based violence and low literacy levels. UN Women aims to implement comprehensive strategies to combat these issues and promote social stability and human rights, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Access to Justice Consultant position is designed to enhance the institutional capacity of medical, legal, and police service providers in Papua New Guinea to deliver survivor-centered, gender-responsive, and coordinated services. The consultant will focus on improving women's and girls' access to justice through strengthened referral pathways, quality investigative services, rehabilitation support, and psychosocial services. The role is critical in addressing the weak medical-legal link in the justice referral pathway, which has contributed to low conviction rates for sexual violence cases. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including police, judiciary, health authorities, and civil society organizations, to conduct assessments, develop training materials, and facilitate capacity-building workshops. The overarching goal is to ensure that interventions align with Papua New Guinea's legal framework and international human rights obligations, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence in targeted communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks: 1) Conducting consultations with stakeholders to review existing policies and protocols related to violence against women and girls. 2) Performing a rapid institutional capacity assessment to identify strengths and gaps in service provision. 3) Developing a comprehensive capacity strengthening package that includes trauma-informed approaches, gender-responsive investigation techniques, and ethical standards. 4) Designing and delivering training modules for medical personnel, police officers, and legal practitioners on various aspects of GBV and SARV. 5) Facilitating engagement with legal institutions to build capacity on prosecution and establish pro-bono service mechanisms for survivors. 6) Training Village Court officials on legal frameworks and data collection for case reporting. 7) Developing a comprehensive final report that includes all findings, training materials, and recommendations for future actions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in legal and policy support, gender equality advocacy, and ending violence against women and girls. Experience in developing standard operating procedures, technical guidelines, and training manuals within the health, justice, or GBV sectors is desirable. Knowledge of international human rights standards and familiarity with Papua New Guinea’s legal frameworks is an asset. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, along with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Law, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or social sciences. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complex legal and social issues surrounding gender-based violence and the necessary frameworks for intervention.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, particularly in legal and policy support, gender equality initiatives, and efforts to end violence against women and girls. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in developing and reviewing standard operating procedures, technical guidelines, and policies, preferably within the health, justice, or GBV sectors. Familiarity with Papua New Guinea’s legal and policy frameworks, as well as experience working with government institutions and civil society organizations, is highly advantageous.

Languages:
Excellent verbal and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to commence on 1st December 2026 and conclude by 31 May 202

• The consultant will work under the supervision of the UN Women Papua New Guinea Deputy Country Representative and will receive support from the UN Women EVAW team. The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on criteria such as timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of deliverables. Payment will be made upon the successful completion of specified deliverables, and UN Women will cover the costs of fieldwork, including travel. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are made based on qualifications and competence.