Consultant in Combatting Violence Against Women and Women's Access to Justice

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women (UNW) is an entity of the United Nations established in July 2010, with a mission to promote gender equality and empower women globally. It was formed as part of the UN reform agenda, merging the efforts of four distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in numerous countries, including the State of Palestine, where it has been active since 1997, initially as UNIFEM. The organization aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. It leads and coordinates the UN system's efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action worldwide, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. UN Women's work is guided by its triple mandate, which includes supporting Member States in strengthening global norms for gender equality, promoting coordination across the UN system, and undertaking operational activities to translate global standards into local legislation and policies. UN Women’s current strategic focus in Palestine aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework outcomes, emphasizing economic opportunities, access to quality social services, and democratic governance.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the awareness and knowledge of judges, sharia prosecutors, and Official Gazette employees regarding women's rights, gender equality, and violence against women (VAW). The primary objective is to conduct a series of awareness and capacity-building sessions aimed at improving the understanding of gender-sensitive practices within the justice system. This position requires the consultant to develop and deliver eight interactive sessions, focusing on various aspects of women's rights and VAW, including national and international frameworks, challenges faced by women in accessing justice, and best practices. The consultant will work closely with UN Women and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the sessions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the participants and contribute to the overall goal of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Palestine.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Developing an inception report that outlines the methodology, deliverables, session outlines, and assessment templates.
• Conducting five awareness and capacity-building sessions for HJC judges, focusing on women's rights, VAW, gender stereotypes, and access to justice.
• Conducting three sessions for Sharia prosecutors, addressing gender-sensitive considerations in cases involving women and the National Referral System.
• Delivering two sessions for Official Gazette employees on women's rights and gender equality.
• Preparing narrative reports for each session, documenting the methodology, key findings, and participant feedback.
• Developing comprehensive final reports that include detailed descriptions of the sessions, observations, challenges, and recommendations for future interventions.
• Engaging with UN Women and other stakeholders throughout the process to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Law, Sociology, or related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of professional experience in gender issues, violence against women, and women's access to justice. Experience in delivering training related to VAW and gender equality is essential, and familiarity with the justice sector and UN or international organizations is desirable. A sample of previously developed training materials and reports must be submitted with the application.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Law, or Sociology. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the legal frameworks surrounding women's rights.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of professional experience in areas related to gender, violence against women, and women's access to justice. This experience should include delivering training and capacity-building sessions, particularly in the context of VAW and gender equality. Familiarity with the justice sector and previous work with UN or international organizations will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be working with local stakeholders and participants. A working knowledge of English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and the preparation of reports and materials.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will involve field visits to partner institutions, including the Sharia Judicial Department (SJD) and the High Judicial Council (HJC). The position requires a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, in line with UN Women's core values. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be discussed during the recruitment process.