Background

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women) mandate provides for support to catalytic and innovative programmes which promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights in Ethiopia. UN Women’s programme on “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Ethiopia” focuses on a comprehensive approach encompassing legislation and policies, prevention, services for survivors, research and data.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread human rights violations faced globally. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. It may occur against any woman or girl, regardless of her country of origin, age, or socio-economic status, and it has far-reaching and long-lasting consequences and costs. The impact of violence ranges from immediate to long-term physical, sexual and mental health consequences for women and girls, including death. It negatively affects women’s well-being and prevents women from fully participating in society including overall lost educational, employment, social, or participatory opportunities. According to the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) report, nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of women have in some point in their lives experienced physical violence while 10 percent of the women have experienced sexual violence. 34 percent of married women have experienced spousal violence, whether physical or sexual or emotional, with emotional violence being the most common. Same study also shows high rates of under-reporting (66 percent) by women and girls who experienced violence.

The overall humanitarian situation in Ethiopia has significantly deteriorated since 2020 leading to increased humanitarian needs across the country and therefore exacerbating the pre-existing gender inequalities, increased discrimination and disproportionate risks for women and girls resulted in higher risks of gender-based violence (GBV), the disruption of referral chains and the inadequate access to essential services. Ethiopia has endured multiple emergencies including the conflicts in the northern part of the country. The conflict in the north has resulted in loss of human lives, loss of property, disrupted basic services, and caused significant damage to health and education facilities. Several reports also confirmed that a significant number of women and girls were survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The conflict has significantly increased internal displacement and the need for resources to assist displaced communities. These conflicts and instability have also hampered the delivery of essential services, disrupted livelihoods, and exacerbated protection risks—including risks associated with VAWG, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and adolescents.

With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UN Women is implementing a project entitled “Addressing the effects of Conflict Related Sexual Violence in Ethiopia”. The project aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors of CRSV, and women and girls affected by the conflict through provision of essential services such as mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), medical, and social services and economic opportunities. Moreover, the project supports the availability, accessibility, and quality essential services to survivors of violence. The project also provides institutional capacity strengthening to government and civil society service providing institutions to provide survivor centred services as per the UN essential services package. Evidence generation being one of the focus areas of the project, UN Women would like to commission a rapid assessment on “The needs of women and girls and local opportunities in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions”. The findings and recommendations of the assessment will guide targeting of beneficiaries and inform decisions based on evidence generated from the rapid assessment.

Based on this background, UN Women seeks to hire a national consultant to undertake a comprehensive secondary data analysis to better understand the needs of women and girls including survivors of CRSV and identify local opportunities in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions. This review aims to examine existing studies, reports, and publications related to CRSV to inform future interventions and policies aimed at addressing this critical issue.

The consultant will be reporting to the EVAWG Programme Specialist, and will be supported by the Programme Analyst, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The overarching objective of this assessment is to conduct a thorough analysis of the wealth of secondary data and available studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of the needs of women, girls, men, and boys, with a particular focus on survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), within the specified regions. This analysis aims to identify and synthesize key insights, challenges, and areas for intervention to inform targeted support strategies and policy recommendations tailored to the unique circumstances of survivors and vulnerable populations.

The specific objectives are:

• Explore existing service delivery models for supporting survivors of CRSV. This involves examining how services are tailored to address the physical, psychological, social, and legal needs of survivors in a holistic manner. Key considerations include accessibility, cultural sensitivity, gender responsiveness, survivor-centeredness and availability of standard tools and service provision protocols.
• Conduct an extensive review of available studies and researches that asses the capacities of service providers and institutions in the three regions to address the needs of survivors of CRSV. Focus on key indicators such as the availability of trained personnel, existing training programs and capacity-building initiatives, adequacy of infrastructure and resources, service referral pathways and the comprehensiveness of services offered.
• Review existing research and studies conducted in the three regions, on the economic impact of conflict-related sexual violence on women in the northern Ethiopia, including the barriers they face in accessing livelihood opportunities including socio-cultural barriers, discriminatory practices, access of women survivors to financial resources, vocational training, job opportunities, and other economic support mechanisms available within the region.
• Provide recommendations based on the findings to enhance support to vulnerable and conflict affected women, services for survivors and strengthen institutional responses to conflict-related sexual violence.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be tasked with conducting a thorough secondary data analysis. This involves reviewing existing studies, reports, and publications related to CRSV in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions focusing on:

• Assessing the situations of survivors, including their experiences, needs, and challenges in accessing support services.
• Review the capacity of service providers and institutions including referral pathways in providing support and addressing the needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
• Identify existing rehabilitation and reintegration mechanisms, including economic empowerment schemes, available for survivors.
• Analyse the collected data to identify prevalent trends, challenges, and gaps in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.
• Develop actionable recommendations based on the findings to improve support services for survivors and strengthen institutional responses to conflict-related sexual violence.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights issues
• Excellent level of conceptual and analytical capacity
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively
• Demonstrates use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work requirements
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Meets deadlines for delivery of products or services
• Able to work virtually, using communication technologies
• Strong interpersonal skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• The consultant must have master’s degree in Social Science (Gender Studies, Social work, Sociology and related fields)

Experience:

• The consultant must have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in research, rapid assessment and in conducting desk reviews and producing high-quality reports.
• Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis and synthesizing information into concise, analytical written documents. Substantive knowledge and understanding of gender and development, ending violence against women and girls and conflict related sexual violence
• Strong background in undertaking similar sensitive research’s with strong skills on safety and ethical considerations
• Familiarity with the socio-political context of Ethiopia, particularly the northern regions is of an asset
• Ability to conceptualize and analyze problems and to identify key issues and underlying action-oriented recommendation,
• Previous experience working with the UN is an asset

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of written and oral communication in English and Amharic. Knowledge of local language is an asset
• The consultant’s knowledge of the context of the three regions through previous experience is an advantage

How To Apply

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.