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Purpose of consultancy

Conduct an assessment of barriers, blockages and obstructions to accessing GBV prevention and response services as perceived and experienced by adolescent girls in selected districts.

Scope of work: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

UNFPA Sierra Leone is implementing its 6th Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2015 – 2019 focusing on Reproductive Health and Rights; Adolescent, Youth and Gender Empowerment and Population and Development. Implementation of the current CPAP is mainly through Government and NGO Implementing Partners (IPs).

UNFPA Sierra Leone is implementing the “Girls’ Access to Education and Services” (GATES) project, with funding from Irish Aid, from January 2018 – October 2019. GATES project is implemented by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) through the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, and relevant line ministries; Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), and Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGA), as well as local NGOs. GATES project aims to increase access of out-of-school adolescent girls to comprehensive and quality sexual reproductive health information and services and increase the capacity of girls and boys to prevent and respond to Gender Based Violence in their communities.

 

The objectives of this consultancy are to;

  1. Work with UNFPA to undertake research on access barriers to GBV prevention and response services as perceived and experienced by adolescent girls.
  2. Write an assessment report comprising of primary and secondary data analysis.
  3. Provide recommendations to UNFPA and implementing partners to strengthen prevention and referral pathways as a key component of the GATES project.

Key activities

Under direction from UNFPA, the key activities of this consultancy will include:

  1. Conduct desk review of current services available for Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response available to adolescents in Sierra Leone.  – 4 days
  2. Develop a research strategy, including data collection tools and secure government ethical approval to conduct primary research – 5 days
  3. Field visits to districts to collect primary data - 14 days
  4. Collate and analyse data collected using quantitative and qualitative methods – 6 days
  5. Write a research report with key finding and recommendations – 6 days

Hold exit briefing meeting with UNFPA and present report – 1 day

 

Duration and working schedule:

Activities under this Independent Subcontractor Agreement are to be completed in the period between 13 August – 26 October 2018, within Sierra Leone.  

It is estimated that the deliverables required will take 36 working days to complete.

 

Place where services are to be delivered:

UNFPA Country Office - Freetown, Sierra Leone

 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Deliverables:

Phase 1:

  1. Desk review report – 30 August
  2. Inception report, including; research strategy, tools and work plan, including field work schedule – 10 September
  3. Draft report(s) for review with qualitative and quantitative data analysis – 30 September

Phase 2:

  1. Final Assessment Report – 26 October

The report must include:

  • Executive summary (not more than 3 pages)
  • Brief Literature Review
  • Research Methodology
  • Key findings, including quantitative and qualitative data
  • Discussion of findings
  • Conclusions and summary of recommendations

All deliverables should be delivered via electronic copies, with the final assessment report submitted in three hard copies. 

 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will give a weekly electronic update of progress, in addition to the submission of timely deliverables according to the schedule agreed.  

The consultant will undertake at least three joint progress meetings with team members from UNFPA and MEST, these will take place at the beginning, mid progress and upon presentation of the final report.  

 

Supervisory arrangements:

The Adolescents, Youth and Gender Cluster Lead will supervise the consultant, with overall oversight from the Country Representative. UNFPA team members overseeing the GATES project will be the main focal point throughout the consultancy.

 

Expected travel:

The consultant will be expected to travel to communities within the selected districts to conduct primary research, locations to be agreed with UNFPA.  

 

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Essential:

  • Master’s degree in Research, Public Health, Sociology, Gender, International Relations, International Development or other related field.
  • Minimum 7 years of professional experience in planning, design, development and implementation of similar assessments
  • Knowledge of and experience in GBV, youth/women empowerment, and behaviour change education programmes in Sierra Leone
  • Experience in conducting research in Sierra Leone
  • Excellent interpersonal and general communication skills, particularly engaging adolescents, youth and vulnerable groups. 
  • Excellent English writing and speaking skills
  • Demonstrable knowledge of computer software applications and information technology in data processing and analysis

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of and experience in working with vulnerable groups
  • Previous experience in working with the UN agencies

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner

The country office will provide office space and administrative support.

 

Other relevant information or special conditions

Examples of previous research reports/samples of writing to be submitted alongside application.

Payment plan will be made in two (2) phases upon approval of deliverables:

  1. 40% upon approval of Phase 1 deliverables – 30 September
  2. 60% upon approval of Phase 2 deliverables – 12 October

Method of Application

All applications should be addressed to The International Operations Manager and sent by email to: registry-sl@unfpa.org; or by post to: United Nations Population Fund, 12-16 New Signal Hill Road, Off Congo Cross, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Applications to be submitted on or before the closing date of Monday, 13 August 2018 and should include letter of intent, at least one sample of an evaluation or consultancy report where you are the primary or sole author.  Please indicate clearly the thematic area for which you are applying e.g. Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) or Population and Development.

NB: This consultancy is open to only qualified and experienced Sierra Leoneans.  Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Find attached the ToR of the implementing its 6th Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2015 – 2019 for the assignment.