Job Consultant: Rapid assessment on shelters in Kenya, Nairobi

Closing Date: Thursday, 20 May 2010

Location :	Nairobi, KENYA
Application Deadline :	20-May-10
Type of Contract :	SSA
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	26-May-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :	22 working days
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Background
UNIFEM is the United Nations Development Fund for Women with the objective of providing financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies that promote women's human rights, political participation and economic security. Within the UN system, UNIFEM promotes gender equality and links women's issues and concerns to national, regional and global agendas by fostering collaboration and providing technical expertise on gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment strategies. The National Commission on Gender and Development (NCGD) launched its plan of action on gender based violence in December 2009. In the plan of action there is a commitment to have Gender based violence rescue shelters across the country established and operational by 2013 for battered and abused women. UNIFEM supports the Government of Kenya in its work to ensure that women are safe from abuse and violence. As such, UNIFEM together with the NCGD and various stakeholders is planning to hold a consultative forum to explore the possibilities to expand shelter services in Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities
The purpose of the rapid assessment on shelters is to give substantial orientation to the planned UNIFEM stakeholder forum on shelters and protective mechanisms for abused and battered women in Kenya. The assessment aims to give an overview of the current situation in Kenya with regards to shelters/protective mechanisms, and to identify what might be needed in order to expand the establishment of shelters. By comparing the current situation with best practices in other countries, gaps should be identified and options explored for finding suitable solutions, which can be presented for discussion at the stakeholder forum. As such, the specific objectives of the assessment are: To provide a working definition of shelters and protective mechanisms; To do a desk review to document best practices on shelters in other countries; To map the existing protective mechanisms, including shelters, in all provinces of Kenya; To document how shelters are run in Kenya, which challenges they face and how they overcome these challenges; To assess the need and suitability of expanding the establishment of shelters in Kenya, taking the socio-cultural context into consideration; To identify potential opportunities and gaps for establishing shelters in Kenya, including the national legal framework; To explore a set of minimum standards for the set up and management of shelters suitable for the Kenyan context, considering aspects of security, health and sanitation, support services provided, accompanying children, exit policies, and other elements identified in the assessment process; and To, based on the findings of the above, give recommendations on how the Government of Kenya together with its partners best can expand the establishment of shelters to ensure that people are safe and secure from abuse and violence. Under the close guidance of the UNIFEM GBV programme analyst, and overall support from UNIFEM Kenya and Regional Office, the consultant will produce the assessment report. The consultant will contact and visit various shelters, including government run children homes, community run, or those run by faith based organizations or others. Various other stakeholders are expected to participate in the assessment, to ensure that all needs and conditions are considered. As such, the consultant will identify key informants, conduct the research and desk review, conduct interviews and facilitate meetings. The following deliverables will be expected: An inception report detailing the exact methodology, a road map and a time frame for delivery after 2 days of the assignment; A draft assessment report; A final assessment report, including a list of all protective mechanisms currently operating in Kenya; Oral and written presentations on the draft and final assessment reports, presenting the findings of the assessment to the UNIFEM management; and; Oral and written presentation of the final findings presented in the stakeholder forum.
Competencies
Thorough understanding of gender, human rights and development, especially with regards to gender based violence; Proven research experience; Experience in leading an assessment and managing assessment missions; Demonstrated ability and excellent communication skills to facilitate and coordinate interviews and focus group discussions; Experience with working with various stakeholders including civil society, government institutions, and international organizations; Proven knowledge on Kenya civil society, and women's situation in Kenya.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Master Degree in Gender/women's studies, social science, development, or a relevant field; Experience: At least 5 years of work experience in evaluation or research in development or post-conflict recovery setting. Work experience with gender based violence issues is a strong asset; Languages: Fluency in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili an advantage; Full computer literacy is expected. Applications should be submitted on line and must include the UNIFEM Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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