Consultancy_Conducting a stocktaking of the National Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and its Action Plan

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Consultancy Title

Conducting a stocktaking of the National Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and its Action Plan

Project

Duty Station

Beirut, Lebanon

Reports to

Executive Director (NCLW)

Duration of Consultancy

15 June 2021-15 August 2021

2. BACKGROUND

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) is Lebanon’s National Women’s Machinery and is an official institution affiliated with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. NCLW was established by law in 1998 to promote women’s rights in Lebanese society and enhance gender mainstreaming in public institutions.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a widespread problem, present in all societies and is transmitted across generations through socialization, with serious negative consequences on the psychological and physical well-being of individuals, on family relationships, and on the economic, social and political fabric of societies as a whole. VAW also perpetuates and reinforces gender inequality and discrimination and is a tremendous concern.

In February 2019, Lebanon launched the first National Strategy to Combat Violence against Women and Girls in the country, as part of a series of measures aimed at protecting women in all spheres. The Strategy and its Action Plan were initiated by the former Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs and developed in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Lebanon and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA) through a fully participatory approach. After the formation of a new government in January 2020 and the dissolution of the Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, NCLW was entrusted with the coordination and monitoring of the VAWG Strategy which covers all women in Lebanon, Lebanese or otherwise, including refugees, the elderly and people with disabilities, with the aim of realizing gender equality. The Strategy and its Action Plan are holistic, inclusive, inter-sectoral centering around the “Five Ps” of due diligence, ensuring that the state takes responsibility for prevent, protecting, prosecuting, punishing and providing redress for survivors of violence, in line with international human rights laws and instruments. Therefore, the Strategy’s proposed action plan details key interventions that ministries, public institutions and other stakeholders would need to support in combating all forms of VAWG. NCLW revised and updated the VAWG Action Plan indicators for 2019-2022 through engagement with seven relevant public entities: MoSA, MEHE, CRDP, General Security, State Security, ISF and MoPH.

Since the launch of the strategy in February 2019 to date, numerous actors have been actively engaged and involved in implementing a wide range of activities and interventions in the pursuit to combat VAWG in Lebanon and through various sectors, particularly with the evolving developments and crisis in the country. However, the lack of coordination and reporting systems on GBV prevention and response progress made by actors could undermine those achievements on the one hand and prevent scaling up interventions on the other. In parallel, the National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security was endorsed by the Government in 2019 and launched in 2020 and consists, among others, of a pillar specifically related to prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and includes key interventions aligned with the VAWG Strategy and Action Plan, some of which has been implemented, and others that are being implemented.

Based on the above, NCLW in close collaboration with UNFPA and in partnership with ESCWA is recruiting an expert that will consult with relevant actors and conduct a stock take of the VAWG Strategy and its Action Plan.

The stock take of the VAWG Strategy and its Action Plan aims to provide a high-level summary of how relevant entities (state institutions, civil society actors and key UN organizations, among others) have been implementing interventions through illustrating the level of progress made, assessing the remaining gaps, and highlighting experiences and opportunities for a more strategic engagement for combatting VAWG and advancing the status of women in Lebanon. The stocktaking report will review the legislative, regulatory, and institutional frameworks, as well as interventions implemented (at a programmatic and service levels), and will be coordinated with the monitoring and evaluation framework to serve as a baseline for future midline and final evaluations of progress/achievements made in this regard. The findings of the stock take exercise will also guide the work of different stakeholders in terms of prioritization, adjustment and implementation of remaining strategic objectives and interventions of the Strategy and National Action Plan.

3. SCOPE OF WORK: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Based on the above and under the overall guidance of NCLW Executive Director and in close collaboration with the NCLW Project Coordinator and UNFPA and ESCWA focal points, the expert will undertake the following duties:

• Carry out an inception meeting to ensure a clear understanding of the ToRs and expected outcomes and deliverables.
• Conduct a desk review of the VAWG Strategy and its Action Plan, the Women, Peace and Security NAP, as well as relevant reports and documents issued by governmental and non-governmental organizations, including those issued by Donors, INGOs and the United Nations agencies in Lebanon.
• Conduct at least 10 consultations (i.e., FGDs, KIIs, meetings) with different stakeholders such as public entities, local and international NGOs, UN agencies to get updates on interventions implemented and achievements accomplished.
• Analyze the findings and draft a report based on collected information, while highlighting achievements, gaps, needs, drawing lessons learned and providing concrete recommendations (the template of the report will be discussed with the expert once recruited and should include among other a comparative matrix).
• Share draft report with NCLW and UNFPA and ESCWA for input and feedback.
• Finalize report based on feedback received.
• Validate the report in a meeting with relevant stakeholders.

4. MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROL, INCLUFDING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, PERIODICITY, FORMAT AND DEADLINE

Final Deliverables to be submitted electronically on August 15, 2021

NCLW will ensure support as follows:

• Provide consultant with needed reference documents
• Follow up with the key stakeholders for main consultations. The consultation meetings will be organized by NCLW and facilitated by the expert.
• Ensure all logistical preparations for consultations are met and provided.
• The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of NCLW. in consultation with UNFPA and ESCWA focal points.

5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

1. Education: Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or another relevant field.
2. Experience:

• Strong understanding of GBV and VAWG programming and principles.
• Practical knowledge relevant to policies and strategies, especially those related to gender equality and GBV/VAWG.
• At least 7 years’ experience in GBV/VAWG research (both qualitative and quantitative).
• Knowledge and skills in monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with governmental and non-governmental entities in Lebanon is essential.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong writing and communication skills.

3. Language and other skills: Proficiency in oral and written English, Arabic is required.