Individual Consultant to update study on the protection needs of youth, specifically concerning gender-based violence in Ministry of Education and Higher Education certified formal vocational and technical schools.

Official Job Title:

Update study on the protection needs of youth, specifically concerning gender-based violence in Ministry of Education and Higher Education certified formal vocational and technical schools.

Duty Station

Lebanon, UNFPA Office

Hiring Office

UNFPA Lebanon

Grade (Classified)

NOB       

Vacancy Ref #

UNFPA/LBN/2023/05

Duration

Two months

Start-up Date

11 June until 7 August 2023

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every

childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young girls to lead healthy and productive lives. Since UNFPA started working in 1969, the number and rate of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are smaller and healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than before.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound human rights violation with major social and development impacts for survivors of violence, as well as their families, communities, and society more broadly. Addressing GBV contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, namely achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, reducing poverty, improving health, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, etc.…

UNFPA Lebanon promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment, and the prevention and protection against GBV. The Directorate General of Vocational and Technical Education (DGVTE) is one of the Directorates of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon which provides vocational and technical education to the students through a network of technical institutes and schools covering the entire territory of Lebanon. The DGVTE administers both public and private VTE schools and is committed to addressing GBV in schools and promoting a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, especially youth. To effectively prevent and respond to GBV in schools, it is important to understand the protection needs of youth and how to meet those needs. Therefore, UNFPA in consultation with DGVTE will engage a consultant to update a study conducted by UNFPA in 2018 which assessed the protection needs of youth, specifically concerning GBV in a number of certified formal vocational and technical schools (VTE) affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE). The objective of the assignment is to build on the previous study, expand its geographical and technical scope while assessing the protection needs of youth specifically concerning GBV. The study will identify the types, prevalence, and impact of GBV on youth, and will examine the policies, practices, and services that exist to prevent and respond to GBV in (VTE) schools. The study will also provide recommendations for improving the protection of youth in (VTE) schools, with a focus on addressing GBV.

The findings of the updated study will serve as a baseline to developing the VTE schools GBV Standards Operating Procedures which will be rolled out among MEHE-certified VTEs at a later stage.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The consultant will work under UNFPA’s supervision to carry out the following tasks:

1. Prepare an action plan with a timeline of activities to be carried out under this assignment.
2. Conduct a literature review including relevant studies, policies, guidelines, and standards related to public and private VTE schools.
3. Consult with relevant staff at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Directorate for Vocational and Technical Education to revise the scope of the study, determine the gaps in the 2018 study, and agree on additional schools (around 10 VTEs) to be targeted.
4. Describe data collection methods to be used (e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups, observation checklists, etc.) and develop relevant tools (i.e., Key informant interviews with school directors and teachers, focus group discussions with students and parents, checklist for site visits to schools, etc.)
5. Collect and analyze data based on step 5 above.
6. Draft a report in Arabic and present in a technical meeting (report template to be discussed with UNFPA)
7. Finalize the report based on DGVTE and UNFPA input and comments + a PPT summarizing the methodology and key findings + recommendations
8. Present the findings during a technical/advocacy event as requested by UNFPA

Duration working schedule:

June 11, 2023-August 7, 2023

Place where services are to be delivered:

Lebanon

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

Delivery Date: August 7, 2023

All deliverables will be submitted electronically

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

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNFPA GBV programme specialist

Expected travel:

N/A

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

 The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

A. Education: master’s degree in Education, social sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Health, with previous work experience and considerable skills in conducting research studies.

B. Experience:

• At least Five years’ experience in social sciences, gender studies or related subject areas.
• Extensive knowledge in Gender/Gender- Based Violence and Vocational and Technical Schools at the national level.
• Relevant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research including data collection and analysis.
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative and ownership of the task.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective and working relations with different stakeholders.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and adhere to deadlines.

C. Language and other skills: Proficiency in oral and written Arabic and English is essential.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will support the consultant through:

• Sharing previous study
• Sharing relevant documents/reports
• Facilitating access and contact details for key stakeholders i.e. MEHE/DGVTE
• Reviewing the consultancy tools and draft report

The Directorate General of Vocational and Technical Education (DGVTE) will support the consultant through:

• Providing details regarding the certified formal vocational and technical schools (VTE) affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).
• Facilitating contact with the identified schools
• Reviewing the consultancy tools and draft report

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

N/A

Signature of Requesting Officer in Hiring Office: Nicia El Dannawi

Date: 24/5/2023

Application process and deadline:

Interested candidates may apply online by providing: 

• Most updated CV
• Updated P11 (click here)
• Cover letter mentioning the relevance of past/current experience with the requirements of the consultancy
• Mention in the email subject the assignment title and number

The above documents must be sent to bids_lbn@unfpa.org  by no later than June 5, 2023. Candidates who fail to submit the required documents above will not be considered for review. UNFPA Lebanon will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required documents above and in which there is further interest. ONLY individual consultants, not companies, are eligible to apply.

Candidates assessed by the panel and considered to be eligible for the appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same/lower grade if they meet the minimum qualifications required.