Official Job Title:

Develop Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the protection, specifically concerning gender-based violence, in formal vocational and technical schools

Duty Station

Lebanon, UNFPA Office

Hiring Office

UNFPA Lebanon

Grade (Classified)

NOB      

Vacancy Ref #

UNFPA/LBN/2024/05

Duration

28 Days over 3 months period

Start-up Date

July 1, 2024

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, among others.

UNFPA Lebanon promotes gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the prevention and protection against GBV among women, adolescent girls, and all vulnerable groups. Eliminating GBV in the education sector (formal and informal) is of utmost priority. UNFPA, in 2023, updated a study conducted by UNFPA in 2018, which assessed the protection needs of youth specifically concerning GBV in several certified formal vocational and technical schools (VTE) affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE). The updated study identified the types, prevalence, and impact of GBV on youth – with particular emphasis on girls - and examined the policies, practices, and services that exist to prevent and respond to GBV in VTE schools.

As a continuation of this activity, UNFPA in collaboration with MEHE, is planning to engage a consultant to develop Standards of Operating Procedures (SOPs) for school-related protection and GBV to be adopted by certified MEHE VTEs. The objective of the SOPs is to provide clear steps and actions to integrate gender equality and eliminate GBV risks within MEHE-certified VTEs. The SOPs will include general considerations and background on Gender and GBV integration process, the main actors to be involved, and a step-by-step guide for planning and reporting. The SOPs will be disseminated at private and public vocational schools across different governorates, hosting students between the ages of 12 and 26 years old.

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 desk review, including documents/ policies provided by MEHE and others.
3. Define the scope of the SOPs, identify the target audience, and specify coordination procedure that would take place with other governmental ministries/departments as well as concerned civil society actors.
4. Review of existing legislations relevant to the education sector in terms of protection, GBV, and gender equality.
5. Develop tools for data collection.
6. Consult with relevant staff at MEHE, namely the Directorate of Vocational and Technical Schools, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, relevant Parliament committees, UN agencies, civil society.
7. Develop the draft SOPs based on the above consultations and literature review.
8. Share the draft SOPs with MEHE and UNFPA for review.
9. Validate and finalize SOPs based on provided feedback, input, and comments.
10. Participate in technical/launching SOPs events.

Duration working schedule:

July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Place where services are to be delivered:

Lebanon

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

Delivery Date: September 30, 2024

All deliverables will be submitted electronically

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work guided by the Head of Office/OiC and 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, line ministries, UN and NGOs
• 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