Gender and Justice Consultant

Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka’s Flagship Portfolio on SDG16- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions brings together inclusive governance and peacebuilding work under one umbrella. The Portfolio is implemented by UNDP as part of its Country Programme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework and enables the provision of cohesive and integrated support to the Government of Sri Lanka.

Under this portfolio, UNDP in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a comprehensive Justice Reform Programme (Programme) supported by the European Union. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the justice sector in Sri Lanka and will be implemented in close consultation and partnership with key justice sector stakeholders including the Judicial Service Commission, Ministry of Justice, Attorney General’s Department and Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka, academia, professional bodies and civil society organizations.

Sri Lanka’s justice system faces myriad challenges with respect to effectiveness and efficiency. These challenges range from systemic delays in the disposal of cases to serious weaknesses in the quality of justice delivered to certain categories of litigants, specifically women and children. Further, despite progress in social indicators, the general public largely remains ignorant and unaware of their rights and of the redressal mechanisms available through formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms. Such issues of access to justice heightens the gender inequalities resulting gender discriminations and exclusion of women in their right to access justice.

In 2019, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) published “Women Wellbeing National Study” has alarming data: ever partnered women experienced Physical violence 18.9%, Sexual violence is 6.8%, Psychological violence is 27.9%, Economic violence 18.1%. Overall, one in five Sri Lankan women have experienced more than one form of violence in their lifetime and all forms of violence was highest among younger women. 19.1% Women experienced controlling of their behavior and 14.6% women who faced violence attempted suicide. As per the children of the women who faced violence, 4.5% children dropped out of school, and 21.2% complained of nightmares. There is little trust in the justice and law enforcement system among the public, with limited reporting (between 4% and 10%) of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence cases to the authorities (UN Women, 2016).

The JURE Programme has an overall objective to contribute to a more independent judiciary and an improved and responsive justice system in Sri Lanka. The Programme has three specific outcomes : 1: Improved access to justice for all (in particular women, the poor and persons in vulnerable situations), 2: Improved accountability, transparency and credibility of the justice system and 3: Improved efficiency and quality of justice.

In order to ensure effective implementation of the gender equality and women empowerment component, a Gender Action Plan has been developed for this project. At present, UNDP is seeking the services of a gender consultant to ensure effective implementation of the GAP of JURE and closely monitor and report the progress.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

Key Objective: The key objective of this assignment is to effectively implement the Gender Action Plan (GAP) of the JURE Programme in close collaboration with the multiple stakeholders who are part of the project.

The JURE Programme aims at close collaboration with the justice sector institutions and key stakeholders involved in the sector.

Specific Objectives:

To develop a detailed operational plan with specific timeline for the implementation of the GAP of JURE (the outcome of the round table thematic dialogue on Access to Justice and SGBV is to be closely referred along with the GAP approved by EU)
To effectively and timely implement the operational plan with multi stakeholder participation and in close collaboration with UNICEF to ensure achievement of the outputs in the GAP and report progress
To provide technical input when and where necessary for the effective implementation of JURE project and ensure mainstreaming the cross-cutting component of gender equality and women empowerment in all three outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following core tasks and ensure the deliverables within the given timeframe:

No.

Deliverable

% Out of All-Inclusive Lump Sum

Target date

Familiarize with the Gender Action Plan (GAP) of JURE and related EU strategies/reporting requirements, other JURE Programme documents to develop a GAP operational plan with a gantt chart that specify time frame and responsibilities. The operational plan needs to incorporate the recommendations made at the round table policy dialogue on “Access to Justice and SGBV”.

Operational plan on JURE GAP implementation for endorsement by UNDP and EU.

10%

July 2022

Conduct participatory gender capacity assessment of key justice sector institutions and develop a comprehensive gender competency development plan with specific time frame and outputs.

Justice sector capacity development plan with institution specific gender competency building curricular.

20%

September 2022

Effective implementation of the capacity development plan involving outsourced resource persons/institutions as suitable.

A database of the resource panel with details of their area of expertise.
Capacity development programme with agenda and session details/curricular.
Detailed reports on the delivery of the capacity development programme with recommendations for follow up.

30%

November 2022

In collaboration with the JURE project team, support in the operationalizing of the cabinet approved National Policy and Strategic Action Plan on Legal Aid in a gender responsive manner.

SoP on gender responsive legal aid provision.

20%

December 2022

Conduct awareness raising on specific rights, entitlements/obligations of right holders with specific focus on women and girls.

A broad-based awareness plan developed in collaboration with identified CSOs to promote awareness raising on rights/entitlements of rights holders especially women and girls.
A comprehensive impact level report on the capacity building and awareness raising conducted by CSOs collaboration with recommendations.

20%

January – March 2023

May 2023

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Gender and Justice consultant of JURE Programme will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist and will work closely with the Policy Specialist and Team Leader of the Inclusive Governance Team and Gender Specialist UNDP.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

The assignment duration would be June 2022 – June 2023 (maximum 150 days across the entire duration).

Competencies

Atleast 5 years experience in providing independent technical advisory services/implementation support to gender and access to justice related projects
Experience working with and supporting the gender work of state institutions, especially the Ministry of Women and Child Development/or justice sector institutions
Skill in gender competency plan development and delivery / gender auditing.
Strong analytical skills on gender equality

Required Skills and Experience

A degree/ post graduate in gender studies, social sciences, development studies, law or related field with a minimum of five experience in providing project management support and administrative support on gender.

Others:

Strong diplomatic skills and capacity to build and maintain partnerships with a number of stakeholders (UN Agencies, Government entities, other development partners and the private sector).
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and other web-based software.
Experience in compiling reports, support to the development of audio-visual and print materials.
Strong spoken and written English skills with fluency in Sinhala/Tamil.
Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also works independently.

Language Requirements:

Fluency and writing skills in English with Sinhala/Tamil.