Awareness around problems associated with the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) have gained an ever – higher profile. The harmful impact widespread and illicit proliferation of small arms can have on society and particularly on the safety and security of women is now widely recognised. For the last 10 year after the agreement of the United Nations Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its aspects (UNPoA), a number of initiatives have been put in place with substantial progress made to address issues of gun violence. UNDP, other UN agencies and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) are among organizations supporting efforts to fight the problem of illegal weapons and will undertake a research to assess benefits of UN Programme of Action on Small Arms in enhancing women security and safety in Africa under the following areas: - Women, security, safety and peace
- Women and peace education
- Gender and small arms
- Preventing violence against Women.
The purpose of these Terms of Reference (ToRs) is to recruit a Policy Research Assistant (PRA) to assist a lead consultant carry-out further mapping of NGO information on gender and small arms through desk review in 5 other countries (Angola, South Africa, Central Africa Republic, Rwanda and Ghana). The PRA will also co-ordinate practical implementation of recommendations of the research in 5 (five) selected countries (DRC, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria) The expected duration of this contract is 7 months; these include four months that begin from 18th July 2011 to 17th November 2011 and an additional three months to implement recommendations of the research and conduct policy dialogue at local level (January, February and March 2012). The Policy Research Assistant will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with assignment to visit pilot sites in selected countries. South Africa has also been chosen as a lead country for the debriefing workshop and additional policy input on gender issues due to the existing capacity on community security and progress made to develop legislation in addressing women-related matters. |
The objectives of the consultancy are: - Develop a comprehensive understanding to the framework on gender and SALW according to the UNPoA, mainly at the regional, national and local level. This would be done by mapping the interventions undertaken thus far by RECs, selected countries and key NGOs as well as local government structures, based on already existing reviews and targeted interviews with stakeholders.
- Supporting policy dialogue and advocacy efforts with local governments, NGOs, Governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and UN agencies. This would be done specifically through (a) providing expertise at a round table discussion presenting research evidence and experiences of how and why UNPoA with a focus on gender and SALW matters with local authorities at the local level; and (b) writing a convincing report identifying strategic and practical entry issues for national advocacy, country-specific policy interventions and local programmes at selected pilot sites in Africa.
- Coordinate preparation of training material, tools and methodologies for implementation at pilot sites on the benefits of UNPoA to women in Africa, gender dimensions in development and its security implications to women.
Strategy and deliverables: The Policy Research Assistant will present a detailed activity plan for discussion and approval by Research Co-ordination Team (UNDP Programme Manager on Human Security, UNDP Regional Gender Specialist and the Project Co-ordinator of IANSA) at the start of the assignment. The first Phase of this project will be undertaken through research with highest possible quality of the information gathered and strive to make use of new and cutting edge mixed methods for assessing benefits of UNPoA on women’s empowerment, rights, peace, security, safety and peace education issues. The holder of this position will be directly managed by IANSA Project Co-ordinator. The Policy Research Assistant will contribute to the work of the Lead Consultant through team efforts based on some of the activities and deliverables outlined below. Phase 1 (1st August – 17th August 2011) - Coordinate preparation of methodology for mapping of IANSA member NGO capacities and document the outcomes
- Follow-up with other NGOs on exiting capacities and projects to implement UNPoA, review related documents and reports, networking and contacts
- Mission planning
- Preparation of Research Plan, questionnaire and checklists
Phase 2 (18th August – 17th September 2011) - Submission of report on mapping
- Travel on mission
- Conduct interviews, consultations, site visits and research/data gathering in South Africa
- Report/interact regularly as is required by the Project (on behalf of IANSA) as per set guidelines
Phase 3 (18th September – 17th October 2011) - Data analysis and documentation
- Assist in drafting of reports of key conclusions and recommendations
- Participate in on –line consultation and feedback from research co-ordination team – completion of update report
Phase 4 (18th October – 17th November 2011) - Assist in the preparation of a 2 days review workshop with representatives from RECs and pilot countries
- Write a working paper on selection and functioning of pilot sites based on the research recommendations
- Develop selection criteria and stakeholders analysis framework for pilot sites
Phase 5 (January, February and March 2012) - Conduct field visits and stakeholder consultation meetings at pilot sites
- Co-ordinate implementation of projects at pilot sites
- Undertake monitoring and evaluation at project pilot sites
Research Ethics and Code of Conduct To ensure the credibility and integrity of the research process, the following UN ethical guidelines will be adhered: - Independence: The researcher shall ensure that independence of judgment is maintained and that research findings and recommendations are independently presented.
- Conflict of Interest: Researchers are required to disclose in writing any past experience, which may give rise to a potential conflict of interest, and to deal honestly in resolving any conflict of interest which may arise.
- Honesty and Integrity: Researchers shall show honesty and integrity in their own behavior, negotiating honestly the research costs, tasks, limitations, scope of results likely to be obtained, while accurately presenting their procedures, data and findings and highlighting any uncertainties of interpretation within the scope of the research.
- Competence: The researcher shall accurately represent their level of skills and knowledge and work only within the limits of their professional training and abilities in undertaking research, declining assignments for which they do not have the skills and experience to complete successfully.
- Accountability: Researchers are accountable for the completion of the agreed research deliverables within the timeframe and budget agreed, while operating in a cost effective manner.
- Obligations to Participants: The researcher shall respect and protect the rights and welfare of human subjects and communities, in accordance with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights conventions. The researcher shall respect differences in culture, local customs, religious beliefs and practices, personal interaction, gender roles, disability, age and ethnicity, while using research instruments appropriate to the cultural setting.
- Confidentiality: Researchers shall respect people’s right to provide information in confidence and make participants aware of the scope and limits of confidentiality, while ensuring that sensitive information cannot be traced to its source.
- Avoidance of Harm: The Researcher shall act to minimize risks and harms to, and burdens on respondents, without compromising the integrity of the research findings.
- Accuracy, Completeness and Reliability: Researchers have an obligation to ensure that the research reports and presentations are accurate, complete and reliable. The researcher shall explicitly justify judgments, findings and conclusions and show their underlying rationale, so that stakeholders are in a position to assess them.
- Transparency: The researcher shall clearly communicate to stakeholders the purpose of the research, the criteria applied and the intended use of findings without raising expectations of the respondent.
- Omissions and wrongdoing: Where the researcher find evidence of wrong-doing or unethical conduct, they are obliged to report it to the proper oversight authority.
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| Education: - Master’s degree related to a social science and or education preferably including gender or peace education, community education, development studies, public policy, public administration, statistics or social research.
Experience: - Minimum 5 years of working experience in development studies, education, evaluation and/or social research, with at least 3 years working with developing countries and a demonstrated understanding of challenges and opportunities faced by women and girls
Submission of Applications Qualified candidates may submit their application, including: Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. |
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