FGM Policy Consultant in Somaliland - UNFPA

[Admin]

United Nations Population Fund – Somalia CO

TERMS OF REFERENCE
FGM/C Policy Consultant

Consultancy Title: FGM/C Policy Consultant
Type of Contract: Special Service Contract (SSA),
Duration of contract: Three months from the date the consultancy is awarded
Duty Station: UNPA Nairobi with extensive planned missions into Somaliland

Background

UNFPA Somalia has in the past five years supported activities towards the abandonment of FGM/C both at the community level and policy level. This policy is aimed at consolidating the policy advocacy interventions to advance and enhance the policy environment toward FGM/C abandonment.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a common cultural and traditional practice in Somaliland. The forms and severity of FGM/C practices varies from one area to another: Urban/Rural and nomadic people. The practice involves the performance of clitoridectomy and infibulations or various combinations of the two. FGM/C is a life threatening health issue, human right issue and a manifestation of gender inequality It has a direct contribution to neonate and maternal mortality. FGM/C abandonment can be achieved by behavioral changes both at the individual level and in the community at large. Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MIC3) completed by UNICEF in 2006 show that the prevalence of FGM/C in Somaliland is almost universal - 98 per cent of women aged 15-49 have undergone the procedure, with 77 per cent of them subjected to the most severe form.

In Somaliland there is no national law against FGM/C, although there have been several efforts in the recent past to introduce legislation relevant to FGM. Moreover there is no national policy or strategy for the eradication of this practice. The government and many civil society organizations have initiated different efforts and outreach programs in order to encourage communities to abandon the practice.

Organized efforts to abolish FGM/C in Somaliland started early in 1975 with many programs with emphasizing on maternal health, and eradication of harmful traditional practices, including FGM/C, given high priority. The key strategies were based on a health approach, with intensified health education and training of midwives to address complications of FGM especially during child birth. Since then, many campaigns have been undertaken, aiming at abandonment of FGM/C.

Main assignment of the Consultant

The main purpose of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in developing an FGM/C Policy

More Specifically the consultant will perform the following tasks:

Document the current status of FGM/C in the country through an extensive literature review of studies, newspaper reports, legal and policy documents, analytical reports and research documents and surveys from different organizations etc.
Documentation of promising interventions and good practice on FGM/C within Somaliland and in the region with a view to informing policy recommendations (including a review of existing policies and strategies in the region from countries of similar cultural and religious background as Somaliland)
Identify policy gaps and make policy recommendations.
Methodology

The consultant will be expected to propose the most effective methodology for achieving the proposed tasks. The methodology will include

Review of studies, newspaper reports, legal and policy documents, analytical reports and research documents and surveys from different organizations etc.
Formal interviews with programme heads of, CSO’s’ and government and UN Agencies implementing FGM/C related interventions in Somaliland.
A review of the laws and legislation in Somaliland pertaining to gender and child protection and identify their adequacy or otherwise in addressing FGM/C
Conduct briefing and validation meetings for different stakeholders at different stages of the consultancy to provide feedback and get feedback on the process and the draft documents developed.
Outputs

1. An inception report upon award of the contract highlighting the following:

A detailed proposed methodology for carrying out the assignment
detailed work plan
Proposed tools for the assignment
2. A draft report highlighting key findings of the desk review by the end of the first month. The draft report will include the following:

Findings on FGM programs/interventions carried out over the past five years by different players and identifying gaps or areas where there have been no interventions.
Findings on promising interventions and good practice on FGM/C within Somaliland and in the region to form the basis for policy recommendations
Findings on key provisions of the laws and legislation in Somaliland pertaining to child protection and gender issues and their adequacy or inadequacies in addressinig issues of FGM/C(Making a case for an FGM/C specific law and policy by the end of the second month; -- Deliver a draft Zero (0) FGM policy document detailing policy guidelines; recommendations and action plan -- Organize briefing and validation meetings in Somaliland with the Government Ministries; CSOs, and other UN Agencies and in Nairobi with the GTG and GBV WG; and other UN Agencies -- At the end of the assignment produce the final FGM/C policy and action plan
Qualification and Experience

Masters Degree in Gender Studies, Social Science or Law with at least five years of experience in gender work.
Well versed on the FGM issues in the Somalia / Somaliland or in the region
Excellent report writing skills
Excellent interview and presentation skills.
Excellent analytical skills.
Competent research skills
Language: Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of the Somali language is an advantage.
Core Competencies

Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles;
Team Work/Communication/Self-Management
Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
Consultancy Fees

The consultant will be paid an agreed monthly fee based on the UNFPA approved rates for the Short Services consultancy of similar level and experience. UNFPA will be responsible and will pay all travel related expenses including DSA for Somaliland at the approved UN Rates

Special Conditions

The consultant will be expected to abide by the requisite safety and security requirements for the UN for Somalia and may require to attend certain security related briefings and training.

How to Apply:

Please send a completed UN P-11 form and curriculum vitae, marked “ FGM Policy Consultant in Somaliland” by 21st June 2011 to: UNFPA - Hargeisa, UN Common Compound or e-mail to: recruit.unfpasom@unfpa.org. UNFPA will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest. Women and Somali Diasporas are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on UNFPA please visit the site http://www.unfpa.org.