WRAPA EU/UN WOMEN SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE PROJECT

 

Negotiating & Strengthening SGBV Protection for Women’s Rights Advocates/Marginalized Groups in FCT, Adamawa and Sokoto States

Background

The issue of gender based violence affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. This has peculiar implications for people with marginalized racial, ethnic, class, indigenous, or disabled status. Violence against women and girls is among the most widespread and devastating human rights violations in the world, but much of it is often unreported due to norms and practices that further entrench gender inequality through the culture of impunity, public shaming, and forced silence. Global statistics show that one in four women will experience a form of violence in her lifetime; yet women’s rights issues remain hugely underfunded (UN Women, 2019).

 

In Nigeria, women and girls are subject to systematic disadvantage and discrimination – particularly those who are poor, live in rural areas, and are from particular social groups. Gender inequality is manifested in violence against women and girls (VAWG), barriers to accessing quality education for girls, early marriage, poor reproductive and maternal health, and legal discrimination (particularly regarding family law). The scourge of VAWG was not overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic presently ravaging the entire world,. This situation of VAWG exacerbated during the peak period of COVID-19 Pandemic (2019-2020) and it is still presently being experienced. This human rights pandemic was dubbed the shadow pandemic as there was a spike in activities of perpetrators during lockdowns that were ordered to slow down the spread of COIVD-19. The majority of those on the front lines of the pandemic are women, there’s need to provide resources like healthcare, education and training for women. It is the responsibility of women to hold the social fabric together – be it at home, in health centers and schools, or caring for the elderly – all of this is unpaid care work which is mostly taken for granted.

 

The Nigerian Government’s response has included efforts to improve its institutional and policy framework, which include the Violence against Person Prohibition (VAPP) Act, enacted at the national level in 2015, the National Policy on the Elimination of FGM/C, the National Strategy to End Child Marriage, a Road Map and National Priority Actions to End Violence Against Children (VAC) which have been adopted and are being supported for implementation as well as several policies and frameworks for a conducive environment for women and girls’ access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services.

 

Civil society remains a key important constituency, working to hold the government accountable to deliver on rights protection. However, despite the existence of a strong feminist movement, the potential of civil society and women groups to advance women’s rights, including SRHR, has been insufficiently tapped to date due to limited coordination and capacity gaps. Through a comprehensive approach, the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria will aim to support a Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices. The vision will be realized by addressing the linkages between sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices with related aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights as a cross-cutting theme. Focus will be on prevention efforts, particularly addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and harmful practices (child marriage and FGM) against women and girls; and ensuring access to inclusive, timely, and quality services for victims and survivors.

 

The geographic scope will be vertical, supporting interventions at federal, state and community levels and horizontally across 5+1 focus states (Lagos, Sokoto, FCT, Ebonyi, Adamawa and Cross River), one per geo-political zone, based on a mixed set of criteria (including prevalence, political will, enabling environment, capacities and potential to facilitate further expansion and up scaling). The most vulnerable women and girls will be targeted.

 

Spotlight focus in Africa: Eliminate sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices (HPs), and address related aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs), in 8 Priority Countries: Nigeria, Liberia, Niger, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Mali. In Nigeria the Programme will be implemented in Adamawa, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, FCT, Lagos and Sokoto States. Interventions focus on six mutually-reinforcing programming pillars; Pillar 1: Laws and Policies, Pillar 2: Institutions, Pillar 3: Prevention, Pillar 4 : Services, Pillar 5 : Data, Pillar 6 : Women’s Movement. The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) is one of the NGOs selected by the UN Women for a Partnership with EU-UN Spotlight Initiative (SI) Programme in Nigeria. WRAPA work focus will be in FCT, Adamawa and Sokoto States, in the Component six (6) of the intervention.

 

As implementing partner of Spotlight Initiatives Phase II for the next fourteen months (), under the UN Women Agency, WRAPA will target key role players that are central to the achievement of systemic shift in VAWG/SGBV/HP in Sokoto, Adamawa States and the FCT. Interventions would be implemented in partnerships with existing partner Organizations that showed agency during the Phase I period in Sokoto, Adamawa States and FCT, to focus on building capacity of both individual and institutions, to “influence and act”, across state and non-state actors.

 

Key interventions will include strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders to advocate for, and participate in the domestication, review, the development and implementation of laws and policies on ending VAWG, including SGBV/HP and SRHR., on the use of available, accessible, acceptable, and quality essential services including for long term recovery from violence ,and enhancement of better knowledge and capacity to deliver quality and coordinated essential services, including sexual and reproductive health services and access to justice, to women and girls’ survivors of VAWG/SGBV/HP, especially those facing intersecting forms of discrimination

 

Against this background, WRAPA is looking to hire a Project Coordinator (PC), whose position is high-level executive,  recruited as an internal or external candidate, who is the lead implementation officer of the project, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the project and working with  designated existing partner Organizations that showed agency during the Phase I period. He/she will ensure quality and effective delivery of project interventions, as well as the liaison with stakeholder and beneficiary organizations /platforms in producing outcomes in line with the results framework. The Scope is WRAPA Headquarters and the three (3) Project States. The PC will ensure State based compliance by project staff and partners. He/she will work closely with the project M&E Consultant to produce detailed monthly and quarterly reports for submission to the Project Manager (PM).

 

EU/UN WOMEN SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE PROJECT

Negotiating & Strengthening SGBV Protection for Women’s Rights Advocates /Marginalized Groups in FCT, Adamawa and Sokoto States

 

PROJECT COORDINATOR (PC)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Location:                                                                     FCT

Type of Contract:                                                        Individual Contract

Post Level:                                                                   Project Coordinator

Languages Required:                                                   English

Starting Date:                                                                          2022

End Date:                                                                    ………2022

Duration of Initial Contract:                                        Months

Line Manager:                                                             Project Manager

 

 

1. Recruitment Objective

To engage a Project Coordinator who will work independently, with minimal supervision, to provide programme leadership for WRAPA contributions to Outcome 6 of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project. He/She will lead the project team to implement activities that deepen impact, scalability and sustainability of planned interventions aimed at reducing violence and harmful practices against women and girls in Nigeria. He/She will implement activities to strengthen the linkages between SGBV and HP with related aspects of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), as a crosscutting issue in the three (3) WRAPA assigned project locations of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Adamawa, and Sokoto States.

2.       Responsibilities & Tasks 2.1   Responsibilities Within the agreed terms in this contract, the Project Coordinator shall: a)       Demonstrate a thorough and in-depth understanding of the project scope and specifics; b)      Operationalize WRAPA contributions to the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in the 3 project locations; c)       Provide programme implementation leadership for project staff groups and other stakeholders; d)      Initiate due diligence documentation for recruitment, technical assistance, facilitation, partnerships; e)       Promote project visibility & issue amplification through strategic interface and networking; f)        Build & strengthen relationships with designated existing partner Organizations that showed agency during the Phase I period as well as liaison with stakeholder and beneficiary organizations /platforms in producing outcomes in line with the results framework; g)       Provide technical assistance to content development of practice tools and mechanisms; h)      Generate monthly & quarterly activity, M & E plans, reports and other team performance appraisal records a follow through from designated task matrix template; i)        Represent WRAPA at EU-UN Spotlight Initiative along with or as delegated by the Project Manager; j)        Serve as project face and liaison with other EU-UN Spotlight Initiative implementing organizations;   2      2.2   Tasks S    Under the supervision of the Project Manager and supported by Project Admin/Logisticn Support Officer, State officers & project partners; the Project Coordinator shall undertake the following tasks: a)       Generate for approval appropriate project documents including concept notes, monthly & quarterly reports, contract letters, invitations, retirements etc; b)      Coordinate the inputs of project staff & partner organizations at WRAPA and State levels;   c)       Harness and strengthen the collective agency of women & vulnerable persons networks/coalitions & platforms; d)      Lead and deliver on the development of state project database for effective coordination and synergy of interventions; e)       Lead the creation of content and mechanisms for multi-stakeholder interface on broad-based issues & targeted messaging on GEWE and VAWG/SGBV/HP/SRHR; f)        Lead identification of gaps and development of issue benchmarks to inform capacity strengthening for GEWE, EVAWG and SRHR stakeholders at state & national level; g)       Support and contribute to improving institutional monitoring of members of women’s rights CSOs, and individual advocates; h)      Coordinate high level strategic engagements with state & national duty bearers in each project state; i)        Coordinate project dialogue meetings across each State with informal social and trade groups; j)        Coordinate community-based dialogue sessions to advocate collective response; k)       Supervise and coordinate capacity strengthening for CSOs, media groups, women groups, and key populations; l)        Initiate and direct all project meetings, correspondence and logistics; m)    Any other duties as may be assigned by the WRAPA Project Manager   3. Expected Deliverables: a)       Comprehensive State specific database for effective coordination and synergy of interventions b)      Monthly process, activity plan, and reports on project interventions c)       Monthly and quarterly comprehensive project management reports d)      National, State level gaps & issue benchmarks for GEWE, EVAWG & SRHR stakeholders reports; e)       Compendium of mechanisms for multi-stakeholder interface on broad-based issues f)        Validated targeted messages on GEWE and VAWG/SGBV/HP/SRHR g)       Validated tools facilitating effective engagements, reportage and documentation h)      Knowledge management tools documenting project success, lessons & recommendations   4. Education and Personal Qualities: The successful candidate will possess all or most of the following: a)       University degree in law or the social sciences; b)      Fluency in written and spoken English. c)       At least 3 years’ experience working in the field of development, law, or research at a professional level (required); d)      Commitment, willingness and ability to work long hours (at least 90% of contract time, including evenings and weekends) in the three (3) project States, even at minimal notice; e)       In-depth understanding of the social, institutional, and political environment in the project states, including an understanding of local power structures; f)        Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel; g)       Evidence in program management and remote logistics support; h)      Positive team player with ability to maintain good relationships across diversities of culture, gender, religion, nationality, age sensitivities and a capacity for adaptability. i)        Possess Knowledge of industry best practices Guiding Principles The Project Coordinator shall: a)       Work with, and be supervised by the Project Director. b)      Carry out the responsibilities of the position in an efficient, effective, and professional manner. c)       Discharge the duties, observe and comply with all procedures, administrative regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP) of WRAPA and UN WOMEN d)      Exercise and eschew the values of due diligence, responsible work ethics, and mutual respect, due consideration, accountability and good faith in all dealings.         WRAPA shall: ·         Diligently discharge its obligations under this contract in a timely and transparent manner. ·         Extend its cooperation and support to the PC in accordance with best practice and subject to mutual considerations. ·         The parties agree that the duties and functions outlined in the TOR are not exhaustive, whereby work of a similar nature may be expected to attain the contract objective.          7. Other Matters i) Confidentiality ·         The Project Coordinator shall undertake to observe the secrecy of confidential information received from or supplied during the period of implementation of the consultancy or other agreement made pursuant thereto. ·         The Project Coordinator agrees that the provision of this clause shall continue to be binding notwithstanding the termination of the consultancy.   ii) Termination and dispute ·         Either the organization or the legal expert may for a good cause and subject to compliance with 7 days’ notice terminate this agreement. In so doing, either of the parties shall discharge all obligations of payment or work outstanding at the point of termination. ·         This ToR is governed by dispute resolution procedures as applicable in relevant Nigerian laws.   Due notice shall be given by either party of resort to any arbitration method.   iii) Interpretation ·         For purpose of this consultancy and TOR, ‘confidential information’ means any information whether prior to, during, afterwards, disclosed by WRAPA, its staff, agent, beneficiaries or services provides (the disclosing party) to the Legal expert (the receiving party) of the consultancy involving technical, policy, know how, project management and other information, data and/ or strategies in any form, including but not limited to any information which is designated in writing to be confidential or by its nature so intended.