Mehwar Center Project - Report on the Center's Progress 2009

MEHWAR CENTER PROJECT– REPORT ON THE CENTER’S PROGRESS 2009-2012, CONSULTANT

Location : Occupied Palestinian territory (Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with possibility to travel to other locations in the oPt)
Application Deadline : 12/03/2012
Additional Category
Type of Contract : SSA
Languages Required : English, Arabic an asset
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 20 March 2012
Duration of Initial Contract : 20 March - 30 April 2012 – possibility of extension

Background
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
UN Women oPt, in line with the Palestinian Authority commitment to fight Violence Against Women (VAW) as set in the National Strategy to Combat VAW, approved by the Palestinian Cabinet in January, 2011;in full partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, within the framework of the “MEHWAR CENTRE FOR THE PROTECTION AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES” project funded by the Government of Italy, is supporting the operation of the first specialized anti-violence center in the oPt working towards the adoption of human rights-based standards while offering integrated services to prevent family violence, as well as to protect and empower women and children victims and survivors of violence in the oPt. In specific, the Mehwar Center project aims to:
a)Improve physical and psychological health conditions among victims of violence hosted in the shelter;
b)Build up legal knowledge, in addition to social and life skills for protected women and minors' reintegration in the society;
c)Reduce incidence of violent behaviors against women and children;
d)Increase social engagement in the promotion and respect of women and children's human rights.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of UN Women oPt Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Women Human Rights Unit (WHRU) Project Manager, and will carry out his/her duties and responsibilities in consultation with the WHRU Technical Advisor and in partnership and coordination with the Mehwar Center Director and team, and with MoSA Director General for Family and Child Protection. The consultant will report regularly to UN Women and to Mehwar Center director.
In order to promote and increase visibility for Mehwar Center’s results in terms of combating violence against women and improving women’s enjoyment of rights in the Palestinian society, yet also to further sensitize the local community on the relevant work carried out by specialized anti-violence centers, the Report on the Mehwar Center’s Progress which will become a visibility product through a publication will highlight achievements and challenges of the Mehwar Center, as well as emerging protection issues and new developments identified through the Mehwar Center’s operation during the period 2009-2012. 
In order to produce the Report on the Mehwar Center’s Progress 2009-2012, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks, duties and responsibilities:

-Review Mehwar related reports including - yet not limited to- UNIFEM/UN WOMEN reports to the donor, Mehwar Center annual reports issued in 2007 and 2008, Mehwar/MoSA progress reports;
-Identify and propose to UN WOMEN, the Mehwar Centre and MoSA the Report outlines, identifying crucial areas of interest bringing to light achievements and challenges of the Mehwar Center, as well as emerging protection issues and new developments identified through the Mehwar Center’s operation in the period 2009-2012;
-Finalize and submit the Report outlines according to UN WOMEN, Mehwar Centre and MoSA feedbacks;
-Plan and carry out focused meetings with Mehwar team, with MoSA relevant officials and, if deemed necessary and as approved by Mehwar director, with Mehwar beneficiaries to gather relevant information to be included in the Report;
-Meet with Mehwar institutional partners, if deemed necessary and agreed upon with UN WOMEN , Mehwar Centre and MoSA;
-Work in close coordination and cooperation with WHRU Technical Advisor, with Mehwar Director and with MoSA Director General for Family and Child Protection, while ensuring to always include their feedback in drafting the Report;

-Submit to UN WOMEN first draft of the Report by 15 April 2012;
- Submit to UN WOMEN final draft of the Report, while ensuring inclusion of all reported feedbacks, by 25 April 2012;
-Ensure that the final draft of the Report is engendered and in line with international human rights standards for women’s protection;
-Perform other tasks as agreed upon with UN Women.

Key deliverables
1-First draft of Report on the Mehwar Center progress
2-Final draft of Report on the Mehwar Center progress

Competencies
CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
-Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
-Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity;

CORE COMPETENCIES:
-Ethics and Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
-Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
-Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring: Initiative-taking; coaching and mentoring ability;
-Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
-Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
-Self-management and Emotional intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control;
-Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict;
-Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of other;
 
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

-Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women's rights and related instruments;
-A proven ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and partners, including government and international organizations;
-Strong analytical, dialogue, consultation and communication skills;
-Maturity, ability to take decisions under pressure and ability to deal with matters that are politically or culturally sensitive;
-Ability to work as a member of a team;
-Demonstrated experience in timely delivering of products and in contributing to complex processes within the security sector;
-Demonstrated coordination and facilitation skills;
-Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills;
-Maturity, ability to take decisions under pressure and ability to deal with matters that are politically or culturally sensitive;

Required Skills and Experience
Education & Experience:
BA in Social or Humanistic Studies; MA in development /gender studies as an asset
Minimum three years of experience in cooperation to development projects
Sound knowledge of gender and VAW
Experience and understanding of advocacy work for human rights
Familiarity with the Palestinian context
Excellent writing skills in English
Ability to identify and gather key information upon given development project frameworks
Ability to communicate in Arabic as an asset
Submission of application:
Interested candidates must submit up to date comprehensive curriculum vitae via email to
 

or via fax 02 6280661 to UN Women, subject “Mehwar Center Project – Report on the Center’s Progress 2009-2012”, by 12th of March, 2012.