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Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW)/JHRA Project

Afghanistan’s justice system faces extraordinary challenges. Justice sector infrastructure has often been destroyed or damaged by fighting or decay during the years of conflict; a large number of Afghanistan’s court houses are in need of construction or rehabilitation. Legal professionals are very often the victims of violence by insurgent groups who target them as agents of the state; threatening of justice officials, particularly in the less secure regions of the country is absolutely commonplace, and assassinations are very common. Corruption is a constant concern; judges and other justice system officials are poorly paid, justice system capacity to prosecute corruption is very limited, and corruption is perceived as rampant both within and outside the justice system. The Government of Afghanistan (GoA) and international community are concerned about bolstering the credibility of the “formal” justice system, recognizing that Afghanistan’s traditional justice system plays a major role in resolving conflicts yet does so at times in violation of national and international human rights obligations, particularly the rights of women.
Following continuous engagement in supporting Afghanistan’s justice sector since 2002, UNDP Afghanistan’s justice sector support has now entered a new phase. The Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan (JHRA) Project draws on the lessons learned through previous UNDP justice projects– Strengthening the Justice System of Afghanistan (SJSA), Access to Justice at District Level (AJDL) and Justice and Human Rights Phase I.
 
The 1st phase of JHRA Project was implemented from June 2009 - 30 June 2012. The project was designed to support the achievement of the priorities and benchmarks on human rights, rule of law and justice as highlighted in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and the Afghanistan Compact. The JHRA project worked to improve access to justice at the national and provincial levels in Afghanistan. Programmatic interventions were undertaken by using human rights based approach that simultaneously strengthened citizens’ capacity to claim their rights and enhanced the capacity of justice delivery system actors to deliver justice in compliance with the rule of law and human rights standards. The Project activities included raising awareness through training of justice officials and community members including school teachers and students, and the general public and villages throughout 11 districts in Afghanistan. It also engaged with the rehabilitation of district justice facilities providing emergency infrastructure works and basic equipment so facilities can function. At the national level, the project assisted the three national justice institutions including; the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Supreme Court (SCt), and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in strengthening their capacity so as to be able to better contribute to the justice reform process and the realization of human rights in Afghanistan.
The new phase of JHRA, Phase II was initiated in January 2013. JHRA Phase II will leverage on the work undertaken in Phase I and deepen the interventions at the national level and provincial levels and attempt to work across the justice sector, involving the rule of law service providers. The JHRA phase II project represents one component of overall strategic support, and will contribute in particular to the Afghan National Priority Plans (NPP) on Justice (draft NPP 5) and Human Rights (NPP 6). It will seek to increase trust in Afghan justice institutions as the necessary foundation and prerequisite for the re-establishment of State legitimacy and the social contract between the Afghan population and the State. Without trust there is no State legitimacy and no social contract; without social contract it is impossible for a Government to guide a country through transition/transformation without conflict. The project assumes a comprehensive approach to trust building composed of increasing service delivery and access to justice and security, in particular for the vulnerable groups, combined with the facilitation of the necessary political leadership; and balanced with structural and institutional mechanisms and safeguards to ensure sustainable transition and development. Similarly, support to justice sector service providers is balanced with support to ordinary people who would normally not be able to circumvent the current justice institutions and its mechanism to access justice, accountability, gain confidence in the formal justice institutions and gain trust in the State.

JHRA Phase II has four project outputs:
  • Output 1: High-level coordination mechanisms for developing policy and legislation in accordance with international and national standards are established and functional in State justice institutions.
  • Output 2: Mechanisms for providing quality access to justice services to vulnerable groups are established and functional.
  • Output 3:    Public participation processes and knowledge base for improving access to justice and human rights compliance established.
  • Output 4:    Project Support Unit: Internal oversight, monitoring and evaluation capacity in place.
The JHRA Phase II project output 2 includes working with the Special Unit on violence against women (EVAW Units) at the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in Herat and other provinces in Afghanistan.  The EVAW Unit was established in 2010 to specifically investigate and prosecute cases of violence against women and provide information to the victims. The EVAW units were created as per the EVAW Law.
Therefore before activities are undertaken by the project, a study will be undertaken to help JHRA to identify capacity development support that maybe provided to the prosecutors and other agencies under the EVAW law. An international consultant will be recruited for this purpose who will be undertaking a needs assessment study on the Special Elimination of Violence Against Women Units (EVAW) which is based at the Attorney General’s Office. The study will focus on an in-depth study of the EVAW unit in Herat. The Consultant during the first week of discussion with the JHRA, Ministry of Justice (MOJ), AGO may decide to travel to other provinces in addition to Herat.
The Consultant will report directly to the Component 2, Access to Justice Specialist and coordinate closely with the Chief Technical Advisor and National Project Manager where necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of study:
Background of EVAW Units:
 
In order to provide a means of more effectively prosecuting violators of the Elimination Against Violence Against Women (EVAW) law, the Violence Against Women Unit (VAW Unit) was established within the AGO in March 2010 to respond to Afghanistan’s commitments under the CEDAW and under the Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. By actively prosecuting crimes against women, Afghanistan’s highest prosecutorial body asserts its commitment to increasing women’s access to justice and to prosecuting those who commit crimes against women and/or who violate women’s rights under the law. In this way, the VAW Unit serves to facilitate prompt justice and accountability for women and those who perpetrate crimes against them. The VAW Unit in Kabul is currently staffed by 11 prosecutors, who have all received specialized training to conduct their duties in providing gender justice. A second VAW Unit opened in Herat in April 2011, followed by eight new provincial VAW Units in Balkh, Kapisa, Kunduz, Parwan, Paktia, Nangarhar, Bamyan and Badakhshan provinces. Although these new offices were expected to significantly strengthen the legal redress available to women who have been victims of violence and abuse, ongoing capacity constraints coupled with cultural norms and sensitivities toward women continue to impact the VAW Units in the provinces.
 
Objective of study:
 
The primary objectives are:
 
To study the critical areas, functions and the ongoing work of the Special EVAW Units in Herat and other provinces at the AGO and identify gaps. This should include a mapping of ongoing activities, partnerships, training programmes etc. and identify the areas of engagement for JHRA project while working with the justice providers at the provincial levels on elimination of violence against women.
 
Methodology for the study:

The methodology should be wide ranging, consultative and participatory, entailing a combination of comprehensive desk reviews, analysis and interviews. While interviews are a key instrument, all analysis must be based on observed facts to ensure that the assessment is sound and objective. On the basis of the foregoing, the consultant will further elaborate on the method and approach in a manner commensurate with the assignment. The key inputs to the assessment should be as follows:
  • An inception report outlining the consultants’ understanding of the task and the proposed methodology to undertake it;
  • Desk review of relevant documents (policy documents, reports, data already available). Also  both quantitative and qualitative data maybe reviewed in relation to the work of the EVAW units in order to identify areas of improvement/enhancement, with a particular focus on the one of Herat, and provide with final recommendations on the way forward.
  •  Interviews with key stakeholders (staff at AGO, Department of Women Affairs donors, civil society organizations, Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission,  UN Agencies, other relevant justice sector actors at the national and provincial levels etc.)
  • Field visits: to Herat and other provinces based on discussions with the AGO, MoJ and JHRA.
Participatory techniques and other approaches for gathering and analyzing data should be paramount in the assessment. The Methodology of the assignment must show that the assessment is a set of activities and not a solution. In addition it must define desired capacities through assessing capacity assets and strengths, needs and gaps that will be used to design a framework for capacity support strategy to the EVAW Unit in Herat and other provinces.
 
The qualitative assessment of the work of the EVAW in terms of its efficiency in dealing with cases of violence against women and therefore its impact on the lives of women, e.g. how many cases are reported to the EVAW unit (and what is the mechanism used for reporting); how many cases are actually prosecuted; how many cases are finally brought in front of the court and the sentences produced; What is the assistance, if any, provided to women during the proceeding maybe documented in-depth for the case of Herat.
 
Expected results of study
 
One comprehensive report will be developed which will include a situational analysis and needs assessment study on the Special Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Units, based at the Attorney General’s Office and in-depth study of the EVAW unit in Herat and other provinces.
 
Duties and responsibilities:
 
Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work:
 
The scope of this assignment is limited to the Special EVAW Unit at the Attorney General’s Office, yet should be able to document the areas of engagement for JHRA project while working with the justice providers at the provincial levels on elimination of violence against women.
The assignment shall look at all critical areas and functions of the Special EVAW Units at the AGO and identify gaps.
The study should analyse the ongoing work on EVAW at the AGO’s and the Special EVAW Units at the provinces, especially Herat. This should include a mapping of ongoing activities, partnerships, training programmes etc. The details of the trainings materials are to be analyzed.
Strategies and activities must be identified which will also help JHRA to develop its niche area for assistance to the Special EVAW units and AGO for receiving of cases, addressing complaints of women who are victims of violence or who are at risk of being subject to violence; summoning offenders, suspects, witnesses; investigating complaints; prosecuting cases of violence against women from the initial complaint to final resolution of case.
Based on this analysis a set of strategies, activities, partnerships and capacity development programmes must be developed so that JHRA and its partners can undertake for its project areas including introduction of capacity development programme into the prospective National Legal Training Centre which is in discussion in Herat. Identify and elaborate on a clear training plan for joint trainings for prosecutors, family response units, huqoq officials at Department of Justice, judges, lawyers, Department of Women’s Affairs and police so that these joint trainings can also help in coordination. It is important to consult with all relevant stakeholders and donors that have already provided or are in the process of providing trainings to all actors involved in the justice sector in order to avoid any overlapping.
The detailed workplan will be discussed in Kabul, Herat and other provinces with key stakeholders. At the end of the assessment, these will be presented at a workshop in Kabul and Herat.
The assignment shall be comprehensive and consultative and involve both national and international stakeholders which will assist the JHRA project to take the discussions forward for future interventions.
 
Key deliverables
  • Workplan to be provided within one week of the assignment.
  • Provide a list of participants for two workshops to be organized by JHRA staff in Kabul and Herat based on discussions with stakeholders.
  • Provide one comprehensive report on situational analysis and needs assessment study on the Special Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) Units, based at the Attorney General’s Office and in-depth study of the EVAW unit in Herat.

Competencies

Competencies:
  • Knowledge of elimination of violence against women strategies implemented by government institutions.
  • Experience of working with prosecutors, judges and lawyers.
  • Experience working with elimination of violence against women at country based levels and international levels;
  • Experience in projects and programmes related to elimination of violence against women is desirable;
  • Demonstrated ability in developing reports based on interviews, legal research and observations.
  • Demonstrated ability to interact with decision-makers and beneficiaries to develop productive partnerships and excellent networking skills;
Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Project implementation experience with the UN system a strong asset;
  • Strong organizational and reporting skills;
  • Results oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills;
  • Ability to work independently;
  • Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
  • Strong managerial competency;
  • Ability to establish substantive professional relationships with all stakeholders;
  • Familiarity with post-conflict environments is an asset.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Ability to provide top quality policy advice;
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
  • Good interpersonal and diplomacy skills that allow for working productively as part of a larger team;
  • Ability to use critical thinking, conceptualize ideas, and articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
  • Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  
  • Master`s degree or equivalent in Law, gender studies, International Development Studies or other relevant field.  
Experience:  
  • At least 5 years of relevant national/international working experience in international development sector especially working in the justice sector;
  • In-depth knowledge of capacity development programming on elimination of violence against women;
  • Knowledge and experience of working on human rights and justice is highly desirable;
  • A range of experience in the United Nations, a governmental, other multilateral and/or civil society organization in a developed or developing country highly desirable.  
Language Requirements: 
  • Excellent knowledge of English and ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English; working knowledge of Dari is a strong asset. 
FC: 30000
 
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=36770