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Job opportunity: International Consultancy, Adaptation of RESPECT framework in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) is seeking a consultant to facilitate the adaptation of RESPECT to Latin American and Caribbean countries through the identification, dissemination and exchange of learning on region-specific examples and experiences related to RESPECT.

Background 

Violence against women and girls is a major public health problem rooted in gender inequality, and is a gross violation of women’s human rights affecting the lives and health of millions of women and girls. Preventing violence requires concerted and sustained action across sectors of government and with civil society informed by the best available evidence on what works to prevent violence against all women and girls. To facilitate the update of evidence-based strategies, WHO, UN Women and other partners launched in 2019 the RESPECT framework. The RESPECT framework provides a technical package of seven evidence-based strategies and approaches with the best potential to end violence against women and girls, namely:

• R –elationship skills strengthened

• E –mpowerment of women

• S –ervices ensured

• P –overty reduced

• E –nvironments made safe

• C –hild and adolescent abuse prevented

• T –ransformed attitudes, beliefs, and norms

The publication of the global framework and its implementation guidance is a major step forward to facilitate the update of evidence-based policies and programs to prevent violence against women and girls in countries. A common challenge in facilitating the dissemination, implementation and adaptation of global guidance is the lack of examples from the Region, especially examples recorded in different languages, and the need to adapt global frameworks to the particularities of regional and subregional context. In response, PAHO and UN Women have designed a process to adapt RESPECT and facilitate its update in Latin America and the Caribbean through the identification, dissemination and exchange of learning on region-specific examples and experiences related to RESPECT.

Activities

Part 1: Review of published and grey literature to identify examples from Latin America and the Caribbean in line with the RESPECT framework (Q2)

  • This should include a review of Spanish, English and Portuguese literature from the Region.
  • It should include peer-reviewed and grey literature, including government reports available online, reports by UN partners and reports being developed under the Spotlight Initiative. Additional information can be obtained through consultations of country offices.
  • The examples should be categorized using the seven strategies of RESPECT. Examples from the Region should be identified in all 7 categories.
  • The seven strategies should also not be seen as silos. Successful programmes often have implemented interventions that fall across more than one of the seven strategies, and the consultant is encouraged to highlight these where applicable.
  • The examples should be categorized, to the extent possible, using the same methodology applied in the global review (e.g. promising, more evidence needed, no evidence, ineffective, conflicting).
  • Efforts should be made to ensure appropriate geographical balance of examples. Examples for all 4 subregions in the WHO Region of the Americas (North, Central, South America and the Caribbean) can be included, with preference given to examples from Latin America and the Caribbean, especially examples from LMICs.

 

Part 2: Develop draft report adapted to the Region (Q2-3)

  • The report of no more than 20 pages (excluding annexes) should target policymakers, thus be written in practical, action-oriented language with brief descriptions of specific examples from the Region and appropriate references for further reading.
  • The report should include a brief introduction to the topic of violence against women in the Region, including a brief overview of available data, as well as a brief conclusion highlighting overarching messages coming out of the review, for example, areas with research gaps/differences in the quality of evidence by strategy. The main content of the Report will be the description of the evidence/examples from the Region, categorized by RESPECT strategies. Examples of enabling environments for VAW prevention in the Region should also be included e.g. as text boxes.
  • As an annex to the report, selected examples from the Region should be summarized in stand-alone programme summaries of approx. 700 words, following the established format used for global programme summaries , including (i) a brief description of context, (ii) brief description of example/program, including what, who and how, (iii) impact of the example/program, (iv) lessons learnt, including with regards to scale up and sustainability, and (v) references for further reading, including source documents. To the extent possible, preference should be given to evaluated examples of action.
  • A draft report and draft examples/programme summaries should be prepared in English or Spanish for review by PAHO/WHO, UN Women and other partners.

 

Part 3: Design and support implementation of virtual review and capacity-building sessions on RESPECT, drawing on and adding to the examples from the draft report (Q3-4)

  • Using global materials on RESPECT as well as the draft report as the basis, design a series of virtual, multisectoral session to review draft report and start to build capacity in countries on RESPECT. The sessions should additionally create an opportunity for country exchanges on the adaptation and implementation of RESPECT, that can be expanded on in future.
  • The sessions would be organized on collaboration with PAHO, UN Women and relevant partners. They would target policymakers and program managers from priority sectors in selected countries (women’s affairs, social welfare, education, health, etc.) as well as civil society partners.
  • The sessions would briefly introduce RESPECT strategy, present known examples from the report and encourage participants to identify/exchange additional ones.
  • At a minimum, it is suggested that there would be at least two virtual sessions in 2021 (in Spanish and in English), others to be discussed as appropriate.
  • The report will be finalized following the series and can be the basis for future capacity-building.

Deliverables

1. Annotated concept note, specifying research methods, timelines, number of programme summaries and suggested workplan.

2. Draft report, including draft programme summaries.

3. Minutes of the virtual sessions on RESPECT, including a record of discussions and recommendations for additional examples to be included in the report.

4. Final report, including final programme summaries from the Region.

Requirements

  • A Master’s degree in Social Science, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Public Health, or related social sciences. 
  • At least 7 years of professional experience working on VAWG prevention, including experience in evidence-based research and policy advice.
  • Proven technical competencies and experience in working in the area of preventing violence against women/girls
  • Demonstrated experience in developing quality research involving extensive desktop review, multiple resources and country consultations.
  • Excellent knowledge of the RESPECT framework.
  • Previous work in/knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean is a requirement.
  • Experience in the development and delivery of online meetings, ideally on VAWG.
  • Fluency in English or Spanish is required. Candidates should have working knowledge of the other language. Other languages from the Region would be an advantage.

To apply

Please send before 28 May to baerbri@paho.org:

  • Updated CV(s).
  • Short cover letter: please clearly indicate (i) availability and expected timelines and (ii) daily fee.

Please also note:

- The consultancy is expected to be home-based, with regular online exchanges with the relevant teams at PAHO and UN Women LACRO. No travel is expected to be included.

- The contract should start as soon as possible. The work is expected to be completed before November 2021, if not before.

- Payment will be made based on satisfactory delivery of agreed products, as specified above. Timelines for delivery will be agreed with the selected consultant(s) in advance of contract signature.