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National Consultant to conduct analysis on the GBV essential policing services in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka

  • Organization: UNWOMEN - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
    • Criminology, Extremism, Police Affairs and Anti-Corruption
    • Gender-based violence
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

UN Women, UNICEF, and UNFPA are working jointly towards strengthening prevention and response mechanisms to tackle GBV, specifically on strengthening GBV response mechanisms, i.e. essential services  that have been disrupted during the COVID-19 crisis. GBV essential services are defined as lifesaving vital services provided by health, police, justice, and social welfare service providers.   The three UN agencies are planning to conduct analyses of how the pandemic has disrupted these       services, and to gain a more in-depth understanding of the availability and quality of essential services for GBV survivors as well as new needs that emerged from the COVID-19 crisis.  

Essential services can diminish the losses experienced by women, children, families, and communities in terms of productivity, school achievement, public policies, and budgets, and help break the recurrent cycle of violence. Moreover, delivering GBV essential services also plays a key role in poverty reduction and development and efforts to achieve the newly agreed 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (UN Women, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, & UNODC, 2015a).

The GBV essential services assessment can provide an in-depth understanding of available services for women, children and girls including adolescents who have experienced GBV, and in identifying specific aspects of service quality that can be improved or strengthened. It can also provide information on strengths, where better services are being provided and factors influencing the quality of essential services for GBV survivors.

A GBV essential service assessment methodology has already been developed through joint effort of the three UN Agencies, and is aligned with the Essential Service Package (ESP) for Women and Girls subject to violence, developed through the UN Joint Global Programme in 2015. The ESP is available online.   This GBV Service Assessment Methodology aims to guide the scope and process of a rapid assessment of governmental and non-governmental GBV Services in Bangladesh.  It consists of a detailed methodology, research questions and mapping tools      for essential service assessment in the health, police, justice and social service sector.     

Each UN agency will take the lead in conducting analysis of a specific service sector and eventually combine all assessments to provide a comprehensive picture. As part of that, UN WOMEN            is seeking a national consultant to conduct the analysis of one of the core services --      policing services in Dhaka and selected districts.

The analysis is expected to delve into:

- Institutional capacity of police in terms of prevention, safety and protection, initial contact, pre-trial processes, assistance and support, communication and information and coordination.

- Barriers to accessing policing services especially in the Covid-19 pandemic world.

- Analyze gaps in GBV policing services in Dhaka in line with available national and international frameworks to guide policing of GBV

Service delivery should be assessed based on 9 key characteristics (UN Women et al., 2015a): 

a. Availability

b. Accessibility

c. Adaptability

d. Appropriateness

e. Prioritize safety

f. Informed consent and confidentiality

g. Effective communication and participation by stakeholders in design, implementation, assessment 

h. Data collection and information management

i. Linking with other sectors and agencies through coordination

In addition to the above project, and to respond to the urgent needs of women and girls who are at risk of increased GBV during lockdown response to the pandemic, UN Women, under the framework of the UN Joint Global Programme on Essential Services, and in partnership with UNODC and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), have developed a handbook on gender-responsive police services for women and girls subject to violence. The Handbook on Gender-Responsive Police Services for Women and Girls Subject to Violence. is based on and complements existing global and country-specific handbooks and training materials for law enforcement. Bangladesh is one of the countries for the piloting of handbook. The Handbook guidance primarily targets police middle manager’s (PMM) across the policing organisation including in areas of training and education.

UN Women intends to roll out the handbook and two sites need to be identified to effectively piloting the handbook. A gap analysis is therefore needed for these specific pilot/s sites to have an in depth understanding of the specific context of these sites and identify the gaps that will then inform the contextualization of the handbook.

II Objectives:

The key objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of the available police services for GBV survivors including children and women, and in identifying specific aspects of service and/or its quality that can be improved or strengthened. The COVID-19 pandemic will be a critical consideration on assessing these services and what new needs emerged as a result of the pandemic context. The analysis would serve as a comprehensive report that spotlights on areas within the policing continuum that require strengthening, in the overall prevention and response mechanisms to tackle GBV to provide multi sectorial and 360 degrees support to women,      girls and children.  It will indicate potential points of engagement between various stakeholders such as the UN agencies, government, civil society, media, private sector, and others with law enforcement authorities to effectively curb gender-based violence in the community and respond swiftly and efficiently when incidents do occur.

It should include specific directives for essential policing services which constitute prevention, safety and protection, initial contact, pre-trial processes, assistance and support, communication and information and coordination. The study will look at whether services are provided responsibly, following ethical guidelines to ensure no one is made more vulnerable, and further risks of GBV are eliminated. Thus, the analysis report will serve as status-quo reference of the GBV related policing in Dhaka, opening room for further engagement with police to provide GBV services first at national level, and possibly at sub-national and local levels in the future, based on initial findings and availability of funds.

The second objective of the consultancy is to conduct a Gap analysis of GBV policing services in two of the pilot sites that will be identified by the Police service itself. The pilot will include one where resources, services for Victims/survivors of VAWG are already in place or being implemented, possibly a more affluent are, and another police station/district that may lack resources/services for Victims/survivors of VAWG.  This analysis will prepare much of the groundwork for the roll out of the handbook in Dhaka. 

The national consultant will also work with an International Research Consultant, hired by UNICEF, and will be directly supervised by UN Women Programme Specialist, Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) and by the task force comprised of UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective 1 (78% of assignment time) : 

Based on the already developed methodology of conducting the GBV services assessment, a quality analysis of GBV essential services relevant to policing within Dhaka District will be carried out.  It will look at overall police services including prevention, initial contact with survivor, investigation, pretrial processes and safety and protection and focus on finding gaps in delivery of these. The line of inquiry aims to check if services at each of these points meet the needs of women, children and girls including adolescents who experienced GBV, and to achieve this end, it is important to assess the current conditions of available services. The research will guide to fill any gaps within police response by identifying areas of lags/ bottlenecks, and ways to overcome them.  The researcher may use key informant interviews, document review, focus-group discussions, self-assessment survey, assessment, and planning workshops to arrive at the findings. The research questions are already available in the GBV services assessment methodology.   

Main Assessment Questions:

(1) To what extent do the policing services meet standards of care for, and fulfilment of rights of women, children, and girls, including adolescents, who have experienced GBV—based on the UN Essential Services Package 9 key characteristics? and

(2) What are the strengths, gaps and factors influencing the quality of essential services for GBV survivors that can inform concrete actions to improve for improvement or expansion that key stakeholders can address?

(3) To what extent has covid-19 pandemic impacted essential policing services and how may these be addressed? 

Assessment Checklist:

 Below is a checklist of important steps and considerations for conducting an assessment specifically of the justice and policing services for GBV survivors, drawn from the ESP Module 6 Implementation Guide (UN Women et al., 2015f):  available online; https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Essential-Services-Package-en.pdf

1. Consult with relevant justice and police stakeholders, including with survivors, where possible, following ethical and safety recommendations.

2. Assess current enabling factors :

3. Identify what legal frameworks are in place and identify the gaps and law reform needs to ensure a comprehensive legal framework for the effective delivery of quality essential justice and policing services . 

4. Identify existing joint and sector justice policies and practices, whether there are specific policies on violence against women for the justice and policing sectors and if they are linked to national policy and action plans, and whether such policies are integrated into existing justice and policing services.

5. Identify any companion procedures and protocols . 

6. Identify what resources and financing are in place and the minimum requirements for the functioning

of those services.

7. Identify the current workforce capacity and development and training approaches.

8. Identify governance, oversight and accountability mechanisms currently in place.

9. Identify the current ability of the justice and policing sectors to monitor and evaluate service delivery.

10. If there is no mapping yet available, map existing justice and policing essential services that are currently available in terms of availability, accessibility, responsiveness, adaptability, appropriateness, analyse quality and identify gaps.

Objective 2  (22% of assignment time) : 

Conduct Gap analysis in two pilot sites (yet to be identified) to enable the correct identification of what is needed and what is available in the status quo with regards to existing GBV policing services under Dhaka Division.   This  gap analysis will inform the  development a draft pilot framework of the Police Handbook for roll out in Bangladesh. The analysis will compare the conditions of GBV related services across two pilot sites, one where resources, services for Victims/survivors of VAWG are already in place or being implemented (possibly in a more affluent area) and another police station/district that may lack resources/services for Victims/survivors of VAWG.  This analysis will prepare the groundwork for the roll out of a police handbook in Dhaka.  

IV. Payment Milestone Linked with deliverables:

Respective deliverables and documents will be reviewed by UN Women before processing any payment. 

Payment schedule is as followings:

Deliverable

Deadline

Payment Milestone

Objective 1

Stage 1: Preparing for the Assessment

5 WD (by 30 May 2021)

1st Instalment- 78% of the total payment shall be paid upon submission of deliverable from 1 to 7 and all certified and cleared from UN Women Contract administrator

  1. Research Plan for the Analysis with timeline
  2. Partnerships and Key Stakeholders
  3. Approvals to conduct research with various service institutions (especially government)

 

Stage 2: Analysis and Co-Design

10 WD (by 15 June 2021)

          2. Developing the Sampling Frame and identification of people to interview

         3. Testing and Finalizing the Tools

Stage 3: Evidence Gathering and Conclusions

10 WD (by 30 June 2021)

        4. Data Gathering

        5. Data Management, Analysis and Synthesis of Key Findings

Stage 4: Drafting of GBV Service Assessment Report and Recommendations & Validation

10 WD (by 15 July 021)

        6. Drafting of GBV Assessment Report

        7. Validation and Finalization

Objective 2

Stage 5: Conduct a gap assessment of essential services across the various policing districts of Dhaka

10 WD (by 30 July 2021)

 

Final Instalment- 22% of the total payment shall be paid upon submission of deliverable 08 and all certified and cleared from UN Women Contract administrator

         8. Analyze gaps in GBV policing services in Dhaka, in line with available national and international frameworks to inform the requirement for additional support/capacity building at district level.

TOTAL

45 WD

Quality assurance:  validity of research to be ensured through triangulation to maintain consistency of findings.

Duration of the assignment: 45 Days spread between May  and August  2021

Duty station: Dhaka based

Supervision and performance evaluation:

The national consultant will also work under the direct  supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist, Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) and will be working closely with the task force comprised of UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA.

DSA and Mission:

No travel outside duty station (Dhaka)  is required for this assignment.

 

Competencies

Functional Competencies

  • Proven experience in developing  research methodologies and protocols in the field of gender and GBV;
  • Experience in planning and facilitating high- level consultations, training, and participatory design;
  • Strong expertise in working with the Police Sector and in engaging with government stakeholders
  • Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research related to EVAW, conducting focus group discussion, key informant interview etc.. .
  • Familiarity and knowledge of the Essential Service Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence.
  • Previous professional experience with the United Nations, especially UN Women is an asset
  • Familiarity with the WHO Ethical standards.

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in social sciences, public policy/administration, governance, gender studies or similar OR equivalent practical experience in a police/security setting.

Technical Competencies/ Experience:

At least 08 years’ experience in issues related to gender equality and ending violence against women, and research.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include allcosts components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, only  and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the SSA in completing the assignment.The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done uponcompletion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages

Evaluation Method and Criteria:Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis-

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to thesolicitation;Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70 mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points out of 100)

Criteria-01; Academic Qualification- Max Point 15Criteria-02; Experience in the field of gender equality and violence against women- Max Point 20Criteria-03; Proven experience in developing research methodologies and protocols in the field of EVAW - Max Point 25

Criteria-04; Previous professional experience with the United Nations, especially with UN Women- Max Point 15

Criteria-05; Familiarity and knowledge of the Essential Service Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence- Max Point 25

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points (70) will be considered as technically-qualified candidate.

Interested candidates will submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. 

To be included as part of the proposal:

  • A brief expression of interest: a brief narrative presenting your suitability for this assignment ·
  • UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/ employment
  • Sample work
  • Financial proposal: Propose the daily fees (per date BDT rate * 45 days).

Only applications including all items mentioned above will be considered.

NOTE: Documents required before contract signing:

UN Personal History Form;Full medical examination and Statement of Fitness to work and travel for consultants with travel involved. (This is not a requirement for RLA contracts);Security Certificate BSAFE: EN: https://agora.unicef.org/course/info.php?id=17891Individual subscribers over 65 years of age are required to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays at their own cost and obtaining medical clearance from the UN Medical Director prior to taking up their assignment;Release letter in case the selected consultant is government official.Only applications will all items mentioned above will be considered

Note: The individual consultant who does not meet the above eligibility criteria shall not be considered for further evaluation. Necessary documentation must be submitted to substantiate the above eligibility criteria

 

Annex- 1 

  1. Annex-I (Key research areas taken from the GBV Assessment Methodology)

Standards of Essential Policing and Justice Services and Key Questions for Analysis:

The standards proposed below are the Core Elements identified in the Essential services package for women and girls subject to violence-Module 3 Justice and Policing Services (UN Women et al., 2015c)

Essential Policing and Justice Services

Core Elements

Key Questions

?ESSENTIAL SERVICE #2. INITIAL CONTACT

 

?2.1 Availability

 

  • To what extent are policing services available to every survivor regardless of her place of residence, nationality, ethnicity, caste, class, migrant or refugee status, indigenous status, age, religion, language and level of literacy, sexual orientation, marital status, disabilities or any other characteristics that need to be considered?
  1. Accessibility

 

  • ?Is access to police services available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year?
  • Are they geographically accessible? (Or where not geographically accessible, is there a mechanism in place that enables survivors to safely contact/access police services through other available means?)
  • Are they user friendly, and meets the needs of various target groups including, for example, but not limited to those who are illiterate, visually impaired, or do not hold citizen or resident status?
  • Are justice premises safe and have women and child friendly spaces?
  • Are police being free of charge and does accessing service not place undue financial or administrative burdens on the victim/survivor?
  • Are there steps taken to ensure survivors have access to needed "for fee services” (such as, medical examinations, psychological support services)?

 

2.3 Responsiveness

 

  • Can a survivor make a report at any time, at a location that is safe, private?
  • and limits the number of people a survivor must deal with?
  • To what extent do policy and practice reflect the survivor-centred approach and principle of informed consent (i.e., especially in determining whether or not to proceed with an investigation or court process and not be punished for failing to cooperate when her safety cannot be guaranteed)?
  • Are there trained service providers being available to assist and support the victim in filing her complaint?
  • Are the police meeting a VAWG survivor non-judgmental, empathetic and supportive; proceed in a manner that prevents secondary victimization; listens to her story; responds to the survivor's concerns but is not intrusive, and ensures the survivor's privacy is maintained?
  • Are girl survivors able to express their views and concerns according to their abilities, age, intellectual maturity and evolving capacity?

?ESSENTIAL SERVICE #3. INVESTIGATION

 

3.1 Cases of violence against women are given high investigation priority

 

  • Are there policies and procedures to immediately commence a survivor sensitive investigation and ensure that reports are immediately investigated and followed up?
  • Are there mechanisms to ensure police actions taken do not cause further harm and that survivors are not asked to wait to make a report, or be in any other way impeded in their effort to bring their case to the attention of justice authorities?
  • Are there mechanisms to ensure that suspects are arrested as soon as practicable, and that suspects are required to submit to measures implemented for the protection of victims?

3.2 Survivor

medical and

psycho-social needs are addressed

 

  • To what extent does the police response during initial investigation focus on the survivor's needs, keeping in mind the physical and mental trauma she has experienced, and her medical and social needs? (e.g., justice service providers respond appropriately to problems that require immediate medical response; justice service providers facilitate access to medical assistance and medico-legal examinations)

3.3 Relevant information and evidence is collected from the victim/ survivor and witnesses

 

  • Is a victim statement taken promptly, and in a professional, non-judgmental, and victim sensitive manner?
  • Is the medico-legal examination conducted and documented a timely and gender sensitive manner?
  • Is all available evidence that can lend credibility to the allegation collected and is it collected in a respectful manner that maintains the dignity of the survivor?
  • Is the crime scene viewed, investigated, and protected to preserve evidence?
  • Are investigations working with girl survivors tailored to the unique requirements of the age of the girl (e.g., interview rooms and interviews are child friendly, procedures are child sensitive, the non-offending parent/guardian is involved, victim support services are age appropriate, and confidentiality is maintained)?
  • Are witnesses and other persons who may have relevant information identified and interviewed as soon as practicable (i.e., make every attempt to corroborate the victim/survivor's statement)?

 

3.4 A thorough investigation is conducted

 

  • Is a thorough investigation conducted to ensure that the suspect is identified, interviewed and when appropriate, arrested?
  • Is there a thorough and well documented report that details investigations conducted, and actions taken?

?3.5 Professional accountability is maintained throughout the investigation

  • ? To what extent is there organizational accountability established and maintained throughout the investigation process e.g., ?the organization ensures that someone is assigned to the case, ensure investigations are thorough and meet evidentiary requirements, ensure services are delivered to meet the survivor's needs?
  • Is there a transparent and accountable complaint management system is in place to address service complaints?

?4.7 Victim / survivor centered, empowerment oriented and rights based pre-trial processes

  • ? To what extent are the service providers aware of and do they practice survivor-centred approach (e.g., are non-judgmental and supportive. survivors have a safe environment, full participation, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, ?respect their dignity and integrity and minimize intrusion into their lives.)

4.8 Readiness for trial

 

  • ?Are there mechanisms to ensure coordination of all key service providers (police, health care providers, etc)?

 

?4.10

Special considerations for victims / survivors who are suspected or accused of criminal behaviour

  • ?Where there are signs that the suspect may be a victim/survivor of violence against women, are there policies and procedures to ensure that evidence gathering ?appreciates the context of the violence she has experienced, for example, evidence that may support a self-defense claim?
  • Are there mechanisms to ?perform a psychological examination to determine the mental state of the suspect?
  • Are considerations made for vulnerabilities of suspects that are survivors of VAWG?

?ESSENTIAL SERVICE #8. SAFETY AND PROTECTION

8.1 Access to immediate, urgent and long-term protection measures

  • ?Are there immediate and urgent protection measures accessible to all survivors?

8.2 Enforcement of protection measures

 

  • Is there prompt service of protection orders?
  • Are roles and responsibilities for enforcement of protection measures clearly defined?
  • Is there appropriate monitoring of protection measures?
  • Is any breach responded to immediately?
  • ?Are justice service providers held accountable for inaction in enforcement of protection measures?

8.3 Risk assessment

 

  • ?To what extent is the risk assessment supported by timely gathering of intelligence, seek survivor perspective on potential threat, and implement strategies to eliminate or reduce victim/survivor risk?
  • Are there ongoing risk assessments to identify changes in survivor vulnerability and are appropriate measures taken to ensure the victim remains safe?

8.4 Safety planning

 

  • To what extent are safety plans developed and implemented based on risk assessment?
  • Are safety plans reviewed and updated on an on-going basis?

8.5

Prioritization safety concerns in all decisions

  • Are there policies and procedures to maintain the safety of the survivor, her family and relevant others?
  • Does any decision concerning the release of the suspect or offender take into account the risk to the victim/survivor and consider her safety?

8.6 Coordinated protection measures

 

  • ?Is there a registration system for protection orders to ensure all justice service providers have quick access to the relevant information?
  • Can information be exchanged legally and safely, protecting confidentiality of the survivor?

 

8.7 Coordinated protection and support services

 

  • To what extent are there integrated protocols and effective referral networks to arrange and supervise emergency measures?
  • Are there coordinated efforts to develop standards for referral services?
  • Are there support measures such as child support or alimony available to assist the survivor to safely rebuild her life?

?ESSENTIAL SERVICE: 9. SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE

 

9.1 Practical, accurate, accessible and comprehensive information

 

  • ?Is there a broad range of information, including, at a minimum a clear description of justice processes in various languages and formats to meet the needs of different groups of women?
  • Is timely information about a survivor’s case available to her, including her role and opportunities for participating in the proceedings?
  1. Legal services

 

  • Are legal services are provided by the prosecution office? Are these affordable?
  • Are administrative processes to obtain legal aid free and simple?
  • In civil, family law and/or administrative matters, are there a broad range of legal services, e.g., legal information, legal advice, legal assistance and legal representation? ?Including where survivors have been accused of, or charged with a criminal offence?

9.3 Victim and witness support services

 

  • ?What types of support services are available to survivors? E.g., psychological support, practical assistance, court preparation and support
  • Are they provided throughout the justice continuum?
  • Are support services tailored to individual survivor’s needs? e.g., child friendly support services for both girls.
  • Are the support persons professionals or trained in the complexity of violence against women and justice systems?

 

9.4 Referrals to health and social service providers

  • To what extent do justice service providers work with other service providers to develop and implement integrated protocols and effective referral networks? To
  • Are there standards for referral services?

?ESSENTIAL SERVICE: 10. COMMUNICATION

 

10.1 Simple and accessible information about justice services

  • Is there adequate and timely information on available services provided in a manner that considers the needs of various target groups?

Table 3. Essential Policing and Justice Services, Core Elements and Key Questions

 

 

 

 

 

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