Consultant- Violence against Women

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 180 national Member Parliaments and 14 regional parliamentary bodies. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action. 

The IPU recognizes gender equality as a key component of democracy and works to achieve the equal participation of men and women in politics. It provides support to parliaments in advancing gender equality, increasing women’s political participation and leadership, and in transforming themselves into gender-sensitive institutions that deliver on women’s rights. Combatting and eliminating sexism, harassment and violence against women in politics and in parliament are at the heart of such support.

The IPU published a first study on sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians. To deepen documentation and understanding of the issue, the IPU has started a series of regional studies. In 2018, a study on sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in Europe was carried out in partnership with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The second in the series of regional studies focused on parliaments in Africa, and was carried out in 2021 with the African Parliamentary Union (APU). The next regional study started end of 2023 with a focus on the parliaments of the Asia-Pacific region and subregions. It is carried out in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Its publication is planned at the end of 2024. Also planned is the conduct of another regional study in 2025 with related preparations starting already end of 2024.

Objectives 

The IPU is seeking applications from qualified and experienced candidates to work under the supervision of the Manager of the Gender Partnership Programme (GPP) to implement projects aimed at supporting parliaments and their members in addressing violence against women and girls in their work and combating sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament and in politics, including the regional studies described above.

Deliverables 

• Design, coordinate and implement research projects on sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament, including drafting related reports and publications and supervising research consultants; 
• Provide guidance and expertise on combatting violence against women and girls and addressing violence against women in parliament and in politics; 
• Respond to requests for support from parliaments, parliamentarians and others on means to assess the prevalence of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament and actions to address the situation; 
• Design, coordinate and implement technical assistance projects aimed at addressing discrimination and violence against women and girls, including support to capacity building, legal reforms, oversight actions and/or outreach visits, in targeted parliaments; 
• Assess needs and prepare workplans and documents for project activities (concept note, agenda, budget, speeches, outcome report); 
• Monitor and control project expenditure and oversee effectiveness toward results and participate in missions in countries for purposes of carrying out and evaluating the projects;
• Prepare activity reports and produce funding submissions to donors; 
• Organize and take part in international and regional meetings and events on violence against women and girls and violence against women in politics; 
• Organize regional and national training seminars and workshops for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on violence against women and girls and on violence against women in parliament and in politics; 
• Develop targeted initiatives for male parliamentarians to engage them in addressing violence against women and girls and on violence against women in parliament and in politics. 

Specific deliverables in 2024-2025: 

• One regional study on sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament is undertaken, published and disseminated and another one is under preparation; 
• The study on sexism, harassment and violence against women in Asia-Pacific parliaments is disseminated and its impact is promoted and assessed; 
• Response and expert advice are provided to all requests for support received from parliaments or MPs on means to assess the prevalence of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament and actions to address the situation; 
• Reforms carried out to address sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament are supported in 1 to 2 parliaments, preferably in Asia-Pacific; 
• 5 to 6 global parliamentary meetings or events on violence against women and girls and violence against women in politics are organized; 
• 4 targeted parliaments (including in Africa and Asia-Pacific) are supported in engaging in capacity building trainings, legal reforms, oversight actions or outreach visits aimed at addressing discrimination and violence against women and girls; and/or harmful practices; 
• Monitoring and evaluation are carried out for all Programme’s activities, outputs and outcomes related to the elimination of violence against women and girls and violence against women in parliament; 
• 1 to 2 activity reports including an analysis of achieved results and impact are produced every year; 
• Contribution to funding submissions is provided during the consultancy period. 

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff; UN experts and staff ; Representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations; Inter-Parliamentary assemblies and organizations; Staff of the IPU Secretariat; Researchers and academics; Journalists and media reprsentatives. 

Required experience and qualifications 

• University degree in political science or law and/or gender studies; 
• At least 10 years’ relevant professional experience in the field of gender equality and women’s rights as well as work experience in international parliamentary organisations required, with a focus on the elimination of violence against women and girls and violence against women in politics; 
• At least 10 years’ relevant professional experience in supporting parliaments required, with a focus on protecting and promoting human rights, gender equality and ending violence against women; 
• Sound experience of research in the field of violence against women in parliament required, including published work on violence against women in parliament; 
• Recent research conducted in the field of violence against women in parliament required; 
• Experience in interviewing victims and witnesses of sexism, harassment and gender-based violence in parliament required; 
• Complete fluency in English or French and working ability in both languages. Knowledge of additional languages (particularly Spanish and Arabic) required; 
• Excellent drafting skills in English or French; Proven skills in drafting reports and presenting and analysing data; 
• Knowledge of statistics and the use of research indicators; 
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, coordinate and deliver on projects; 
• Sound management and organisational abilities; good liaison, communication and negotiation skills; 
• Personal attributes of initiative, self-motivation, tact, sound judgement and a preparedness to accept responsibility; 
• Aptitude for human contacts and resourcefulness. Team spirit. Adaptability to varying working environments and conditions; 
• Political and psychological acuteness: proven experience in working with parliamentarians from different backgrounds; proven experience in interviewing victims and witnesses of sexism, harassment and gender-based violence in parliament. 

Time frame and conditions

The consultant will undertake this work over a timeline commencing in May 2024 and concluding in April 2025. They shall be expected to work a maximum of 220 days. The consultancy may be renewed, based on availability of funds and satisfactory evaluation of work.

The consultant can be home-based. The IPU shall cover the expenses related to the missions that the consultant will need to carry out for purposes of the above assignments. 

Employment conditions

The Consultant will be an independent contractor, will not be considered to be an official or employee of the IPU, and will not be subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The Consultant will not be entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The Consultant will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.