Background/Context
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.
The Fiji Multi Country Office (MCO) covers 14 Pacific countries, with field offices/presence in 6 countries, and five ‘focus countries’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Samoa). The National Prevention Coordinator is a consultancy based in Samoa, specifically focused on driving and implementing the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
The incidence of violence against women and girls in the Pacific Islands is amongst the highest rates in the world. For example, 46% of women in Samoa who have ever been in an intimate relationship have experienced physical/ and or sexual violence by a partner over the course of their lifetime[1]. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a central barrier to gender equality and a cause of widespread violation of human rights across the Pacific.
To respond to the rates of violence in the Pacific, UN Women has developed a comprehensive elimination of violence against women and girls (EVAWG) programme which takes a transformative approach to prevent violence against women and girls at multiple levels (regional, national and community), and to ensure survivors have access to quality response services. The approach to preventing and responding to VAWG also considers the context of the Pacific, which requires an integrated approach to addressing VAWG across the humanitarian – development nexus. The Fiji MCO EVAWG programme is one of the largest UN Women EVAWG programmes globally. The most substantial programme under UN Women’s EVAW programme is the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls which is an ambitious, five year joint programme, with UN Women, and the Pacific Community (SPC), which brings together governments, civil society organizations (CSO), communities and other partners to change the social norms that allow violence against women and girls to continue; to ensure survivors have access to quality response services; and to support national and regional institutions to meet their commitments to gender equality and prevention of violence against women and girls.
In October 2024, with the support of UN Women, the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD) in Samoa developed and launched the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework. This groundbreaking framework aims to drive sustainable change in preventing gender-based violence (GBV) in Samoa by addressing the root causes and promoting early intervention strategies.
To ensure the successful implementation of the Pola Puipui Framework, UN Women Fiji MCO is seeking a National Consultant to serve as the National Prevention Coordinator. This consultant will play a key role in the first phase of implementation, supporting the work of the Prevention and Early-Intervention Team (PEIT) within the MWCSD to enhance their work on EVAWG. Key responsibilities include providing strategic leadership, developing and managing prevention initiatives, overseeing operational resource management, fostering interagency collaboration, and working closely with key stakeholders across government and non-government sectors. This role is crucial to laying the foundations for the Pola Puipui Framework's success and ensuring its objectives are met.
The National Prevention Coordinator will work closely with the CEO of the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development and the UN Women Samoa Country Coordinator, while reporting directly to the EVAW Technical Specialist.
Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work
The consultant’s responsibilities will include:
Task 1: Facilitate the effective implementation of priorities and activities under the Pola Puipui Framework. Task 2: Lead the development of key prevention, early intervention, and response initiatives, ensuring a holistic approach that provides a specialist GBV lens while integrating with child protection, youth and disability areas. Support operationalizing funding for these initiatives. Task 3: Ensure coherence and strong governance among civil society, government, and private sector stakeholders, support the work planning for the PEIT, and provide comprehensive reporting on progress and results. Task 4: Build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders to raise awareness of and promote engagement with the Framework, including helping the coordination of governance meetings, documenting outcomes and recommendations. Task 5: Support the work of the Prevention and Early-Intervention Team, providing leadership and direction and enhancing their capacity across a range of domains including: planning, communication and engagement, training and capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation. Tasks Activities Estimated Working Days Task 1 Coordinating Framework Activities: Coordinate and facilitate effective implementation priorities and activities to realise the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework Develop PEIT’s annual work plans in close collaboration with the MWCSD CEO and relevant reporting lines. Develop a detailed implementation plan for the Pola Puipui framework, aligning with national policies and international best practices. Co-ordinate the implementation of priorities and activities in the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework Provide targeted technical support and expertise across prevention, early intervention and response activities across relevant government agencies and implementing partners. Support the coordination of GBV responses across government and civil society organisations in line with the inter-agency essential services guide. Raise awareness among government and non-government agencies, the community, and individuals of the collective responsibility of everyone to denounce and prevent perpetrators’ use of violence. Mobilize resources through appropriate processes to drive implementation activities, complying with all financial, ethical and other requirements expected. Conduct assessments, including risk assessments in communities, results-based planning, and monitoring to ensure activities align with objectives, address community-specific risks, and achieve measurable outcomes. Up to 60 days Task 2 Developing and integrating strategic initiatives: Lead the development of key prevention, early intervention, and response initiatives, ensuring a holistic approach that integrates GBV, child protection, and disability. Support operationalizing funding for these initiatives. Support service development so that victims and their families, have access to support at the right time. Including the development of integrated pathways of support to meet the needs of victims experiencing multiple disadvantages Work towards the adoption of the Primary Prevention Model across government. Develop a concept for the national violence primary prevention campaign. Support the development and adoption of a National Counselling Framework to set the standards for counselling in Samoa, alongside civil society and delivery partners. Implement increased safeguarding responses for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Provide strategic advice and raise awareness about children's rights, including exploring the role and need for a dedicated Children’s Commissioner. Up to 80 days Task 3 Strengthening governance and reporting mechanisms: Ensure coherence and strong governance among civil society, government, and private sector stakeholders, oversee work planning for the PET once established, and provide comprehensive reporting on progress and results. Develop a national communication strategy to drive awareness and engagement with the Pola Puipui Prevention Framework and associated activities. Develop national M&E framework including collecting and analysing information and data on progress of key benchmarks from targeted settings. Work with the PEIT to support better M&E practices including enhancing data collection and better assessing the effectiveness and impact of prevention initiatives. Up to 15 days Task 4 Engaging and coordinating stakeholders: Build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders to raise awareness of and promote engagement with the Framework. Facilitate ongoing and consistent representation and awareness raising of the Pola Puipui Framework with key stakeholders across government and community. Coordinate and facilitate the relevant governance groups and technical working group meetings, as well as document the outcomes and action points arising from these meetings. Support the Prevention and Early Intervention Team with communication and engagement including drafting an engagement and education plan, as well as lead community outreach programs to educate the public on risk prevention and available support. Work with the PEIT to create and distribute culturally sensitive educational materials to effectively communicate with diverse community segments. Draft a package or module for training for local leaders and community workers on risk recognition, response, and prevention. Strengthen the skills of community networks to enhance support for prevention initiatives. Support the PEIT to foster stronger working relationships across government and non-government partners, including developing a stakeholder management plan and working across key partners (health, education, Police) to support a stronger multi-sectoral response for victim/ survivors. Up to 25 days Task 5 Support the work of the Prevention and Early-Intervention Team, providing leadership and direction and enhancing their capacity across a range of domains including: planning, communication and engagement, training and capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation Recruit and grow the role and purpose of the Prevention and Early-Intervention Team (PEIT) and develop their ways of working and relationships within MWCSD and across government agencies. Continually develop the capabilities and expertise of the team in relation to GBV Work with partners to support the training and capacity building of Ministry staff, local leaders and community workers on GBV risk recognition, response, and prevention. Grow the counselling and case management function within the team and its integration within the GBV system across Samoa. Up to 30 days Total Up to 210 DaysThe assignment should be carried out within a period of 12 months, not exceeding 210 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:
Monthly reports on major tasks performed and results matched against a detailed workplan with the first report including a draft annual workplan Monthly timesheet Mid-term 6-month progress report on carried out activities, achievements, and challenges. Comprehensive 12-month progress report on activities, achievement, challenges, and future plan.Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports, and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women.
All the deliverables shall be agreed by UN Women and the MWCSD, and UN Women will be provided in English hard and electronic copy.
Institutional Arrangement
The Prevention Coordinator will work closely with the CEO of the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development and the UN Women Samoa Country Coordinator, while reporting directly to the EVAW Technical Specialist. An annual workplan with key deliverables will be developed with the Ministry of Women, Community and Society Development and UN Women. UN Women EVAW Technical Specialist will oversee technical quality, including the review and clearance of deliverables for quality as part of the management arrangement.
The selected candidate is expected to have her/his own laptop, cell phone, internet access and communication equipment.
Duration of the Work
The duration of the assignment will be for a 12-month work assignment with an anticipated start date from the 1st April 2025.
Duty Station
The position is Apia-based without travel. In the case of unforeseeable travel, all travel must be agreed upon between UN Women and the consultant prior to travel with approved travel costs including tickets, daily subsistence allowance and terminal expenses paid by UN Women.
Performance Evaluation
The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.
Financial Arrangements
Payments will be disbursed to the consultant on a monthly basis after receipt and approval of deliverables, monthly timesheets, and corresponding invoice and certification by the MWCSD and UN Women EVAW Programme Specialist that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
Competencies
Core Values:
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues Accountability Creative Problem Solving Effective Communication Inclusive Collaboration Stakeholder Engagement Leading by Example Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Understanding and knowledge in the EVAWG thematic area; substantive knowledge on GBV/GBViE response and prevention, administrative data, intervention research; Excellent communications skills; Experienced people leader; Proficient in writing and delivering clear implementation plans; Ability to advocate with senior representatives from government and other partners and provide policy advice in the context of global initiatives; Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; Ability to establish and foster strong relations with civil society, across government, UN agencies, donors, and community.Required Qualifications:
Education and Certification:
An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in social sciences, human rights, gender/ women’s studies, international development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in similar fields with combination of additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Other formal education relevant for the assignment will be an advantage.