Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) GBV Specialist

 

 

Education for Human Capital Development Project

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

GBV Specialist

(Individual Selection of Consultant)

 

Country: Republic of Somaliland
Name of Project: Education for Human Capital Development Project
Grant No.: Grant No: IDA-D8370

Assignment Title: GBV Specialist

Individual/Firm: Individual

Reference No: SO-MOES-370519-CS-INDV
Place of assignment: Hargeisa-Somaliland
Submission deadline: 05 Mar 2025

 

 

1. Background

 

Gender-based violence (GBV) – including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse – is a prevalent feature in settings across countries where the World Bank operates; recent estimates by WHO indicate that 35 per cent, or roughly one in three, women worldwide have experienced some form of physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.

There is recognition that development operations, including those supported with World Bank financing can increase or introduce new risks of GBV, including the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), as well as sexual harassment (SH).

The Education for Human Capital Development Project highlights potential project-related risks of GBV/SEA/SH that will require protective mitigation measures and establishment of response mechanisms to address. Mitigation measures to be integrated into and monitored throughout the life of the project have been identified in alignment with IASC principles and in according with the World Bank guidance and standards on SEA/SH risk management.

As part of the SEA/SH risk management process, the the Ministry of Education & Science seeks a GBV /Gender specialist, with experience addressing SEA/SH, who will be responsible for supporting the Project Implementation Unit in the identification, mitigation and response to these risks as part of project implementation.

The GBV/Gender Specialist will be responsible for supporting the inclusion of women in project activities, but also to provide technical support to the PIU on the implementation of the SEA/SH prevention and response Action Plan and building on the global best practices on addressing the risks of GBV/SEA/SH. This includes, among other responsibilities: (i) Reviewing and updating GBV/SEAH risks during project implementation; (ii) GBV service provider mapping; (iii) Sensitization of the project stakeholders to the potential GBV/SEA/SH risks including having women’s participation and voice in project implementation; and iv) monitoring the implementation of the full suite of mitigation measures throughout project implementation.

 

2. Responsibilities

 

Under the authority of the Project Coordinator, the GBV= Specialist will ensure that considerations related to GBV risks are taken into account in the implementation of all the activities of the Education for Human Capital Development.

The specific tasks of the GBV Expert within the PIU can be summarized as follows:

1. Identification of GBV / SEA/H risks and design of risk mitigation strategies for the project:

• Contribute where relevant/needed to the development of GBV aspects of key safeguard requirements, and ensure the integration and implementation of risk mitigation measures for GBV / SEA/ SH in key instruments, including any updates to the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which also includes the GBV Prevention and Response Plan; the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP); the Labor Management Plan (LMP); the Security Management Plan (SMP); and the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);

• Ensure that the GBV risk assessment is integrated into the social assessment that is part of the C-ESMP which will be carried out during the preparatory phase of the project and is also updated throughout the implementation of the project and in developing or adapting the SEA/SH prevention and response Action Plan; and

• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the GBV elements of the environmental and social safeguard documents prepared within the framework of the project.

2. Implementation and coordination of prevention and response activities as well as risk mitigation:

a) Supervision of service provider contracts:

• Contribute to the integration of specific GBV clauses in the Bidding Documents (SBD) and / or Quotation Request Files, as well as in the contracts, in the terms of reference and in the service, provider codes of conduct (companies, control missions, etc.); and
• Contribute to the evaluation of the providers' bidding documents in order to ensure that the effectiveness of the contractor's GBV risk mitigation plan is taken into account.

b) Supervision of consultants or NGOs specializing in GBV:

• Contribute to the development of terms of reference for the recruitment of GBV Service Provider or NGOs who can be hired to support the implementation of GBV prevention and response activities, including risk mitigation measures, for the attention of the communities affected by the project and the staff of Education for Human Capital Development and of the various construction sites open in the project intervention areas;
• Supervise all of activities of technical specialists, which could include the development and validation of quality service mapping, community consultations, stakeholder training, awareness campaigns, and close monitoring of partners and project staff; and
• With the support of technical specialists where necessary, ensure the development and implementation of a GBV training plan throughout the project, which will include, among others, workers, project staff, as well as community actors, and who will address the risks of GBV, the appropriate and ethical response to cases of GBV, and the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

c) Support for the implementation of the grievance mechanism (GM):

• Ensure coordination and implementation of the GM on GBV/SEA/SH-related issues within the framework of the project, including identification of dedicated channels for registering, recording and handling incidents in a safe, confidential manner.
• Development of a response protocol for GBV cases, ensuring a “survivor-centered” approach” in the project to ensure that survivors of GBV incidence receive medical, psychosocial and legal assistance in accordance with their needs, subject to the consent of the survivor, while respecting their right to confidentiality and safety (this will include regular monitoring in the field to verify the proper functioning of the GM, the appropriate entry leads, and the quality of services in the referral pathways); and
• Ensure compliance with the guiding principles regarding confidentiality and safety in the ethical collection, storage, and sharing of data related to GBV complaints.

d) Capacity building and support GBV service mapping

Ensure the development and implementation of a GBV training plan throughout the project, which will include, among others, contractor workers, project staff, as well as any relevant community actors, and who will address the risks of GBV, the appropriate and ethical response to cases of GBV/SEA/SH, and the implementation of the code of conduct.

• Develop and conduct as needed relevant capacity building and training activities for government counterparts, including PIU staff and other relevant partners including contractors and their workers to raise awareness of GBV/SEA/SH, expectations for behavior under Codes of Conduct and sanctions for breach of CoCs related to GBV/SEA/SH; and
• Supervise all of the activities, which could include the development and validation of quality service mapping, community consultations, stakeholder training, awareness campaigns, and close monitoring of partners and project staff.

e) Coordination and collaboration:

• Collaborate with the other experts of the PIU, in particular the environmental and social safeguard specialists, within the framework of their activities;
• Participate in periodic project coordination meetings and, if necessary, on site, in order to collect feedback from companies and providers on the implementation of the GM, in order to be able to adapt the mechanism using lessons learned; and
• Inform and involve, where appropriate, government structures at the level of intervention on GBV risk mitigation activities and measures carried out within the framework of Education for Human Capital Development. This includes in particular liaising with relevant Ministries/Agencies.

 

 

3. Selection Criteria

 

The Selection will be based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The minimum qualification, experience and skills should include:

• University degree, in social sciences, law, project management, or any other similar discipline.
• At least Seven (7) years of experience at the country/regional level in supervising GBV prevention and response, violence against women and children, sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment programs, preferably in the context of development or humanitarian settings.
• Advanced degree in social studies especially gender studies, or relevant discipline will be an advantage.
• Operational experience implementing GBV risk mitigation approach with non-GBV programme areas/sectors, highly encouraged.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to apply a survivor-centered approach to support, guide, listen, assess, plan and follow up on services and survivor support.
• Experience in delivering gender-sensitization training to a wide range of audiences including in a challenging environment
• Excellent knowledge of the guiding and ethical principles that govern work with survivors of GBV and good practices in the implementation of activities to prevent and address GBV.
• Basic knowledge of the World Bank's environmental and social safeguard policies;
• Excellent command of Somali and English and strong ability to write reports and conduct trainings; and
• A good command of IT tools (word processing, spreadsheets, Internet and Intranet, etc.).
• Experience managing and supervising staff, consultants and teams.
• Knowledge of local dynamics is an advantage, and
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

 

D. Reporting

• The GBV specialist will report to the PIU Coordinator. In addition, he/she will perform under the overall guidance of the World Bank Task Team Leader(s) for the SEHCD project.

 

 

E. Duration

The GBV specialist shall be contracted for an initial one-year with a trial period of three (3) months.

The Ministry of Education and Science now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

 

F. Submission

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

Interested applicants may obtain further information including a detailed Terms of Reference from the Ministry of Education and Science in person or by e-mail to the address given below during office hours from 8:30 a.m.– 15.30 p.m. Saturday to Thursday.

Deadline: Expressions of interest and CV must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail, courier or email on or before March 05, 2025, at 15:30 hours.

 

Attention; HR Director

Ministry of Education & Science

Wadada Madaxtooyada Road1 Next to the Ministry of Finance

Hargeisa-Somaliland

E-mail: [email protected] and cc [email protected]