National Consultant to support the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence on strategic communication

Background

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 work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new , aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027),  , National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations. Globally, an estimated 736 million women – almost one in three – have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives. This figure does not include the magnitude of sexual harassment as a form of sexual violence. Despite many countries passing laws to address VAWG, uneven political will among different partners within and across countries, weak enforcement and discriminatory social norms hamper elimination. Crises and insecurity increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability to violence across public, private and online spaces, highlighting the urgent need for a robust response and greater investment in prevention. New concerns come from an intense global backlash against gender equality and women’s rights and the persistent normalization of VAWG in all spaces.

In line with the provision of Council of Europe Convention on preventing and Combating Violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), best national and international practices, UN Women Moldova is committed further to contributing to the prevention of violence against women and improvement of services. This is ensured by providing support the national relevant authorities in adjusting the national legislation, strengthening the capacities of service providers, including those providing the multidisciplinary response, supporting the institutional capacities of NGOs in the field, conducting awareness raising campaigns about key issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment. UN Women will continue to provide expert and technical support in the establishment of the first National Agency for Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, in line with the European Union funded project “Ending Violence, Expanding Opportunities for women and Accelerating gender Governance in Moldova”, launched in November 2023, and other UN Women donors.

Communication plays an important role in ensuring visibility for successful initiatives, results, and programs, and for raising awareness about key issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment. In this regard, effective gender-sensitive communication and campaigns are essential for enhancing public engagement, awareness, and understanding of the National Agency for Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence’s activities and initiatives related to combating the phenomenon of violence and gender equality and women’s empowerment in a holistic way.

In the mentioned context, UN Women Moldova Country Office, within EU-funded EVOLVE4GE project, is looking to contract a national consultant to provide support to the National Agency for Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence on strategic communication for increasing the awareness and advancing gender equality and women empowerment by conceptualizing behavioral change campaigns and approaches that are effective to end violence against women and girls in an impactful way.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The scope of this Consultancy is to provide strategic communication support to National Agency for Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, facilitating enhanced public engagement, awareness and understanding of the activities and initiatives related to gender equality and women empowerment, through different communications means.

Working under the overall supervision of the UNW EVAW Programme Analyst, Communication Team, and in close collaboration with EVAW Agency representatives, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:

1. Develop and provide a methodological approach and work plan envisaging timeframes, a brief description of the activities to be undertaken.
2. Draft and submit for review the Communication Strategy of the National Agency for Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence based on the consultations with relevant stakeholders, including CSO’s.
3. Desk review on best practices, in line with UN Women Global Guidelines and best European practices, in implementing the activities/initiative within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and other Communication and awareness raising Campaigns on EVAW area by applying `behavioral change approaches.
4. Draft the Concept/s of the National Communication and awareness raising Campaign on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence.
5. Consult the Concept of the National Communication and awareness-raising Campaign with relevant stakeholders (national and local public authorities, Civil society organizations, survivors of VAWG/GBV etc.).
6. Submit the final Concept of the National Communication and awareness raising Campaign after validation.
7. Other relevant tasks related to this assignment.
8. Overall assessment on process and recommendations for follow up.

Deliverables

Payment details

Payments shall be made following certification by UN Women that the services related to each deliverable, as described above, have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified above, if any.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

The Consultant will not be located in the premises of UN Women and will have to work remotely. No travel is envisaged under the current assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs should be agreed upon, between UN Women and the National Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

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:

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent command of Romanian and English, Russian will be an asset;
• Excellent writing skills in Romanian and English in preparing briefs, reports, concept notes, articles and similar work for various audiences;
• Solid understanding of and hands-on experience in communications and outreach/advocacy;
• Ability to produce well-written text;
• Ability to achieve results and to work in teams;
• Ability to use Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource;
• Ability to work under pressure and within limited time frames;
• Ability to consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to work in an independent manner and organize the workflow efficiently;
• In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights issues will be an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in the domain of communication, journalism, public relations or in other related domains is required;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Additional certifications in the field would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in journalism, public relations and/or mass communications is required;
• At least 3 years of experience in strategic communications, including developing and implementing communication strategies, campaigns, and messaging on social issues is an advantage;
• Background in gender issues, women’s rights or other related fields is an advantage;
• Relevant experience in related areas with UN Women or UN agencies would be an advantage;
• Experience on development of campaigns/materials on gender would be an advantage;

Languages:

• Fluency in Romanian and good command of English (written and oral) is required;
• Fluency in Russian language would be an advantage.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION PACKAGE 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications with the following documents:

• Personal P11 (P11 can be downloaded from):  ). Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. 
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Samples of previous works – examples of concept notes and communication campaigns/strategies developed by the candidate or under his/her coordination on gender issues, women’s rights, gender-based violence. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment.

Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The United Nations in Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.