The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the leading UN organization in Reproductive Health and Population and Development is recruiting Consultants to provide consultancy services for a situation assessment and analysis, knowledge, attitude and practice/qualitative study on social norms around FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING (FGM/C) in three (3) States - IMO, EBONYI & OSUN STATES.

1. Job Title: STATE CONSULTANTS
Job Location: IMO, EBONYI AND OSUN STATES

Purpose:

Based on the above, UNFPA/UNICEF joint Programme on the abandonment of FGM/C in Nigeria seeks to conduct a situation assessment and analysis including KAP and qualitative study on social norms to inform strategies for the implementation of the Programme. The study will focus on two levels of interrogation (a) to determine the situation, current trends and prevalence of FGM/C (b) to gain in-depth understanding of social norms and its dynamics on social motivation of families and communities and the practice of FGM/C in 6 focus states in Nigeria.
Duties and Responsibilities
Study Objectives
The purpose of the consultancy is to (a) review and document the current situation of FGM/C, conduct a knowledge, attitude and practice survey including a sound analysis of the social norms; social networks that influence and sustain FGM/C in three focus states (b) develop evidence informed strategy for social change towards the abandonment of FGM/C in Nigeria

The specific objectives of this study include:-

  • Conduct a desk/literature review on the current trend and situation of FGM/C in Nigeria with reference to three States (Imo, Ebonyi and Osun)
  • Conduct Knowledge, Attitude and Practices survey and in-depth qualitative study on social norms around FGM/C in Nigeria
  • Undertake review of studies and interventions on FGM/C in Nigeria particularly in the three selected states to establish environment, determinants, strengths, emerging issues and gaps.
  • Analyze the impacting motives, behavior, preferences of individuals within the social system and the interdependence therein.
  • Undertake an in-depth analysis of community social networks influencing patterns and collective behavior around the practice of FGM/C
  • Recommend how to change current social expectation and create new social expectation or both
  • Develop a country specific strategy on FGM/C in the context of social norm and implication for programming in Nigeria
  • A literature search should flag case studies or ‘panels’ if any of communities where FGM/C has declined in
  • recent years and what drove those positive changes, drawing lessons into the national study report including:-
    • Map patterns of social norms, behaviors, social networks and references that are common to ‘reinforce’ FGM/C and on the other hand ‘positively abandon it.
    • Propose key questions that would guide the study to achieve the objectives including the following*]What is the trend of FGM/C in the country and each of the three States? What changes have occurred over time, particularly recently and why?
    • What are the drivers of change in FGM/C in high prevalence and low/non-prevalence communities?
    • What are the commonalities and diversities in these drivers of FGM/C in the context of social norms, social networks and references that entrench or create positive change?
    • What are the positive defiance that have emerged in communities where positive change has happened in recent years and what lessons to take into the recommendations of the study?



Methodology
The study will be conducted in three states (Osun, Ebonyi and Imo states) purposefully selected based on various characteristics which are of interest in this study under the leadership and supervisions of one lead consultant. The study method, sampling designs and tools will be elaborated by the two lead consultants with extensive expertise in quantitative and qualitative study and analytical skills. The six state consultants will work jointly with lead consultants, the national taskforce on FGM/C including providing supervision to research assistants elaborated in key roles below:-

State consultants

  • Contribute to the development, pilot testing and finalization of the study tools,
  • Support the lead consultant in the recruitment and training of research assistants
  • Develop work plan and supervise the research assistant
  • Participate in interactions and dialogues with the national taskforce on FGM/C and other stakeholders
  • Support the establishment and sensitisation of state taskforce on FGM/C abandonment
  • Organise state and community level dialogues and engagements
  • In collaboration with the lead consultants, facilitate the state level stakeholders’ workshop.
  • Supervise research assistants and participate in data gathering processes and compilation in line with the standard protocol
  • In collaboration with the lead consultants, prepare a summary state report and ensure wide circulation and validation of the same.
  • Provide regular feedback of the process to the state taskforce on FGM, lead consultants and UNFPA/UNICEF focal point.
  • Draft and review state level reports in line with the study protocol and share with lead consultants for harmonization
  • Undertake any other assignment related to the study deemed necessary by the lead consultants and or by UNFPA/UNICEF


Key deliverables

  • Inception report and draft work plan
  • Report of consultation with state taskforce on FGM/C and other stakeholders
  • Report on the recruitment and orientation of research assistants
  • Report of training of state research assistants
  • State level report

Competencies
Values

  • Exemplifying integrity
  • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
  • Embracing cultural diversity
  • Embracing change

Core Competencies

  • Achieving results
  • Being accountable
  • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
  • Thinking analytically and strategically
  • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
  • Communicating for impact


Required Skillset

  • Stratigically positioning UNFPA programmes
  • Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
  • Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information
  • Providing a technical support system
  • Strengthening the programming capacity of implementing partners
  • Facilitating quality programmatic results
  • Internal and External relations and advocacy for results mobilization.


Desirable skills

  • Prior experience in organizing and engaging in community work especially social mobilization, facilitating community discussion
  • Excellent knowledge of State, LGAs and communities

Required Skills and Experience
Qualification and experience required

  • Post graduate qualification in social sciences, public health or a related area of specialty
  • Demonstrated research ability with minimum 10 years experience
  • Good understanding and experience in the field gender, gender based violence, community mobilization and dialogue
  • Experience of working with UN
  • Excellent writing skills and documenting
  • Good inter-personal, advocacy skills and ability to work with range of government, UN and civil society development partners
  • Ability to work with a team


2. Job Title: Lead consultants (National)
Job Descriptions

  • Overall technical leadership and guidance for the design, conduct, quality assurance and reporting of the study
  • Sound application of consistent methodology and tools – from design, development, pretesting to implementation
  • Prepare the inception report and engage with UNICEF/UNFPA and the national FGM/C taskforce to incorporate the changes and comments of key stakeholders
  • Support the recruitment and training of state level consultants and research assistants
  • Provide technical guidance and support to state level consultants
  • Draft, review, harmonize and finalize national study reports, provide standard format and technical guidance to the State level reports
  • Assist UNFPA/UNICEF on tasks related to the study


End Products/Deliverables
• Study plan sampling designs and tools
• Report of consultation with national taskforce on FGM/C and other stakeholders
• Training guide for state level consultants and research assistants
• Report of training of state level consultants and research assistants
• Comprehensive report on the situation of FGM/C and the context of social norms
• Country specific strategy on FGM/C and the context of social norms

3. Job Title: ELECTION CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS RESEARCHERS
Job Descriptions:

  • Comprehensively examine the forces and factors that have governed and shaped electoral processes in Nigeria since the return of democratic rule in 1999;
  • Analyze the extent to which the various recommendations for improving electoral processes and strengthening electoral procedures and related activities had been pursued, implemented and internalized;
  • Critically evaluate the role of the election management bodies and other institutions and agencies in the conduct, quality and credibility of elections;
  • Assess the level of intra and inter-ethnic struggles for political power and access to economic resources and the implication for the electoral process;
  • Identify and evaluate the various triggers and drivers of election violence and evolve early warning strategies for dealing with them;

Basic Tasks

  • Staying up to date on recent developments;
  • Conducting short periods of fieldwork in Nigeria ahead of reports;
  • The timely drafting of reports of contextual and political economy analysis to a high quality;
  • Availability to provide further information and analysis to Management Team;

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Mode of Application: Click here to apply

Application Deadline: 20th June, 2014