Consultancy on Prevention from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH)

Overview of the Program

Kvinna till Kvinna and Arab Women Organization (AWO) are working together on the program “Feminist Power in Action for Women’s Economic Rights” (FemPawer) that aims to strengthen the capacities of young women who face multiple economic gender-based violence (E/GBV) discriminations in Jordan and other MENA countries to become leaders for change. By holding duty bearers accountable and improving conditions for young women in the informal sector through target-led activities, the program ensures that discriminated young women become advocates for their own rights and propose relevant solutions and recommendations. The FemPawer program focuses on strengthening leadership, challenging prevailing social norms, and promoting women’s economic rights (WER). It is led by a consortium of 4 organizations and consists of a network of 39 Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), also referred to as Partner Organizations (POs), that are diverse and vary in size, experience, geographical location, and profile. The focus of this consultancy is Jordan. In Jordan, there is one consortium partner, Arab Women Organization (AWO), 12 POs and 1 network of young women champions.

About AWO

AWO is a Jordanian local women’s rights organization for gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. AWO advances women leadership and solutions towards political, social and economic empowerment that promote women status. AWO was founded in 1970 by an extraordinary group of women’s activists, they recognized that the commitments to women’s rights that emerged from the Fifties of the 20th Century would require rigorous work to improve women’s daily lives and advance true transformation for social justice.

Over its 50-year history, AWO has worked to bring feminist analyses into the center of the voices of frontline and grassroots women’s rights leaders in the national policy dialogues. AWO work is centered on partnership-building: creating spaces inside policy processes and movements where feminists and women’s rights activists can build joint agendas, map entry points and intersections and voice demands in collective.

AWO coordinates women’s rights meetings in local and Arab spaces and builds coalitions around gender issues. Women in Jordan are facing intertwined crises of economic loss, inequality and social injustice. At present, the COVID-19 pandemic is revealing the deep fault lines in the creation of resilient societies that uphold social protection, while further entrenching deep gender inequalities. AWO works to create gender-just solutions for increasing women political and economic participation as well as to abolish the entrenched cycles of violence.

Background

AWO has identified a pressing necessity to enhance its expertise and capabilities in the domain of PSEAH. This requirement stems from AWO’s direct involvement in providing services related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the organization’s commitment to uphold and integrate a robust safeguarding policy throughout its operations. A cornerstone of AWO’s strategic approach involves conducting comprehensive capacity-building initiatives for its 12 POs and young women. These efforts aim to equip them with the essential tools and knowledge to prevent and protect themselves and their service users from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH).

AWO has chosen its POs to span all the regions of Jordan, ensuring a broad and inclusive coverage that reflects the diverse needs and challenges across the regions. Many of these POs operate within their communities with limited resources, striving to make a significant impact despite their humble capacities. In recognition of these challenges, AWO commits itself to furnish these organizations with all necessary skills and knowledge. Following this approach the provided support by AWO to the POs expected to enhance the quality of their work and to ensure the application of the ‘do no harm’ principle in their communities. This principle serves the safeguarding the welfare and dignity of those served by these organizations, preventing any inadvertent exacerbation of vulnerabilities or perpetuation of harm.

The need for a specialized PSEAH consultancy is underscored by the fact that the FemPawer program focuses on women within the workforce. This demographic is particularly susceptible to SEAH, given the power imbalances and potential vulnerabilities they may face in employment settings. Consequently, a strong application of PSEAH principles is essential for creating a safe and empowering environment for women in the workforce. By strengthening the capacities of AWO, its POs, and the young women champions within these networks, the initiative aims to foster a culture of zero tolerance towards SEAH.

Moreover, mainstreaming PSEAH within AWO’s operations and among its partner entities aligns with global best practices and humanitarian standards. It enhances the organization’s credibility and the effectiveness of its programs, as well as sets apply ethical and responsible conduct in addressing EGBV.

AWO as part of the FemPawer consortium members, is looking for a consultant to be responsible for providing comprehensive training and coaching on PSEAH to the following groups:

• AWO team,
• Representatives from 12 Partner Organizations, and
• Young women champions “Darbuna Network” members

Deliverables

1. Needs Assessment:
   1. Conduct a detailed assessment: for AWO, POs, and Darbuna Network to understand current PSEAH knowledge, policy implementation, and training needs. This includes reviewing existing PSEAH policies (where applicable) and providing feedback.
   2. Report Production: Compile a needs assessment report that outlines findings, identifies gaps, and recommends actions for PSEAH policy enhancement and training development. The report should be available in both English and Arabic.
2. Awareness Raising on PSEAH Policy:
   1. Following the needs assessment process, an awareness-raising activity will be conducted for AWO, POs, and the Darbuna Network to enhance their understanding of the PSEAH Policy. This activity aims to provide participants with comprehensive insights into the principles and practices encompassed by the PSEAH policy.
3. PSEAH Policy Development Support:
   1. Assist in the finalization of PSEAH policies for AWO, POs, and Darbuna Network, ensuring alignment with international norms and the specific needs identified in the assessment phase.
4. Training Workshop Design and Implementation:
   1. Training Design: Based on the needs assessment, design three separate PSEAH training workshops, each tailored to the specific needs of AWO, POs, and the Darbuna Network members. Training materials should be tailored to the unique context of each target group.
   2. Pre and Post Evaluation Tools: Develop and distribute pre- and post-evaluation surveys to assess the knowledge and skills of participants before and after the training workshops. This includes analyzing the results to measure the effectiveness of each workshop.
   3. Workshop Delivery: Conduct three training workshops, one for each target group, focusing on practical applications of PSEAH, policy integration, and awareness-raising. Training should be interactive and include case studies, role-playing, and Q&A sessions.
   4. Training Reports: Produce detailed reports for each of the three training workshops, documenting methodologies, participant engagement, evaluation results. Reports must be available in both English and Arabic.
5. Final Comprehensive Report
   1. Develop a final comprehensive report that includes the outcomes of the needs assessment, policy development support, training workshops, and evaluations. This report should highlight key achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustaining and building upon the PSEAH efforts. The report should be available in English and Arabic.

Timeline:

• Deadline for Applications: March 31, 2024
• Application Decision: Mid-April, 2024
• Final Comprehensive Report: End of September, 2024

Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in Gender Studies, Social Work, Human Rights, International Development, or related fields, or an equivalent level of experience in the field for a minimum of 9 years.
• Certifications or specialized training in PSEAH or GBV prevention.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing PSEAH policies and training programs, preferably within the NGO sector or international development organizations.
• Direct experience in providing or managing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services, including developing safeguarding policies and support mechanisms.
• Deep understanding of the principles, standards, and practices involved in PSEAH. This includes familiarity with international guidelines and protocols related to PSEAH.
• Strong training and facilitation skills and the ability to design and deliver engaging, effective training sessions tailored to diverse audiences. Skills in interactive learning, and adult learning techniques.
• Cultural competency and the ability to navigate and respect diverse cultural contexts, in all the regions of Jordan, and adapt PSEAH training materials and approaches accordingly.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Arabic. Ability to convey complex concepts in a clear, understandable manner.
• Experience in working with women’s rights organizations and understanding the unique challenges and needs related to women’s economic empowerment and rights.
• Substantial experience in building the capacity of organizations and individuals, particularly in areas related to gender equality, human rights, and PSEAH.