GEDSI Adviser, Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ)

Overview

The GEDSI Adviser will be responsible for leading the implementation of ASIPJ’s gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) programming.

The GEDSI Adviser will work collaboratively across the ASIPJ team and, together with agency placed advisers, partner with justice sector agencies to undertake relevant GEDSI activities.

The GEDSI Adviser will report to the ASIPJ Team Leader and liaise closely with the Deputy Team Leader, program team and other advisers.

Background

ASIPJ is the third program of Australian support to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) justice sector, being directly preceded by the Australia Solomon Islands Justice Program (ASIJP). Its goal is to work closely with SIG to enable justice agencies to maintain delivery of their existing, core activities while clearly identifying and engaging with fundamental problems and critical issues affecting their ability to contribute to stability and offer access to justice for citizens.

Subject to a finalised design, ASIPJ will be delivered through four key outcome areas: i). improving core service delivery capacity; ii). enhancing capacity for justice sector management and leadership; iii). enhancing collaboration with state and non-state actors to improve access to justice, and iv). increased sensitivity and responsiveness to those vulnerable to family and sexual violence. It is a four-year program with an option to extend to eight years.

ASIPJ aspires to be locally led, problem-oriented and learning driven. It will be pragmatic, practical, and adaptable, and will mainstream gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). Deloitte is the Managing Contractor, leading an exciting coalition for change that includes Adam Smith International, providing the Operations Hub; Ninti One, for its Indigenous expertise; and The University of Queensland, to support critical research and knowledge generation.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion

• Play a lead role in the implementation of ‘Step-by-Step’, Solomon Islands’ Justice Sector’s Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy. The key task in relation to the Strategy will be assisting ASIPJ advisers (both agency-based and cross-cutting); relevant justice agency staff, including gender focal points; and senior officers of the MJLA, to implement recommendations relevant to their organisations. This will likely encompass actions directed towards prioritisation, resource identification, training and risk assessment. In addition, the adviser will work with ASIJP’s Communications Adviser on finalising and implementing a nation-wide communications plan for the Strategy, ensuring communication and coordination across agencies/ministries on its contents and implementation (expected to commence in 2023).
• Work with justice agencies, Correctional Services of Solomon Islands, SAFENET, Seif Ples and, where relevant, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), including with gender focal points, to assist them in their GEDSI programming through the provision of, inter alia, policy development and legal advice, with the objective that their activities, policies, and decision-making adequately incorporate matters of gender, disability and social inclusion. Also, coordinate/collaborate with other DFAT and donor-funded programs on matters of gender, disability and social inclusion. This element of this terms of reference is likely to encompass engaging with the above groups on the justice elements of supporting women’s economic empowerment, professional development, leadership, civil society engagement, gender responsive budgeting and amplifying women’s voice in public policy debates.
• In collaboration and consultation with ASIJP management, lead the implementation of the GEDSI components of the ASIJP Program Design Document (2022-2027). This will include providing ad hoc technical and legal advice on gender, disability and social inclusion issues to ASIPJ management, DFAT and ASIPJ advisers. An important element of this activity will be working with advisers to ensure the incorporation of GEDSI activities in their individual annual workplans and through engagement with the MERL Adviser on the development of, and reporting against, GEDSI-related M&E indicators. The latter may also involve contributing to GEDSI-related learning, in particular research and report writing.
• Where requested, provide high-level strategic and capacity development support to MJLA’s Policy and Planning Unit’s Chief Strategic Planning Officer (or MJLA officer/s acting in that capacity) on GEDSI issues, including legal issues, as well as mentor junior staff of the Legal Policy Unit of the MJLA on GEDSI matters and the GEDSI Strategy implementation.
• Assist ASIPJ to ensure its work reflects the needs of people living with a disability, including through engagement with People with Disability Solomon Islands; Solomon Islands’ Blind and Vision Impaired Association, Solomon Islands’ Deaf Association; Red Cross Special Development Centre, and other relevant agencies. Also coordinate/collaborate with other DFAT-funded programs on matters of disability, such as the UNDP’s Access to Justice Program.

Family Violence

• Assist the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) with advancing recommendations arising from the Family Protection Act 2014 (FPA) review (once tabled in parliament), including assisting with the dissemination of review findings across justice agencies and working with agencies on the implementation of relevant findings and recommendations.
• Support cross-agency coordination in the implementation of the FPA and other laws aimed at preventing family violence. This will include strengthening justice sector agencies’ implementation of the FPA, improving their responses to family violence, and helping with access to justice and legal services for underserved and vulnerable population groups.
• Provide advice and support to the Permanent Secretary MJLA on their role as co-chair of the FPA Advisory Council. Assist MWYCFA on the justice-related components of annual FPA reporting, particularly around data collection and collation. This will likely include data on FPA related matters before the Magistrates’ Court and the collection and use of gender disaggregated data from justice agencies. In undertaking this task, the adviser will work closely with the ASIPJ MERL and JIMS advisers.
• In liaison and collaboration with Seif Ples management and others, assist in advancing recommendations arising from the Seif Ples review (completed in July 2022). In addition, provide ad hoc assistance to Seif Ples, including through improving the capacity of Seif Ples management so that they can provide quality services to Seif Ples users and comply with standard operating procedures.
• Engage with agencies outside the justice sector that are involved in the implementation of the FPA, including the RSIPF, MWYCFA, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other relevant SIG and civil society organisations, in support of the development and implementation of ASIPJ outreach and awareness activities and in addressing the challenges faced in the implementation of the FPA.

Other

• Other tasks as agreed upon.

In undertaking the above, the adviser will work in a collaborative manner with SIG counterparts, donors, advisers, civil society organisations and others who work on GEDSI issues. The adviser will work closely with ASIPJ’s cross-cutting advisers, specifically, those working on professional development, communications, MERL and the Justice Information Management System (JIMS).

Program Deliverables

1. Workplan:An individual annual workplan to reflect the contents of this TOR to be completed on a date to be agreed upon.
2. Exception reports:as required.
3. Exit report, one week prior to completion date:Outlining a concise situational analysis and a frank assessment of the challenges and successes of the adviser’s inputs. The Exit Report should contain recommendations for future ASIPJ engagement on GEDSI issues.
4. Regular Program Reporting and GEDSI Reports: as required, including contributing to weekly program updates and briefing DFAT/others as requested.

All reports will be provided to the Team Leader, ASIPJ.

Reporting and Performance Management

The GEDSI Adviser will report to the Team Leader, ASIPJ, who will monitor performance and delivery of outputs in accordance with this TOR and with the adviser’s approved workplan.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

Tertiary qualification in a relevant social science.

Key Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience at a senior advisory level within a public-sector context, with a focus on law, human rights, social inclusion, disability and/or gender.
• Preference for postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field.
• Experience developing and implementing gender equality and social inclusion programs, including having mentored and worked closely with government counterparts.
• Regional expertise with knowledge of Solomon Islands and/or comparable Pacific Islands or developing country contexts.
• Proven ability to coordinate across agencies and organisations and develop strong and active working partnerships, including at the senior management level.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders including cross-culturally and remotely. Tok Pisin, Bislama or Pijin language skills would be an advantage.

Travel Requirements

Provincial travel within Solomon Islands may be required.

COVID-19

ASIPJ team members are required to adhere to COVID-19 policy requirements for the purposes of entry to Solomon Islands’ government offices. This includes being fully vaccinated.