TERMS OF REFERENCE 
NATIONAL CONSULTANT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE LIBERIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION ON GENDER RELATED ISSUES

I.  Position Information	

National Consultant 
Country: Liberia 
Languages: English 
Posting: External
Bureau: Africa
Duration of Assignment: 31 days 	

II. Background and rationale	
The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) are embarking on a new multi-year programme, called the ‘Spotlight Initiative (SI). SI is a global partnership to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. 

The Spotlight Initiative in Africa is going to be implemented in 8 countries: Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  The focus for the African initiative is GBV, SRHR and Harmful Practices (HP). Six UN agencies namely, ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women are participating in the Spotlight Initiative.

Liberia has an estimated population of 4.8 million, roughly half of which is under the age of 18, with a median age of 18.7, but the country will not reap the benefits of this demographic dividend unless the situation of women and girls improves. With strong patriarchal social norms and entrenched, socially accepted violence against women and girls, Liberia currently ranks 177 out of 188 countries on the overall measures used to determine the gender inequality index. Rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices (HPs), female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and teenage pregnancy are all high, while access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) is low.

The programme is going to be implemented in Liberia’s five most-affected counties, and it was formulated through an extensive and inclusive participatory process. This process identified the priority interventions needed to tackle violence against women and girls by addressing structural causes, thus ensuring sustainability in six key areas of intervention;

1.	Legislative and Policy Framework
2.	Institutional Strengthening
3.	Prevention : Changing Norms and Behaviors 
4.	Response : Delivery of quality essential services
5.	Management of Data and Information
6.	Strengthening Women’s Movement and Civil Society Organizations
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is one of the responsible UN agencies participating in the implementation of the Spotlight initiative. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. The General Assembly entrusted OHCHR with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. The United Nations human rights programme aims to ensure that the protection and enjoyment of human rights is a reality in the lives of all people. UN Human Rights also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the three interconnected pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, human rights and development.	
III. Functions / Key Results Expected	

The National Consultant is expected to provide support in the drafting of the Liberian Law Reform Commission (LRC) human rights and gender mainstreaming guidelines, and to provide technical support to the international consultant to:
•	Prepare a consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders to develop a road map to inform law reform processes for LRC
•	Establish a gender and human rights desk to audit domestic legislation related to women and girls within LRC

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: This position is located in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Liberia. Incumbents report administratively to the Deputy Chief who is the supervisor.	

Responsibilities:  Within delegated authority, the National Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:   

•	Under the supervision of the International Consultant to support the preparation of the initial draft and final of the guidelines to mainstreaming and integrating human rights and gender in LRC internal and external work

•	Support the development of the methodology and action plan for a consultative meeting to be held by the LRC to develop a road map to inform law reform processes; map and identify key stakeholders and draft background papers 

•	Support the establishment of a gender and human rights desk	

V. Deliverables  	
The National Consultant, under the leadership, guidance and decision-making authority of the Deputy Representative provides inputs in a timely manner to inform results reporting and overseeing implementation schedules, deliverable and budgets as articulated in the programme document.

Expected deliverables are:

1.	Background papers necessary to draft the guidelines to mainstream and integrate gender and human rights in LRC work 

2.	A document identifying stakeholders that should be invited to the  consultative meeting to develop the road map to inform law processes and draft and final background papers for the meeting

3.	Supporting documents to establish the human rights and gender desk and a draft of the ToR 	

VI. Competencies and experience 	
a.	Sound knowledge of fundamental human rights principles and international mechanisms system;
b.	Basic knowledge  on institutional mandates. related to the position and of UN human rights methodologies;
c.	Extensive experience in human rights and gender mainstreaming;
d.	Significant experience developing policies on human rights and gender mainstreaming;
e.	Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders	

VII. Recruitment Qualifications	

Education:	
Master’s Degree in Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Gender studies, Law, Development Studies, or International Relations. (1st Degree with a minimum of 4 years progressive experience in Human Rights work will be considered in lieu of a Master Degree)	
Language Requirements:	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.  

VIII. Signatures - Post Description Certification	
Incumbent (if applicable)
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