TERMS OF REFERENCE 
NATIONAL CONSULTANT ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

I.  Position Information	

National Consultant 
Country: Liberia 
Languages: English 
Posting: External
Bureau: Africa
Duration of Assignment:  36 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 United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the European Union (EU) High Representative and Vice President (HRVP) was launched in September 2017. 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 Behaviours 
4.	Response : Delivery of quality essential services
5.	Management of Data and Information
6.	Strengthening Women’s Movement and Civil Society Organisations
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	

Responsibilities:  Within delegated authority, the National Consultant will be responsible for the following and will be required to work with the community, civil society organizations and private companies to: 

1.	Collect evidence about the extent of sexual exploitation and abuse in 5 counties: Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Cape Mount and Lofa
2.	Assess  policies on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of private and public companies operating in those counties 
3.	Make recommendations to the ministry of Gender and Ministry of Justice for a draft regulatory framework to address issues of PSEA, with a particular emphasis on the private sector.

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

	

V. Deliverables  	

The National Consultant on Business and Human Rights, 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.	Draft and final inception document, with a detailed methodology, an outline of the activities to be undertaken and a clear work plan and budget 
2.	A draft and final base-line assessment on the extent of sexual exploitation and abuse 
3.	A draft and final questionnaire to undertake the research required  
4.	A draft and final document assessing the policies of private and public companies 	

VI. Competencies and experience 	
a.	Sound knowledge of fundamental human rights principles and of business and human rights, including Children’s Rights and Business Principles;
b.	Significant experience working with a variety stakeholders including private companies, civil society and the government; 
c.	Demonstrable experience monitoring and reporting human rights violations and abuses;
d.	Significant knowledge of research methodologies and in particular of UN human rights methodologies;
e.	Basic knowledge of institutional mandates. related to the position Extensive experience in human rights and gender mainstreaming;
f.	Demonstrable experience writing reports	

VII. Recruitment Qualifications	

Education:	
Master’s Degree in Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Gender studies, Law, Development Studies, or International Relations. (1 st Degree with a minimum of 7 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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Supervisor
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Chief Division/Section
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