National Consultant- Thematic Expert (Gender) Audit of Schemes and Policies funded by Nirbhaya Fund
- Company
UN Women
- Location
New Delhi(Delhi)
- Employment Type
Full-Time
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Functional Category
Programme Management & Implementation
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Experience
12 - 15 years
About UN Women
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion ForAllWomenAndGirls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: increasing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality.
- Website
Overview of the Role
The Thematic Experts (Gender) will undertake the audit of Nirbhaya funds with methodology a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the implementation of schemes and programmes under the Nirbhaya Fund. Sampling will ensure geographic and regional diversity, covering states and programmes with varied levels of fund utilization and those addressing the needs of women survivors of violence.
Job Description
Schemes under Nirbhaya Fund:
• One Stop Centre [OSCs];
• Women Helpline [WHL];
• Fast Track Special Courts [FTSCs];
• State-wise Vehicle Tracking Platform for Safety & Enforcement; Integrated Emergency Response Management Scheme [IERMS];
• Women Help Desk [WHDs] in Police Stations.
Programmes under Nirbhaya Fund:
• Emergency Response Support System; Video Surveillance System under Konkan Railways- 17 Stations;
• Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs);
• Safe City projects under the Nirbhaya Fund Scheme in eight cities;
• Strengthening of DNA Analysis and Cyber Forensic Capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories.
The audit will be structured around five core indicators:
• Effectiveness: Have the intended outcomes been achieved? (e.g., improved service access, faster response times);
• Efficiency: How well have human and financial resources been managed? (e.g., reasons for underutilization, administrative delays);
• Relevance: Do interventions reflect the real needs of beneficiaries, especially marginalized women;
• Sustainability: Are the interventions built to last? (e.g., integration into government programs, adequate staffing);
• Quality & Accountability: Are services delivered in a right-based, trauma-informed manner? (e.g., feedback mechanisms, user satisfaction.
• The assignment will cover a specified set of centrally sponsored schemes, central sector schemes and stand-alone projects funded wholly or partially through the Nirbhaya Fund (listed above). The gender audit will include, but not be limited to, the following dimensions:
Policy and design level:
• Review of policy documents, guidelines and scheme frameworks approved under the Nirbhaya Fund framework issued by MWCD/Ministry of Finance.
• Assessment of the extent to which programme objectives, results frameworks and indicators reflect women’s rights, safety, access to justice, agency and empowerment.
Institutional and implementation arrangements:
• Assessment of governance and coordination mechanisms, including the role of MWCD as nodal Ministry and line Ministries/Departments, State Governments, and local implementing agencies.
• Training and orientation on gender-based violence (GBV), survivor-centred, trauma informed approaches and ethical standards.
• Mapping of grievance redressal, safeguarding and accountability mechanisms, including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse/harassment (PSEA/POSH) measures.
Service delivery, access and impact:
• Analysis of the extent to which scheme design and implementation are survivor-centred, rights-based, trauma-informed and non-discriminatory.
• Examination of accessibility, coverage and quality of services for diverse groups of women, adolescents and girls, including those in rural/remote, conflict-affected or marginalized communities.
• Review of available monitoring and evaluation data (quantitative and qualitative) to assess outcomes and emerging impacts on women’s safety, security, access to services and justice.
Participation, voice and accountability:
• Assessment of participation of women’s organisations, survivors’ collectives, civil society and community-based organisations in design, implementation, monitoring and review processes.
• Review of mechanisms for feedback and accountability to rights-holders, including community oversight, social audits and public disclosure of information.
• Cross thematic and intersectional approach
Geographic Scope:
• As part of the audit, the consultant will be expected to include at least one state per geographic region (as mentioned in the table below) and scheme/programme under review ensuring diversity and enabling a comprehensive assessment of implementation across interventions
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Education
Masters in Gender Studies, Social Sciences; or equivalent degrees from premier institutions.
Experience
• At least 12- 15 years of professional work experience with action research, data and policy analysis, to advance the normative global framework on gender equality and women’s rights • Experience of working at the National level working with the development of gender responsive programmes such as evaluation of policies/ conduct consultations for drafting the state/ national policies. • Experience working on National/State safety schemes (Urban and Rural). • Experience in working with institutional mechanisms to strengthen prevention and response to survivor centric services. • Substantial knowledge and expertise in gender data and research. • Demonstrated experience in gender equality, women's empowerment, or women's political participation initiatives.