UN Women: WHRD Window Protection Assessment Specialist, Home-based, SSA

Overview

The consultant will conduct an internal review of verification processes and protection approaches implemented by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) partners providing urgent protection support through the WHRDs Window’s Safety Net Stream. The review will assess partners’ capacity and support the development of an internal assessment tool.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare an inception report outlining the proposed approach, objectives, methodology, workplan, and draft interview guides.
• Adapt and update an internal INGO assessment tool.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documentation and existing operational processes.
• Map the current end-to-end process from referral of applications through verification, protection support, transfer of assistance and case closure.
• Produce a document outlining strengths, bottlenecks, inconsistencies, risks, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Conduct consultations with all eight INGO partners to understand their internal processes.
• Review a sample of cases processed by INGO partners between 2022 and 2025.
• Assess partner capacity in areas including application validation, protection risk assessment, safeguarding, timeliness, financial transfer, monitoring, surge capacity, and application of do no harm principles.
• Review and co-design the INGO assessment tool for existing and future INGO partners.
• Co-assess with WPHF the first round of INGO assessments.
• Develop practical protection guidance to support consistent implementation of the Safety Net stream.
• Develop a summary paper highlighting key findings and recommendations for improved application of protection guidelines, capacity strengthening, and management of INGO partnerships.

Required Experience

At least 10 years of experience in working for or supporting multi-trust funds, global funds or funds providing financing to WHRDs or other protected groups, including grant management, process and system evaluations. Experience in provision of protection support to WHRDs and other activists. Experience in Women, Peace and Security is required and work in conflict and crisis settings. Experience coordinating and liaising with civil society and INGOs is required. Experience with operational systems reviews in humanitarian or protection contexts. Experience conducting feminist assessments/reviews or evaluations involving vulnerable populations, with a strong understanding of do no harm principles and research ethics is preferred.

Qualifications

Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/ women’s studies, international development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A project/program management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

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