National Gender Communication Consultant (Lao nationality only)

There is growing recognition that gender-based violence against women is a serious violation of basic human rights that must be eliminated from all sections of society. In Lao PDR, gender-based violence against women is a by-product of traditional beliefs and discriminatory customs related to gender roles. And without a strong rule of law and governance mechanisms for survivors to seek civil remedies, the elimination of gender-based violence against women cannot be achieved.

COVID-19 has threatened the lives of many, causing devastating impacts on people’s livelihoods, especially the socially vulnerable. In societies with gender-based discriminations, women face greater social and economic consequences during times of crisis. Not only has COVID-19 created new challenges for women in terms of achieving gender equality and being empowered, but the crisis has shone a light on, and exacerbated, preexisting challenges faced by women.

Women globally are affected by the economic fallout of COVID-19 due to their reliance on temporary and informal employment. A significant proportion of women are self-employed within the informal sector and these forms of employment are typically not represented by labor unions, nor qualify for social security and are particularly at-risk during crisis, including during COVID-19 with social restrictions and lockdowns significantly impacting business.

According to the ‘Care Rapid Gender Analysis COVID-19 Lao PDR (July 2020)’, the study has found that the pandemic has both reinforced traditional gender norms as well as provided opportunities for men and women to work together to address the current crisis in Lao PDR. The main findings of this study are 1) some traditional gender roles have been reinforced, 2) lockdown measures have made detection of Gender Based Violence (GBV) even more difficult, and 3) the economic sectors with a large female workforce have been strongly affected, increasing women’s economic insecurity. 

With the advent of the second wave of COVID-19 infections in Lao PDR, the Government of Lao PDR has put in place strict lockdown restrictions from 22 April 2021 that have exacerbated the risk women face in experiencing violence, especially domestic violence. Many women are confined with their abusers and the lack of knowledge on their rights and the services available to them perpetuate the cycle of violence they might find themselves in.

In addition, women are particularly exposed due to their prevalence in the informal sector, such as working in the food industry and as street vendors, where they are unable to remain in lockdown. Furthermore, women living on the margin may not have access to accurate information on the virus or the pandemic, pushing them further behind.

UNDP is committed to gender-responsive programming to promote and protect the rights of women, and provide them with opportunities to fulfill their potential, contribute to society, and ensure the government of Lao PDR fulfills its pledge under the UN Sustainable Development Goals to “leave no one behind” as the country moves forward 

OBJECTIVES:

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support the improvement of communication and community outreach efforts of the Lao Women’s Union to empower women within their network with access to information and on gender-based violence, and the availability of and their right to seek support services should they require them.

The objective of the consultancy is to: support the Lao Women’s Union to develop a gender-responsive communication strategy and deliver capacity development on gender-sensitive communications/outreach

SCOPE OF WORK

The successful applicant will be expected to support the international consultant with their knowledge of the local context and culture to ensure the undertaking of the following tasks:

Task 1: Develop gender-responsive communication strategic plan

1. Support LWU audience analysis through field research, through missions if possible or virtually if necessary
2. Design and deliver a drafting workshop to develop a communication strategic plan

Task 2: Develop a capacity development programme based on the strategy

1. Based on the strategy developed in Task 1, design a capacity development programme to ensure successful adherence to the strategy, including on use of social media and website, producing gender-sensitive communications material, and developing script concepts for broadcast, especially on issues such as gender equality, women’s empowerment and, in particular, preventing and responding to GBV
2. Deliver capacity development workshop/s to LWU
3. Provide follow up support in the development of 3-5 communications assets by LWU to be released throughout the assignment

Task 3: Develop and deliver training programme for LWU to train sub-national levels

1. Design training programme to the LWU to train sub-national Women’s Unions on principles of gender in communication, developing content and communications materials
2. Deliver training programme to LWU and support LWU to train sub-national Women’s Unions if timing permits

Task 4: Develop gender-responsive communication manual/handbook/guidance note

1. Deliver workshops with partners working in media and communication to develop content for gender-responsive communication manual/handbook/guidance note
2. Develop manual/handbook/guidance note

• Strong IT and design skills
• Fluency in Lao and English

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or relevant area
• Experience in designing communications material via radio, print, social media and television;
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering capacity building workshops;
• Experience working with UNDP is an advantage;
• Previous experience working with the Lao Women’s Union is an asset.

Requirements for submission of proposals 

All interested and qualified International or National Independent Consultant should apply on-line using the following links: 

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html  or  

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available on the link below 

1. TOR (Annex I) 
2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II; 
3. OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III 
4. P11 Form 

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: 

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work 

                  schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable; 

1. P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 
2. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III 

Instructions for on-line submissions: 

Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically; 

Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above; 

Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. 

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails:                                 

[email protected] with copy to [email protected]