Job Title: National Expert on telephone hotline service for Domestic Violence victims
Location: Baku
Organization Name: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku
Closing Date of application: 01-06-2015
Background Brief description:
The purpose of this consultancy is to assist the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs and the Government of Azerbaijan in analysing the existing needs and conditions, as well as to develop necessary capacities for the establishment and management of a 24-hour telephone hotline service for victims of domestic violence. The contract will tentatively start on 7 September 2015 and will end on 23 October 2015 encompassing 15 working days.
Background:
Since 2009, the OSCE mission in Baku and, from 2014, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku (the OSCE PCiB), has played an important role in supporting the adoption of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence (DV Law), and has been actively involved in supporting its implementation. Nevertheless there are certain challenges relevant to the effective implementation of the DV Law, including the provision of effective assistance and protection to victims and insufficient capacity of the national institutions to implement the DV Law. Additionally, there is generally a low level of awareness about the DV Law among the legal professionals, regional executive power staff, law enforcement personnel, social workers, civil society etc. Domestic violence remains a challenging issue in the regions of the country.
There is a capacity gap in State institutions to facilitate implementation of the national legal framework and provide effective assistance and protection to DV victims based on recognized international standards. More specifically, the State institutions and civil society need to focus resources on ensuring the safety of the victims through adequate provision of victim services, such as support centres, shelters and hotlines.
The OSCE PCiB plans to support the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs (State Committee) and the Government of Azerbaijan in assessing the existing conditions for the establishment of a State-run DV telephone hotline service that would operate 24 hours/day for victims of domestic violence. The State-run DV telephone hotline service would have a nation-wide coverage.
For this, the PCiB in co-ordination with the State Committee, will identify and hire an International Expert with proven experience and knowledge on establishing and managing telephone hotline equipment and providing telephone consultation services to DV victims in line with the applicable international standards. The International Expert will assist the State Committee to analyse the existing needs and conditions and to develop necessary capacities, regulations and standard operating procedures for establishment and management of a 24-hr telephone hotline service for DV victims. To assist the International Expert, the PCiB will also recruit a National Expert, knowledgeable about the national standards related to DV, who will accompany the International Expert in meetings, provide interpretation and information support as required.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of the Human Dimension Unit of the OSCE’s Project Co-ordinator in Baku, the National Expert will undertake the following activities:
- Assisting the International Expert in reviewing the relevant documents related to legislation of Azerbaijan on the prevention of DV;
- Providing input to the International Expert on the methodology of the assignment;
- Arranging meetings, providing translation support and substantive input for the International Expert’s meetings with relevant Azerbaijani stakeholders;
- Providing input to the analysis of the national legislation, policies, current practices and state of affairs regarding the establishment and managment of a 24-hr telephone hotline service for DV victims;
- Providing input to the identification of the technical parameters and the minimum requirements applicable for operation of the hotline service (including a list of necessary equipment);
- Providing input to the draft technical standards for establishing 24-hr telephone hotline service for DV victims, that includes standards for premises, equipment, staffing, privacy considerations, social/counselling services, legal services and other relevant services;
- Providing input to the operational guidelines for key services and standard operational procedures for managing a 24-hr telephone hotline service for DV victims;
- Providing input to the identification of the composition of the personnel to enable the hotline service to be operated at a pilot stage within a 24 hour shelter, as well as to operate as a separate Unit within a State institution’s structure following the take-over of the activity by the host Government (including the number of staff, description of professional backgrounds);
- Providing input to the sample job descriptions for recruitment of the hotline personnel;
- Providing input to the guideline on establishing and managing a 24-hr telephone hotline service for DV victims;
- Providing input to the guidelines to identify trends, risk factors, and patterns from the cases reviewed to make recommendations for effective intervention and prevention strategies;
- Providing input to the recommendations (including inter alia on ensuring the sustainability of the hotline service);
- Providing input to the final consultancy report with recommendations for future support.
Expected Output/Deliverable:
• Agenda of the meetings for the International Expert;
• Input to the methodology of the assignment;
• Translation between English and Azerbaijani during meetings of the International Expert;
• Input to the draft and final consultancy report of the International Expert (including: analytical report, technical standards, operational guidelines, standard operating procedures, guideline for establishing and managing hotline service for DV victims, job descriptions, guidelines to identify trends, risk factors, and patterns from the cases, recommendations discussed and agreed with national counterparts).
Tentative timeframe of engagement:
The contract will tentatively start on 7 September 2015 and will end on 23 October 2015 encompassing 15 working days. More concretely, the suggested timeframe includes:
• Preparatory work including preparation of the agenda of meetings for the International Expert, and input to the International Expert’s desk review of relevant documents and preparation of the methodology to carry out the assignment (5 working days, 7-11 September 2015, 5 working days)
• Assisting the International Expert during the in-country mission (tentative travel dates of the International Expert: 12-19 September 2015, 5 working days)
• Providing input to the International Expert’s draft and final consultancy report (including: analytical report, technical standards, operational guidelines, standard operating procedures, guideline for establishing and managing hotline service for DV victims, job descriptions, guidelines to identify trends, risk factors, and patterns from the cases, recommendations discussed and agreed with national counterparts) (home based, 5 working days)
Necessary Qualifications
The National Expert should possess the following minimum qualifications:
• Advanced degree in social sciences, law, human rights or related field.
• Minimum four years of relevant professional experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and best practices, as well as of the national legislation on DV;
• Familiarity with Azerbaijan’s context regarding DV;
• Excellent knowledge of English and Azerbaijani including excellent communication and drafting skills; knowledge of Russian would be an asset.
• Ability to work within the international and multicultural environment.
Remuneration Package
The consultant will be remunerated commensurate with his/her experience and qualifications in accordance with OSCE established consultancy rates. All payments for the services will be processed in AZN.
How To Apply
The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link for contracted vacancies found under http://www.osce.org/employment/43284. Please note the OSCE is an equal opportunity employer.