Consultancy – Legal Expert

TERMS OF REFERENCE Consultancy – Legal Expert Towards a just legislation to eliminate violence against women and girls Background Oxfam has been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over five decades. Over the past four decades it has been promoting gender equality and supporting women’s right to participate and be represented in governance and decision-making structures and processes. Oxfam’s Regional Gender Justice Programme (RGJP) was established in 2009 to promote gender equality in the MENA region. The RGJP aims at supporting women, in particular poor women, to realize and voice their rights, enjoy a life free from violence and have access to social and legal protection, and become equal contributors in the development of their respective communities, hence breaking the cycle of violence and exclusion. In its work, the RGJP links direct assistance to poor women with national, regional and global advocacy and campaigning work. Advocacy work at the RGJP is informed by both programming and research. The RGJP has worked with 39 partners in Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt. The RGJP programming and advocacy work focuses on the following five thematic areas: - Women, Peace, and Security, - Transformative Leadership and Women’s political participation - Women’s Economic Empowerment - Women’s Access to Justice - Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (EVAWG) Building on efforts of Kafa ((Enough) Violence and Exploitation) based on recommendations of the regional conference on Women’s Protection,Oxfam GB is planning to conduct a revision on the national laws addressing EVAWG in the MENA region and developing a model law. Purpose of this consultancy This consultancy is aims at conducting a comprehinsive revision of the national laws and project laws put forward by civil society in MENA region. Based on the revision a model law will be developed. The model law will then go through a process of peer review by legal experts from the region. Scope of work This consultancy covers three components: a) EVAWG legislations revisions b) Developing a regional model law on EVAWG c) Work with the regional Technical Advisory Group to facilitate peer review process. Suggested methodology: a) EVAWG Legislation revision: The consultant is expected to review all existing national laws on EVAWG and any project or draft laws that have been put forward by civil society organistions from all countries in MENA region. Deskreview of any research or papers developed relevant to legislations on EVAWG in the region. Desk review with focus on EVAWG including to convensions of CEDAW and its recommendations, Istanbul EC Convention on preventing violence against women, UN framework for developing a model law on VAW. The consultant will produce a legislaitons mapping and cross country comparison of similarities and differences. b) Developing a regional model law: Based on outcomes of the revision a model law will be developed. The model law will have a comparision of best practices from regional examples, and comparision with international tools including CEDAW and EC Istanbul convention on preventing violence against women, UN framework for developing a model law on VAW. c) Peer Review Process: Working with the Technical Advisory Group The consultant will seek technical inputs from the Technical Advisory Group to facilitate a process of peer review and validation. The Technical Advisory Group will incude legal experts/feminists from the region and Oxfam relevant staff. The technical advisory group will provide comments and feedback to the process. They will also support in gathering relevant documents and research to support the process. At least two rounds of review will take place (one remotely, and second face to face in a regional consultative meeting). Timeframe and deliverables This consultancy is expected to take approximately 40 days, which do not need to be consecutive within two months. This work will ideally be undertaken between 1st February – 31st March 2017. The first drafts should be submitted on end-February and Final drafts by second week of March. The following deliverables are expected: a) EVAWG legislations revisions: Mapping of regional EVAWG existig laws and project/draft laws. Deskreview report on regional EVAWG legislation research and international tools with EVAWG focus. b) Developing a regional model law on EVAWG: Draft regional moLaw on EVAWG. Matrix of comparing draft model law, against regional best practices/legal provisions, and against internationa tools (CEDAW, Istanbul convention, UN Framework to develop the model law on VAW). c) Regional peer review through the Technical Advisory Group: Two rounds of feedback from the Technical Advisory Group is collected. d) Information Dissimination: Present findings for Oxfam and partners. Present findings in regional event. Participate in a webinar as part of Oxfam Inspiring Webinar Series, to present the findings. Location This consultancy is home based with possible one time travel to a country in the region to a regional conference to share and validate the results. Reporting: The consultant will report to Oxfam’s MENA Regional Gender and Advocacy Manager and Regional Event Coordinator. Key qualifications, skills and capabilities - Relevant university degree(s) (Masters preferred) in social science and law. - No less than five years experience practicing the law or relevant legal experience (Human Rights defending) - Strong understanding on legal issues related to violence against women and girls. - Strong understanding in MENA context and women’s rights is an advantage. - Strong understanding of international human rights tools with focus on women. - Experience in drafting laws/legal provisions. - Capacity to plan and work independently with limited support. - Capacity to liaise with different stakeholders including peer reviewing through the Technical Advisory Group. - Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic. How to apply: Oxfam invite bids from individuals (or teams) with the experience and skills described above. Bids must include: a) A cover letter of no more than one page introducing the consultant (or team), describing how the skills and competencies described above are met and explaining why they should be selected to undertake this work. Please also use this cover letter to indicate the consultant’s availability. b) A CV detailing relevant skills and experience and a report of a similar assignment. c) A brief Technical proposal including work approach, methodology, workplan with timeline. d) A Financial proposal, outlining the budget, specifying daily fee and total costs to carry out this assignment. Evaluation Criteria: The bids will be evaluated according to the following criteria; - Technical proposal (50%) - Demonstrated experience (10%) - Proposed personnel for the assignment (10%) - Financial Proposal (30%) Bids should be sent by email to menaresearchtender@oxfam.org.uk and received no later than 12 midnight GMT, on 8 February 2017. Applications that do not include the above documents will not be considered.