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

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) was launched in February 2016 as a multi-partner trust fund hosted by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office. The Fund supports over 1,800 civil society organizations and 1,300 women human rights defenders (WHRDs). In 2022, a new funding window for the protection and advocacy of WHRDs was established, providing safety net grants and direct logistical support for advocacy and decision-making processes.

About the role

WPHF is seeking a consultant to conduct an internal review of the verification processes and protection approaches implemented by its eight international non-governmental organization (INGO) partners under the WHRDs Window’s Safety Net Stream. The review will cover the period from 2022 to 2025 and assess the end-to-end process from application referral to case closure, partner capacity, and alignment with ethical and "do no harm" principles. The consultant will also support the development of an internal assessment tool for existing and prospective partners.

Responsibilities

• Prepare an inception report outlining the proposed approach, methodology, workplan, and timeline, including:
  • Objectives and expected outcomes
  • Detailed methodology, including document review, key informant interviews, and analytical approach
  • Ethical considerations and "do no harm" approaches
  • Draft interview guides and data collection tools
  • Adaptation and updating of an internal INGO assessment tool
• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documentation and operational processes, including:
  • WHRD Window’s Project Document and annual reports
  • Quarterly financial and narrative reports from INGO partners
  • Systems for tracking application status and transfers to INGO partners
• Map the current end-to-end process from application referral through verification, protection support, transfer of assistance, and case closure.
• Produce a document (max 10 pages) outlining strengths, bottlenecks, inconsistencies, operational risks, and recommendations for process improvements.
• Conduct consultations with all eight INGO partners to assess their internal processes for receiving, processing, approving, or rejecting safety net applications, including:
  • Application validation procedures
  • Protection risk assessments
  • Safeguarding and confidentiality measures
  • Timeliness of processing applications
  • Financial transfer procedures
  • Monitoring and follow-up processes
  • Surge capacity for increasing application volumes
  • Application of "do no harm" principles
• Review a sample of cases processed by INGO partners between 2022 and 2025 to assess consistency in eligibility criteria, verification processes, and approval/rejection rationale.
• Finalize and co-design an INGO assessment tool for existing and future partners, including co-assessing the first round of INGO assessments with WPHF.
• Develop practical protection guidance for consistent implementation of the Safety Net stream by INGO partners, covering the entire process from proposal receipt to grant closure.
• Provide capacity-strengthening sessions for INGO partners and WPHF staff using the developed protection guidelines.
• Produce a summary paper (max 10 pages) highlighting key findings and recommendations for improved protection guidelines, capacity strengthening, and management of INGO partnerships.
• Present findings in a virtual meeting with WPHF staff and incorporate feedback into the final draft.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or a related field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A project/program management certification (e.g., PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) is an added advantage.
• 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 providing protection support to WHRDs and other activists.
• Experience in Women, Peace, and Security and work in conflict and crisis settings.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with civil society and INGOs.
• Experience with operational systems reviews in humanitarian or protection contexts.

Skills

• Program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations, operational reviews, or institutional assessments.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, evaluation ethics, and data protection in conflict and crisis settings.
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions, and present findings.
• Good analytical skills and knowledge of the women, peace, and security agenda.
• Preferred: Experience conducting feminist assessments/reviews or evaluations involving vulnerable populations, with a strong understanding of "do no harm" principles and research ethics.
• Fluency in English and French is required.

Competencies

• Core Values:
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Respect for Diversity
• Core Competencies:
  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication
  • Inclusive Collaboration
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Leading by Example

For more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework, visit this link.