Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) invites all qualified candidates to apply for the following opportunity. SCA actively promotes and encourage Women and people with Disabilities to apply. Harmful Traditional Gender Practices 1. ABOUT SCA Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) has been working in Afghanistan since 1982 and is presently managing development programmes linked to Strategic Objectives - Health, Education, Rural Livelihoods and Community Governance with a total annual budget of roughly USD 45 million operating in 14 out of 34 provinces. The total number of staff is around 5,300 of whom 15 are non-afghans. The SCA presence in Afghanistan consists of the Kabul Management Office (KMO), five Regional Management Offices and two Liaison Offices. In Sweden SCA has 20 staff working at the Stockholm Management Office (SMO) and around 4,000 members organized in local chapters all over the country. SCA receives funds from various international and private donors, mainly from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 2. OVERVIEW OF THE ASSIGNMENT Human rights and gender is a cross cutting theme in Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. Human Rights and Gender Unit is working to mainstream rights and gender into the programmes and addressing gender discriminations, inequalities and gender based violence in SCA and with other right holders and duty bearers. All violations of women s and girls and boys and men s rights may be described as harmful practices, but there are particular forms of violence against girls and women and boys and men which are defended on the basis of tradition, culture, religion or superstition by some community members. These are often known as harmful traditional practices. Harmful traditional gender practices are widely practiced forms of violence which have been committed primarily against women and girls but boys and men are equally the victims in certain communities and societies in Afghanistan. These are existing for so long that they are considered, or presented by perpetrators, as part of accepted cultural practice. There is a long list of widespread harmful traditional practices which include but not limited to giving away girls for dispute resolution, exchange marriage and honour killings, bacha baazi cause suffering, humiliation and marginalization for Afghan women and girls and boys and men. Such practices are grounded in discriminatory views and beliefs about the role and position of girls and women and boys and men in Afghan society. Many Afghans reinforce these harmful traditions and customs by invoking their interpretation of Islam. In most cases, these practices are inconsistent with Sharia law as well as Afghan and international law, and violate the human rights standards. 1
The purpose of this assignment is manifold including to help program department with the provision of fact based prevailing social norms, values and traditional practices which hinder girls and women and boys and men s utilization of full potential. The compilation of such practices and social indicators will also guide SCA to review its strategic plan and objectives for integration of actions to culminate such practices. The study will also help SCA existing program to explore collaborative options for the development of attitudinal and behavior change interventions at grass root level to address such discriminatory practices. The study will specifically guide Human Rights and Gender Unit to develop long term strategy and focused interventions to address these harmful traditional practices in its next year 2017 and onward planning. Based on the findings of the study, HRGU will help regional staff, implementing partners and program units to link its interventions to clearly focus on social indicators to change people s attitude, behavior and perception towards those practices (a) Evaluation objectives: To compile existing harmful gender traditional practices, and impacts on the life of girls/women and boys/men and overall development in Afghanistan. Compile community attitude, behavior and perceptions regarding existing harmful gender traditional practices in Afghanistan; To identify and analyze key factors (either promoting or eliminating) for such kind of traditional harmful practices; Review these practices in the light of religion, Sharia and judicial laws and make a comparative analysis; Propose a set of recommendations to implementers, religious leaders, law enforcement agencies and policy makers to address the issue 3. ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS The procuring organization is Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, +93 (0)75 20 23 568 and +93 (0)75 20 23 590. Address: Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in Kabul (SCA), Jalalabad Main Road, Paktia Kot, PO Box 5017, Kabul, Afghanistan, Postal Address: SCA, P.O. Box 5017, Kabul, Afghanistan. E-mail: website: http://swedishcommittee.org (b) Questions regarding the procurement/tender process Please direct question regarding this consultancy to Pervaiz Tufail; phone: +93700703653, e-mail: Pervaiz.tufail@sca.org.af 2
All questions and queries regarding the ToR or tender procedures should be made in writing and will be answered in writing; questions and queries together with the response of SCA will be answered on the same websites where the ToR for this assignment were published. (c) Announcement The invitation to tender has been made public through announcement on our website www.sak.se as well as through inquiry to known actors in the market. (d) Procurement rules This procurement is a price comparison that is carried out with a simplified tender process with open tenders. Tenders should be submitted to SCA at the latest by June 30,, 2016 at 16.00 hours. All interested candidates should submit their applications through regular mail directed to Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in Kabul (SCA), Jalalabad Main Road, Paktia Kot, PO Box 5017, Kabul, Afghanistan, Postal Address: SCA, P.O. Box 5017, Kabul, Afghanistan. To apply online please send their request for proposal along with narrative and financial proposal at vacancies@sca.org.af Please be aware that tenderers may not be allowed to make any corrections or additions to the tender after the deadline for submission has passed. Although the tenderer may correct obvious misstatements or miscalculations. SCA may in certain cases ask that the tender is clarified even after the deadline of submission has passed if it may be done without risking special treatment. The tenderer has no right for compensation for the tender or cost associated with the tender process. 4. ASSIGNMENT DETAILS (a) The Scope and methodology of the study This Harmful Gender Traditional Practices will give attention both to SCA s work in Afghanistan and Sweden, and include all SCA s programs in education, health, rural development and disability as well as cross cutting and support programs such as human rights and gender, advocacy and civil society. The study involves desk review and field visits and meeting with right holders, duty bearers, SCA implementing partners and likeminded organizations in Afghanistan. The study will start from Kabul Management Office (KMO) to implement the proposed strategy by the consulting individuals/firms. The proposed methodology may include qualitative and quantitative approach. The consultant will travel in and outside Kabul to compile relevant material for desk review and 3
to other areas in Afghanistan to conduct meetings, interviews and workshops with staff, right holders and duty bearers. The consultant will develop a detailed methodology outlining her/his approach to the tasks of this consultancy, which will include but not limited to review of key documents, conducting interviews, focus group discussions and workshops with staff, target groups, members and right holders and duty bearers in Afghanistan including Kabul Management Office and Regional Management Offices of SCA. The data collected in this consultancy will be primarily qualitative in nature and the consultant is expected to come up with a data analysis plan. The structure of the final report will be developed by the consultant in consultation with relevant Human Rights and Gender Manager in SCA. The consultant in consultation with SCA will determine the exact consultancy methodology with proposed number of people/organizations contacted for compilation of data through interviews, FDGs, field observations etc. both internally within SCA and externally with right holders and duty bearers including SCA implementing partners. In consultation with SCA, if required, the consultant will conduct focus group discussions and facilitate review workshops. The desk study will focus on both quantitative and qualitative data and will include any or all of the following: available secondary data (research reports, studies, evaluations etc.) available with SCA or other likeminded local and international organizations, annual reports, program and project documentation, monitoring reports and project evaluations, sector and national policy documents and strategic plans and situational analyses, sector reports and evaluations from donors and NGOs. On completion of the field work, the consultant will conduct a workshop presentation in KMO of the initial findings, analysis/results in order to obtain immediate feedback. The first draft of the final report will be circulated among relevant Human Rights and Gender Unit and other SCA relevant staff for their feedback and recommendations. The final report will be compiled and presented including all feedback from the various SCA staff. (b) Profile of Consultant required for the evaluation: The study will be carried out by an external national or international consultant who will be responsible for conducting all aspects of the study and delivering the stated outputs. The consultant with have the following experience and skills: Minimum qualification of Master s degree in a relevant academic field; Significant demonstrable experience in conducting gender related studies in a country like Afghanistan or developing gender sensitivity and mainstreaming programs for development NGOs; Broader understanding of Afghanistan Constitution, legal framework, Islam and Sharia law Have experience and full understanding of gender and human rights based programming in development NGOs; 4
VACANCY Have knowledge and competence regarding work in any of the following fields: gender equality, mainstreaming and sensitization, rights based approaches for programming, gender audit and assessments, rights and gender integration programming and monitoring; Experience in a range of consultative and participatory data collection methods; Experience of working in a conflict or post conflict environment is highly desirable; Experience of working in Afghanistan desirable; Highly proficient in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Dari and/or Pashto an asset. Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally is desired. (c) Outputs Inception report submitted not later than 5 days after the start of the assignment. This shall include: - a detailed methodology, including an explanation of the overall approach, as well as the chosen methods of consultation with proposed time frame. Data collection and analysis as required Workshop presentation of preliminary findings of the study to SCA staff at KMO on finishing the field work Draft study report with executive summary in English addressing all the objectives given in the ToR will be submitted to the authorized person one week prior to the final submission date. This report will be circulated among relevant SCA staff, and accepted by SCA before the final review report can be finalized. Final study report incorporating or responding to feedback from SCA, to be delivered no later than seven days after receiving SCA feedback. (d) Time schedule, reporting and dissemination The study will preferably start as soon as possible, but no later than July 31, 2016 and will be carried out according to the following schedule: Study preparation/desk review/inception Report Field visits to identified areas including regional SCA offices Analysis and initial findings presentation and feedback (Kabul) Analysis and Final Report Submission Total 3 days 15 days 1 day 4 days 23 days 5
SCA s Human Rights and Gender Unit shall provide the consultant with assistance in arranging meetings and field visits, as well as the organization of travel to and within the field and the provision of accommodation in the field in SCA s guest houses. SCA Human Rights and Gender Unit will also provide a translation support to the consultant during the field visit. (e) Deliveries and due dates Inception Report 5 days from the day of signing the contract. Workshop presentation date to be decided at the start of the assignment and included in the contract. Draft study report date to be decided at the start of the assignment and included in the contract. Final Study Report date to be decided at the start of the assignment and included in the contract. 5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS SCA shall have a non-time-limited, free and exclusive right to use, reproduce, modify and process the results, in processed and unprocessed form, of the ordered assignment. The ownership and copyright of the results and material compiled in connection with the performance of the assignment belongs unrestrictedly to SCA, regardless of the medium/channel. The same applies to the original and working materials that form the basis of the assignment. Furthermore, the supplier guarantees that SCA by the use of the product does not infringe on any intellectual property rights held exclusively by a third-party. SCA is entitled to submit original and working materials to another supplier for processing and production. The supplier shall, subject to SCA rights under the Intellectual Property Rights, make this a mandatory demand towards subcontractors (if applicable) and employees. The above still applies even if the agreement between SCA and the supplier has expired. THE TENDER Requirements for the supplier Minimum qualification of Master s degree in a relevant academic field; Significant demonstrable experience in conducting gender related studies in a country like Afghanistan or developing gender sensitivity and mainstreaming programs for development NGOs; 6
VACANCY Broader understanding of Afghanistan Constitution, legal framework, Islam and Sharia law Have experience and full understanding of gender and human rights based programming in development NGOs; Have knowledge and competence regarding work in any of the following fields: gender equality, mainstreaming and sensitization, rights based approaches for programming, gender audit and assessments, rights and gender integration programming and monitoring; Experience in a range of consultative and participatory data collection methods; Experience of working in a conflict or post conflict environment is highly desirable; Experience of working in Afghanistan desirable; Highly proficient in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Dari and/or Pashto an asset. Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally is desired. 6. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Interested consultants are required to submit the following: Technical Proposal that include a description of the methodology to be applied, tentative workplan on how she/he plan to conduct the assignment. In additions, the consultant should add a summary on financial offer including the consultant s daily fee, travel costs to Afghanistan and any other costs associated with the evaluation. Accommodation, food as well as travel within Afghanistan will be arranged and paid for by SCA. CV of the consultant (s), showing relevant experience and background for the assignment; The full documentation, excluding CVs is not to exceed three pages. The assignment is subject to tender procedure according to SCA s standard procurement regulations. SCA reserves the right not to accept any or all of the tenders submitted. In addition SCA reserves the right to take references on proposed candidate. Note that tenders shall remain valid for a period of 60 days. Possible use of subcontractors should be specified in the tender. If applicable, the subcontractor should be presented in the same way as the tenderer according to the above requirements. Price for the performance of the assignment should be presented with VAT included and the percentage of VAT specified. The tender should specify time and price for all components included in the processes of the assignment. Possible applicable general conditions that are mandatory from the supplier side to be attached to the agreement should be presented in the 7
tender. For suppliers registered in Sweden, the tax authority s form SKV 4820 should be included in the tender. 8