Gender Based Violence (GBV) Services Mapping for Kariba and Siavonga Districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

1.0  Background

Zambezi River Authority (“the Authority”) a corporation jointly and equally owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe and mandated to operate the Kariba Dam Complex is implementing the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP). KDRP constitutes rehabilitation of the plunge pool and the spillway of the Kariba Dam, located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The project is implemented with funding support from World Bank, African Development Bank, SIDA and European Union. KDRP is envisaged to complete by 2023 and had a workforce of 230 employees (Plunge Pool) as of August 2020. With the commencement of the Spillway during the 4^th quarter of 2020. The combined employee complement increased to 345 as of March 2021.

As per requirement, KDRP conducted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in 2016 which among other objectives evaluated the Project’s potential impact on the social environment. In addition, World Bank with ZRA undertook a project specific GBV assessment in 2019. Both the ESIA and GBV assessment ranked KDRP as a medium risk project in terms of the potential for GBV/ Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH). The rating suggests that there is a moderate likelihood that KDRP could contribute to reinforcing GBV risk factors in the project site and other areas of impact.

This understanding was on the basis that KDRP attracts a large workforce influx into the project site located in Siavonga District of Southern Province (Zambia) and the immediate community of Kariba town in Mashonaland West Province (Zimbabwe).  The workforce is largely young males who are away from home, typically separated from their family and act outside their normal sphere of social control. Experts postulate this can lead to inappropriate behaviour, such as GBV, SEA and SH, and illicit sexual relations with minors from the local community. Furthermore, KDRP workers reside off-site mainly in Siavonga and a smaller proportion in Kariba as the project has no dedicated camp site for its employees. Consequently, this can create and/or worsen existing inequalities/power imbalances between workers and members of the community, particularly for women and girls.

Safeguards documents of the project (ESIA and ESMP) define specific mitigation measures for addressing GBV, SEA/SH risks and a response framework that include a GRM for capturing among other concerns GBV complaints and a referral pathway where GBV survivors could access appropriate support services. It is expected that the project’s GBV, SEA/SH response interventions be linked with existing local GBV programmes in the health sector, and other GBV service providers, such as justice/security, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment programming.

It is against the aforementioned background that KDRP wishes to engage services of a GBV Expert or Consultant to undertake a mapping exercise of GBV support service providers to which GBV survivors, including SEA/SH survivors, will be referred, and the services which will be available as well as gaps identified.

2.0  Description of the Assignment

2.1  Main Objective

The purpose of the mapping exercise assignment is to identify service providers to support KDRP in preventing and responding to project related GBV risks.

2.2  Specific objective(s)

(i)    Conduct a mapping of GBV support service providers and institutions involved in GBV risk mitigation and response interventions including their location and referral pathways in Siavonga and Kariba Districts.

(ii)   Identify service gaps in terms of capacity to respond to GBV cases, availability and reach, efficiency, accessibility and affordability of GBV services offered.  

(iii)  Articulate best practices on GBV prevention and referral pathways that could be replicated at KDRP.

2.3  Scope of Work

The Individual Consultant will be expected to undertake the following key tasks:

(i)    Carry out a desk review of project related documentation to obtain an understanding of the nature of the project and its potential GBV risk factors. The desk review includes project documents, Updated ESIA and ESMP, GBV action plan, GRM guidelines, GBV assessment report, as well as other relevant materials. 

(ii)   Conduct in-depth interviews with stakeholders in Siavonga and Kariba districts; project staff, GRM operators, project supervisor and contractor, community-based and non-governmental organisations, health facilities, police stations (particularly Victim Support Unit in Zambia and Victim Friendly Unit in Zimbabwe), traditional and community leaders.

(iii)  Conduct a series of age appropriate and community level consultations with women, men, boys and girls as potential beneficiaries of GBV services to understand key barriers in accessing services (including community perceptions of and attitudes towards GBV).

(iv) Map existing GBV prevention and response services.

(v)  Assess the availability, accessibility and affordability of GBV prevention and response services in line with the minimum package of services articulated in Zambian and Zimbabwean legal and policy instruments on GBV and standard operating procedures (where available); The services to be assessed include survivor centred healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support, safety and security, justice, legal aid, socio-economic empowerment, safe house and shelter and effective referral[1] among applicable service providers including clarifying interface between GBV support services (health and justice, and social/ mental health support services for survivors).

(vi) Identify best practices on GBV prevention and referral pathways that could be replicated at KDRP.

(vii)Prepare a preliminary report to be presented to ZRA at KDRP

(viii)       Participate in validation Meetings at KDRP

(ix) Synthesize findings and prepare a draft GBV mapping report.

(x)  Present draft GBV mapping report to KDRP

(xi) Prepare final mapping report based on feedback received on the draft report.

2.4  Capacity Building and Training Program

The consultant will conduct a training session over a period of not less than three days with upto three training hours on each day to capacitate KDRP targeted personnel on GBV management and mitigation including stakeholder management. 

2.5  Deliverables/Outputs and Time Frame.

The outputs of the assignment shall be as follows:

1. Submit inception report within 14 days from mobilization. The Inception Report shall detail consultant’s appreciation of the scope of the assignment, mapping methodology, tools, work plan and budget
2. Presentation of the inception Report to KDRP within 5 days from its submission.
3. Submission of the draft GBV Mapping Report to KDRP with the following sections but not limited to a) identified local GBV service providers and nature of GBV service provided b) referral paths for respective service providers, c) potential barriers to access services d) directory of GBV service providers in Zambia and Zimbabwe e) conclusions and f) recommendations.
4. Capacity building and training of not less than three days with upto three training hours on  each day to capacitate KDRP targeted personnel.
5. Submit final GBV, SEA, SH Report that incorporates feedback received on the Draft Report.

2.5  Time frame

The consultant shall perform the tasks as in 3.0 above for 30 days over a maximum period of three months.

2.6  Data, location, local services, and facilities to be provided by the Authority

 (i) Data and information

KDRP will provide to the consultant the following background documents for reference:

• Necessary Project documents
• Appropriate versions of ESIA and ESMP
• GRM guidelines
• World Bank GBV assessment report
• Terms of Reference for GBV support service providers mapping
• Any other relevant document as may be required by the consultant and deemed necessary/validated by ZRA.

(ii) Location of Consultancy

The location of the Consultancy is KDRP with specific field visits to GBV support service providers, stakeholders and communities in Kariba and Siavonga districts.  

(iii) Local Services

The Consultant shall be responsible to access any local services as may be necessary. The Authority’s role will be solely to facilitate access to required services.

(xii)Facilities

KDRP is not obliged to provide facilities such as office space, vehicles, computer equipment, printing, and telecommunication system. As a result, the consultant shall make own arrangements for the facilities.

2.7 Institutional and Organizational Arrangements for carrying out the assignment

(i)    The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the ZRA Stakeholder Relations Officer and overall supervision of the ZRA Manager - Environment, Health and Safety (EHS). The ZRA Manager-EHS will disseminate information accordingly for prompt reviews and feedback.

(ii)  The Consultant shall be solely responsible for organising and coordinating the stakeholders and GBV support service third parties for all activities so demanding.

(iii) The Consultant is expected to be fully self-sufficient in all respects for undertaking the assignment such as accommodation, office space, equipment and supplies, meetings with stakeholders, communication and transportation.

3.0 Required qualifications and experience of Individual Consultant

The individual should possess the following qualifications and experience:

3.1 Academic /Professional Qualifications

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in any of the following: Gender Studies, Development Studies, Community Development, or Social Science.
• Relevant Postgraduate in Gender Studies, Public Health, Development Studies, Community Development.
• Recognized post grad training in GBV a distinct advantage

• Familiarity with World Bank standards applicable to the assignment is an added advantage.

3.2 Minimum Experience

• At least 12 years hands-on experience in GBV and SEA/SH programming particularly in remote areas is a must.
• Evidence of experience in GBV, SEA/SH and assessment of gender-based risk in infrastructure projects is an added advantage or any related assignment of similar nature.
• Evidence of experience in participatory methodologies, gender analysis and Survival-Centered approach.
• Expertise in community mobilization and development.
  • Demonstrable experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
  • Excellent presentation and writing skills.
  • Fluency in vernacular languages of the host communities is an added advantage.
  • Good understanding of the legal framework, policies and standards related to GBV, SEA and SH in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

3.2 Key Competences

• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Operational effectiveness
• Community stakeholder engagement and mobilization skills
• Influence and interpersonal effectiveness
• Effective communication
• Report writing skills