UNDP provides support to countries to develop electoral laws, processes and institutions that strengthen inclusive participation and professional electoral administration. Support includes the conceptual and programming guidance to the UN and national stakeholders alike in using an electoral cycle approach that grounds electoral administration and assistance in democratic governance. In July 2009, UNDP launched the Global Programme for Electoral Cycle Support (hereafter, ‘GPECS’) which aims to advance democratic governance by creating and sustaining an environment of inclusive and responsive political processes. Achieving the overall objective of GPECS is dependent upon the empowerment of women in electoral processes. The inclusion of the perspective of women and their participation in political and electoral processes is a prerequisite for democratic development and contributes to democratic governance. Electoral processes, while representing as a principal way to legitimize governance at national, regional and local levels, can sometimes be a catalyst or accelerator of conflict. Experience shows that electoral contests can elevate social tensions and provoke violence, especially when the electoral process itself is not perceived to be free and fair, or where those seeking to retain or gain political power have few or no qualms about resorting to extraordinary measures—including the use of force—to win. Violence is most likely to erupt in situations where there are also other underlying or ‘root causes’ of conflict, such as exclusion, inequality or a history of ethnic tensions. Women voters and candidates can be disproportionately and/or differently targeted and/or affected by electoral violence as they are often vulnerable targets or deterred from participating in the political process by a climate of intimidation. This study will examine both the general electoral violence experienced by women (which may also be experienced by men) as well as forms of gender based electoral violence experienced by women (and girls). With this framework, UNDP is undertaking a research to identify how electoral violence affects women as voters and candidates and provide recommendations on how to mitigate electoral violence risks for women, including through engaging them as change agents and working with Election Management Bodies, political parties and other stakeholders.
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Duties and Responsibilities | |
Under the supervision of the Gender and Elections Advisor DGG/BDP and Democratic Governance Policy Advisor GT/BDP, the incumbent will carry out a desk study of existing research on electoral violence with the aim of identifying the nature and scope of gender based violence in elections as well as strategies for mitigating electoral violence against women (including gender based electoral violence). The research will include consultations with key women’s groups and other UNDP staff in ten agreed countries(2 per region) and will draw on relevant UNDP experiences/initiatives.
The consultant is required to produce the following outputs:
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Competencies | |
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Required Skills and Experience | |
Education:
Experience:
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International Consultant on Gender Equality and Electoral Violence
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