SGBV in North-Kivu
In the ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo five million people have died, millions have been – often repeatedly - displaced, and tens of thousands of women and girls have become victims of sexual violence during the last 15 years. The United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) reported that 15,996 new cases of sexual violence were registered in 2008. In North Kivu alone, there were 4,820 new cases. UNFPA also reported that more than 65 percent of these victims were children, the majority adolescent girls, an estimated ten percent are children less than ten years old. However it is likely that these statistics represent only a small percentage of the total cases. Brutal acts of sexual violence continue on a widespread basis throughout Congo, a weapon of war used by all sides to deliberately terrorize civilians, to exert control over them, or to punish them for perceived collaboration with the enemy. Armed groups also abduct women and girls and use them as sexual slaves.
The destructive long-term physical, psychological, and social effects of sexual violence on the victims cannot be underestimated. The situation is particularly bad for girls, who are at risk of serious injuries and chronic infections (leading sometimes to sterility) after rape, and whose health is at risk if they get pregnant. Their future is often compromised as they have difficulty in finding a partner, drop out of school, are rejected by their own family, or have to raise a child born from rape while still being a child themselves (cf. Human Rights Watch 2009). Many are stigmatized and lack social support and networks. Multiple traumatic experiences often result in anxiety, depression, guilt, shame and a negative self-perception. All this has serious consequences for their chances to survive and lead an active economic and social life.
This human tragedy has repeatedly received great coverage in the media and a great response in the humanitarian community. Several Congolese NGOs, international humanitarian NGOs, United Nations organizations, bilateral development organisations and institutions of the Congolese government are addressing the issue. However, the sheer dimension of the problem in terms of number of victims, geographical area, and facets of needs exceeds by far the assistance offered.
Objective of the assessment
The overall objective of the assessment is to prepare the enlargement of Johanniter portfolio in DRC in order to include SGBV-Projects or activities.
There are two specific objectives:
Taking into account the profile, capacities and competences of Johanniter International Assistance, both as NGO and with its Goma office and portfolio,
1. To assess where and how Johanniter can meaningfully and in a financially feasible way intervene in the next two years to address SGBV in North Kivu: To find out who already gives what kind of assistance where? Where in terms of regions and intervention fields are the most pressing needs that are not yet covered by other actors and for which there are realistic chances to get donor funding? And to learn from the experience with SGBV-work from other stakeholders.
2. Based on the results of this assessment to prepare a strategic concept for Johanniter interventions in the field of SGBV in North Kivu for the next two years, including two to three project concept papers for submission to concrete donors. The projects suggested shall be as holistic as possible (taking into account donor approaches), i.e. including several elements of the following: prevention, protection, medical consultation/treatment/referral, psycho-social care, HIV/AIDS-counselling, legal advice and support, rehabilitation and reintegration, training of medical staff on a trauma- and SGBV-violence-sensitive approach to survivors of SGBV. Eventually the concept papers would comprise one vertical and one horizontal/transversal project, the latter connecting directly to our recent and current partners and health zones.
Methodological aspects
- Interviews with key persons in Germany and DRC (Goma, Kitshanga etc.) from the medical, social, humanitarian, donor and government field and Johanniter team;
- Participatory exchange with victims of SGBV in North Kivu and/or eventual representatives
- Rapid analyses of reports and statistics issued by DRC government, UN, donors organizations, selected INGOs and NGOs
- Further methodologies may be suggested by the consultant.
The candidate is asked to explain his or her methodological approach in the application.
Time frame and work plan
30 days, of which
- 3 days preparation in Germany, including starting session with Johanniter Africa desk in Berlin.
- 21 days in North-Kivu
- 6 days wrap-up in Germany, including presentation of draft to the Africa desk and production of final version.
Output:
- Before travelling to DRC: presentation of inception report to clarify assessment outline
- Assessment report of max 35 pages including
- Summary of max 2 pages
- Assessment report of 10 – 12 pages
- SGBV-strategy for Johanniter in North Kivu (5 pages)
- Annexes:
- matrixes with health zones, needs etc. and actors, donors etc (2 -3 p.)
- a full list of persons contacted (incl. organization, full address..) (3 p.)
- a list of literature/sources used (1 – 2 p.)
- 1 concept paper for a vertical project for a concrete donor (2 pages)
- 1 concept paper for a horizontal project for different donor (2 pages)
- personal presentation of the draft assessment report to the Africa desk at Johanniter HQ in Berlin and finalization of the report after feedback by the Africa desk
- All documents and information from interviews are confidential and shall only be used to realise the assessment.
Use of the assessment report
- the assessment report is for internal use by Johanniter Inernational Assistance
- the assessment report will be evaluated by Johanniter Africa desk in consultation with Johanniter Goma team
- based on the results of this assessment it is intended to extend Johanniter’s DRC-program to include SGBV, including staff recruitment, elaboration and submission of proposals to donors, realisation of projects etc.
Qualification required
- proven expertise and consultancy experience on SGBV including HIV/AIDS, if possible in Africa
- methodological security, analytical skills, strategic and conceptual thinking, report writing
- proven record of needs assessments, successful project design and proposal writing
- relevant university degree
- clear understanding of the gender approach
- field experience in development and humanitarian aid, if possible in the medical (tropical or public health) or social sector, including budget responsibility and PCM
- training experience would be an asset
- fluency in French and English
- security awareness and experience with working in a difficult security environment and under harsh conditions
- cultural sensitivity
- strong networking competences.
Starting date: As soon as possible (latest February 2010)
