National Consultants and In-Country International Consultants At Mines Advisory Group

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) is a UK-based humanitarian organisation that has been working in Sri Lanka since 2002, locating and removing landmines and other unexploded bombs, helping the country to reach its goal of becoming mine free. The clearance activities are currently taking place in Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Trincomalee Districts.

As Sri Lanka approaches clearance completion of all known contaminated minefields, concerns about post-demining employment for a large, often vulnerable, workforce are emerging. Since 2002, demining has provided formal and well-paid job opportunities for over 10,000 people – including women heads of households, in conflict-affected districts where economic progress is still lagging compared to the rest of the country. Demining operations in Sri Lanka have among the highest proportions of female to male deminers in the world, and women in the sector have been empowered and treated equally to their male counterparts. Employment is not only important for improving household income status, but it is also an effective pathway to deal with several social issues and gender-based violence, by positively impacting on women’s bargaining power and improving their social and community support networks. A careful transition to alternative occupations will therefore be essential to enable this female workforce to continue making a dignified living and to prevent any potential negative consequences resulting from the demobilisation process.

In light of studies conducted in Sri Lanka highlighting gendered mistreatments such as sexual harassment and bribery when accessing essential services and resources, MAG intends to increase awareness on this sensitive and complex topic among its female field staff and support them develop coping strategies to address those situations if/when they arise, as they would need to interact with a variety of stakeholders as part of the transitioning process.

Scope of the Assignment

MAG is looking for a gender expert (35 days, mid-Sept.-mid-Nov. 2021) to conduct a comprehensive gender-sensitive assessment among 40 MAG’s female demining staff who are considered the most at-risk of sexual bribery and exploitation when accessing services and resources during the transition process. The scope of the assignment consists of:

1. Generating information on the socio-economic profile of targeted female staff,
2. Identifying the specific risks, concerns and challenges they have been facing or may face in relation to gender-based violence in their community, and more specifically their needs related to their exposure to sexual bribery and exploitation risks during the transition process and,
3. Providing practical recommendations to inform the design of a tailor-made and sequenced capacity building programme to address those risks and challenges.
4. Identifying key stakeholders – individuals and/or organisations – operating in the Northern Province who can provide individual psychosocial counseling and/or legal assistance to the targeted group upon need.

Profile of the Consultant

· Education: University Degree in gender studies, social work or a related field.

· Experience: Demonstrated expertise and experience on gender and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) risk assessment and mitigation in the Sri Lankan context, especially in conflict-affected areas; Experience working in projects implemented by (I)NGOs focusing on women economic empowerment and SGBV; Experience in conducting gender-sensitive quantitative and qualitative data collection and field work.

· Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic context in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka; Ability and willingness to travel to Vavuniya and other MAG’s field sites in the Northern Province, in compliance with COVID-19 health guidelines (essential); Strong communication, analytical and drafting skills, including ability to issue practical recommendations; Excellent command of Microsoft Office, online communication tools and Internet research; Ability to work with multicultural teams (ethnicity, language, religion and nationality).

· Language: Fluency in English is required. Tamil is desirable.