Research Consultant: Communicating about gender and violence in the Ukraine humanitarian response  - Ukraine

Duration: up to 60 days (full-time equivalent)

Location: Ukraine

Travel: data collection in three locations in Ukraine (prospectively Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv)

Reporting to: Global Researcher

Deadline for applications: 9 August 2023*

*Due to the urgency of this project, screening and interviews will commence immediately and the candidate can be appointed at any stage before the closing date

How to apply

To apply for this consultancy please submit the following documents (applications not presented as specified may be rejected without review):

1. A technical and financial offer to include:

• a brief description (no more than two sides of A4) of how you would tackle this role
• a proposed work plan (including the number of days required for each task)
• a financial offer, specifying daily fees including all costs and taxes (if applicable)

2. Curriculum vitae highlighting experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three professional references.

Please upload the technical and financial offer as one document under “cover letter” and present the CV(s) of the expert(s) proposed in one document under “CV”.

Candidate can be selected at any stage before the closing date.

The role

The consultant will design, lead and report on a study on communicating about gender and violence in the context of the war in Ukraine and resulting humanitarian emergency.

Context

Communication is critical to understanding, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, but in wartime that communication can become more challenging and sensitive, even as GBV (gender-based violence) risk rises. Domestic and other gender-based violence is often hard to talk about - because it is intimate, and the stigma attached to it means that it is often viewed as a source of shame, and bound up with fundamental ideas about (gender) identity and individual value (https://rm.coe.int/chapter-1-gender-identity-gender-based-violence-and-human-rights-gende/16809e1595). By reinforcing traditional gender roles, disrupting social support networks and promoting an “us and them” mindset, war can make it harder to report or acknowledge GBV by anyone except the opposing forces. The language used to discuss gender and violence in wartime contains clues to the beliefs and prevailing narratives that can perpetuate GBV and silence GBV victims and survivors. Understanding these beliefs and narratives provides a basis for challenging and countering them.

The impact of war is stretching Ukraine’s systems for promoting gender equality and preventing and responding to GBV, strengthened to legislation in 2017, and placing them under immense pressure. Ukrainian women’s rights organizations supported by Oxfam are responding to an increase in domestic violence since February 2022. A range of factors heighten GBV risk, including overcrowding in collective centers, disruption of support services and the increased circulation of weapons (https://iwpr.net/global-voices/russian-invasion-overshadows-domestic-violence-ukraine).

At the same time, the war has forced many men to take the classic “manly”/ masculine roles of defenders and fighters and many women to assume an even greater share of family caregiving roles. These changes run counter to trends towards less rigid gender norms in Ukrainian society, and inevitably generate pressure and tensions for many individuals, potentially making some more prone to  and others more vulnerable to violence. But in a context of war, a critical assessment of this situation and its unintended consequences can be viewed as unpatriotic, narrowing the space to prevent, address, and support survivors and victims of GBV.

Research by CLEAR Global (previously known as Translators without Borders) and Oxfam in other contexts has found that the words people use to discuss sensitive topics reveal underlying beliefs which impact reporting behavior. Identifying what words make people comfortable or uncomfortable offers a guide to ensuring effective two-way communication on sensitive issues. Uncovering the concepts and power dynamics behind them can offer a basis for challenging harmful narratives and promoting accountability.

Aim of the research

The research aims to provide an evidence basis to help organizations working on GBV in Ukraine to counter harmful beliefs and narratives that can impede reporting and access to support and perpetuate violence. It will do this by identifying:

• Terms and concepts that women, men and gender diverse people feel comfortable using to discuss gender and gender-based violence, and the sensitivities to be aware of
• How personal and collective beliefs about the war influence attitudes to gender and GBV, and impact the incentives and disincentives for reporting and seeking support
• What alternative narratives women, men and gender diverse people find helpful to counter any harmful impacts
• The impact of the language used to discuss gender GBV in the context of the war on access to services and accountability

The study will use a qualitative approach with a relatively small sample including partner staff and survivors/community members. The sample should include women, men, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+, and members of the marginalized Roma community. The study will use mixed methods such as surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

Research questions

1. How do women, men and gender diverse people in Ukraine currently understand and communicate about gender-based violence, and to what extent is that affected by the identity of the perpetrator or victim/survivor? Has that changed over time?
2. What personal and societal beliefs affect the way women, men and gender diverse people communicate about gender and gender-based violence? How does that vary across age, language and other demographic characteristics?
3. What indirect or substitute words and concepts do women, men and gender diverse people use to discuss gender and gender-based violence, and in what circumstances do they use them? What impact does this have on how gender inequalities and GBV are addressed, and on access to services?

Responsibilities

• On the basis of a preliminary literature review (to include CLEAR Global’s past research for the Ukraine response), develop research tools in coordination with CLEAR Global’s teams and experts from our partner organization, Oxfam, and in line with ethical research standards
• Coordinate with CLEAR Global and Oxfam to set up and deliver the study
• Develop, implement and analyze findings from a survey, remote key informant interviews and in-person focus group discussions with humanitarians and affected populations in Ukraine.
• Design and conduct in-person research in three locations in Ukraine (prospectively Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv) with humanitarian staff and program participants, using methods including a review of key terminology, key informant interviews and focus group discussions
• Present preliminary findings to representatives of the different groups consulted at a validation workshop to obtain initial feedback to enrich the analysis and identify key points for programming and intervention
• Analyze the data from all methods and develop a report of no more than 10 pages excluding annexes summarizing key findings and recommendations for each location, in English, and finalize it in consultation with CLEAR Global
• Analyze the data from all methods and develop a short practical guidance on communicating about GBV including terminology, in English, and finalize it in consultation with CLEAR Global

The consultant is expected to comply with CLEAR Global’s ethical, research and data protection policies and Code of Conduct at all times during this assignment. During deployment to the three research locations the consultant is required to comply with Oxfam’s security protocols.

Deliverables

• Inception report including preliminary literature review
• Set of approved tools and fieldwork implementation plan
• Coded data set in dedoose (access provided by CLEAR Global). Analysis and clear summary of findings and recommendations (report of max. 10 pages), and short guidance including terminology, in English
• Short Google Slides presentation and delivery, in English

The Consultant will coordinate with CLEAR Global’s Ukraine and global teams on the sequencing of the study, which must be completed, with submission of all deliverables, by 15 October 2023.

Requirements

• Masters-level research qualifications, preferably specializing in gender research and/or language-related or anthropological study
• Demonstrated experience in research on GBV and sensitive topics, and experience interviewing individuals who have experienced traumatic events
• Demonstrated understanding of language barriers in relation to gender, communication for development, or other humanitarian or development issues
• Experience designing and implementing social science research in humanitarian contexts
• Familiarity with humanitarian programming, particularly communication, community engagement and accountability
• Experience of the Ukraine response and demonstrated understanding of the social and cultural context strongly preferred
• Verbal and written fluency in English; strong writing skills with a capacity for plain-language communication
• Verbal and written fluency in Ukrainian a must; working fluency in Russian also desirable
• Strong information management skills and a track record of producing analysis clearly grounded in original data
• Demonstrable understanding of ethical data collection and data protection practices
• Mature and collaborative personality, self-starter, flexible and committed

Terms and conditions

The Consultant’s fees will be paid as follows:

• An advance of 20% of the total contract value within 30 days of the signature of the contract
• Interim payments based on deliverables
• A final installment of 20% of the total contract value payable on satisfactory completion of the work and presentation of all deliverables.

The Consultant will be expected to use their own equipment and supplies (laptop, mobile phone, any recording equipment, etc.) and certify that they have their own insurance cover. CLEAR Global will cover agreed costs related to the assignment, including travel and accommodation for in-person research away from the consultant’s home base, and Romani interpreting and translation support. Oxfam will provide security support under its security protocols for Ukraine.

About CLEAR Global

CLEAR Global exists to help people get vital information, and be heard, whatever language they speak. We believe that everyone has the right to give and receive information in a language and format they understand. We work with nonprofit partners and a global community of language professionals to build local language translation capacity, and raise awareness of language barriers. Our network of over 100,000 community members translate millions of words of life-saving and life-changing information a year.

Core Values

CLEAR Global employees and volunteers are people who believe passionately about the value of this work and take personal responsibility for achieving the mission. CLEAR Global’s mission and organizational spirit embody the core values established in its strategic framework:

Excellence: As the leading voice for communicating humanitarian information in the right language, CLEAR Global is a leader in the translation industry and in the non-profit sector.

Integrity: CLEAR Global believes that every person, whether it is the people who we serve, our volunteers or our staff, has value, deserves respect and has inherent dignity.

Empowerment: CLEAR Global believes in using language to empower people around the world to control their own development and destiny.

Innovation: CLEAR Global recognizes and celebrates the power of innovation to address humanitarian and crisis issues around the world.

Sustainability: CLEAR Global recognizes that meeting our mission necessitates establishment and maintenance of a solid financial and organizational infrastructure.

Tolerance: Our staff and volunteers are highly knowledgeable and skilled; value each other, our partner and our recipients; create a supportive work environment; and, conduct themselves professionally at all times.

CLEAR Global may re-advertise the vacancy, cancel the recruitment, offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration at its discretion.