Protection from Violence programming aims to prevent violence, coercion and deliberate deprivation and mitigate the impact of violence, when it does occur. We seek to place an emphasis on proactive protection work – specifically deliberate and structured approaches contributing to the prevention of incidences and disruption of cycles of violence, and with particular attention to contexts with conflict or other forms of generalised violence. We as an international Organization adopts a risk-based model, considering the interaction between threats, vulnerabilities and people’s capacities. Protection Core Competency consists of the strategic response areas of (1) Community Safety and Violence Prevention, (2) Site Management, (3) Individual Response Services, and (4) Thought Leadership and Influence.

The goal of Community Safety and Violence Prevention is to enhance the safety of civilian populations by taking measures to prevent and reduce the prevalence and severity of harm to civilians during conflict through community engagement on identifying threats and supportive actions and strategies in response to these threats. The goal of Individual Response Services (IRS) is to target individuals at heightened risk for experiencing a human rights violation through General Protection Case Management and Individual Protection Assistance.

This assessment will inform a comprehensive protection risk analysis aimed at understanding the unique challenges and risks faced by populations in NWS and NES. By gaining insights from this analysis, targeted interventions and strategies can be developed to address these risks and ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.

The selected consultant or organisation will be task oriented and focused on conducting a gendered protection from violence assessment on the protection needs and gaps in NWS and NES

The primary data collection will involve a mix of key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussion with community members (separated by AGD), while the secondary analysis will include utilizing open-source external data and internal assessments such as protection-related reports and research conducted in the targeted areas over the past 3 years. The assessment, analysis, and the final report are anticipated to be completed within 45 working days.

The assessment will include the following specific objectives:

1. Analysis: outline the Protective environment in NES and NWS through a Protection Risk analysis and resulting in identification of profiles at heightened risk (separately for NES & NWS):
   1. Mapping of risk factors present in NWS and NES including threats and barriers which put people at risk of rights violations, namely violence, coercion and deliberate deprivation.
   2. Mapping of existing protective factors among NWS and NES populations including community level protective factors and self-protection strategies disaggregated by displacement status.
   3. Identification of profiles that are more likely to be at heightened risk; through a protection risk analysis of the risk factors and protective factors present in each location.
2. Specific Gender analysis of the differences in Gender-specific Protection Risks and Concerns faced by women, men, boys, and girls across displacement statuses when accessing protection services as well as Gender specific differences in safety and well-being of women, men, boys, and girls… The analysis should take into consideration differing roles and responsibilities, cultural norms, power dynamics, and gender-based discrimination within the context of NWS and noting changes that have occurred following the earthquake, if any. Analysis should include perspectives of the affected populations as well as organizations specializing in gender issues.
3. Mapping of current protection interventions and gaps in NES and NWS:
   1. 4Ws (Who, What, When, Where): Mapping of the national and international organizations involved in the field of Protection, (separated per NES & NWS), Understanding of protection services being provided, modalities of provision, challenges and self-reported gaps in programming through KIIs with a minimum of 4 organizations per Area of Responsibilities, as well as an understanding of Cluster and Forum strategies[MA1] .
   2. Assessment of affected persons perspectives on protection programming needs in targeted communities collected through FGD and KIIs
   3. Identification of gaps in current Protection interventions in each location noting specifically gaps in services for profiles identified as at heightened risk, identified gender specific protection risks and concerns, and community perspectives, bearing in mind Protection from Violence objectives.
4. Recommendations for potential Protection from Violence interventions based on the protection risk analysis, gender analysis, and identified gaps in current protection programming a minimum of 5-10 concrete potential areas of intervention and modalities should be proposed for PfV. Protection programming: based on the findings, the consultant will provide recommendations of PfV intervention relevant for the organization to implement, based on identified gaps and our organization’s added value.

The assessment will seek to answer the below questions:

• What are the specific characteristics of the context that are creating a protection situation?
• What are the primary protection risks of violence, coercion and deliberate deprivation faced by the population, taking into consideration factors such as gender, age, disability status, and displacement status, and how do these risks impact the population, and what groups are most impacted by these risks? (vulnerability, location)?
• Which interventions are suitable and pertinent for our organization to undertake or implement, based on the most urgent protection risks and according to our organization’s PfV response pillars?
• What are the current resources and capacities of the target population (skills, knowledge, social networks, and other factors) at the individual and community level to address protection risks?
• How have local authorities / NGOs responded to these risks? What strategies did they use?
• How have communities responded to these risks? What strategies did they use?
• What worked? What did not work? Why?
• What services are available for those who survive these violations? What are the barriers to these services?
• What are the gaps in this follow-up? And how is the coordination between the different service providers?
• What are the potentials of partnership with Local NGOs and CBOs in protection programming?

The assessment will be carried out by an external consultant who is responsible for primary data collection, analysis, and drafting an initial report of the assessment findings. The Protection from Violence Programme Development Manager will oversee the technical design of the assessment. Ultimately, our organization will consolidate the findings into a comprehensive report highlighting key insights, recommendations, and advocacy priorities. This report will guide our engagement with relevant stakeholders, aiming to promote human rights and safeguard vulnerable populations.