Consultant on alimony enforcement and financial abuse prevention

Result of Service• A comprehensive report section documenting GBV cases linked to financial dependence, based on field visits and engagement with survivors and stakeholders. • A legal analysis identifying key gaps in Kyrgyzstan’s alimony enforcement framework and comparing relevant international best practices. • A set of policy and legal recommendations, including proposals for enforcing alimony without direct survivor-perpetrator contact and recognizing financial abuse as GBV. • A final analytical report with findings and recommendations presented jointly with the Ombudsperson’s Institute to key stakeholders, ensuring that the recommendations are integrated into advocacy efforts and legal reform discussions. Work LocationBishkek, Kyrgyzstan Expected duration60 days Duties and Responsibilities1. Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment 1. Case monitoring and data collection on GBV and financial dependence Objective: jointly with the Department identify and document cases where financial dependence forces women to remain in abusive relationships or continue interacting with ex-partners due to alimony or child support issues. • Support the Department in monitoring and documenting GBV cases where financial dependence is a key factor, analyzing the link between economic abuse and post-separation violence. • Identify systemic patterns where financial coercion is used as a tool for manipulation and control by perpetrators. • Conduct two field visits (Osh and Talas provinces) together with the Department to engage with human rights defenders, legal aid organizations, and survivors, gathering both qualitative and quantitative data Outcome: the findings will be compiled into a report section analyzing financial dependence as a risk factor for GBV, providing case-based evidence for further legal and policy recommendations. 2. Legislative analysis and identification of gaps in alimony enforcement Objective: assess existing legal frameworks on alimony enforcement, identify gaps, and compare international best practices. • Review national legislation on alimony enforcement with the Department to assess loopholes that allow financial manipulation by perpetrators. • Analyze how financial abuse is addressed in domestic violence laws and assess whether additional legal protections are needed. • Compare best practices from other countries with the Department, identifying successful models for alimony enforcement that prevent financial coercion and manipulation. Outcome: findings from the legal analysis will be incorporated into the final report section on legislative gaps, forming the basis for policy and legal recommendations. 3. Development of policy and legal recommendations Objective: jointly with the Department propose actionable policy and legal reforms to strengthen financial protections for survivors and improve alimony enforcement mechanisms. • Jointly with the Department propose mechanisms to enforce alimony payments without requiring direct contact between survivors and perpetrators (e.g., stricter penalties for non-payment, wage garnishment, and state-managed child support funds). • Draft recommendations for the Ombudsperson’s Institute on integrating financial abuse into domestic violence protections, ensuring that economic coercion is recognized as a form of GBV. • Provide strategic policy advice on how the Ombudsperson’s Institute can advocate for legal amendments and institutional reforms to strengthen financial protections for survivors. Outcome: The final consultancy report will include a detailed policy brief outlining concrete legislative amendments and institutional reforms for enhancing alimony enforcement and preventing financial abuse. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, economics, or related field. A first level university degree in combination with a qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in the areas of gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, or legal and policy research. Proven experience in analyzing domestic legislation, especially related to alimony enforcement and financial abuse, as well as in documenting GBV cases and conducting fieldwork with survivors and stakeholders, is required Experience working in Kyrgyzstan is required Familiarity with international human rights standards and mechanisms, strong analytical and drafting skills is required. Knowledge of OHCHR and the UN System is desirable LanguagesWorking knowledge of Russian and/or Kyrgyz are required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.