EOI - Case Study: Perceptions of Relationship between Social Protection & Intimate Partner Violence

Background

Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) invites expressions of interest from qualified organisations, consortia, and/or individuals, to undertake an important case study on Perceptions of the Relationship between Social Protection and Intimate Partner Violence in the Pacific.

The objective of this assignment is to:

  1. Start to build an understanding of the interface between cash payments and intimate partner violence in the Pacific context.
  2. Identify and analyse perceptions of intimate partner violence service providers regarding the linkages between intimate partner violence and government-led cash transfer programs.
Scope

The scope of the assignment will be determined by the supplier based on the countries identified for inclusion in the case studies and the nature of cash payments that have been/are being delivered. The case studies will consider various cash payments, including but not limited to:

  • Regular social protection payments (e.g. benefits for older women, disability support, unemployment benefits).
  • COVID-related payments.
  • Humanitarian response payments.

This assignment will leverage existing approaches, knowledge, and support structures for intimate partner violence research in the context of each specific country. It will draw on key frameworks that explain and clarify the relationships between cash transfers and intimate partner violence. This approach ensures that the research is grounded in local realities and current good practices in Pacific contexts, while also contributing to the broader understanding of how cash transfer programs interact with intimate partner violence dynamics in Pacific settings.

The assignment design and implementation will prioritise ethical considerations and safety at every stage. This includes careful selection of research methods, culturally sensitive engagement with participants, and robust data protection measures. The assignment design and implementation will consider the following:

  • An initial case study in one or two Pacific Island countries (to be determined in consultation with the successful Supplier).
  • Highly localised approach in each country, informed by local context and expert insights.
  • Focus on perceptions of intimate partner violence service providers with exposure to intimate partner violence issues, rather than direct experiences of intimate partner violence survivors.

For more details on this EOI, please refer to the Terms of Reference.

EOI close date: Sunday, 10 November 2024 at 5:00pm (AEDT)

Other key dates include:

  • Information session: Friday, 1 November 2024 at 10am – 11am (AEDT) via Zoom.
  • Closing date for registration of intent to submit a proposal: Friday, 1 November 2024 at 5:00pm (AEDT)
  • Closing date for questions on this EOI: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 5:00pm (AEDT)

P4SP is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from applicants requiring reasonable workplace adjustments.

Please contact admin@p4sp.org if you have any questions, including if there are adjustments or reasonable accommodations to be made that would assist you in completing your Expression of Interest.

Information session resources

Questions and answers

What happens if I submit the EOI over the weekend of 9 & 10 November?

Our team will monitor emails until Friday 8 November, and if you submit over the weekend, you will receive an automated response. If there are any submission issues, please contact us immediately to ensure that we can make any necessary adjustments. We will address any submission issues on the following Monday.

What case study countries should be included in the proposal?

Regarding country selection for case studies, we have intentionally left this open to flexibility. Proposals may focus on a single country or two countries. For instance, a supplier might propose studies in two countries, such as Kiribati and Samoa, or focus on one country. We will evaluate all proposals and decide if we will work with one or multiple suppliers based on the submissions we receive. If a supplier proposes two countries, we may only agree to go forward to the next phase of the tender process with the proposal for one country. We welcome diverse ideas on where suppliers are best positioned to conduct this work.

Can the case study include a country/ies with high IPV rates but limited social protection schemes?

It would be difficult to gather perceptions on government-led social assistance in countries where such schemes are not established. Most countries in the Pacific have some experience with social assistance, though a few, namely Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu either don't have any government-led social protection programs yet or are in the early stages of implementing their first social assistance scheme. For this study, we aim to include countries where there is experience with social assistance to capture perceptions based on lived experiences.

What's the difference between registering for the EOI versus the Zoom information session?

Registering for the Expression of Interest (EOI) is separate from registering for the Information (Zoom) session held on 1 November 2024. We encourage all interested parties to register for the EOI so that we can send you any updates to the tender and/or additional information. This will include the recording of the information session. Those who have not registered may still submit an EOI but will not be individually alerted to updates. They will need to access this information from the P4SP website: EOI details – P4SP.

What is the estimated number of days or budget for the project?

At this stage, we have not provided specific budget estimates, as costs may vary depending on the scope of each proposal. Proposals involving remote or hard-to-access areas will likely differ significantly from those centred around urban areas. Once we have a clearer sense of the countries/locations and approaches proposed, we can provide more guidance on budget expectations. P4SP will provide guidance on this to suppliers who are shortlisted to proceed to Stage 2 of the procurement process.

Should the case study include consulting with additional stakeholders beyond service providers?

The focus of this study is on the perceptions of IPV service providers, specifically those offering counselling or psychosocial support, such as women's crisis centres across the Pacific. This focus helps mitigate risks and avoid over-consultation, particularly given the sensitive nature of IPV and the number of different studies that are currently underway in countries in the Pacific. However, we are open to hearing suggestions about how and who would be involved for proposed countries. Risk mitigation is a priority to ensure that this process does not cause further harm to IPV survivors.

What is P4SP's connection to social protection programs, including their relation to IPV?

P4SP collaborates with government partners to strengthen existing social protection programs. We do not independently fund or pilot any programs. Our focus is on supporting government-led programs, such as disability benefits, elderly benefits, and unemployment benefits. While P4SP supports specific governments, this research is not limited to regions where we currently provide assistance. The purpose of the study is to better understand perceptions of if and how cash assistance provided through these programs impacts IPV.

What is the role of DFAT in the research?

We have worked closely with DFAT colleagues to shape this research concept over time. This collaborative approach has been essential given the sensitive nature of the research topic and the centrality of gender equality to Australia's foreign policy. While the research will be conducted by the selected supplier, there will be collaboration with both P4SP and DFAT throughout both the tender process and implementation. Although responsibility for the research sits with the supplier, P4SP (and DFAT) will play an advisory/support role to ensure that our collective expertise, experience and networks are optimally leveraged to support this research.

What is the role of Development Pathways in the research?

P4SP is an Australian Government program, implemented by Development Pathways - a consulting firm that specialises in designing and developing social protection systems. The successful supplier will be contracted by Development Pathways.