Terms of Reference (ToR) – Gender Sensitization Consultant

Background
The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is a not-for-profit organization working to connect vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly women and girls, with effective and expedient services for justice delivery. In collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and under the Awaaz II Program, LAS is implementing initiatives to strengthen the response of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Pakistan. Within this project, LAS also provides technical support for institutional strengthening and legislative advocacy on child marriage in Sindh.
One of the critical areas of concern in Sindh is the persistence of child marriage, unregistered marriages, and weak enforcement of marriage laws. Although Sindh has a robust legal framework, challenges such as limited legal literacy, socio-cultural biases, and a lack of gender sensitivity among marriage registration actors continue to undermine women’s rights.
To address these gaps, LAS is conducting a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Legal Framework, Marriage Registration, and Women’s Rights in Sindh, designed for local government officials, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The training aims to develop a cadre of master trainers who can deliver gender-sensitive training to Nikah Registrars, Nikah Khuwans, and Union Council officials.
The Gender Sensitization Consultant will play a vital role in delivering Day 1 of the ToT, focusing on gender, religious, and social sensitization to help participants understand the impact of gender norms, patriarchy, and harmful cultural practices on women’s rights and child marriage.

Scope of Consultancy & Expected Outputs
The Consultant will:
1. Conduct a one-day training on gender sensitization covering:
2. Develop a short training plan (session outlines, activities, and materials).
3. Develop Pre and Post Assessment Questions
4. Submit a concise training report with analysis of participant feedback.

Required Expertise & Qualifications
● Advanced qualifications in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Law, or related fields.
● At least 7 years of professional experience in gender, child protection, or justice-sector reforms.
● Strong understanding of gender norms, cultural practices, and their impact on women’s rights in Sindh.
● Proven experience in designing and delivering interactive trainings based on adult learning methodologies.

Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

• Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its
  staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:
• Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
• Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of 18), irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child, which shall not amount to a defence.;
• Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance.
• Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics, undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.