Consultant - To provide management and operational support to the UNW Vanuatu Office

Consultant

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Fiji covers 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Fiji MCO current focus countries for programming are Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Under the overall guidance and direction of the supervisor, the Consultant will assist the MCO in taking responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions in Vanuatu. She/he will work in close collaboration with the Country Programme Coordinator (Vanuatu) (currently working remotely), staff in the Vanuatu Country Presence Office, the programme and operations teams at MCO Suva, UN Women HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under portfolio.

UN Women’s programming work in Vanuatu includes support for:

• preventing and responding to violence against women and girls through the Pacific Partnership to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls;
• women’s economic empowerment through the Markets for Change programme;
• gender and humanitarian action, including the Strengthening Women’s Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Small Island Developing States programme; and
• coordination and normative support.

Purpose of the consultancy

In this regard UN Women Fiji MCO seeks to hire a Consultant to support the management and operation of UN Women’s Vanuatu Country Presence Office. Applications are open to both national and international consultants. However, due to COVID travel restrictions, the applicant must be currently located in Vanuatu in order to take up the position in Port Vila.

Duties and Responsibilities

?Objectives of the assignment

The main objective of this assignment is to support the management and operations of the Vanuatu Country Presence Office, and delivery of UN Women’s programmes in Vanuatu.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Fiji MCO Representative and the guidance of the Country Programme Coordinator (Vanuatu) and regional programme managers, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Provide timely advice and programming support to MCO and in-country program teams in order to support coherent and well-coordinated UN Women programming in Vanuatu.
2. Manage the daily operations of the UN Women Vanuatu country office and assist staff to perform their duties in line with UN Women policies and procedures.
3. Contribute to normative work and UN coordination activities in Vanuatu to support the implementation of the UN Pacific Strategy and UN coherence and coordination.
4. Support MCO and in-country program teams with managing strategic partnerships, supporting resource mobilization and developing and implementing programs; and
5. Support UN Women to effectively and efficiently participate and support emergency response and recovery.

The Consultant will work closely with the Country Programme Coordinator (Vanuatu) (who is working remotely), country office staff, regional programme managers, Fiji MCO Operations team and Fiji MCO Senior Management Team.

Specifically, the following major tasks shall be undertaken by the Consultant:

No.

Tasks and activities

Estimated workload

Outputs

1. Support for programme management:

• Provision of monitoring, technical assistance and supervision of all country portfolios in conjunction with MCO supervisor and CPC

• All country portfolios and project activities are well-coordinated with national priorities and key partners and implemented on-time and monitored regularly.

• All risks to project implementation are actively managed in consultation with MCO and Vanuatu team through early advice on country-level developments & recommendations for adjustments to program activities.

• UNW evaluations/review teams are supported through the provision of quality, timely logistical support & relevant briefings.

Up to 8 days

• Tracking of all contracts and deliverables for the Vanuatu team documented and shared with MCO weekly.
• Updated risk matrix for Vanuatu programmes.
• Briefings for evaluation and review teams.

1. Support to programme teams:

• Support programme/country office staff with UNW policy & procedures, drawing on programme managers and operations team at Fji MCO and written UN Women guidance.
• Provide support, mentoring & advice to programme/country office staff, and input into staff PMD plans/reviews.
• Through proactive leadership, problem solving approaches & encouragement of work-life balance ensure country office is a positive & supportive work environment.
• Lead weekly/bi-weekly country level staff meeting.

Up to 15 days

• Analysis of policy support / training needed.
• Contribution to midterm performance discussions with supervisors – documented.
• Weekly team meeting held – agenda and minutes with clear action points / areas of responsibility circulated and shared with senior management team at MCO.

1. Analysis and reporting:

• Provide monthly reporting to Fiji MCO on political, resource mobilisation, program and partnership environment and opportunities.
• Ensure that requests for information from Fiji MCO are responded to quickly or a timeframe provided.
• Attend monthly Country Programme Coordinator (CPC) meetings and Fiji MCO All Staff Meetings.
• Contributions to quarterly and technical reports by country office teams are quality reviewed and submitted to MCO on time.

Up to 7 days

• Monthly CPC report submitted on time, before the 6th of each month.
• Response to emails within a 48 hour period – within the day for urgent emails.
• Quarterly reporting for Vanuatu AWP for Q3&Q4 completed and submitted on time.
• Technical reports submitted on time.

1. Oversight of monthly financial reporting, asset management from all programme units:

• Financial reporting including monthly reconciliations & acquittals, & quarterly budget reviews, is completed and submitted on-time and meets UNW quality requirements
• Biannual assets verification reports are submitted on time to Fiji MCO
• Procurement planning

Up to 6 days

• Monthly financial reports are submitted to MCO on time.
• End of year asset verification submitted on time to MCO.
• Procurement planning conducted and updated monthly – clear plans shared with operations and programmes for procurement – revised quarterly procurement plans.

1. Support UN Interagency Coordination:

• Attend coordination meetings with relevant programme staff including UNCT Monthly Meetings, Spotlight meetings, Government of Vanuatu meetings and Head of Agency meetings.

• UN Women country office team is up to date on all relevant UN-wide coordination activities and developments through participation in all relevant UN coordination meetings.

• MCO staff (SMT and Program leads/managers) are kept up to date on relevant country-level UN coordination activities – including through emails, minutes and regular catch-ups.

• Support UN Women’s normative work at the country level including ensuring support to CEDAW, CSW, UPR and other reporting mechanisms, SDG reporting and the UN Voluntary National Review processes.
• Gender is reflected and mainstreamed in all UN Pacific Strategy (UNPS) country-level processes and reporting through the provision of quality and timely inputs by UN Women.
• Contribute and submit feedback on time to UNPS and development of joint country action plans and other UN reporting fora.

Up to 6 days

• Information provided in a timely fashion through monthly CPC reports.
• Updates at CPC and All Staff meetings.
• Ad hoc reporting of significant activities to Vanuatu team and Fiji MCO.
• Gender equality programming at the country level is reflected accurately in joint country action plans and UNPS reports.
• National reports and reviews reflect UN Women’s input.

1. Support, create and facilitate partnerships with government, UN agencies, donors, private sector, partners:

• Maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders including government, donors and CSOs that facilitate program development and implementation, including through actively contributing to key meetings and events.

• Provide regular briefing with country office staff to key stakeholders regarding UN Women’s programming.

• Proactively provide timely up to date donor and partner feedback to MCO.

• Provide timely up to date feedback to MCO on any in country changing situations that may potentially affect UNW’s programming work.
• Facilitate coordination and liaise with the Government in supporting the gender and protection cluster, and on work related to women’s resilience and climate change.
• Represent UN Women in the humanitarian cluster system

Up to 6 days

• Information provided in a timely fashion through monthly CPC reports.
• Updates at CPC and All Staff meetings.
• Ad hoc reporting to Fiji MCO including meeting minutes with key partners including government, CSO and donor partner meetings.

1. Identify programming entry points and areas of cooperation in alignment with UN Women priorities (resource mobilization):

• Ensure Project interventions are developed based on analysis of the in-country situation.
• Be able to identify and determine programmatic areas of cooperation through participation in relevant development fora and coordination mechanisms.
• Ensure relevant staff at MCO are aware of funding and other partnership opportunities through regular reporting from country office.
• Support the mobilization of additional resources for programming through support from country office team including inputs into project proposals.
• Support the design and design process of the Women’s Resilience to Disaster Programme, including liaison with government, partners and stakeholders in country
• Support the start of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund grants – undertaking partner capacity assessments under the guidance of the CPC and Humanitarian team

Up to 7 days

• Project interventions are represented in project documents, donor reports, AWPs, and proposals.
• High quality, timely submissions to PMs/MCO in writing.
• Monthly CPC report.

1. Support for advocacy and events:

• Support advocacy networks at national level and with international networks in country and communities of practice, including support and implement advocacy and campaigns with partners

• UNW events/advocacy in country or regionally are supported through the input & review of relevant documents including press releases, publications

• In-country missions & high-level visits run smoothly through the provision of quality, timely logistical support and relevant briefings.

Up to 4 days

• Communication plans and implementation of the plan, including input to press releases, publications, project reports, and social media.
• Mission reports, technical advice & feedback.

1. Support UN Women to effectively and efficiently participate and support emergency response and recovery:

• Support Vanuatu country team and Fiji MCO during an emergency response

Up to 6 days

• Monthly CPC report.
• Timely advice and reporting to country team and Fiji MCO.
• Updates on TC Harold and COVID 19 recovery plan for the Protection Cluster – regional and national.

TOTAL NO. OF DAYS

UP TO 65 WORK DAYS

Duration of the assignment

The total duration of the contract assignment will be up to 65 working days within a three-month period, between September and December 2020. The assignment will be based in Port Vila, in the UN Women Country Presence Office.

There is a possibility of short-term missions within Vanuatu. No international travel is expected.

Expected Deliverables

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 3 months, not exceeding 65 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Monthly reports on major tasks performed and the results, including related to support provided to UN Women Vanuatu Country Presence office, inputs, meetings and other as per above description of tasks.
• Final report on carried out activities, achievements, and challenges.
• Information, analytical work papers, relevant to the assignment.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English electronic copy.

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the installment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one week of submission.

All the documents should be submitted in written English language.

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Inputs

• The Consultant is expected to work in the UN Women Country Presence Office in Port Vila.
• The Consultant will be provided with a desk and computer in the UN Women office and will have access to UN Women facilities in the office, such as printer, copier and desk phone.
• If domestic travel is required, UN Women will cover the costs of daily subsistence allowance (DSA) as per standard UN rate, as well as the costs of in-country travel.
• The Consultant will be responsible for all administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment to be based in Port Vila.

Performance evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial arrangement

Payment will be disbursed monthly, upon submission and approval of deliverables and timesheets with actual days worked and certification by the Representative, UN Women Fiji MCO (or her nominated delegate) that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Payment will be made within 30 (thirty) days after receipt and acceptance of the specified deliverable and corresponding invoice but only after UN Women have certified that the services have been satisfactorily performed by the Consultant.

Competencies

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

• Ability to think conceptually, strategically and analytically;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• A Master’s Degree (or equivalent), preferably in International Development, Gender, Human Rights, Applied Anthropology, other related Social Sciences, Business, or Management.
• A Bachelor’s degree will be accepted provided candidate has an additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience and skills

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
• Experience working with diverse groups of people with sensitivity and inclusivity.
• Experience with project management, report writing, and documentation is an asset.
• Experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset).
• Understanding of gender equality and women’s human rights is desirable.

Language and other skills

• Good command of English both written and oral
• Ability to communicate in Bislama would be an added advantage
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Master’s (or equivalent), preferably in International Development, Gender, Human Rights, Applied Anthropology, other related Social Sciences, Business, or Management (or Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 years of experience)
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments, preferably in the field of gender and human rights of women.

The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:

where:

T

is the total technical score awarded to the evaluated proposal (only to those proposals that pass 70% of 70 points obtainable under technical evaluation);

C

is the price of the evaluated proposal;

Clow

is the lowest of all evaluated proposal prices among responsive proposals; and

X

is the maximum financial points obtainable (30 points)

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

#

Criteria for technical evaluation

Scoring

Max. points

1

A Master’s, with a preference for International Development, Gender, Human Rights, Applied Anthropology, other related Social Sciences, Business, or Management.

A Bachelor’s degree will be accepted provided candidate has an additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Undergraduate degree – 7 pts

Postgraduate studies - 10 pts

10

2

At least 5 years of relevant experience.

(5 years – 7 pts, each year over 5 years – 2 points, up to a max of 15 pts)

15

3

Experience working with diverse groups of people with sensitivity and inclusivity

8

4

Experience with project management, report writing, and documentation.

8

5

Experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset).

10

6

Understanding of gender equality and women’s human rights is desirable.

6

7

Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email

3

8

Good written and spoken English. Bislama is an asset

8 pts fluency in English, 2 pts for knowledge of Bislama

10

Total Technical Scoring

70

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

WINNING CANDIDATE

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org