COVID-19 Policy Consultant UN Women Philippines

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National 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 outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019. Since then a global pandemic has been declared, with countries across the globe mobilizing to respond to the health crisis and manage the significant socio-economic impacts. This unprecedented crisis unfolds against many existing challenges: Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world, and it is facing the ever-pressing threats of climate change and many large protracted crises and conflict. It is also unfolding amid persistent gender inequalities in the region: owing to structural inequalities and discriminatory gender norms, women’s employment is concentrated in the informal labour sector with limited protection, and women experience unacceptably high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV).

UN Women is working to ensure that women and girls, especially those most marginalised, are at the centre of COVID-19 prevention. In the Philippines, the project “Women and Girls at the Center of COVID-19 Prevention” aims to increase women’s capacities, resources and skills to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities at risk, allow women’s groups and networks to influence and contribute to gender-responsive policies on COVID-19, and leverage national and regional platforms to advance research and tools to inform inclusive and gender-responsive national and regional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for socio-economic responses.

Reporting to the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action based in the Philippines, the COVID-19 Policy Consultant will support UN Women and its implementing partner organizations (based in Metro Manila, Cebu and Mindanao) on policy research, drafting of propositions and influencing agenda for the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the consultancy is to work with the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action who is managing the “Women and Girls at the Center of COVID-19 Prevention” programme, its implementing partners and UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific to support policy-related work within the project. In light of this, the consultant will perform the following tasks.

• Support the development of UN Women’s Influencing Agenda for COVID-19 Prevention;
• Conduct policy mapping and analysis of COVID-19 response policies and related health emergency policies, and identify gender-responsive policies and propositions that may be anchored upon by the project’s policy propositions;
• Produce policy briefing papers and policy position statements in alignment with UN Women’s mandate and project outcomes.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables:

The duration of the consultancy is 2 months, starting on 25 March and ending on 31 May 2021. The following table outlines the expected outputs/deliverables for the duration of this consultancy:

Deliverables/Output

Target Due Dates

Review and Approval Required

• Attend an orientation meeting with UN Women’s Programme Analyst for COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action
• Review documentations of and support UN Women and partners on consultations/events scheduled for the month and document policy-related recommendations
• Create a workplan for the entire engagement, based on the introductory meetings and documents that will be provided by UN Women and partner organizations.

29 March 2021

Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action

• Draft a Policy Mapping and Analysis report of COVID-19 related and relevant policies, including existing policy propositions/initiatives
• Review documentations of and support UN Women and partners on consultations/events scheduled for the month and document policy-related recommendations

19 April 2021

• Final Policy Mapping and Analysis report
• Support UN Women and partners on consultations/events scheduled for the month and document policy-related recommendations
• Draft policy briefing papers/policy position statements based on results of consultations

30 April 2021

• Final policy briefing papers/policy position statements based on results of consultations
• Report on policy recommendations for UN Women to pursue beyond the project, related to COVID-19 response

21 May 2021

Competencies

In addition to aforementioned requirements and qualifications, it is important that the consultant shares the core values and core competencies of the organization.

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws or Master’s Degree in a relevant subject such as international development, humanitarian, or related discipline is an advantage, but first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 3 years of relevant national/international working experience in international or national organizations/agencies, particularly in emergency/humanitarian response and disaster-risk reduction projects;
• Proven experience in quality research and policy analysis, particularly related to development and humanitarian issues;
• Demonstrated track record of producing high quality evidence-based policy papers;
• Proven experience in lobbying and playing key representational roles;
• Proven experience in working in multicultural settings and with community groups of varying backgrounds;
• Experience in the United Nations system, Civil Society or related area, in gender, peace and security / humanitarian issues, is an asset;.
• Proficiency in English and Filipino.

Working Arrangements:

The Consultancy is home-based, with communication through Zoom and e-mail interactions with the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action and project partners. However, should the Consultant be asked to report to the office or attend meetings, she/he will be reimbursed for transportation expenses by the office. Work laptop, office supplies and other related costs will be covered by the consultant.

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• All financial proposals must be given in PHP.
• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

Submission of Applications:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit electronic application to hr.bangkok@unwomen.org with Cc: to salila.klongboonjit@unwomen.org, not later than 19 March 2021, 23:59 PM BKK Time. Late submission will be rejected.

All applications must include the following (as an attachment).

1. Application letter explaining your interest in the consultancy and why you are the most suited candidate for this position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Personal History Form (P11) - The P11 Form can be downloaded from the following website: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs;
4. Sample works, including the following: policy research papers, briefing papers, position papers, draft policies – these shall be shared in PDF format to UN Women with necessary watermarks or notes on confidentiality, as applicable;
5. Financial proposal specifying a daily consultancy rate, a breakdown per deliverable

Payments:

Payments for this consultancy will be based on the achievement of each deliverable and certification that each has been satisfactorily completed. Payments will not be based on the number of days worked but on the completion of each stated deliverable within the indicated timeframes.