International Consultant to develop a monitoring and evaluation system for the BiH Gender Action Plan, within a COVID environment

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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality (GE) and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Since 2010, the European Union and UN Women have developed a close partnership. Working in concert, the European Union and UN Women have made great strides to promote gender equality through shared dialogue, advocacy, and cooperation programs.

The European Union Gender Equality Facility (GEF) in BiH is based on the Action Document for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II) for the year 2018 “EU Gender Equality Facility”. The project is funded and jointly implemented by the European Union and UN Women, through the Project Team.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) progress in recent years respecting and promoting Gender Equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments and in national legal and policy frameworks. The main achievements in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment reside in BiH’s institutional capacity development for the work on gender equality. Indeed, the legal provisions guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality are largely in place – the Gender Equality Law, the Gender Action Plan, the Election Law amendment instituting quotas, the Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention are normative achievements that influence the institutional practice in promoting gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the Government of BiH prepares to align with the broader European Union acquis in a wide range of sectors, it is prioritizing investment in particular sectors with specific areas of social and economic reform, providing for the adoption of a comprehensive sector-based approach to development. BiH’s accession to the European union is structured on the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the implementation of which is monitored by the European Commission. Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016. The Commission adopted its Opinion (Avis) on the EU membership application of the country in May 2019, identifying 14 key priorities for the country to fulfill in view of opening EU accession negotiations out of which one priority is targeting gender equality.

GEF aims to strengthen the effective implementation of domestic and international legal frameworks concerning gender equality and women’s rights; mainstreaming gender into European Union integration and planning processes for pre-accession assistance; and strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender equality in line with the European union standards. Furthermore, GEF will support institutions in correctly aligning with the European Union Gender Equality acquis. The focus of the project intervention, funded and implemented jointly by the European Union and UN Women, is on the role and functioning of institutional mechanisms for gender equality and their engagement in all aspects of European Union integration and planning and implementation of pre-accession assistance. Support includes strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms; the Gender Action Plan (GAPs) Coordination Committees and civil servants tasked with providing gender expertise in sectoral areas (gender focal points in ministries); and also the enhancement of capacities for implementing and monitoring GAPs and other relevant policies at the state and entity level. The intervention will address challenges in the implementation of laws and gender equality policies through support to the institutions mandated for gender equality and between coordination and monitoring of gender equality policies and measures.

Pursuant to the Gender Equality Law of BiH, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AGE) is entrusted with monitoring the enforcement of the law. Furthermore, the Agency, along with the Gender Center of the Federation of BiH (GC FBiH) and the Gender Centre of Republika Srpska (GC RS) (collectively referred to as the “gender institutional mechanisms”) are key institutional mechanisms for gender equality in the BiH Council of Ministers, Government of the Federation of BiH and the Government of Republika Srpska, in charge of directing efforts towards fighting discrimination and achieving gender equality in BiH by developing strategic documents and action plans.

The UN Women Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit an International Consultant to provide technical guidance on the establishment and functioning of a monitoring and evaluation system for implementation of the BiH Gender Action Plan. The work of the International Consultant will be supported by a National Consultant with specific local knowledge of gender equality issues in BiH.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to enhance the implementation and monitoring of the selected areas of the Gender Action Plan.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

1. With the support of a National Consultant and in close cooperation with the gender institutional mechanisms (especially the Officer for Monitoring & Evaluation of the FIGAP II Program engaged by the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina), conduct a review of existing evaluation and monitoring processes of the BiH Gender Action Plan 2018 – 2022;
2. With the support of a National Consultant and based on the above review, produce findings and recommendations for developing a monitoring and evaluation system for BiH Gender Action Plans. In doing so, consideration should be given to the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III and the accompanying Objectives and Indicators to frame the implementation of the Gender Action Plan III, thereby taking into account country specific needs of girls and boys, women and men;
3. With the support of a National Consultant and in close cooperation with the gender institutional mechanisms, develop a toolkit for monitoring and evaluation of the BiH Gender Action Plan;
4. Provide training to stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women GEF Project Manager, the overall supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist, guidance of the EUD Programe Manager and with the support of a National Consultant and in close coordination with the gender institutional mechanisms and other relevant partners, the International Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Review existing background literature, including reports of implementation, analyses and assessments, as well as respective recommendations, of the gender institutional mechanisms in BiH and related institutions.
• Conduct consultations with the UN Women GEF Project team, National Consultant, the gender institutional mechanisms and other stakeholders to understand the project context and requirements.
• After initial consultations, develop, in English, a methodology and workplan that will include a timeline of consultations and type of inputs needed from the gender institutional mechanisms and other stakeholders.
  • Develop the overall concept of the methodology and workplan and provide guidance to the National Consultant as to the inputs needed from their side.
  • Submit the methodology and workplan to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• In close collaboration with the National Consultant and the gender institutional mechanisms (especially the Officer for Monitoring & Evaluation of the FIGAP II Program engaged by Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina), produce a report, in English, with a review of existing evaluation and monitoring processes of the BiH Gender Action Plan 2018 – 2022, findings and recommendations for developing a monitoring and evaluation system for BiH Gender Action Plans. In doing so, especially consider the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III and the accompanying Objectives and Indicators to frame the implementation of the Gender Action Plan III, thereby taking into account country specific needs of girls and boys, women and men.
  • Develop the overall concept of the report and provide guidance to the National Consultant as to the inputs needed from their side.
  • Submit the report to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• Based on the above report and in close cooperation the National Consultant and the gender institutional mechanisms, develop, in English, a toolkit for systematic monitoring and evaluation of BiH Gender Action Plans.
  • Develop the overall concept of the toolkit and provide guidance to the National Consultant as to the inputs needed from their side.
  • Submit the toolkit to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• After the UN Women GEF Project Manager approves the toolkit, develop, in English, a curriculum and materials for training of stakeholders’ staff.
  • In close cooperation with the gender institutional mechanisms, draft the overall concept of the curriculum and materials.
  • Provide guidance to the National Consultant as to the inputs needed from their side.
  • Submit the proposed curriculum and materials to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
  • Conduct training (taking into consideration the COVID-19 environment).
  • Revise and finalize training notes.
• Based on comments made at training, make any adjustments to the final toolkit and submit it, in English, to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for approval.

Throughout the assignment, the International Consultant is expected to:

• Keep continuous contact and exchange with the National Consultant.
• Maintain communication and good working relations with designated staff of the gender institutional mechanism and other institutions relevant for the analysis.
• Organize weekly briefings with the UN Women GEF Project Manager and the National Consultant to provide status updates/reports.
• Provide guidance and structure to the National Consultant, and verify inputs and all deliverables prior to their submission to the UN Women GEF Project Manager.

To facilitate the delivery of the above outputs, UN Women will provide the International Consultant with the following:

• Project related documents and contacts;
• Translation of deliverables into B/C/S and interpretation support at validation workshop; and
• Other documents as necessary.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

Deliverables

Indicative Days

Timeline and due dates

1. Notes or minutes of meetings (including participants’ lists) held with the National Consultant, the EUD BiH, the gender institutional mechanisms and other stakeholders to understand the project context and requirements. Submit to and finalise after approval of UN Women.

1

By 23 April 2021

2. Submit a methodology and workplan and finalise after UN Women’s approval.

1

By 28 April 2021

3. Produce a report, in English, with a review of existing evaluation and monitoring processes of the BiH Gender Action Plan 2018 – 2022, findings and recommendations for developing a monitoring and evaluation system for BiH Gender Action Plans. Submit to and finalise after approval of UN Women.

4

By 17 May 2021

4. Produce a toolkit, in English, for systematic monitoring and evaluation of BiH Gender Action Plans. Submit to and finalise after approval of UN Women.

3

By 21 May 2021

5. Draft a curriculum and materials for training of stakeholders’ staff, and then finalise after UN Women’s approval.

1

By 25 May 2021

6. Conduct training and revise and finalise notes taken. Submit final notes for review and approval of UN Women.

1

By 21 June 2021

7. Adjust the final toolkit and submit it, in English, to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for approval.

1

By 25 June 2021

8. Brief final consultancy report up to 5 pages covering essential issues

1

By 30 June 2021

Total

13

The consultancy will last 13 days in the period from 15 April 2021 to 15 September 2021. The assignment will not require presence on UN Women premises.

REPORTING

All deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women GEF Project Manager in English. The final consultancy report, in English, should be delivered at the latest by 30 June 2021. Approval time required to review the deliverables before authorizing payments is 7 days. All deliverables must satisfy the EU/UN Women visibility requirements.

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

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

Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender/Women’s Studies, Development Studies, Public Administration, Law, Economics or related fields

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in social research, impact assessments, gender analysis and gender statistics;
• Proven background and experience at the national and/or international level in research or academic experience in the field of women’s rights and gender equality;
• Proven expertise in developing and applying monitoring tools and methodologies and drafting and conducting evaluations and/or monitoring of internationally funded gender equality projects;
• Knowledge of the EU legal framework regarding gender equality;
• Evidence of producing high-quality written reports on gender equality and women’s empowerment in English;
• Demonstrated experience in developing training curricula and conducting trainings;
• Experience within the Western Balkan countries’ context;
• Working experience with the EU, international organizations and/or UN System would be desirable.

Language requirement:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is considered an advantage

Other skills:

• Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), Zoom and MS Teams

EVALUATION OF OFFERS

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of applicant experience, qualifications and a financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the highest score out of technical and financial criteria defined below.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for an interview. Top 3 candidates (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be interviewed. The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal will be allocated to the lowest price proposal among those candidates who have reached at least 5 points in the interview. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%) – 70 points

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in social research, impact assessments, gender analysis and gender statistics – 20 points
• Proven background and experience at the national and/or international level in research or academic experience in the field of women’s rights and gender equality - 10 points
• Proven expertise in developing and applying monitoring tools and methodologies and drafting and conducting evaluations and/or monitoring of internationally funded gender equality projects – 15 points
• Knowledge of the EU legal framework regarding gender equality – 5 points
• Evidence of producing high-quality written reports on gender equality and women’s empowerment in English – 5 points
• Demonstrated experience in developing training curricula and conducting trainings – 5 points
• Experience within the Western Balkan countries’ context – 5 points
• Working experience with international organizations and/or UN System would be desirable – 5 points

Financial Evaluation (30%) Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30 S - score received on financial evaluation; Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round; F - financial offer under the consideration.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

1. Expression of interest and confirmation of immediate availability
2. Detailed financial proposal in USD (which includes consultancy fees, travel, accommodation, subsistence etc. in the form of a lump-sum)
3. Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered (all documents indicated above need to be uploaded).

For any additional information, please contact unwomen.bih@unwomen.org

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Expression of Interest into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click 'Apply Now' button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click 'Submit Application;'
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Qualified women and men and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Apply now

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