National Consultant – To Establish UN Women MCO in the Northern Pacific

Consultant

Contract

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

Background

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 Fiji Multi Country Office (MCO) covers 14 Pacific countries, with field offices/presence in 6 countries, and six ‘focus countries’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa). Each field presence is led by a national Country Programme Coordinator with a Programme Officer in Tonga. UN Women, in partnership with Pacific Islands Governments, regional organizations, CSOs, donors and UN agencies, focuses on delivering within four interlinked programme areas:

• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL)
• Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
• Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Risk Reduction

The UN in the Pacific underwent a multi-country office (MCO) review in 2019. Member States called for a review of Multi-Country Offices in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the UN development system. Their call echoed the 2016 resolution on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR) of operational activities for development that called upon the UN development system to review and tailor appropriately the role and operational activities of MCOs, “with a view to fully supporting national policies, projects, and programmes as a priority for countries under their purview”. The Secretary-General presented his recommendations for the improvement of multi-country offices in his reports to ECOSOC Operational Activities Segment on progress in the implementation of the QCPR, including the repositioning of the UN development system. With most countries covered by MCOs being Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Secretary-General clearly stated that “there is an urgent need for innovative and high-quality policy and technical support specific to SIDS”.

Noting that “Countries in the North Pacific (Nauru, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Kiribati) are currently served by the MCO based in Fiji, in the South Pacific, which covers 10 countries, it was recommended and agreed that the UN presence in the Pacific would be “increased through a new MCO. Such a presence in the sub-region will facilitate an increase in the integrated, effective, and efficient programmatic response to the needs of individual countries in the Pacific region. The catalytic role of the RC (Resident Coordinator) will serve to work with resident and non-resident agencies, funds and programmes (AFPs) to identify needs, assess services currently provided and consider changes that improve UN support to governments in their pursuit of Agenda 2030 and SAMOA Pathway priorities.”

UN Women’s current structure in the Pacific is through the regional UNW Fiji MCO office based in Suva, Fiji, with small country offices in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. There is also a project staff person in Tonga. The Samoa office unofficially covers the four countries covered by the Samoa MCO which are Cook Islands, Niue Samoa, and Tokelau. UN Women is currently revisiting its overall Pacific structure and is looking for a short-term consultant to assess the cost of establishing a position and office in the Micronesia UNCT (Northern Pacific), the focus of that office’s programmatic work, and to make recommendations on the best structure and positioning evidenced through research, consultations, and review of existing cost structures. The product of the consultancy will be a set of recommendations for establishing a UN Women presence in the Micronesia UN MCO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

UN Women is looking to establish an office within the joint UN premises in the newly formed Micronesia MCO located in Pohnpei, FSM. In order to ensure that a UN Women office position in the Micronesia UN Joint Presence is strategic, meets the needs of Member States and UN agencies and partners, an assessment of immediate and medium-term gender equality priorities needs to be undertaken. As UN Women has never had project presence in Micronesia (FSM, Palau, RMI), the assessment needs to consider the best and most cost-effective resourcing to meet those priorities in line with the priorities of Micronesia UNCT Member States as well as in alignment with UN Women’s Global Strategic Note for 2022-26[1].

UN Women is seeking the services of an individual consultant to develop one report with two parts for the UN Women Fiji MCO that will provide recommendations towards a) the areas of priority focus for UN Women’s work in the Micronesia MCO and b) the structure and human resource requirements needed to support those priorities. Based on these two reports, UN Women Fiji MCO can develop a clear plan towards the establishment of a Micronesian UN Women presence.

Key objectives are:

1. To provide an analysis of the gender equality priorities based on government and partner National Development plans and priorities that align with UN Women’s Global Strategic Note, UN Women Fiji MCO Strategic Plan, the Common Country Analyses for countries in the North Pacific, evaluation of the UN Pacific Strategy and strategic prioritization exercise for the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework[2];

2. To provide a situation analysis of existing development partners, including other UN agencies, support towards those priorities and to highlight any gap areas that are not being supported by existing partners or programmes and that align with UN Women’s mandate and capacities;

3. To provide an analysis of existing gender coordination structures and mechanisms either at the country or sub-regional level, both external and UN internal, in line with UN Women’s coordination and normative mandate; and

Based on the above:

1. To provide clear recommendations to UN Women on the most immediate and pressing gender equality gap areas, including UN internally. Recommendations should be in order of priority and should demonstrate how they align with both national government priorities as well as UN Women’s Global Strategic Note for 2022-26 and the Fiji MCO Strategic Plan 2018-22; and
2. To draft specific recommendations on the human and financial support required to support the priority gender equality areas identified with recommendations for the set-up of a UN Women presence in Micronesia within the new UN Joint Presence Office in the FSM. The report should include 2 options: (1) an optimum set up and (2) a resource constrained set up.

Scope of Work / Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Fiji MCO Representative, with support from the Gender Group Coordinator, the consultant will conduct an analysis of the gender equality priority areas in the Micronesian UNCT countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The analysis will include gender priorities as documented in national development strategies and plan, national gender plans and in stakeholder documentation. It should also consider the Common Country Analyses, the evaluation of the UNPS, and the strategic prioritisation for the new UNSDCF (to the extent that they are available). The analysis will also include an analysis of key development partners, including UN agencies, currently supporting / implementing gender equality work in the Micronesia UN members. The analysis will highlight key gap areas for priority programming. The second report will look at the establishment of a desk or office for UN Women in either the Federated States of Micronesia or within any of the Micronesia UN member countries as part of the Joint UN Presence office. The second report will provide recommendations for the level and structure of staffing needed, human resource requirements including roles and responsibilities of staff, as well as operational costs and needs for a functional office or staff person.

Duration of the Assignment

The total duration of this assignment is tentatively planned for up to 45 working days over 4 months from November 2021 until March 2022, as per the tentative schedule of deliverables below.

Expected Deliverables

The timeframe and key dates as well as details of key deliverables listed below are indicative and subject to amendment during the development of the workplan.

The Consultant will be responsible for the preparation and submission of all documentation. The activities below will be the basis of payment.

#

Key Deliverables

Time Frame / Key Dates and Tentative # of days required for accomplishment of task

Deliverable due date (tentative)

1

Workplan and programme with timeframes for review which includes:

-agreement on and finalization of structure of both reports

- identification of development partners, government agencies and women’s organisations/civil society groups to consult

3 working days

1 week after start of consultancy

1st Tranche payment 20% upon submission of finalised programme and workplan

2

Consultations with key stakeholders across the North Pacific:

• brief notes from consultations to be provided, included name, organisation and key issues raised.

7 working days

Notes from meeting due 4 weeks after start of consultancy

2

Report Part A which includes:

• analysis of key gender priorities for Micronesian countries.
• analysis and mapping of key development actors and existing programming in gender equality.
• analysis of gender coordination mechanisms existing in Micronesia countries.

20 working days

Draft report due 6 -8 weeks after start of consultancy

2nd Tranche payment 30% upon submission of the first complete accepted draft Report

3

Report Part B which includes:

• recommendations to UN Women on the most immediate and pressing gender equality gaps areas.
• specific recommendations on the human and financial support required for a UN Women Northern Pacific office presence.

10 working days

Draft report due 12 -14 weeks after start of consultancy

3rd Tranche payment 30% upon submission of second complete draft report with recommendations

4

Finalization of the full report (Parts A & B) completed, taking into account feedback from UN Women, partners, and stakeholders. Output – final completed and accepted (by UN Women) report.

5 working days

Final report due 14 -16 weeks after start of consultancy

4th and Final Tranche payment 20% upon submission of both first and second complete and accepted reports with recommendations

TOTAL

Up to 45 Days

Report Part A

Introduction and Background - 3- 5 pages maximum

• brief introduction to the 5 Micronesian countries (history, geography etc).
• overall status of gender equality in the Micronesian countries.
• social and cultural norms related to gender equality.
• human rights commitments.

Institutional and Coordination Mechanisms for Gender Equality – 2-5 pages

• current government structure of women’s machineries (Ministries responsible for gender equality) in the Micronesian countries.
• gender equality national plans and priorities for each country.
• gender coordination structures in each country.

Development partners and key gender equality projects / programmes existing – 5 – 10 pages

• current development partners working in gender equality in Micronesia.
• description of key gender equality activities and support provided.

Analysis of gender equality programming gaps – 5 – 10 pages

• gaps in current programming in relation to UN Women’s Global and Regional SN’s.
• gender equality priority areas according to government, civil society, UN, and other development partners priorities.
• an assessment of gaps in programming from a “Leave No-One Behind” (LNOB) perspective.

Recommendations to UN Women for programming priorities – 5-10 pages

• recommendations based on priority per country.
• sub-regional recommendations if any.

Report Part B

Current UN Joint Presence Office

• description of current facilities and agency make-up in Micronesia.
• agency staffing arrangements in Micronesia.
• UN Women current “architecture” in the Pacific – including the Country Programme Coordinators.
• analysis of office costs in the Northern Pacific – staffing and establishment and running costs – based on agency feedback.

Options for UN Women presence

• recommendations for office and staffing structure at the UN MCO in Micronesia.
• key skills and human resources needed to match recommendations from Report Part A.
• recommendations should provide options with budgets for office establishment and should include a phased approach to office establishment.
• report should include 2 options: (1) optimum set-up; (2) resource constrained set-up.

Note:

• Both reports (or parts) should be evidence based with clear references and sourcing for information contained in recommendations.
• The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/ feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment.
• The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women Fiji MCO Representative / appointed person shall be the only criteria for individual consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

All the documents and deliverables should be agreed with UN Women, and reports should be submitted in written English language. All documents to be submitted electronically, complete with supporting documentation, sourcing and references attached or linked in the document.

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

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

Inputs

UN Women will provide the consultant with necessary information on the activities and materials for a better understanding of the context and for the successful fulfilment to the above-mentioned tasks.

The individual is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer(s) but may access the UN Joint Presence Office (dependent upon location) for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

Management Arrangements:

The Consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the UN Women Fiji MCO Representative and Coordination Specialist, who will provide overall management and supervision.

The Representative will review and approve all outputs and shall work in close coordination with the Consultant with technical support from UN Women Fiji MCO Senior Management and Coordination Specialist.

Performance evaluation

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

Financial Arrangements

Payments will be disbursed to the consultant in instalments, upon submission and approval of deliverables set forth in the section “Expected Outputs and Deliverables” above, and certification by the UN Women Fiji MCO Representative that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

No relocation costs will be provided for the position.

Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. As such, it is anticipated that no travel will be required for this assignment, unless agreed and authorised by the UN Women Fiji MCO. It is expected that the consultant will have the capacity to engage in meetings virtually using zoom or another similar technology. Meetings in FSM may be held in-person.

In case authorised, all travel, accommodation costs by the individual related to this assignment only, will be covered by UN Women in line with the UN Women Duty Travel Policy.

Location:

• Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, applicants residing from outside of the Federated States of Micronesia will have to be able to engage with stakeholders virtually.
• Only applicants residing in the Federated States of Micronesia will be able to hold in person meetings.
• Priority for this consultant recruitment will be for individuals from a Micronesian country or a consultant with working experience in a Micronesian country.

[1] Note: UN Women currently has a presence in Kiribati, and previously had project presence in Nauru.

[2] Development of the new UNSCDF is a work in progress. It is not expected that the new UNSDCF will be available in the timeframe of this consultancy. To the extent that it is available, the strategic prioritization exercise for the UNSDCF should be considered.

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

Required experience and qualifications

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in gender or development studies, economics, social sciences, or other related fields is required.
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in legal drafting and review, including interpretation of legal documents;
• Knowledge of the social-cultural, economic, and political context of the Pacific including the status of women and gender equality;
• Working experience in one or more of the Micronesian countries in the Pacific in gender equality or related work
• Knowledge and experience of working on gender equality programming and gender equality reporting mechanisms such as CEDAW;
• A proven track record in undertaking situation analysis, evaluations or other analytical report writing;
• Have skills and experience in training facilitation and communication, with some experience in writing materials for UN agencies, donors, and partners.
• Proven ability to engage in consultations and meetings virtually via Zoom or another similar mechanism.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, including ability to use internet and email and engage virtually via Zoom or a similar meeting platform.

Language and other skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Micronesian languages an asset.

Evaluation

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

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in gender or development studies, economics, social sciences, or other related fields is required.
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in legal drafting and review, including interpretation of legal documents;

The shortlisted individual consultant will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis process, 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 based on its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

No.

Criteria

Maximum points

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in gender or development studies, economics, social sciences, or other related fields is required.
  • A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

First-level university degree – 5 pts,

Masters’ or equivalent of 10 pts

10

1. • At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in legal drafting and review, including interpretation of legal documents;

5yrs (Master’s Degree) or 7yrs (First-level University degree) – 7pts,

Each year over 5 (or 7) yrs – 1pts up to a max 10pts

10

1. • Knowledge of the social-cultural, economic, and political context of the North Pacific including the status of women and gender equality.

5

1. • Working experience in one or more of the Micronesian countries in the Pacific in gender equality or related work.

10

1. • Knowledge and experience of working on gender equality programming and gender equality reporting mechanisms such as CEDAW.

5

1. • A proven track record in undertaking situation analysis, evaluations or other analytical report writing.

10

1. • Have skills and experience in training facilitation and communication, with some experience in writing materials for UN agencies, donors, and partners.

10

1. • Proven ability to engage in consultations and meetings virtually via Zoom or another similar mechanism.

10

1. • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, including ability to use internet and email and engage virtually via Zoom or a similar meeting platform.

5

1. • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
   • Micronesian languages an asset.

5

Maximum Total Technical Scoring

70

Financial Qualification Evaluation Criteria: In the 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).

Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit fully completed application on the UNDP Vacancy Site.

Submission Package:

1. Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’. Candidates are to submit samples of their written work along with their application – this can be a sample of a previous report attributed to them.
2. Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Consultant including records of experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
3. Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipate working days and any other possible costs).
4. Please read, use, and complete ANNEX I and ANNEX II below to provide your financial proposal.

Applications without a complete financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

“At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided?on the basis of?qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.?

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.?

UN Women?has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.? All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)”?

Deadline of all submission: 14th November 2021.

Annex I

Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective Individual Contractor should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.

1.Lump Sum Amount

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Individual Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.

UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties, or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.

Contract price is fixed to activities/deliverables indicated in the ToR, regardless of the changes in the cost components (such as days invested for completion of the deliverables.)

2.Travel costs

No travel is envisaged for the implementation of the current assignments.

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance

Not applicable.

4.Currency of the price proposal

The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in USD.

In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into USD using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion at the date of applications’ submission deadline.

Annex II

Price Proposal Submission Form

[ Mandatory document for the Consultant to complete and submit]

To: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Ref: National Consultant – To establish the UN Women MCO in the Northern Pacific

Dear Sir / Madam,

I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment. Having examined, understood, and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference.

My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:

Estimated Costs (in USD$)

Unit of Measure (e.g., Day, Month, etc)

Unit Price

(USD$)

No. of Units

Total Price

(USD$)

Consultancy Fee

Daily Fee

$

Other Related Costs (please specify)

$

Total USD$

$

I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged. I also confirm that the price that I quote is gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.

I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for __45___ working days.

I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.

[ Signature]

Date:

Name:

Address:

Telephone / Fax:

Email:

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org