National Consultant - To Provide programme, administrative and logistical support to UNW Tonga Office on EVAWG

Consultant

Contract

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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 Program Assistant position is located in the Tonga Country Office and will work under the day-to-day supervision of the EVAWG Program Officer based in Tonga. S/He will provide programmatic, logistical and administrative support to strengthen programme delivery and management of Tonga’s ending violence against women and girls portfolio. S/He also works in close collaboration withEVAWG Programme and Operations focal points in Suva, Fiji, UN Women’s Pacific regional office, to ensure timely support to programme implementation.

The UN Women Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO) is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside the 19 other UN agencies in the region and in 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Under its Strategic Note 2018-2022, UN Women Fiji MCO focuses on delivering on four interlinked programme areas underpinned by support for intergovernmental and normative processes:

• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Ending Violence against Women
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls / EVAWG In the Pacific

The Pacific has some of the world’s highest reported rates of violence against women, with studies showing that up to 68% of women are affected.To respond to the rates of violence in the Pacific, UN Women has developed a comprehensive EVAWG programme which takes a transformative approach to prevent violence against women and girls at multiple levels (regional, national and community), and to ensure survivors have access to quality response services.

UN Women’s EVAWG programme is implemented through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (hereafter referred to as ‘Pacific Partnership’) and the Spotlight Initiative. The Pacific Partnership is a four and a half year programme (2018-2022) which brings together governments, civil society organizations, communities and other partners to change the social norms that allow violence against women and girls to continue; to ensure survivors have access to quality response services; and to support national and regional institutions to meet their commitments to gender equality and prevention of violence against women and girls. The Pacific Partnership is funded primarily by the European Union (EU) with targeted support from the Australian Government and UN Women, and is directly supporting UN Women’s programmatic interventions under the programme. Tonga is one of the five priority countries in the Pacific Partnership Programme. The Spotlight Initiative in the Pacific region is part of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) new, global, multi-year initiative focused on elimination all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) The focus of the Spotlight Initiative in the Pacific is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Domestic Violence (DV).

There is a high level of attention and political will to address violence against women and girls and the Kingdom of Tonga has long recognized the importance of promoting gender equality to achieve sustainable development outcomes. The Government of Tonga is contributing towards progressing gender equality through the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga (WEGET) National Policy and Strategic Plan of Action 2019 – 2025 which provides a significant platform to improve the lives of all women and men, boys and girls through a raft of strategic objectives and associated interventions which represents the Government’s key activities across all sectors of government and society. Further, the passing of the Family Protection Act (FPA) in 2013 has become a critical vehicle for protection, security and justice for most victims/survivors of domestic violence.

Purpose and Context

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention in Tonga, the National Consultant is expected to contribute to the development and implementation of effective country programs in Tonga by providing logistical and administrative implementation of program activities ensuring the full compliance of programs and processes with UN/UN women rules, regulations, policies and strategies as well as provide logistical support to programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to provide support to the implementation of EVAWG programme activities to UN Women Tonga Office.

This position reports to the Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention based in Tonga, and will work closely with key Implementing Partners (IPs) under the Pacific Partnership and Spotlight Initiative including the Ministry of International Affairs (MIA) Women’s Affair and Gender Equality Division, the Talita Project, Tonga Women and Children Crises Centre (WCCC), Tonga National Centre for Women and Children (TNCWC), National Rugby League (NRL), Kolomotu’a Women’s Council, Tonga Leiti’s Association as well as other frontline service providers, civil society organisations and UN agencies in Tonga.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

For this purpose, the selected National Consultant will work under the overall coordination and direct supervision of the UN Women Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention for EVAWG in Tonga to coordinate and support the development of EVAWG programming with civil society and government partners.

Support Programme with Partner Management and Coordination:

• Provide advanced support to the formulation of the project documents (concept notes, justification notes, capacity assessments, budgets) in close cooperation with technical and operational team and partners;
• drafting of contractual agreements, related budgets, forms, documentations and requirement for funding partners;
• Manage the partner database, including grantees narrative and financial reports.
• Support partner advances monitoring and reporting cycle, supporting timely delivery of reports and fund disbursements;
• Communicate with partners on a regular basis to ensure timely reporting and identification of issue for troubleshooting;
• Ensure proper filing of the partner documentation in both physical and electronic library of UN Women;
• Compile summary monthly reports on implementation of partners initiatives to synthetize results and update on progress.

Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes

• Provide advanced administrative support and inputs in the monitoring and updating the EVAW programme work plan, budget, and develop proposals on programme implementation arrangements;
• Provide technical guidance to partners on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances;
• Support the coordination and collection of information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations;
• Support event and meeting preparations including travel, logistics and administration.

Provide advanced administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit in close collaboration with the Finance Officer:

• Support the EVAWG Unit in preparing budget revisions and determine unutilized funds;
• Support the monitoring of budget preparation and the finances of the EVAW programme; prepare periodic reports;
• Support the review of financial reports;
• Support the maintenance of internal expenditures control system.

Duration of the assignment

The timeframe for the work of the National Consultant is tentatively planned to start on January 2021 and the estimated number of days required to complete this consultancy by end June 2021 with an estimated total volume of work not to exceed 130 working days, coordinated in advance with the Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention in Tonga.

Expected Deliverables

The selected National Consultant will be responsible for delivering monthly reports to contain following the following specific outputs, comprising of the main milestones:

No

Activities and Deliverables

Tentative timeframe for completion of task

Tentative # of days required for accomplishment of task (up to .. working days)

Support provided to EVAWG Programme Unit with Partner Management and Coordination

1

Project documents (concept notes, justification notes, capacity assessments, budgets) for engaging with partners are drafted and submitted for review

Monthly

20

2

Agreements with partners are drafted based on corporate template and aligned to approved project documents

5

3

Partner tracking database is monitored and updated on a weekly basis, including grantees narrative and financial reports

10

4

Partner advances, their clearances and new funds disbursements are being monitored and required paperwork submitted

15

5

Partners documentation is filed properly with physical and electronic library of UN Women

5

6

Monthly reports on implementation of partners initiatives with results and update on progress are developed and submitted to management

5

Advanced administrative and logistical support is provided to the formulation and management of programmes

7

Advanced administrative support provided on the monitoring and updating of EVAW programme work plan, budget, and implementation arrangements

Monthly

10

8

Technical guidance provided to implementing partners on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances

10

9

Coordination and collection of information for the audit and/or monitoring of programmes/projects ensured and support implementation of audit recommendations provided

15

10

Support event and meeting preparations including travel, logistics and administration.

10

Advanced administrative support is provided to the financial management of the Programme Unit in close collaboration with the Finance Officer

11

Support provided to EVAWG Unit in preparing budget revisions and determine unutilized funds

Monthly

5

12

Support is provided to monitoring the budget and prepare periodic reports

10

13

Support is provided to maintain internal expenditures control system

10

Total for the consultant/expert

130 days

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 6 months, not exceeding 130 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Monthly reports on major tasks performed and the results, including support provided to civil society and government partners of UN Women as well as administrative and logistical tasks completed.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English electronic copy (hard copy when required).

The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention in Tonga shall be the only criteria for the National Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payments.

Inputs

The National Consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention in Tonga and in close coordination with the entire UN Women EVAWG Team in the Fiji MCO.

Management Arrangements

• The National Consultant will work under the overall coordination of and direct supervision of UN Women Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention for EVAWG in Tonga to coordinate and support the development of UN Women’s programming in country.
• The National Consultant will be provided by UN Women with the necessary information, materials and logistics as well as office space. The selected candidate is expected to have their own laptop and phone, while UN Women will provide access to other equipment for the fulfillment of their tasks (such as printer, copier). He/she will be required to work for up to 40 hours a week.

Performance Evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Travel

The position is based in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The National Consultant will be responsible for all administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment to be based in Nuku’alofa.

No travels outside Nuku’alofa are envisaged under the current assignment.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UN Women and the National Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Financial Arrangements

Payment will be disbursed monthly, upon submission and approval of monthly reports with indication of progress and actual deliverables as well as timesheets with actual days worked certified by the EVAWG Programme Coordinator Primary Prevention in Tonga that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

It is estimated to have 6 installments to be paid to the National Consultant monthly.

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 Qualifications, Experience and Language

Education:

• Completed tertiary certificate level.
• First level university (Bachelor) degree in Public/Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Accounting/Chartered Accountancy, and related field is desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in programme, administration, finance, or office management for complex programmes;
• Minimum 2 years of experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN Women is an essential asset)
• Exposure to gender equality, ending violence against women and girls or related issues;
• Good writing and communication skills with the ability to draft correspondence in a clear, accurate and concise manner;
• Strong interpersonal, planning, organizational and multi-tasking skills with the Ability to work independently and harmoniously in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic team environment maintain tact and discretion in all dealings;
• Computer literacy – Proficiency in the use of MS Office Packages and the internet required, Atlas/PeopleSoft is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in verbal and written English and Tongan language is an essential requirement.

Evaluation Procedure

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

• Completed tertiary certificate level.
• First level university (Bachelor) degree in Public/Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Accounting/Chartered Accountancy, and related field is desirable.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in programme, administration, finance, or office management for complex programmes;

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 500 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 350 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 (150 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. 1

• Completed tertiary certificate level;
• First level university (Bachelor) degree in Public/Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Accounting/Chartered Accountancy and related field is desirable.

Tertiary – 60 points

Bachelor – 70 points

70

1. 2

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in programme, administration, finance or office management for complex programmes

3 years – 50 pts

Each year over 3 years – 10 pts

Up to a max of 70 pts

70

1. 3

• Minimum 2 years of experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN Women is an essential asset).

2 years –30 pts

Each year over 3 year –5 pts

Up to a maximum of 50 pts

50

1. 4

• Exposure to gender equality, ending violence against women and girls or related issues.

Up to 35 pts

35

1. 5

• Good writing and communication skills with the ability to draft correspondence in a clear, accurate and concise manner.

Up to 35 pts

35

1. • Strong interpersonal, planning, organizational and multi-tasking skills with the Ability to work independently and harmoniously in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic team environment maintain tact and discretion in all dealings.

Up to 30 pts

30

1. • Computer literacy – Proficiency in the use of MS Office Packages and the internet required, Atlas/PeopleSoft is an asset.

20 pts for MS Office and internet

30 pts for addition of Atlas or PeopleSoft

30

1. • Fluency in verbal and written English and Tongan language is an essential requirement.

15 pts for English

15 pts for Tongan

30

Total Technical Scoring

350

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