National Consultant – To Review, Amend and Develop Market Vendors Association’s Constitution for the M4C Programme, UNW Vanuatu

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 M4C project brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations, civil society organizations and UN agencies to promote gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. M4C is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Governments of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Given that between 60-80% of market vendors are women, with many more women reliant on market produce, the project’s goal is to ensure that marketplaces in rural and urban areas are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory, promoting the gender, social and economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors.

The project is based on a Theory of Change (ToC), which states that market vendors can be empowered within the market environment through a combination of implementation strategies. The M4C project incorporates: the creation and strengthening of representative marketplace groups, which in turn strengthen women market vendors’ roles and influence; interventions focusing on financial literacy, access to financial services and increased participation in value chains; strengthening the accountability and capacity of market management, municipal and provincial governments to enable them to employ gender-responsive policies, procedures and decision-making processes that are receptive to the needs of market vendors, as well as to the design and construction of gender-responsive infrastructure and on-site services.

M4C has four main outcome areas which are:

• Outcome One: Inclusive, effective and representative marketplace groups are created and grow, contributing to gender, social and economic advancement, the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence, and expanded economic opportunities for women.
• Outcome Two: Improved socio-economic security of women market vendors
• Outcome Three: Local Government and market management are gender responsive, effective and accountable to women market vendor needs.
• Outcome Four: Physical infrastructure and operating systems are improved to make markets more sustainable, resilient to disaster and climate change, safer and more accessible.

One of the focuses of M4C is to support the establishment and sustainability of inclusive effective representative market groups within the markets. To achieve this, UN Women has been working alongside market vendors through a series of workshops to support them in establishing Market Vendor Associations (MVAs) and in identifying avenues to work meaningfully with market management and local government staff (council management, relevant ministry staff, local authorities, and municipal councils). Local government and market management staff also require support towards improving governance and management skills including in leadership, communications, accountability, and transparency which will better enable them to fulfil their functions. The M4C project is also committed to developing tailored training for market management and local government staff.

M4C works with 6 market sites in Vanuatu, Port Vila, Luganville, Marobe, and three Shefa ring-road markets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The M4C project provides both formal training on a range of skill areas under the project outcome areas one, two and three. These outcome areas seek to strengthen the capacity of MVAs, as well as enhance market vendors and market management skills. There is a need to strengthen capacities to ensure market vendors and market attendants are well equipped to run the MVA. Having in place revised MVA constitutions will provide the MVA’s with governance structures and processes to manage and operate the associations better.

UN Women is seeking the services of individual to carry out the review for the (i) Northern Islands Market Vendors Association’s (NIMVA); (ii) Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association’s (SVMVA) constitutions; and development of four (4) new MVA constitutions for Marobe market, and Beverly Hills, Melemaat and Emua ring-road markets. The review of the constitution methodology must reflect a gender inclusive approach and uphold good governance best practices. The service provider will review the current SVMVA and NIMVA constitutions, edit, amend, and revise the MVA constitutions to ensure the market vendors are able to understand it and be able to put it in practice. The service provider will also develop new constitutions for Marobe and the three ring-road markets following consultation with the respective MVAs. The consultant will need to consult with both MVA executives, and MVA members, market management and relevant authorities in the review and development.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Project Manager, Markets for Change Vanuatu project, the consultant will undertake consultation and review of MVA constitutions for the following associations:

• Northern Islands Market Vendors Association Constitution
• Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association Constitution

The consultant will also develop new constitutions for the MVAs of the four (4) Shefa markets:

• Beverly Hills Market
• Emua Market
• Melemaat Market
• Marobe Market

For each project site, the consultant will require a proposed schedule, adapted to national and local circumstances.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be for up to 40 working days over a 3-months period of work assignment as per the suggested schedule of deliverables below.

Expected Deliverable

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs.

No.

Deliverables

Approximate No. of Days

Deadlines

Through consultation with the M4C Vanuatu team, develop a programme and workplan with timelines for MVA executives, market vendor association members, market management and relevant authorities.

Up to 2 days

April

1. Carry out a desk review of the existing NIMVA and SVMVA constitution in line with the findings and recommendations from the CLGF trainings on the MVA constitutions and MVA Toolkit and provide a draft report encompassing a situational analysis of each MVA constitution with suggestions and recommendations.

Up to 5 days

April

1st Tranche –20% for Deliverable 1 – Workplan

Deliverable 2 – Desk Review Report

End of April

1. • Undertake 2 consultative reviews with MVA executives and members, market management and relevant authorities. Revise the existing constitutions as per suggestions/recommendations after the consultative meetings, including structure.
   • Present the NIMVA draft constitution at the Annual General Meeting for member review and approval prior to finalization.
   • Undertake consultations with the Beverly Hills, Emua and Melemaat and Marobe MVA executives and members, market management and relevant authorities. Develop new constitutions as per suggestions/ recommendations after the consultative meetings, including structure.
   • Submit the revised and new constitution drafts to UN Women and the MVAs and members, market management and relevant authorities for feedback.

Up to 23 days

April - May

2nd Tranche – Payment 50%.

Deliverable 3: First complete draft report for 6 MVAs with conclusions.

May

1. • Finalize the 6 MVA constitutions as per feedback received.

Up to 5 days

May – June

1. • Submit Final Report – to include lessons learnt, attendance sheets, photos of consultations conducted across the 6 project sites with recommendations.
   • Submit finalized MVA constitutions for the 6 MVAs to UN Women.

Up to 5 days

June

3rd Tranche – Final Payment 30%.

Deliverable 4: Finalized MVA constitutions for the 6 MVAs covered per this TOR.

Deliverable 5. Final report

June – July 2021 (submission to be done 1 week before 21st July)

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

• All the documents, including the interview tools, and transcripts, all scoping materials including images materials and reports should be submitted in written English language.
• Note that all materials, including video footage and images will remain the property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Inputs

• UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials for the desk review.
• Workshops and/or meeting costs, with market vendor executives and market vendors, needs to be captured in the financial proposal. A half day consultation workshops with each MVA, is expected to take place at a proper venue conducive for proper meetings and discussions, with catering for lunch and at least morning tea provided. It is expected that for the workshop/consultation meetings for each of the MVA, the consultant will hold discussions, meetings and consult with 10 people from each of the three Ring Road Markets, 15 people for Marobe market and 20 people at each of the two big markets, Luganville (NIMVA) and Port Vila (SVMVA). The people consulted should compose of at least 3 MVA executives, market vendor association members, market management and a representative from relevant authorities. Meeting costs are subject to reimbursement based on actual number of participants and services, with an estimated cost per person not to exceed vt5,000 per person per meeting, which includes venue hire, catering, and handouts.
• There will be travel required from consultant’s duty station in Port Vila to Port Vila Market, Marobe and the three Ring Road markets, around Efate. There will also be travel expected from Duty station (Port Vila) to Luganville Market, Santo. Please note that these related travel expenses to any assigned location(s) in the TOR i.e., land transport, airfare, DSA and terminals will be covered by UN Women, using UN Women rate.
• The individual is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer(s) but may access the UN Women office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.
• UN Women will also cover the costs printed materials as required throughout the duration of the assignment.

Performance evaluation

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

Financial arrangements

• Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverables, and certification by the Supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed as per the delivery table above.
• The National Consultant is expected to reside remotely, or to be able to meet his/her own relocation costs if they are based in Vanuatu outside of Port Vila.

Travel

• UN Women will not cover transportation cost within or to duty station i.e. Port Vila, Vanuatu.
• Any official travel costs outside of home-based location will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval based on agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations.

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 Qualification & Experience

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Gender Studies, Social Science or other related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in the legal environment, gender work, project / programme formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience and skills

• At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in general legal practise and drafting legal documents.

• At least minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in the legal environment, gender work, project / programme formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building.

• Sound knowledge and experience around social, cultural, economic, and political context of the Pacific including the status of women and gender equality.

• Proven knowledge and experience of working at Local Government and community level.
• A proven track record of working experience in development work that is inclusive of, and mainstream gender into all aspects of training.
• Have skills and experience in training facilitation and communication, with some experience in writing materials for UN agencies, donors and partners.
• Experience in working with UN Agencies or international NGOs will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Pacific is also an asset.

Language and other skills

• Excellent written and spoken English and Bislama.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Evaluation Procedure

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Gender Studies, Social Science or other related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in the legal environment, gender work, project / programme formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
• At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in general legal practise and drafting legal documents.

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.

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

No.

Criteria

Maximum points

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Gender Studies, Social Science or other related field is required.
  • A Bachelor degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in the legal environment, gender work, project / programme formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree – 5 pts,

Masters or equivalent of

10 pts

10

1. • At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in general legal practise and drafting legal documents.

5 years (Master’s Degree) or 7 years (Bachelor’s degree) – 8 pts, each year over 5 (or 7) years - 1 pts up to a max 10 pts

10

1. • At least minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in the legal environment, gender work, project / programme formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building.

5 yrs experience – 8 pts,

Each yr over 5 yrs – 1 pts up to a max 10 pts.

10

1. Sound knowledge and experience around social, cultural, economic, and political context of the Pacific including the status of women and gender equality.

10

1. Proven knowledge and experience of working at Local Government and community level.

5

1. A proven track record of working experience in development that is inclusive of, and mainstream gender into all aspects of training.

5

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

5

1. • Experience in working with UN Agencies or international NGOs will be an advantage.
   • Knowledge of the Pacific is also an asset.

5

1. Excellent written and spoken English and Bislama.

5

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

5

Maximum 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 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org