National Consultant – To review the 13 Market Vendors Association - MVA Constitutions for Fiji

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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 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:

The Markets for Change (M4C) Project is a six-year initiative promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment that focuses on marketplaces in rural and urban areas in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. 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 Markets for Change 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 fulfill their functions. The M4C project is also committed to developing tailored training for market management and local government staff.

M4C works with 13 market sites in Fiji, 2 in the Northern Division (Labasa and Savusavu); 7 in the Western Division (Sigatoka, Nadi, Namaka, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki) and 2 in the Central Division (Suva and Nausori), and 2 (Levuka and Vunisea in Kadavu) in the Eastern division.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The Markets for Change project provides both formal training on a range of skill areas under the project outcome areas one, two and three. The objective of this assignment seeks to strengthen the capacity of market vendor’s associations, as well as enhance their governance, management, and operational skills. There is a need to strengthen capacities to ensure market vendor association executives are well equipped to run the market vendors association. Having in place revised Market Vendor Association (MVA) constitutions will provide the MVA’s with improved governance structures and processes to manage and operate the associations more effectively and efficiently.

UN Women is seeking the services of an individual consultants to carry out the review for the Market Vendors Association constitution across the 13 associations in Fiji. The review of the constitution methodology must reflect a gender inclusive approach and uphold good governance best practices. The consultant will review the current constitutions, edit, amend, revise, and finalise the MVA Constitutions to ensure the market vendors are able to understand it better and be able to put it into practice. The consultant will need to consult with both MVA executives, and MVA members in the review.

Key objectives:

  1. To conduct consultation meetings with the 13 MVAs, to review, amend and finalize the 13 Market Vendors Association Constitution
  2. To facilitate consultation meetings and develop guidelines for Dispute Resolution and Code of Conduct in accordance with their constitution
  3. To present the revised constitution to the 13 MVA executive committees

Scope of Work / Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, Markets for Change Fiji project, the consultant will undertake consultation, to amend, review and finalise the Market Vendors Association constitutions for the following Market Vendors associations:

  • Suva United Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Nausori Market Women Vendors Club Constitution
  • Sigatoka Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Nadi Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Namaka Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Ba Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Tavua Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Lautoka Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Rakiraki Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Labasa Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Savusavu Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Levuka Market Vendors Association Constitution
  • Vunisea Market Vendors Association Constitution

Duration of the Assignment

The total duration of this assignment is tentatively planned for up to 60 working days over 2 months from October – December 2021, 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 key deliverables aligned to the MVA Constitution will need to be in accordance align with the Ministry of Labour & Industrial Relations guidelines.

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

Carry out a desk review of the existing 13 MVA constitutions in line with the findings and recommendations from the CLGF trainings on the MVA constitutions and provide a draft report encompassing a situational analysis of each MVA constitution with suggestions and recommendations.

Through consultation with the M4C Fiji team, develop a programme and workplan with timelines for Market Vendor Association executives and market vendor association members.

Sept - October

(7 days)

13 Oct

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

2

  • Undertake 13 consultative reviews with market vendor association executives and members. Revise the existing constitutions as per suggestions/ recommendations after the consultative meetings.
  • Submit the revised constitution drafts to UN Women and the MVA’s and MV ‘s for feedback.

October – November

36 days

19 Oct – 25 Nov

2nd Tranche payment 60% upon submission of the first complete Draft Report with conclusions

3

Finalize the 13 MVA constitutions as per feedback received.

November

(15 days)

10 Dec

4

  • Submit Final Report – to includes lessons learnt, attendance sheets, photos of consultations conducted across the 13 project sites with recommendations.
  • Submit finalized MVA constitutions for the 13 MVA’s to UN Women

November – December

(2 days)

12 Dec

3rd and Final Tranche payment 20% to be done upon submission of invoice and evidence of # of days / outputs covered.

TOTAL

Up to 60 Days

(Final submission for payment to be 1 week before 31st December 2021)

All the documents and deliverables should be agreed with UN Women, and reports should be submitted in written English language.

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.

Note: 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, direct supervisor of the Project Manager, Markets for Change Fiji Project shall be the only criteria for individual consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

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 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 cover the costs of printed materials as required throughout the duration of the assignment.

Management Arrangements:

The Consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the UN Women Fiji M4C Project Manager, who will provide overall management and supervision.

The M4C Project Manager will review and approve all outputs and shall work in close coordination with the Consultant with technical support from UN Women Fiji MCO M4C Project Team.

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 M4C Fiji Project Manager 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.

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

Location:

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, applicants can also be considered if they currently reside outside of Suva, Fiji and to work remotely. The position is open to Fiji nationals only.

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 law, development studies, gender, economics, social science, or other related fields is required.
  • A first-level university degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s 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;
  • Knowledge and experience of working at Local Government and community level;
  • A proven track record in development participants that are 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.

Language and other skills:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Relevant Pacific Island languages an asset.
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, including ability to use internet and email.

Evaluation

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

  • Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, development studies, gender, economics, social science, or other related fields is required.
  • A first-level university degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s 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 law, development studies, gender, economics, social science, or other related fields is required.
    • A first-level university degree with 2 additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

First-level university degree – 5 pts, Masters’ or equivalent of 10 pts

10

    • 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.

*7 years (**Masters’* *Degree) or 9 years (first-level university degree) – 8 pts, each year over 7 (or 9) years - 1 pts up to a max 10 pts*

10

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

10

    • Knowledge and experience of working at Local Government and community level.

10

    • A proven track record in development participants that are inclusive of, and mainstream gender into all aspects of training.

10

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

10

    • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
    • Relevant Pacific Island languages an asset.

5

    • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, including ability to use internet and email.

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).

  1. 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’.
  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).

Deadline of all submission: 28th September 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 FJD.

In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into FJD 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 review the 13 Market Vendors Association / MVA Constitutions for Fiji,

UN Women Fiji MCO

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 FJD$)

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

Unit Price

(FJD$)

No. of Units

Total Price

(FJD$)

Consultancy Fee

Daily Fee

$

Other Related Costs (please specify)

$

Total FJD$

$

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 _____ working days.

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

[ Signature]

Date:

Name:

Address:

Telephone / Fax:

Email:

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