National Consultant to Support Implementation of the Regional Peace Building Project

Consultant

Overview

Support youth-led research on social cohesion and gender equality in Serbia.

You have:

• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in political science, international relations, law, sociology, or other related social sciences.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with projects focused on youth and gender equality, preferably in Serbia and/or in the region.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with youth and women initiatives.
• Fluency in English and Serbian (written and oral).
• Experience in establishing networks and interacting with stakeholders across the political, gender, and development spheres.

Contract

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

Background

Background

UN Women will co-implement the project “Strengthening the role of youth in promoting increased mutual understanding, constructive narrative, respect for diversity, and trust in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia, and Serbia”. The project is funded by the Peacebuilding Fund of the United Nations (PBF) and is co-implemented with UNDP (lead agency), UNFPA and UNESCO. UNDP is the lead agency of the project. UNDP and UNFPA will be implementing activities in each of the countries/territory targeted by the project. UN Women and UNESCO will be implementing regional activities only.

The project’s objective is to support young men and women of the region to promote constructive and fact-based narratives, and contribute to building trust, intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity, gender equality and foster social cohesion. The project aims at addressing the priority conflict drivers of hate speech, divisive narratives, negative gender norms and a deficit of reconciliation within the region.

The social cohesion challenges in the region have important gender equality dimensions. Traditional gender norms prevail to a large extent in the region. The “negative legacies of the past” are notably the result of toxic and militarized masculinities; as well as the absence of women from public life, and peace negotiations in particular. Those legacies impact the level of violence, with violence against women considered to be the most widespread forms of violence throughout the region. The polarizing identity speeches and views of the “other” have a major gender dimension as well. Hate speech in the region builds on misogyny and homophobic discourses, notably in the social media. Divisive and polarizing voices have notably leveraged the so-called “gender ideology” and given rise to more rigid gender stereotypes that young men and women are expected to fulfil. Toxic masculinities, misogyny and homophobic discourses, as well as violence against young women, undermines the prospect of both young women and men to contributing meaningfully to the public life and social cohesion in the region: they encourage values at odds with competencies required for achieving social cohesion (active listening, negotiation and mediation); and legitimate the use of violence against women, notably young women.

On the other hand, promoting gender equality can be a critical tool for social cohesion in the region. Studies in demonstrate that expectations of new generations of young, educated women significantly surpass traditional societal norms.[2] In the UN’s September 2021 youth consultation that polled 450 young people an overwhelming 96 per cent of respondents indicated that gender equality and rights and opportunities for both women and men is important for good relations between and within communities, institutions and youth.

For that reason, the project has specific and mainstreamed activities that advance gender equality and address gender norms that influence divisive narratives and conflict factors.

The project has one outcome – “Young people enhance dialogue and trust across the region by promoting fact-based, positive narratives and gender equality in the media and public spheres” – that will be achieved through two outputs: (1.1) Collaborative youth platforms advance dialogue, mutual understanding and gender equality across the region and (1.2) Youth journalists and activists across the region create and promote constructive and gender sensitive narratives in the media and through education, culture and sport. UN Women is implementing two activities, one under each output:

• Activity 1.1.1: Support development of non-formal education programmes and social actors to promote constructive inter-group narratives and discuss the impact of gender equality on social cohesion in the public domain, in collaboration with youth, women, teachers, cultural actors, regional public actors, and minorities NGOs, and in partnership with academic institutions and in consultation with public institutions.
• Activity 1.2.1: Enhance cooperation between regional, national media and local youth media networks and engage with young social media influencers on developing and promoting youth content to address divisive narratives, hate speech, masculinities and gender norms and equality, including through internship opportunities for young journalists placed in media outlets and partnerships with social media influencers and public actors.[3]

Those activities will take place at regional level and will involve the coordination with relevant UN Women field offices of the region.

Objective

UN Women Serbia is looking to hire a national consultant to support the implementation of the above-mentioned activities in Serbia, supporting regional research and study that will be developed as part of activity 1.1.1. In addition, the consultant will be expected to provide technical and partnership support at the local level for the implementation of the project. The consultant will report to the UN Women Serbia Head of Office, working in close collaboration with the Regional Project Coordinator.

[1] All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

[2] Gabriella Schubert and Johanna Deimel (eds), Women in the Balkans/Southeastern Europe (2017)

[3] [Initial Activity 3.1.2: Partner with social media influencers, film festivals and public actors to initiate regional debates on the cross-related issues of masculinities, hate speech and social cohesion.]

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of UN Women Serbia and in close coordination with the Regional PBF Project Coordinator based in UN Women Albania Country Office, the national consultant is responsible for performing the key tasks listed below:

• Provide support for Serbia component of youth led regional research on the linkages between youth development, gender equality, and social cohesion challenges in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia, and Serbia.
• Support with the organization of local consultations for the regional youth led research.
• Ensure engagement of local actors and stakeholders, youth activists, journalists, social media influencers, educational professionals, civil society organizations etc. during the implementation of the regional research activities.
• Provide support for communication strategy development for the media campaign.
• Support the Regional PBF Project coordinator in liaising with other UN agencies and national stakeholders in Serbia.
• Participation in PBF national project advisory board and other technical meetings.
• Contribute to in-country partnerships.

Deliverables and Timeline

Deliverable

Delivery Date

Report on support and oversight on UN Women PBF activities in Serbia.

1 June 2023

Report on support and oversight on UN Women PBF activities in Serbia.

1 September 2023

[1] All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

Competencies

Competences and Qualifications

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/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UN Women strategy and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Strong skills in developing, designing and preparing well-structured, logically organized guidance materials, overviews, briefs, and similar knowledge products.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize straightforward and clear content from a range of complex background documents.
• Focuses on impact and results.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in political science, international relations, law, sociology, or other related social sciences. Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or higher) would be considered an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with projects focused on youth and gender equality, preferably in Serbia and/or in the region, support in donor reporting and event organization.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with youth and women initiatives.
• Experience in establishing networks and interacting with stakeholders across the political, gender, and development spheres;
• Experience with international organizations would be considered an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English and Serbian (written and oral). All deliverables to be prepared and submitted in English.

Application procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• P11 with past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc, a signed copy should be submitted.
• Financial Proposal Specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. Can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/confirmation.docx.. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs).

In order to apply please merge your P11 and the financial proposal into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail [email protected].

Evaluation of applicants:

Consultants will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Evaluation Criteria

Max points

TECHNICAL EVALUATION (70%)

Language

Requirements

Fluency in written and spoken English and

Serbian.

REQUIRED

Education

University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in political science, international relations, communication, law, public administration, sociology, or other related social sciences. Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) would be considered an advantage.

10

0: Without relevant degree

10: Relevant degree

Master’s Degree or PhD will be considered an advantage

Professional Experience

Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with projects focused on youth and gender equality, preferably in Serbia and/or in the region, support in donor reporting and event organization.

25

0: Without 2 years of experience

20: 2 years of experience

25: More than 2 years of experience

Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with youth and women initiatives.

20

0: Without previous experience

10: 2 years of experience

20: More than 2 years of experience

Experience in establishing networks and interacting with stakeholders across the political, gender, and development spheres.

10

0: Without previous experience

10: With previous experience

Experience with international organizations would be considered an advantage.

5

0: Without previous experience

5: With previous experience

Total technical

70

Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points:

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. A suggested formula is as follows: p = 30 (µ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

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.)

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org