National Evaluation Consultant – To evaluate UN Women’s contribution to Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific, UN Women Fiji MCO (Fiji Nationals Only)

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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:

This evaluation is the first regional thematic evaluation in the Asia and the Pacific region on Women’s Economic Empowerment to be led by the UN Women Independent Evaluation Service (IES). Given that the regional flagship programme “WeEmpowerAsia” (WEA) is coming to an end in August 2022, this evaluation seeks to learn from the programme; ensure lessons are captured and the efforts feed into UN Women Asia and the Pacific broader strategy for WEE moving forward.

The evaluation will thus focus on UN Women’s engagement with the private sector and its contributions to women’s economic empowerment in Asia and the Pacific. This forward-looking evaluation aims to support the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) and Country Offices in Asia and the Pacific in learning from experience and as input to strategic decision making; the UN Women headquarters senior management, and the WEE section may also be interested in learning from the findings.

For the Pacific, the evaluation will also include women employed in the informal sector, market vendors, and the stakeholders they engage with.

To inform the strategy for Women’s Economic Empowerment work based on the WEA programme lessons learned, this evaluation will facilitate an understanding of UN Women’s WEE portfolio, an understanding on how UN Women is defining and engaging with private sector for WEE, achievements over the course of the Strategic Note 2019-2021 including through the implementation of the WEA Programme, the opportunities, and challenges as well as gaps in programming and results. The primary intended users of the evaluation are the UN Women ROAP, including the WEA team, Offices in which WEA is being implemented, European Union stakeholders and implementing partners. Also, UN Women Senior Management and programme staff at the headquarters, regional and country levels with an interest in, or working in WEE and the UN Women Senior Management and relevant headquarters units. The evaluation may be useful for other actors working in WEE, including private sector, partner governments, civil society, UN agencies, INGOs, and NGOs, forums and platforms, national partners, as well as other donors.

The evaluation team will have a combination of the requisite experience in evaluation and technical expertise in gender equality and women’s empowerment and WEE. The Regional Evaluation Specialist from the IES will serve as the Team Leader, manage the evaluation process, constitute a quality assurance system, and provide administrative and substantive support, including data collection, analysis and report drafting. The composition of the evaluation team will strive for diversity and gender balance. It will adhere to UN Women’s Evaluation Policy and UNEG Norms and Standards[1] and Ethical Guidelines.[2]

[1] UNEG, “Norms and Standards for evaluation”, 2016, available online at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/1914

[2] UNEG, “Ethical guidelines”, 2008, available online at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/102

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

UN Women is seeking to appoint one National Evaluation Consultant for capturing women’s economic empowerment efforts in Fiji, which will form a part of the overall evaluation of UN Women’s contribution to Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) in Asia and the Pacific.

The National Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for ensuring that contextual information on Fiji has been well understood and articulated and UN Women’s WEE efforts captured, using adequate tools, methodological design, following ethical principles on engagement with stakeholders.

Scope of Work / Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UN Women Regional Evaluation Specialist, the National Evaluation Consultant will undertake data collection and consultations:

  • Ministry of Local Government;
  • Ministry of Women;
  • 13 Municipal Councils across Fiji;
  • 14 Market Vendor Associations across Fiji;
  • Other key stakeholders as identified by UN Women.

Duration of the Assignment

The total duration of this assignment is tentatively planned for up to 15 working days over 3 months from April – July 2022, as per the tentative schedule of deliverables below.

Expected Deliverables

The National Evaluation Consultant is an integral member of the team and is expected to support the entire evaluation process under the direct supervision of the Regional Evaluation Specialist.

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Key Deliverables

Estimated No. of Working Days

Proposed Deadline for Payment

1

Evidence of support provided on data collection and analysis:

  • Review data collection tools and translate the tools from English to local language (1 day).
  • Support logistics and conduct interviews, focus group discussions and observations following the research protocol (8 days).
  • Submit all detailed interview notes to the team leader in English. Provide briefings on the interviews/visits/observations through online meetings (2 days).

11 working days

29th April 2022

1st Tranche payment 50% upon successful completion of Deliverable 1.

2

Thematic Case Studies:

  • Provide substantive inputs to drafting the case study to be conducted as part of the evaluation based on triangulation of documents and primary data collected.

2 working days

20th May 2022

2nd Tranche payment 30% upon successful completion of Deliverable 2.

3

Final Evaluation Report:

  • Contribute to the preliminary findings / way forward presentation and draft report and participate in presentation/s. Contribute to the annexes and finalization of the report.

2 working days

30th June 2022

3rd and Final Tranche payment 20% to be done upon submission of invoice and successful completion of Deliverable 3.

TOTAL

Up to 15 working days

(Final submission for payment to be 1 week before the last deliverable date noted above

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.

All data collected by the evaluation consultant must be submitted to the supervisor in Word, PowerPoint or Excel formats and is the property of UN Women. Proper storage of data is essential for ensuring confidentiality and should be in line with UN Women Policy on data management and security. The evaluation report will follow the United Nations Editorial Manual, which can be found here. The evaluation team leader (Regional Evaluation Specialist), with inputs from Evaluation Reference Group and Evaluation Management Team, will quality assure the evaluation report against UN Women Evaluation Report Quality Assurance (See Annex 1). All deliverables submitted by the consultant are subject to quality review.

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 Regional Evaluation Specialist based in ROAP, who will provide overall management and supervision.

The Supervisor, as noted above, 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.

Ethical Code of Conduct:

UN Women has developed a UN Women National consultants Agreement Form for evaluators that must be signed as part of the contracting process, which is based on the UNEG Ethical Guidelines and Code of Conduct . These documents will be annexed to the contract. The evaluation’s value added is its impartial and systematic assessment of the programme or intervention. As with the other stages of the evaluation, involvement of stakeholders should not interfere with the impartiality of the evaluation. Additionally, if the evaluator(s) identify issues of wrongdoing, fraud or other unethical conduct, UN Women procedures must be followed and confidentiality be maintained.

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 in three instalments of 50%, 30% and 20% respectively and shall be made upon satisfactory receipt and approval of deliverable and certification by the UN Women Regional Evaluation Specialist that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

No relocation costs will be provided for the position.

Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. Some travel will be required for this assignment, as agreed and authorised by the Supervisor and/or UN Women Fiji MCO.

The consultant will need to connect with the team via online communication platforms where applicable and some filed visitation. UN Women will cover the travel related expenses as per the UN Women standard guidelines. 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 Senisitivity Regarding Gender Issues
  • Accountability;
  • Creative Problem Solving;
  • Effective Communication;
  • Inclusive Collaboration;
  • Stakeholder Engagement;
  • Leading by Example;

Required Skills and Experience

Required experience and qualifications

The National Evaluation Consultant is expected to be able to demonstrate evidence of the following experience and capabilities and 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 a research, evaluation, audit, reporting and/or monitoring area that required strong organisational skills;
  • Strong knowledge about gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Fiji.
  • Experience and strong knowledge in the field of women’s economic empowerment in Fiji – either in research, business, or through development projects in this area
  • Proven work experience in data collection including interviews and/or focus group discussions in Fiji.
  • Experience in contributing to gender-responsive evaluation or experience in gender analysis and human-rights based approaches an asset.
  • Knowledge of the role of UN Women or the UN system and its programming, coordination and normative roles at the regional and/or country level will be an added advantage.
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, including ability to use internet and email.

Language and other skills:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Relevant Pacific Island languages (i-Taukei) is an asset.

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 a research, evaluation, audit, reporting and/or monitoring area that required strong organisational skills.

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 – 8 pts, Masters’ or equivalent of 15 pts

15

    • At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in a research, evaluation, audit, reporting and/or monitoring area that required strong organisational skills.

*5 years (**Masters’* *Degree) or 7 years (first-level university degree) – 10 pts, each year over 5 (or 7) years - 1 pts up to a max 15 pts*

15

    • Strong knowledge about gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Fiji.

5

    • Proven work experience in data collection including interviews and/or focus group discussions in Fiji.

10

    • Experience in contributing to gender-responsive evaluation or experience in gender analysis and human-rights based approaches an asset.

10

    • Knowledge of the role of UN Women or the UN system and its programming, coordination, and normative roles at the regional and/or country level will be an added advantage.

5

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

5

    • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
    • Relevant Pacific Island languages (i-Taukei) is 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:

  • Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
  • 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/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc
  • 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).

Please read, use and complete ANNEX I and ANNEX II below to provide your financial proposal.

Relevant writing sample related to evaluation and research

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).

UN Women Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:

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: 02nd April 2022.

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.

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.)

Travel costs

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

Daily Subsistence Allowance

Not applicable.

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 Evaluation Consultant – To evaluate UN Women’s contribution to Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific, 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 30 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 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org