Strengthen the Advocacy and Networking Capacity and Skills of Women and Human Rights Organizations to Advocate for the Needs and Rights of Furthest Left Behind Groups of Women and Girls Vict

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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997. UN Women Palestine Office focuses its activities on one overarching goal, namely, to support the implementation at the national level of existing international commitments to advance gender equality in line with the national priorities. In support of this goal, and thoroughly taking into consideration the specificities of the Palestinian context, UN Women concentrates its efforts and interventions toward the realization of following strategic goals:? Mainstreaming gender in governance, peace and security; Supporting women's economic security and rights; and Promoting women’s rights and protection against violence.

UN Women, as part of its’ global goals and commitments towards empowering women and enhancing gender equality, inclusiveness and women’s access to justice is exerting efforts towards supporting the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence who face intersectional and compounded forms of Gender-Based violence (GBV), including physical, legal, psychosocial, economic, and sexual violence, which increase their marginalization and vulnerability. Deeply rooted discriminatory social norms and stereotypes reinforce the marginalization of the excluded groups within their families and the society at large. These norms and stereotypes are also reflected and translated into discriminatory laws and policies that reinforce exclusion and discrimination against them, in addition to the complete lack of responsive services to meet their needs, and the existence of non-responsive services that have not been adapted to the needs of the most marginalized, excluded and furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

Within the framework of Enhancing the Protection and Reintegration of Furthest Left Behind Groups of Women and Girls Project- “Shaml”, UN Women will capitalize on the ongoing efforts exerted by the different actors, particularly the Ministry of Women’s Affairs ( MoWA), and the Ministry of Social Development ( MoSD) in relation to realizing the rights, and enhancing the status and services provided to the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence, and further support related national and local initiatives.

Civil society organizations are strategic partners and have a key role in “Shaml” project, particularly as pertaining to advocacy and raising awareness component. In line with this, UN Women is interested in contracting a national expert in Gaza to strengthen the advocacy capacity and skills of women and human rights organizations, to support them to lead effective advocacy campaigns on the rights of the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

Executing the assignment requires physical presence in the Gaza.

Objective of the assignment

The objective of the assignment has two folds:

1)To strengthen the advocacy capacity and skills of women and human rights organizations, including existing coalitions and networks to advocate for the needs and rights of furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

2) To strengthen and facilitate networking and coordination amongst women’s and human rights coalitions, networks and CSOs to solidify advocacy work on the rights of furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

Strengthening the capacity, knowledge and skills of women and human rights organizations in lobbying and advocacy, will be based on developing and delivering a tailored capacity building programme, which will cover areas related to the rights of the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence as per international human rights law, and national laws; advocacy and lobbying skills, and networking and coalition building amongst others.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UN Women Special Representative in the State of Palestine, the direct supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist, and working in close cooperation and coordination with UN Women technical team, the selected consultant will undertake the following tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

1. Inception phase:

Develop an inception report that includes a detailed description of the work plan, and methodology, and share it with UN Women for review and approval, following the below tasks:

• Meet with UN Women’s technical team and stakeholders, to discuss the assignment’s objectives, methods and tools that will be used, and the main deliverables.
• Develop a methodology and a detailed work plan and share with UN Women for feedback. The workplan should include the main objectives of the assignment, target organizations, including coalition and networks, deliverables, time frame and initial outline of the capacity building programme.

2. Implementation phase:

Develop and deliver of capacity building programme:

• Meet with UN Women’s technical team and partners to assess and identify the knowledge and skills gaps and priorities as pertaining to advocacy, lobbying, networking, and the rights of the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence, vis a vis specific competencies and knowledge criteria.
• Based on the findings of the capacity assessment, to develop capacity building programme. As part of this, the training programme should include different training tools, such as, case studies, PowerPoint Presentations, amongst other tools and materials.
• Share the capacity building programme with UN Women for inputs and approval.
• Deliver the capacity building programme (8-10 days), over two months. The capacity building programme should ensure the availability of interactive discussion and participation tools and methods.
• To submit a report that includes a description of the capacity building programme, achievements, analysis of findings of pre and post capacity assessment and other aspects as relevant. Annexes should include the capacity building programme, agenda, pre and post assessment, list of participants, utilized methodology and others.

Development of coordination and networking work plan between concerned CSOs, including coalitions:

• To facilitate at least 2 consultation meetings between CSOs target groups to brainstorm and discuss opportunities, challenges and gaps in the coordination and networking between CSOs, including coalitions.
• To develop a networking and coordination working plan and present it to CSOs.
• To share it with UN Women for review and approval. The work plan should include actionable actions, defined and specific goals and indicators.

3) Final report:

To submit a final narrative report that includes a description of the assignment, the achievements, used methodology, main findings, lessons learned and recommendations for future interventions.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: An approved inception report that includes the work plan, the methodological framework, and the timeline for the deliverables, in English. (Expected delivery date: 15 October 2021)
• Deliverable 2: Successful delivery of the training; and an approved coordination and networking plan. (Expected delivery date: 15 November 2021)
• Deliverable 3: A final approved report in English. (Expected delivery date: 30 December 2021)

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.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to facilitate and strengthen coordination and networking lead Policy review process through consultation with stakeholders.
• Very strong background on gender.
• Experience in capacity building programming and advocacy.
• Ability to manage time and meet tight deadlines.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Proven networking, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A BA degree in human rights, development, gender, or any related social sciences. Master’s degree is considered a strong asset

Experience:

• At least 4 years working experience in the field of gender equality, Violence against Women and Human rights.
• At least 3 previous assignments in developing and delivering professional trainings on advocacy, networking, and gender equality.
• At least 2 previous working experience in the field of advocacy and networking.
• At least 2 previous assignments in areas related to the most vulnerable and left behind groups.
• Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Professional knowledge of English, and fluency in Arabic

Evaluation Criteria:

This SSA modality is governed by UN Women General Terms and Conditions. UN Women will only be able to respond to applicants who meet the minimum requirements.

Candidates should clearly indicate how they meet the above-mentioned criteria in their applications.

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials:

• UN Women P11 including experience in similar assignments; the P11 form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted;

Note: Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Please upload as one attachment of the documents as mentioned above online through this website.

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates, medical certification (of good health) expression of Interest (EoI).

Evaluation of applicants

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications mentioned above, and financial proposal. A contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points:

• A BA degree in human rights, development, gender, or any related social sciences.? Master’s degree is considered a strong asset. (max. 5 points)

• At least 4 years working experience in the field of gender equality, Violence against Women and Human rights; (max. 10 points)

• At least 3 previous assignments in developing and delivering professional trainings on advocacy, networking, and gender equality. (max.15 points)
• At least 2 previous working experience in the field of advocacy and networking. (max. 10 points)
• At least 2 previous assignments in areas related to the most vulnerable and left behind groups. (max. 10 points)
• Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset. (max. 5 points)
• A Sample of a developed capacity building programme, preferably in areas related to gender equality, or violence against women or the rights of the furthest left behind groups. (max.15)

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

Only long-listed candidates will be contacted.

Financial proposal. Shortlisted candidate will be requested to submit a financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down a daily professional fee, proposed number of working days and any related expenses, i.e. travel and communications expenses.