International Consultant (SSA)- Policy Specialist on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Location : Baku, AZERBAIJAN
Application Deadline : 04-Feb-21 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : 120 working days in the timeframe February -July 2021
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Background
1.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, humanitarian action and peace and security.
Reporting to the Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Specialist, UN Women Office for Europe and Central Asia (the Primary Supervisor) and the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan (Matrix Supervisor), and as a member of the Resident Coordinator Office team, the Policy Specialist on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment will support UNCT in Azerbaijan on the normative work on gender equality and empowerment of women (GEWE) and on mainstreaming GEWE/WPS in governmental policies, strategies and programs. S/he will provide technical support to the governmental partners to ensure evidence-based policies and programmes on gender equality and women's empowerment are support. The Policy Specialist will contribute to interventions building the capacities of the NGOs on gender-responsive SDG implementation and encourage gender-sensitive SDG initiatives by CSOs and the private sector in Azerbaijan. He/she will engage with the development partners' coordination platform to ensure alignment in GEWE in the country.
S/he will further provide policy advice to UNCT on mainstreaming of gender equality issues in UN common programming and achieving the specific Gender Outcome of the UN-Azerbaijan Sustainable Development Corporation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025). The Specialist will offer capacity building on GEWE and WPS to UNCT as requested, develop knowledge products on GEWE and WPS, and provide coordination and technical support to the Gender Theme Group (GTG) to improve UNCT coherence and efficiency through joint design and implementation processes that enhance the achievement of results on gender equality, and women's empowerment and WPS.
Duties and Responsibilities
2.Duties and Responsibilities
Provide substantive and policy guidance and support on mainstreaming gender in UN Azerbaijan programming
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Oversee the development of the UNCT Azerbaijan Gender Strategy aiming to enhance the UN country-level gender mainstreaming practices and draw a roadmap for the UNCT work with the Government, civil society and other stakeholders to boost advocacy efforts for endorsement of laws, policies, programmes and services needed for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment in Azerbaijan.
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Oversee mainstreaming of GEWE in all UN programming in close partnership with the GTG;
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Ensure the gender equality outputs set in the UNSDCF are achieved by providing technical and policy support to UNCT;
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Provide advice on contextualizing/localizing programme documents, country strategies, and knowledge products;
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Coordinate proper monitoring and GEWE reporting of the UNSDCF in collaboration with the RCO Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting Officer, the GTG and UNCT Agencies and Programmes.
Provide capacity building and advisory support to the RC, UNCT and the members of the Gender Theme Group on GEWE
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Provide strategic advice and regular updates to the RC regarding GEWE and WPS issues in the country;
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Provide substantive technical and policy support to UNCT members in developing and strengthening projects/ programmes to support the implementation of global norms and standards;
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Support joint design and implementation processes to enhance the achievement of results on gender equality and WPS;
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Provide technical support to partners on the implementation of national commitments to GEWE (CEDAW, BpFA, UPR, WPS agenda, etc.);
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Develop, implement and monitor capacity building plan and support initiatives.
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Provide coordination and tecnical support on WPS to GTG and serve as UN Women/RCO focal point for WPS issues.
Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with the government, civil society, and development partners
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Provide technical support to the governmental partners to ensure evidence-based policies and programmes on gender equality and WPS;
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Ensure coordinated programming for GEWE by providing support to development partners' and other actors' efforts towards the implementation of CEDAW, BpFA, WPS Agenda and other relevant HR commitments;
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Review and update the UNCT Gender Briefing Kit developed by the GTG, in cooperation with the GTG, the Regional Issue-Based Coalition on Gender and SSC;
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Provide technical support to the UN, the Government and civil society on the implementation of SDG 5 as well as the gender-responsive implementation of all nationalized SDGs;
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Promote dialogue between the civil society and the government on gender-sensitive SDGs implementation;
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Maintain close contacts with relevant staff of the Regional Issue-Based Coalition on Gender.
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Support women's groups and women's inclusion in decision making on development policies and recovery, peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts, including streghtening their participation in 1325 NAP adoption, implementation and oversight.
Provide technical support to the UNCT in the resource mobilization for GEWE
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Conduct a mapping exercise to identify the donors for joint GEWE/WPS programmes and prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation in close partnership with the GTG;
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Develop the resource mobilization component of the UNCT Gender Strategy for the GEWE/WPS and take necessary actions for its implementation and monitoring in close partnership with the GTG;
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Provide necessary support to the GTG with mobilization of resources for the implementation of the findings of the Participatory Gender Audit (2017).
Develop relevant knowledge products and SOPs on GEWE
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Provide policy recommendations and guidance to strategic planning and positioning on GEWE;
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Work closely with the GTG to provide advice to regional/ national bodies and interagency groups that influence national policies related to GEWE, GBV and WPS and where necessary represent the GTG and the RCO;
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Research, develop and present analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence, and knowledge products on GEWE/GBV and WPS, including gender budgeting/financing;
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Identify promising practices, technical expertise, and strategic opportunities in GEWE/WPS;
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Provide necessary support and coordination for implementation of the Gender Scorecard.
Oversee knowledge building and sharing for GEWE
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Identify and disseminate lessons learnt and good practices in collaboration with the GTG and UNCT members;
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Ensure technical skills and knowledge are shared within and among the GTG and UNCT.
Competencies
3.Key Performance Indicators
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Timely and quality technical advice and support
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Leadership in the area of expertise in the region
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Quality reports and other strategic documents drafted and submitted in a timely manner
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Strong relationships with various partners and stakeholders
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Contributions to resource mobilization
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Timely and quality knowledge products
4.Competencies
Core Values:
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Respect for Diversity
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Integrity
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Professionalism
Core Competencies:
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Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
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Accountability
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Creative Problem Solving
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Effective Communication
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Inclusive Collaboration
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Stakeholder Engagement
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Leading by Example
Functional Competencies
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Excellent knowledge of GEWE normative frameworks
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Good knowledge of essential elements for monitoring and evaluation of gender responsiveness of programmes
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Strong knowledge of the region
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Excellent networking skills
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Ability to interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising
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Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
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Excellent analytical skills
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Ability to write policy papers, speeches, briefings
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Strong knowledge of programme development, implementation, results-based management and reporting
Required Skills and Experience
5.Recruitment Qualifications
Education and certification:
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Advanced degree in gender studies, social sciences, management, international studies, economic studies or political science or other relevant field is required.
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A first-level university degree in gender studies, social sciences, management, international studies, economic studies or political science in combination with at least nine years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
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At least 9 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing GEWE advocacy programmes ;
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Experience in the programme, policy analysis, and strategic planning;
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Experience in mobilizing resources for the purposes of joint programmes;
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Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field;
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Ability to work efficiently and responsively within a multicultural environment and in a team;
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Experience with the UN will be considered an asset;
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Experience in the South Caucasus region of Eastern Europe will be considered an asset
Language Requirements:
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Fluency in English is required;
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Knowledge of Russian is an asset.
6.Deliverables and Timelines
The consultant will be required to support and produce the following indicative key deliverables within a period of 6 months: Deliverables
Timeframe
Amount of payment
Workplan including monthly tasks and deliverables to be reviewed and signed off by Hiring manager
Within 2 weeks of the start of the consultancy
Monthly lumpsum
Monthly review and as required update of Workplan
Summary report of tasks performed under expected duties and responsibilities
On a monthly basis, by 25th of every month
Monthly lumpsum
Final consolidated report with indication of key achievements and handover notes
By 15 July 2021
Final month's lumpsum
7.Application Process
The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:
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P11 with past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted.
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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 (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs).
8.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:
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Responsive/compliant/acceptable in line with the TOR requirements; and
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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%)
Education
-Advanced degree in gender studies, social sciences, management, international studies, economic studies or political science, or other relevant field is required.
-A first-level university degree in gender studies, social sciences, management, international studies, economic studies or political science in combination with at least five years of qualifying experience may be acceptedin lieu of the advanced university degree.
10
Professional experience
At least 9 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing GEWE advocacy programmes
20
Experience in the programme, policy analysis, and strategic planning
10
Experience in mobilizing resources for the purposes of joint programmes
10
Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field
5
Ability to work efficiently and responsively within a multicultural environment and in a team
5
Experience with the UN will be considered an asset
5
Experience in the South Caucasus region of Eastern Europe will be considered an asset.
5
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
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