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:

• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL)
• Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
• Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Risk Reduction

UN Women is the IASC-endorsed lead for the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT)’s Pacific Humanitarian Protection Cluster (PHPC). The situation varies by country, with national clusters led by government, which are typically Women’s Ministries. During disaster response, UN Women leverages its existing programmes to support local development partners to respond to the needs, for example, of people with disabilities, GBV survivors, and general provision of psychological first aid and gender and protection integration in key humanitarian sectors. Through the combination of coordinator and responder roles, UN Women promotes gender- and protection-sensitive disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

PHPC is mandated to ensure protection of emergency affected populations in the Pacific countries with a focus on the specific needs, priorities, and capacities of these vulnerable groups. To date, technical and coordination support, provided by members of the PHPC has been led by requests received from national protection clusters/committees and sub-clusters/committees at the onset of an emergency. This support includes, but is not limited, emergency preparedness, response and recovery as well as for protracted emergency contexts. Moving forward, PHPC envisages undertaking a vulnerability assessment and analysis (VAA) which is intended to form the foundation for the design of the support to PICTs, particularly to diverse women, girls, men and boys and at-risk groups including persons/children with disability, gender and sexual minorities, and individuals living in poverty. In order to plan the VAA, PHPC needs to have an overview of existing data and determine the best course of actions to undertake assessments and analyses. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

UN Women Fiji MCO is looking for an individual to conduct a mapping of vulnerability data and recommend ways forward to conduct vulnerability assessments in gaps areas and populations in target countries for the PHPC.

For this purpose, the Consultant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UN Fiji Multi-Country Office Gender and Protection Specialist in close coordination with Humanitarian Team.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

UN Women is seeking to recruit a Consultant with expertise in the following technical areas:

• Conduct a mapping of existing vulnerability assessments, data and analysis of conducted by other sectors and clusters (Health, Education, WASH, Food Security etc.) as well as other agencies (UN, NGO, CSOs, FBOs) in Fiji and Vanuatu;
• Incorporate other key documents spatial hazard maps and studies which may contribute to the development of the regional level VAA; documents from Save the Children, Care International, World Food Programme, The Pacific Community (SPC) as well as the Socio-Economic Impact Assessments within the region.
• Consult with regional and national key stakeholders on their ongoing or planned assessments, existing data and gaps;
• Identify gaps and recommend areas of further data collection;
• Develop a report based on findings
• Develop a term of reference for a vulnerability assessment for PHPC to undertake in 2022  

Duration of the Assignment

The duration of this assignment will be up to 25 working days over 3 months work assignment as per the schedule of deliverables.

Expected Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Workplan;
• Desk review draft report;
• Presentation to PHPC;
• Final report encompassing mapping and recommendations for way forward;
• Terms of reference of a vulnerability mapping.

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.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English hard and electronic copy.

All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format. Any printed materials utilized to be referenced and returned. 

Inputs

• UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials.
• UN Women will only cover Consultant’s travel outside of Suva should the need arises and upon prior approval by UN Women.
• UN Women will provide an e-mail access and a laptop computer.
• The Consultant will be provided a work space in the UN Women Office.   

Management Arrangements:

The Consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the UN Women Gender and Protection Specialist who will provide overall management and supervision. The Specialist in consultation with the Consultant will review and approve all outputs and shall work in close coordination with the Humanitarian & Resilience 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 Gender & Protection Specialist that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

No relocation costs will be provided for the position. 

Travel

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

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

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Data Science, Social Science or other related field is required. 
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction and protection preferably in the Pacific.
• Proven knowledge and skills pertaining to protection of vulnerable groups and gender-related work.
• Strong understanding of Pacific context with a focus on Fiji and Vanuatu and sub-population vulnerability.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Research experience is highly valued.
• Experience in GIS is desirable.

Language and other skills:

• Fluency in command of written and spoken English is required;
• Fluency in local / national languages of target countries is an asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use internet and email.

Evaluation

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Data Science, Social Science or other related field is required. 
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years (with Masters’ degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction and protection preferably in the Pacific.

The shortlisted individual consultants 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:

Technical evaluation will be done 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 on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

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:

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 past 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).

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: 3rd December 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 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 USD.  

In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into USD 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:         Individual Consultant – Vulnerability Assessment (To provide support to Pacific Humanitarian Protection Cluster and Humanitarian Team), 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 USD$)

*** Please be informed that for shorter assignments than a full day, the daily rate will be pro-rated into hourly rate.

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 60 days.

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