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 UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Fiji covers 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Fiji MCO current focus countries for programming are Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

The UN Women Fiji Multi-country office has four main thematic areas:

• Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG);
• Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) which includes the Markets for Change project (M4C);
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action; and
• Women’s Political Empowerment, Leadership and Human Rights.

The Markets for Change (M4C) project promotes gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations (MVAs), civil society organizations and UN agencies. M4C is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The key objective of this assignment is to write the final report for the Markets for Change Phase I project, summarizing the Project activities and impact of activities.

This report will be submitted to the Governments of Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is a contractual requirement of the cost-sharing/donor agreements between UN Women and each of the governments. Phase 1 of the project ran from March 2014 – December 2021

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under guidance and direct supervision of M4C Regional Project Manager and support of other UN Women M4C staff, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Meet with UN Women staff and identify areas and/or stakeholders to be documented, review the filing and consent requirements, and confirm travel dates (if necessary);

1. Analyse the six-monthly activity reports, annual reports, key publications and knowledge products for Markets for Change Phase 1, covering the period 2014-2021 – to identify key activities and achievements across the life of Phase 1.

1. Hold a roundtable discussion with UN Women and UNDP staff to identify key activities, achievements and impacts to be included in the final report.

1. Gather input from each of the UN Women and UNDP project managers across Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as input to the final report.

1. Prepare:

1. A report outline
2. A draft report of 20-25 pages that identifies key achievements and activities across the life of Phase 1
3. Draft annexes including a quantitative results table for 2014-2021; a set of impact stories; a list of MVAs; and a list of project governance meetings
4. A final report and annexes – based on feedback from UN Women and UNDP
5. A summary report of 10-15 pages – to be used as a public communications product.

Duration of the assignment

The total duration of the contract assignment will be up to 55 working days within a 4.5 month period, to be completed before end of April 2022.

The assignment will be home based.

Expected Deliverables

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 55 working days over 4.5 month work assignment, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

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

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one (1) week of submission. For deliverable 6 and 7, draft report and annexes, UN Women and UNDP will have two (2) weeks to provide feedback.

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Inputs

UN Women shall provide:

1. The Consultant with background materials on the project/programme information and editorial guidance to the Consultant to enable him/her to understand the Deliverables required.
2. Copies of the six-monthly activity reports, annual reports, key publications and knowledge products for Markets for Change Phase 1.
3. Access to the Markets for Change photo gallery.
4. Contact details for relevant UN Women and UNDP staff members.

The Consultant shall work remotely using her/his own computer.

Management Arrangements

• The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of UN Women’s  Markets for Change Regional Project Manager.

Travel

• No travel is expected.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, by UN Women and the Consultant, prior to travel.
• Travel process will follow the existing UN Travel Rules and Guidelines.

Performance evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangement

• Payment shall be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverable, reports with indication of progress timesheets with actual days worked certified by UN Women.
• Payment will be made within 1 week after receipt and acceptance of the aforementioned documents, but UN Women have certified that the services have been satisfactorily performed by the National Consultant.

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 fulfill the following requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science, Gender Studies, Project or Programme Management 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 10 years (with Masters’ degree) or 12 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the Pacific.
• Experience in programming, monitoring and evaluation with UN agencies, similar international organisations, NGOs, multi/bilateral and/or government institutions.
• Proven experience in report writing and documenting programme activities.
• Strong communication and writing skills – with clear and concise writing style, demonstrating analytical skills – please provide examples of similar work undertaken.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use internet and email.

Language requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Evaluation

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science, Gender Studies, Project or Programme Management 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 10 years (with Masters’ degree) or 12 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation activities.

The short-listed individual candidates will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, 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 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).

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this 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 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 A

Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective Individual Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his / her price proposal.

1.Daily fee

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive".  All costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant 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.

2.Travel costs

UN Women will not cover transportation cost within Suva, Fiji.  Travel costs outside Suva, Fiji are not envisaged and if needed will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval.

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance

Not applicable.

Will only be paid for approved travel-related mission/s outside of Suva (duty station), per this TOR.

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 B

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 – M4C End of Phase I Report Writer, 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.