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.

UN Women Indonesia Country Office (CO) hosts the ASEAN liaison office which extends support to ASEAN and its Member States in advancing Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in line with global normative frameworks. UN Women Indonesia launched a five-year project, Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace: Preventing Violence and Promoting Social Cohesion in ASEAN. The project funded by the Governments of Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea supports efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its 10 Member States to promote women's participation and leadership in conflict prevention, resolution, and recovery. Region-wide, the project works to promote and implement policy frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace, and Security (ASEAN RPA WPS); capacity-building activities such as training, workshops, dialogues, and consultations; and exchanges of knowledge and good practices. The project also does country-level activities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste. 

The project also aims at strengthening the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a focus on women organizations and networks to facilitate their participation in decision-making processes and responses to implement the WPS agenda. UN Women conducted a mapping of CSOs in Southeast Asia that are supporting the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The mapping exercise resulted in the creation of a CSO web-based database. In addition, UN Women assessed the capacities of selected women organizations and networks in the Region working at the national and regional level on WPS to engage with ASEAN for evidence-based advocacy. The key findings from the CSO capacity assessment highlighted common challenges among CSOs to advance the implementation of the WPS agenda, including limited funding and support, lack of knowledge and capacity for monitoring, coordination planning and implementation of the WPS agenda among CSOs, as well as the broader governance and institutional challenges to implement the WPS agenda, particularly shrinking civic space, and the need to contextualize the WPS in the context of ASEAN regional and country level.

Against this backdrop, UN Women seeks to hire an International Consultant to strengthen the capacity of CSOs in the ASEAN region.

Objectives of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to update a mapping of CSOs and the CSOs web-based database of the   WPS-ASEAN website. Moreover, it aims to enhance the capabilities of chosen CSO organizations and networks that operate at the regional and national levels on WPS to interact effectively with ASEAN for evidence-based advocacy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and tasks

Under the overall guidance and management of the ASEAN Governance, Peace and Security Specialist  and supervision from the Programme Coordination Specialist, the IC will perform the following tasks:

Task 1. Desk Review and development of a consultancy work plan.

• Conduct a desk review of existing relevant documents.
• Conduct preliminary consultations with members of the project team.
• Develop a consultancy work plan report.

Task 2. Update the existing mapping and the web-based database.

• Review existing additional data and contact CSOs in the web-based database.
• Identify new CSOs working on areas relevant to WPS and women peacebuilders.
• Update the mapping of CSOs and women peacebuilders and the web-based database.

Task 3. Implement the existing capacity-strengthening plan for selected CSOs and provide coordination and technical support to UN Women country offices to roll out a WPS training.

• Update the capacity strengthening plan.
• Develop concept notes, a presentation, and an agenda for two online workshops for at least two online regional workshops on
• Provide technical assistance to UN Women country offices in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Thailand to roll out existing WPS training at the national level.
• Keep mapped organizations informed of WPS-related events and learning opportunities in the region.
• Regularly share knowledge products with CSOs. 

Task 4. Catalogue examples of good practices and initiatives being implemented by CSOs, networks and women peacebuilders and develop case studies out of these, which can be included in disseminated knowledge products. 

• Identify and catalogue examples of good practices and initiatives implemented by CSOs.
• Develop at least five case studies and develop communication materials and one knowledge product.
• Documentation of concrete initiatives led by CSOs to drive progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women Peace and Security (ASEAN RPA WPS)

Task 5. Strengthen the capacity of CSOs on proposal writing for resource mobilization.

• Disseminate information among CSOs on upcoming funding opportunities, guidance on sustainable resource mobilization and information on other funding modalities, such as joint ventures, which CSOs and networks could apply for. 
• Organize online sessions on proposal writing and mentor the mapped organizations. 
• Support drafting of proposals. 

Task 6. Coordinate with CSOs to enhance dialogue and engagement between civil society in preparation for engagements with ASEAN on the implementation of the ASEAN RPA WPS

• Ensure ongoing communication, resource sharing, and collaboration among CSOs.
• Coordinate with CSOs and ASEAN to establish a Community of Practice or platform for regular consultations, knowledge exchange and advocacy to drive the implementation of the RPA WPS and ensure the involvement of diverse stakeholders in advancing Women, Peace and Security initiatives within the ASEAN region. 

Expected Deliverables 

The IC will produce the following deliverables:

All the deliverables, including annexes, notes and reports should be submitted in writing in English.

Upon receipt of the deliverables and before the payment of the first instalment, the deliverables and related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women. The period of review is one week after receipt.

Inputs

• UN Women will provide the Consultant with background information and documents, and a list of stakeholders relevant to the assignment.
• The Consultant is expected to work using his/ her computer.

Scope of bid price and schedule of payments

The contract price is a fixed deliverable-based price regardless of the extension of the contract duration. Payment will be done once deliverables detailed in section II are submitted and approved by UN Women.

The lump sum costs should include a consultancy fee, administration costs, communication costs, and expenses related to the consultancy. All prices/rates quoted must be exclusive of all taxes. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of cost calculation using the template in Annex 1.

Performance evaluation:

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

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity

Integrity

Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues

Accountability

Creative Problem Solving

Effective Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Leading by Example

Functional Competencies:

Excellent analytical skills

Strong interpersonal skills, communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.

Ability to work in a highly pressured environment.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:
https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?

Required Skills and Experience

Required experience and qualifications

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree in political science or Social Science, Sociology, Gender Studies, International Development and or any relevant field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in the field of women peace and security
• Proven experience facilitating capacity-building workshops for civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Previous experiences in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Southeast Asia is an advantage.
• Previous experience developing knowledge products, and communication materials.
• Previous experience on resource mobilization and proposal writing.
• Experience of the UN and/or UN Women’s programme design and implementation in the areas of women peace and security is desirable.

Language and other skills:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Previous experiences in facilitation and working in a multicultural environment.
• Computer literacy and ability to use office technology equipment, Internet and email. 

Submission of package                    

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae including contact information of at least 3 referees.
3. A financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount per deliverable, including any administrative fees, based on the template in Annex 1. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of cost calculation.

Applications without any of the items listed above will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further processing.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be invited to the interview.

Selected candidates will need to submit before the commencement of work:

1. A copy of the latest academic certificate
2. UN Women P-11 form, available via  http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis.

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilised in evaluating the proposals, with the evaluation of the technical proposal being completed before any price proposal is compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

Technical qualification evaluation criteria

The total number of points allotted for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Only the candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be longlisted, and additional documentation may be requested. Candidates with a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered technically qualified candidates and will be shortlisted for interview.

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allotted for the price component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technically qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

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, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on 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).

Annex I: Financial Proposal

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS

Breakdown of Cost by Components:

The lump sum costs should include administration costs and expenses related to the consultancy. All prices/rates quoted must be exclusive of all taxes. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of cost calculation.