Background

As part of the reform processes in area of social protection, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy introduced system of compulsory licensing for professionals working in areas of social protection. The management of licensing process has been delegated to Institute for Social Affairs (ISA) which in order to support the process has developed required curricula to contribute to the process of issuance and renewal licenses for professional employed in public institutions providing services in area of social protection. Current curricula set consists of 6 core modules and 7 optional modules for in-service training for professionals in area of social protection work.
Applying gender equality principles in the work of public servants is an obligation stemming from national legislation and international. Based on field research among users of social services and professionals working in Public Institutes and Centers for Social Work, it has been identified by ISA that number of professionals from these institutions have limited capacities in understanding concept of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in social protection work. Therefore, ISA has approached UN Women office in Skopje for support in process of developing additional core module (trainer’s manual) for gender equality in social protection work and identification of entry points for mainstreaming gender into some of the available modules, as well as deliver training of trainers for professionals from ISA. The latter will ensure that the module can be replicated in subsequent in-service trainings offered by ISA to social protection professionals obliged to request for issuance or renewal of their license . The envisaged core module shall ensure that professionals have knowledge and skills to reflect upon and meet the standards and requirements in regards to gender equality in national and international frameworks and provide for gender responsive service delivery in social protection area.
To support ISA in this initiative, the UN Women project office is in search of international consultant (as lead consultant) to cooperate with local consultant in developing the Core Module – Trainer’s Manual on topic of Gender Equality in Social Protection Work (hereinafter referred as module on GE) and deliver the training of trainers.
Phases of assignment:
  1. Preparatory phase leading to the first outline of core module on GE. This includes desk review of key materials and based on desk-review preparing draft outline of the module on GE (home-based);
  2. Consultative workshop (first mission in the country) to solicit feedback on outline and provided proposals for the process of developing full-fledge module on GE (next phase);
  3. Development of full-fledged core module on GE and development of agenda for training of trainers (home-based)
  4. Preparing and delivering training of trainers (second mission to the country);
  5. Closing phase - finalizing the core module and providing final report from assignment (home-based).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UN Women project office in Skopje and in close cooperation with the local consultant and the working team from ISA, the international consultant will be responsible for the following:
  1. To carry out desk review of the relevant documentation – including already available Core and Optional Modules – Trainers’ Manuals developed for/by ISA (to identify gaps and entry points relevant for module on GE) and other relevant resources provided by ISA in English (previously developed guidebooks on gender issues, relevant gender research / studies on provision of social protection services under the auspices of ISA etc.);
  2. With support provided from local consultant, to develop outline of Core Module on GE, and provide proposals for mainstreaming gender into selected modules, presentand discuss them at consultative workshop (see next point);
  3. To prepare the consultative workshop aiming to solicit feedback on the initial draft and proposals. This includes
  • Preparing the Agenda for workshop and consult with local consultant;
  • Preparing in-time additional materials to be translated into Macedonian (prior to the workshop).
  1. To facilitate (jointly with local consultant) the consultative workshop (approximately August / September 2012, expected length 2 days) soliciting inputs from local experts (future ISA trainers and gender experts from MLSP and other institutions, maximum up 8-10 people) and finalize post-workshop report with collected feedback and inputs provided from participants;
  2. As follow-up to consultative workshop, to develop with support from local consultant the full-fledge Core Module on GE (English)and inputs for gender mainstreaming in other selected modules including:
  • Developing the core of the module, incl. substantive elements and exercises for future trainers;
  • Leading the process of revision and finalization of the manual for the training of trainers (see next point);
  1. To prepare and deliver the training of trainers (hereinafter referred as ToT, expected early November 2012, up to 12-15 participant maximum, length 5 days maximum) with support from local consultant. This will include:
  • Development of training curricula, training materials (handout, exercises, questionnaires for pre- and post-assessment of capacities);
  • Providing substantive inputs and lead revisions of materials in cooperation with local consultant so as to ensure materials and exercises are sensitive to local context;
  • Ensuring agreed-upon materials are finalized timely in order to enable local consultant for arranging the translation (externally) into Macedonian;
  • Delivering the training itself in role of lead trainer with option to delegate co-training of selected components on local consultant as per mutual agreement.
  1. To close the assignment, with providing the final report including information on training delivery, assesment of capacity change and recommendations for follow-up steps or initiatives may it be considered relevant at local / national level (by end of November 2012).
Deliverables:
  1. Outline of Core module on Gender Equality in Social Protection Work and proposal for mainstreaming gender in selected modules;
  2. Consultative workshop delivered, including final Agenda and final Report;
  3. Full-fledged Core module on Gender Equality in area of Social Protection Work developed for the training of trainers with all supportive materials (annexes);
  4. Training curricula for Training of Trainers developed (incorporating core module), including questionnaires for pre-post assessment of capacities, and training delivered;
  5. Final report of assignment incl. report from the Training of Trainers submitted.

Competencies

Core competencies and values:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
 Functional competencies:
  • Social Work and Gender: capacities in applying gender mainstreaming approach in social protection / social work / social services area;
  • Communication and training delivering capacities;
  • Excellent communication skills, and ability to support team work;
  • Capacities in designing and delivering training with different audiences, including evaluation of capacity change achieved.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • MA degree in area of social work, gender studies, development studies, international relations or similar;
  • PhD. candidate preferable.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience;
  • Experience in development of the training curricula for service providers, preferably in social protection and/or gender related areas;
  • Knowledge or practical experience in area of social protection work and social services delivery, with preferable gender perspective;
  • Experiences with Adult learning cycle and participatory methods in trainings;
  • Experience on report writing;
  • Demonstrated interest and experience in gender work;
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team; preferable in teams including diversity of nationalities.
  • Strong analytical, writing and communication skills in English;
  • Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communications and command of MS Office applications (Power Point, Word);
  • Experience in the Central  and South-eastern Europe region is an asset.
Evaluation of Applicants:
 
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
 
Technical criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 35 points:
  • Criteria A – Knowledge of social protection area with focus in enhancing quality of service delivery max points: 10
  • Criteria B – Knowledge of gender mainstreaming or gender perspective in areas of social protection:  max points: 10
  • Criteria C – Experience with adult learning and participatory training methods max points: 10
  • Criteria D – Relevant background (education and knowledge or previous experience in the region) max points: 5
Duration and remuneration: 
 
The duration of the contract is expected to be from 1 July until 10 December 2012, with estimated number of working days approximately 30 days. UN Women will release the portion of the lump sum corresponding to the costs of travel to the country (former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) upon the start of assignment.  The rest of the lump sum will be released in 3 instalments upon providing key deliverables. The final payment (3rd instalment) will be made upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission and approval of final report by UN Women.
 
Application procedure:
 
Interested candidates are requested to apply online through this site no later than COB 20 June 2012, and to submit:
  • Letter of interest for the position;
  • Personal CV including past experience and contact details of referees (please follow the UN Women Personal History Form (P11) format available at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment );
  • Financial proposal, specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily fee, number of anticipated working days, travel to Skopje, per diems and/or any other possible costs).
 *Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services etc. ). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. 
 
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UN Women on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
 
UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.
 
UN WOMEN 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.