UN WOMEN Jobs - 31376- Extension of deadline - National Lead Expert to pr

EXTENSION OF DEADLINE - NATIONAL LEAD EXPERT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT AND COORDINATE THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY ON GENDER EQUALITY 2013-2020
Location :	Skopje, FYR MACEDONIA
Application Deadline :	09-Aug-12
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	National Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Expected Duration of Assignment :	estamated 35 days in the period 06 August to 15 December 2012
Background
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP), on behalf of the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, leads the development of the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2013 – 2020 and Operational Plan. The development of the NSGE is foreseen by the new Law on Equal Opportunities between women and men (No.07-155/1, dated 11 January 2012), will represent key policy and strategic document of the Government outlining the main areas of work and priorities in the area of gender equality to be addressed in the next 8 years. The National Strategy on Gender Equality (2013-2020) will build on the main findings and recommendations from the Assessment of implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NCGE)in the period from 2007-2012. The Assessment of the NAPGE implementation will serve as basis for the identification of areas of focus, the definition of the overall vision and the main goal of the NSGE. The process of developing the National Strategy on Gender Equality would be participatory, involving gender equality machinery (coordinators for equal opportunities at local and central level), civil servants and professionals working in public institutions related to identified priority areas, as well as civil society organizations, social partners, Academia and, where required, other professional associations or individuals/experts. Although the Strategic priorities of the NSGE should be defined at the first working meeting of the inter-sectoral working group on GE , which is in the process to be established and representatives of the above mentioned institutions, the possible priority areas would be chosen among the ones indicated below: o Human rights, women’s rights and anti-discrimination; o Gender mainstreaming in policy making, strategic planning and budgeting; o Gender balance in decision making processes; o Economic empowerment of women, with particular focus on rural, ethnic minority women and women with disabilities; o Mainstreaming gender in social protection and social inclusion; o Access to Health care, including sexual and reproductive health; o Prevention and addressing of human trafficking; o Role of media in elimination of gender based stereotypes and promoting gender equality ; o Women, peace and security agenda; The development and implementation of the NSGE will support the application of the Law on equal opportunities between women and men, the Law on anti-discrimination, the Law on labor relations, Law on family, social protection and criminal code. The NSGE and Operational plan will take as base the international obligations of the Government in regards to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee Recommendations (including the upcoming ones in February 2013) and the Beijing Platform for Action. Under MLSP leadership, and with the support of UN Women and UN Agencies in the country, the NSGE will be developed through an inclusive and participatory process. Following the NAPGE Assessment recommendations, the Government – in cooperation with the civil society – will re-prioritise actions within the NSGE , revise and extend the mandate of the NSGE and identify emerging issues not yet covered. To support the process of development of the NSGE, based on request from MLSP, UN Women - on behalf of MLSP and the UN Human Rights and Gender Theme Group – will recruit a Lead Expert to provide technical support and guidance in developing the NSGE, lead the participatory process and coordinate the team of experts, as well as to liaise between MLSP, Inter-sectoral working group for GE and UN Women. The team of experts will be comprised of the lead national expert and two support national experts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the State Counselor for Equal Opportunities at MLSP and the UN Women Head of Office, and with support and direct cooperation with the Department for Equal Opportunities at MLSP, the lead expert will be responsible for leading the process of drafting the NSGE and the Operational Plan. In particular, the lead expert will be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables: • Lead and coordinate the team of experts engaged for developing the NSGE and Operational Plan; • Review the Assessment of the implementation of NAPGE and facilitate the pubic consultative meeting where findings and recommendations will be shared; • Coordinate/facilitate the process of identification of priority areas for the new NSGE; • Lead and coordinate the work of the Focus groups in the process of drafting the NSGE; • Develop the methodology for drafting the NSGE based on the Priorities and Recommendations from the evaluation/assessment ofimplementation of NAPGE; • Prepare work plan, provide work materials and examples of Strategies on gender equality from other countries; • Provide expert consultative assistance and recommendations to the Department for Equal opportunities (DEO) at MLSP, to the members of the Focus groups and to support experts; • In coordination with DEO lead the participatory process of the development of the NSGE and the Operational Plan; • Discuss with DEO and IPA focal point at MLSP to explore possibilities and give specific recommendations for future funding opportunities under IPA component 1 and 4 in line with NSGE priorities and Operational Plan; • Develop draft of the NSGE, present at the inter-sectoral working group and CSOs, collect inputs, revise and finalize the final version of the NSGE (including narrative and logframe); • In coordination with the DEO, assist in the process of adoption of the NSGE (distribute information on the draft, inputs from the Ministries and Secretariat for Legislation, the final version of the Strategy with annex materials to the Government for adoption); • Lead the consultation process and support the DEO in the development of Operational Plan for the implementation of the Strategy for the first year. In accordance with an agreed workplan, the Lead Expert will be responsible for ensuring that the team of experts delivers jointly on the following deliverables: • Methodology of work, with priority areas for NSGE and recommendations; • Work plan for the process of drafting the NSGE with timeline; • Proposed Outline of the NSGE; • Draft text of National Strategy on gender equality (including narrative and logframe); • Draft Operational Plan for the implementation of the Strategy on gender equality for the first year; • Written recommendations for future funding opportunities under IPA; • Final report and recommendations for future work in this field.
Competencies
Core values • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards; • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Core competencies • Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to pose questions, listen, evaluate and capture opinions, suggestions and comments, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different stakeholders. • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.
Required Skills and Experience
The Lead Expert should have the following qualifications: • Advanced university degree in the area of gender equality, non-discrimination, social sciences, international development, public administration or related field or equivalent experience; • At least 5 years of professional work experience, particularly in the area of gender and development, gender and good governance, equality and non-discrimination; • Experience in working on and around national government policies and programmes, drafting NAPs, Operational Plans and Strategies; • Experience in conducting research and delivering workshops, working sessions at conferences/seminars in the area of gender equality, gender and development; • Previous experience with other governmental and international organizations in conducting relevant work will be an asset. • Experience in working with multi-stakeholders essential: governments, CSOs, and the UN/multilateral/bilateral institutions. • Experience in leading participatory process for developing strategies, action plans programmes is an asset. • Familiarity of EU policies and Instruments for Pre-Accession (IPA) to candidate countries; • Excellent communication and facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in different cultural contexts. • Ability to produce well written reports demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills. • Ability to deliver quality results within strict deadlines. • Fluent in written and spoken English and Macedonian (knowledge of Albanian language is an asset) Evaluation of Applicants: UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process. Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicant’s qualifications/skills and their financial proposals. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process. Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicant’s qualifications/skills and their financial proposals. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight – 70% * Financial Criteria weight – 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. • Relevant background (Education, experience in research/analysis) 10% 10 • Knowledge/indirect experience in processes of development and/or implementation of governmental policies and programs (strategies, NAPs) 20% 20 • Expertise and experience in gender equality, non-discrimination and mainstreaming gender perspective into governance and/or development policy making and/or policy analysis 20% 20 • Communication and facilitation skills, incl. skills to support multi-stakeholders consultations and provide for effective leadership in team work 20% 20 Financial 30% 30 Duration and remuneration: UN Women will fund the costs of the consultancy work and DEO will provide information from the evaluation of NAPGE and technical guidance in the development of the methodology for NSGE. The duration of the contract is expected start from 1 August until 15 December 2012 with approximately 35 working days. UN Women will provide remuneration in several installments that will be released upon providing key deliverables. The release of final installment will be subject to satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission and approval by UN Women of final report. Applications procedures: UN Women will fund the costs of the consultancy work and DEO will provide information from the evaluation of NAPGE and technical guidance in the development of the methodology for NSGE. The duration of the contract is expected start from 1 August until 15 December 2012 with approximately 35 working days. UN Women will provide remuneration in several installments that will be released upon providing key deliverables. The release of final installment will be subject to satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission and approval by UN Women of final report. Interested candidates are requested to apply online, no later then above indicated deadline. • Interested candidates are requested to submit Letter of interest for the position, • Please follow the UN Women Personal History Form (P11) format available at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment and submit personal CV including past experience and contact details of referees, • Interested candidates are also requested to submit their financial proposal, specifying a total lump sum amount in MKD 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, 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 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. 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.

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.