Background
mportant Notes:All necessary information including Complete Terms of Reference, Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement Notice Number IC-027/13:
http://www.iq.undp.org/ProcurementNotices_Overview.aspx
Proposals should be submitted to the following e-mail address no later than COB 22nd of April 2013 (Amman Time +3GMT):
IC1.undp.iq@undp.org
- Applicants should download the application documents (presented in compressed file) from the previously mentioned link for UNDP Iraq – Procurement notice web site, complete and sign them, and send the scanned copies to the email account above by or before the deadline of this post.
- Applications with NO financial offer or MISSING P11 form or the required documents for the technical evaluation will NOT be considered for evaluation.
- Applications WITHOUT Annex 3 for submitting a financial offer instead of other format will not be considered due to the need of Annex 3 for the ease of comparison of the received offers. All the necessary information for this post (TOR, Deliverables, Target dates, etc. are presented in the procurement notice documents) therefore, applicant MUST download it to apply for this post.
- DO NOT send only CV to the Email account mentioned above WITHOUT Annex 1, 2, 3, 4, Cover Letter and Methodology (If Requested) as it will considered as incomplete application.
- The documents are available in PDF (the Procurement Notice, Annex 3, 4 and 5) and Word 2010 (Annex 1 and 2) format; this is the only format available and it will not be provided in other formats.
- Applicants need to use Adobe reader, Word 2010, zipping software (WinRAR) to be able to use and view the documents for this procurement notice.
- Each email should be less than 8 MB; emails over this size will not be received to the above mentioned account.
UNDP, as part of its governance programme, is working to strengthen electoral processes in Iraq. This includes provision of electoral technical assistance, support to the institutional development of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) responsible for conducting elections, and the promotion of inclusive and accountable participation in electoral processes by all stakeholders, including voters, civil society organizations, media and political entities.
All activities take place in close cooperation with the IHEC. According to Iraq's constitution, the IHEC is a professional, governmental, independent, neutral and autonomous institution, subject to the supervision of the Council of Representatives. It has all authorities to conduct elections in Iraq.
The electoral programme is also implemented through strong partnerships between UNDP a member of the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT), together with UNOPS and under UNAMI leadership.
Since 2003, the situation of Iraqi women has declined steadily despite the recognition by the Government of Iraq and civil society organizations of the need to address gender inequality issues.
Statistics point to the worsening conditions of Iraqi women and their vulnerability to economic, social and political marginalization, due to decades of wars, conflict, violence and sanctions. Iraqi women comprise 57% of the total population of 31 million and head one in 10 Iraqi households, of which around 80% are headed by widows. Violence, lack of security and stability constrain Iraqi women to traditional roles, such as homemakers and limit their access to education and paid employment Anecdotal evidence demonstrates that gender-based violence has become a decisive factor affecting women’s presence and visibility in public space, with crucial implications for female economic and political participation.
Based on the framework provided under the international treaties, UNDP-Iraq, in collaboration with the Iraqi government is taking a gendered approach to its programming. In line with UNDP’s corporate Gender Equality Strategy (2008-2013) and the 8 Point Agenda which articulates a strong corporate commitment to improving the situation of women affected by conflict and disaster, UNDP programmes a) incorporate gender outputs from the early stages of project development b) actively encourage female participation in program/project development and implementation c) ensure gender-responsive recovery processes that promote equal opportunities and choices for women and d) develop capacities for social transformation.
The electoral programme is keen to set the ground for that transformational change as it reaches out to all constituents eligible to vote and participate in this young democracy. The IHEC is committed to enhancing the quality of its work to further strengthen women’s participation thereby setting the pace for excellence in delivering for both men and women.
Within the broad goals of the institutional development programme, this support aims to improve the IHEC’s institutional management practices, and to enhance the IHEC’s electoral management policies and processes in conducting elections. IHEC technical staff is in negotiation both with the UN and with their own management to enhance the gender aspect of their work. It is intended that this assignment will support these efforts and come up with an agenda for change based on established facts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work and Expected Outputs:As part of the Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT), the Gender Consultant advises and supports Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in the collection and analysis of gender data as it relates to election management and participation in Iraq with a view to promoting equal participation of men and women and strengthening trust in electoral processes.
The Electoral Gender Consultant works closely with Iraqi counterparts of the IHEC, representatives of relevant ministries, political entities, CSOs and other Iraqi stakeholders, as well as UN Electoral Assistance Team advisors and other partners in performing the following duties:
- Review and analyse available gender-disaggregated data from the IHEC, UNDP, UNAMI and other sources on inclusion of women in electoral management structures of the IHEC.
- Review and analyse available gender-related information from the IHEC, UNDP, UNAMI and other sources on participation of women in electoral processes in Iraq, including data on candidates and seat-winners, applicable legislation, and public opinion surveys.
The Consultant will be responsible for producing the below deliverables. These deliverables are changeable subject to UNDP’s approval, in case unexpected incidents take place in the project, such as delay of the project or change of project scope, due to reasons uncontrollable by the Consultant.
- Review on available data and information relating to the IHEC’s inclusion of women in electoral management and complete a report outlining findings and recommendations to the IHEC and to UNDP conducted.
- Research and review on available data and information relating to participation of women in electoral processes in Iraq and complete a report outlining findings and recommendations to the IHEC and to the UN IEAT conducted.
Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services.
Overall, the Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:
- GIF/NEA work plan, training plan and communication plan
- Stimulate the agreement on of appropriate architecture model and provide the technical specification
- Transformation procedures guidelines
- Project prioritization guidelines and development of two pilot projects architecture
- Training syllabus and material
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:- Ethics and Values
- Organizational Awareness
- Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring
- Working in Teams
- Communicating Information and Ideas
- Self-management and Emotional Intelligence
- Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements
- Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning
- Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making
Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise:
- Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of gender and elections.
- Experience in data collection and interpretation of data with the ability to process comparative knowledge gender and elections in different countries.
- Knowledge of the United Nation’s Women’s Participation in Peace Building Action Plan.
- Familiarity with electoral best practices and international standards in elections.
- Ability to work independently and show initiative.
- Establishes goals and priorities and able to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan
- Shows initiative and the ability to manage complex political situations.
- Consistently approaches work with a positive, constructive attitude.
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office and with stakeholders.
- Demonstrates commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work, and in electoral processes.
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; is able to communicate complex technical issues and ideas in a clear and concise manner.
- Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
- Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
- Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience.
- Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
- Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
- Proven analytical and evaluative skills, and the ability to assess problems and formulate solutions; Offers new and different options to solve problems
- Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
- Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
- Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep them informed, anticipate problems and identify opportunities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- A Master’s degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Relations, or related field.
- A minimum of 7 years of functionally relevant professional experience, including experience in working in the field of gender and elections.
- Comparative experience in gender research, with specific emphasis on participation of women in electoral processes.
- Experience in working directly with Electoral Management Bodies, with a focus on provision of technical advice on gender.
- Experience in working in post-conflict or transitional countries required; and experience in the region an asset.
- Experience working with the UN, a UN agency or an international organization on electoral issues.
- Competent in usage of MS Office programmes (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Familiarity data collection and analysis, using statistical packages.
- The candidate should be able to work in hardship conditions.
- The post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity.
- Working language shall be English, Fluency in English, written and spoken.
Technical Proposal:
(Which will include the following):
- Signed Template Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal. (Please use Annex 1);
- A letter explaining why he/she considers himself/herself the most suitable candidate for the work;
- Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references. Please Use the attached (P11 Form Only) CV Form – Annex 2 attached. UNDP-Iraq reserves the right to disqualify any of CVs who are not compliant with the requested form.
- Sample reports of previous work in English.
- A language assessment will be conducted [if needed] for the purpose of verifying influence in English.
- A brief Methodology on how the candidate will approach and conduct the work.
- (The expert is asked in his/her offer submission in the methodologies section to bring the description of the above mentioned points in Scope of Work and Expected Outputs.)
The financial proposal will specify a total lump sum amount and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. A breakdown of this lump sum amount is to be provided by the IC candidate. Total Fees: Please use Annex 3 – Financial proposal form.
All necessary information including: Complete Terms of Reference, The Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement Notice Number IC-027/13:
http://www.iq.undp.org/ProcurementNotices_Overview.aspx
Proposals should be submitted to the following e-mail address no later than COB 22nd of April 2013 (Amman Time +3GMT):
IC1.undp.iq@undp.org
FC: 40211