UNDP Jobs - 38338- UN Women Local Consultant to conduct a law and pol

UN Women Local Consultant to conduct a law and policy (humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction) mapping study from a gender perspective

Location :

Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jul-2013

Application Deadline :

04-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 working days by 30 September 2013

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Through its country and regional programmes and projects in South Eastern Europe, UN Women provides technical and financial assistance to a range of partners towards the implementation of their national and international commitments to strengthen the realization of women’s rights and gender equality.

Within one of the key thematic areas of its mandate, (peace and security), UN Women is providing technical support to key security actors and CSOs in advancing the implementation and monitoring of commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (and related Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1889 and 1960). To this end, under its regional project, Advancing the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Western Balkans (2011-2013) and as based on country needs and priorities, UN Women is providing support to further strengthen stakeholder capacities to formulate, implement and effectively monitor the commitments under UNSCR 1325.

In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a National Action Plan on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (UNSCR 1325 NAP) was adopted by the Government on 9 January 2013. The UNSCR 1325 NAP focuses on women and: (i) conflict prevention, early warning systems, risk reduction, disaster management, and policy development; (ii) decision making and gender responsive mediation; and (iii) peacekeeping (civilian and military). The implementation success of the UNSCR 1325 NAP will be measured though country specific indicators as monitored by a newly established mechanism.
In order to assist the government in the implementation of NAP priority areas, UN Women will support the development of a mapping study of laws and policies related to humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction from a gender perspective.

Crisis situations whether they result from human-made or natural disasters are not gender neutral. The same event can impact in different ways on women, girls, boys and men. This is because different gender groups have different vulnerabilities and needs, face different risks, and develop coping mechanisms in different ways to resist to shock, survive and support their families. A gender perspective in humanitarian assistance can help save lives. It can assist in the profiling and understanding of vulnerabilities and capacities, assist agencies channel resources to those most in need, and also assist in the mobilization of a significant proportion of the population whose capacities are often underestimated. Within the context of humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction, a gender analysis should illuminate the various ways in which men and women are accorded power and resources through their different identities, access and entitlements. In such contexts, a gender framework should enable the examination of the differential impact of crisis on men and women while also enabling the examination of the impact of interventions on gender relations, as follows:

(a) Gender analysis highlights both men's and women’s capacities and indicates where opportunities are missed by humanitarian actors for targeting effective strategies to support and enhance women’s skills and capacities.
(b) Gender analysis can identify the division of labour within the household and domestic economy as well as identify the burden of reproductive labour which women bear and highlight the way this intensifies during periods of rapid and violent social change.
(c) Gender analysis can reveal the socio-cultural constraints facing women who, as bearers of culture and the social reproduction of norms and values, become subject to new forms of control and victimization during emergencies.
(d) Gender analysis points out that men’s experiences and identity in times of emergency are also impacted and that the ‘gender’ question is not just a woman’s issue. The ways in which violence has helped restructure ‘masculinity’ in poverty-affected and marginalized societies is an important factor when considering boys and men’s involvement in armed militias and their acts of violence against women. This is particularly important when considering the post-conflict phase where men and boys are re-socialized.

Within the above listed context, UN Women is seeking to recruit one Local Consultant to conduct a law and policy (humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction) mapping study from a gender perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the overall supervision of UN Women management the direct supervision of the UN Women National Project Coordinator on the implementation of UN SCR 1325 in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Local Consultant, in close consultation with UN Women, will be responsible to carry out the above referenced mapping study. To this end, the consultant will:

Develop a written research methodology for assessing the laws and policies related to humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction;
Conduct a mapping study on laws, policies and guidelines referring to humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction to determinate: (i) whether and how a gender perspective is incorporated in these laws and policies, (ii) gender mainstreaming gaps in legislation;
Through the mapping study, offer comprehensive recommendations and guidance as to how these gaps should be addressed;
Produce a draft mapping study report and, after the inputs of UN Women, a final mapping report that will include the above while being in line with the UNSCR 1325 NAP.

Deliverables

The Local Consultant shall provide the following deliverables:

Methodology note on the mapping approach to be applied including detailed information on the way the documents (law and policy) will be identified and analyzed;
A draft and final mapping of mapping study of laws and policies related to humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction from a gender perspective (in line with the NAP UNSCR 1325). The report should be written, in Macedonian, and in accordance with the above (page limit: 25, exclusive of annexes);
A summary of the final mapping study including the methodology applied, findings and comprehensive recommendations and guidance in English (page limit: 5);
Final report (in English) to UN Women on the implementation of the assignment and activities undertaken (with focus on lessons learnt and recommendations for future steps/activities).

Competencies

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, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards.

Core competencies

Excellent communication and report writting skills;
Experience in designing research methodologies and data mapping;
Experience in conducting legal research and analysis;
Knowledge of: humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction, gender analysis methodologies, gender mainstreaming, security sector reform and the women, peace and security agenda.

Excellent communication and report writting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications Education

At least a Master’s Degree in peace and conflict resolution, development studies, and/or gender studies and/or international relations, international law, or similar.

Experience

Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience;
Recognized expertise and specialized knowledge in policy analysis, gender mainstreaming tools and the defense sector, humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction, Experience in the development of mapping studies and analysis in the area of women, peace and security, humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction, and early warning systems;
Familiarity with Macedonian policy making processes, the status of women and gender equality, and the security sector will be considered asset;
Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills in Macedonian and English;
Demonstrated ability to work in a team and individually; and
Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communications and command of MS Office applications (Power Point, Word, Excel).

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and a financial proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
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 that are found to be qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 35 points
Criteria A – Relevant education - max 5 points
Criteria B – Recognized expertise and specialized knowledge in the collection of sex-disaggregated data and statistics - max 10 points.
Criteria C - Experience in the development of gender mapping assessment studies/analysis in the area of women, peace and security, humanitarian crisis / disaster response/management/risk reduction, and early warning systems - max 15 points
Criteria E – Familiarity with Macedonian policy making processes, the status of women and gender equality and security sector - max 5 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Duration and remuneration

The duration of the contract is for a maximum 15 working days during the period 15 July – 30 September 2013. The payment of the consultant’s fee will be made upon satisfactory completion of all tasks in the assignment, and submission and approval of the final report by UN Women.

Application
Interested candidates are requested to apply online through this site no later than COB 4 July 2013, 17:00 CET.

The application should contain:

Short Letter of interest, including a financial proposal, indicating a total lump sum for the delivery of outputs as per above description. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (consultancy fee per number of anticipated working days, travel and any other possible costs).
Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment/

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.