Background

Promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment through the process of gender mainstreaming is part of the mandate of all UN agencies, funds and programmes (‘Agencies’). Agencies are directed to strengthen efforts to mainstream gender in all programmatic spheres and to strengthen the capabilities of the United Nations system as a whole in the area of gender. ECOSOC Resolution 2011/6 “Mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system requests the United Nations system, including its agencies, funds and programmes, within their respective mandates, to continue mainstreaming the issue of gender in accordance with previous resolutions of the Economic and Social Council, in particular resolution 2008/34, and General Assembly resolution 64/289, including mainstreaming a gender perspective into all operational mechanisms, inter alia the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and other development frameworks, ensuring that managers provide leadership and support, within the United Nations system, to advance gender mainstreaming, to strengthen monitoring, reporting and evaluation so as to allow system-wide assessment of progress in gender mainstreaming, and using existing training resources, including institutions and infrastructure, to assist in the development and application of unified training modules and tools on gender mainstreaming and to promote the collection, analysis and use of accurate, reliable, comparable and relevant data, disaggregated by sex and age, during programme development and the evaluation of gender mainstreaming in order to assess progress towards achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. A strong global commitment to gender equality is reflected in individual agency policy documents whereby most UN agencies have comprehensive gender policies in place at the headquarters level.

The UNCT in Kyrgyzstan developed its Gender Mainstreaming Strategy 2011-2016 (Attachment 1) in line with UN priorities for gender mainstreaming that increasingly recognize the importance of inter-agency collaboration at the country level to achieve gender equality goals. The Strategy was developed at the request of the UNCT by an international consultant on gender mainstreaming working in close collaboration with the UN-GTG and Heads of Agencies. The strategy is designed to strengthen and expand UNCT efforts to work toward gender equality and women’s empowerment in Kyrgyzstan. The strategy aims to:

• Enhance UNCT programming quality and effectiveness;
• Identify priority areas for coordinated UNCT programming to address critical gender inequalities;
• Operationalize gender policies;
• Support gender capacity development; and
• Institute accountability mechanisms.

The UNCT Gender Mainstreaming Strategy (2011-2016) is based on an overarching vision of employing mainstreaming strategies to each UN agency as well as focusing coordinated efforts on strategically targeted areas to help build gender equality in Kyrgyzstan. United Nations agencies in KR are working collectively to achieve this vision by implementing individual agency policies to support the Government to meet its commitments to gender equality. The GMS outlines the roles and priorities of the UNCT to target areas of inequality and to mainstream a gender-sensitive perspective into organizational specialization areas. The GMS includes specific actions, outcomes and responsibilities. The monitoring and evaluation framework includes targets and indicators to help ensure implementation is kept on track.

The GMS is a UNCT document committing all Agencies to singular and joint realization of the strategy. The UN GTG is responsible for oversight over this process and for ensuring that yearly action plans address key results areas. The UN-GTG is also responsible for facilitating monitoring and evaluation of the strategy as well as for implementation of various activities as per its approved workplan.

In July 2014 based on UN GTG discussion of the progress of implementation of the GMS it was decided to combine two important processes: that of UNDAF mid-term review and evaluation and revision of the GMS including its prolongation through 2017 to coincide with UNDAF. Combining of these two strategic processes will help to strengthen Agencies commitments on achieving programme and institutional gender equality goals and develop clear understanding how GMS is supporting UNDAF implementation and vice-versa. The process of revision will consider the  following changes which happened in the country since 2011:

• Adoption of Country Programme and Action Plan on transition to Sustainable Development 2012-2017 (CPTSD);
• Adoption of the National Strategy on achieving of Gender Equality (NSGE) 2012-2020 and its Action Plan 2012-2014;
• Peacebuilding process in Kyrgyzstan and UNCT support in this area (Peace Building Funds projects portfolio). The UNCT in Kyrgyzstan is also a pilot of implementing the UNSG’s 7 Point Action Plan;
• Process of national consultation on post-2015 development agenda;
• UNDAF mid-term review  and follow up consultation process;
• Newly approved UN Agencies gender equality strategies and tools for ensuring comprehensive gender mainstreaming and women’s and girls’ empowerment approach (such as Atlas Gender Marker, UNDP Gender Equality Seal certification, UNDP Global Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017, UNICEF Regional Gender Action Plan for 2014-2017)

For conducting evaluation and in order to facilitate the revision of the GMS 2011-2016 an international consultant will be hired with experience on development of strategic gender documents and knowledge on country specifics.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UN Women Representative and guidance of the UN Gender Thematic Group and in coordination with UNDAF MTR working group and in day-to-day coordination with the UN Women National Programme Officer, the Consultant will conduct a lessons learned review and develop an update for the UNCT GM Strategy 2011-2017 in accordance with UN ECOSOC Resolutions and UN requirements on gender mainstreaming and in line with country development and gender equality strategic documents and processes.

The international consultant will deliver concrete outputs as follows:

Familiarize her/himself with UN key global strategic documents on gender mainstreaming and women’s and girls’ empowerment sustainable development and peace building (ECOSOC Resolutions, Secretary General Reports and Action Plans), country strategic documents such as UNDAF, JCSS, CPTSD, NSGE, UNCT Kyrgyzstan GMS for 2011-2016, UN Women Country Strategic Plan, UNDP Global Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017, UNDP Kyrgyzstan Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 and UNICEF Regional Gender Action Plan for 2014-2017;

Develop the evaluation methodology and agree the content and outline of the Evaluation Report with UN Gender Thematic Group and UNDAF MTR consultants group;

Conduct participatory evaluation of implementation of UNCT Kyrgyzstan GMS 2011-2016 on following priority areas:

Policy and political

• Facilitating gender mainstreaming in key policy frameworks (UNDAF, JCSS, Peace Building Fund projects implementation);
• Facilitating gender mainstreaming in key government agencies including national women’s machinery.

Social and Economic

• Increasing women’s and girls’ access to social services (social security, pensions, housing);
• Reducing GBV/VAW (domestic violence, trafficking, bride kidnapping, early marriage);
• Reducing maternal mortality;
• Improve male health and life span.

       The evaluation should explore six major criteria:

• Relevance – the extent to which the activity is suited to global, national and local gender development priorities and organizational policies, including changes over time;
• Effectiveness – the extent to which an objective has been achieved or how likely it is to be achieved;
• Efficiency – the extent to which results have been delivered with the least costly resources possible;
• Changes – the positive and negative, and foreseen and unforeseen changes to and effects produced by a development intervention.  Results include direct project outputs, short to medium term outcomes, and longer-term impact;
• Human rights and gender sensitivity - the extent to equal access of vulnerable groups/women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, etc. to the project activities and products;
• Sustainability - the likely ability of an intervention to continue to deliver benefits for an extended period of time after completion. Gender initiatives need to be institutionally, operationally, environmentally and financially sustainable.
• To develop recommendation and facilitate participatory revision of UNCT GMS with prolonging it with duration till 2017 in accordance with UNDAF and its MTR, and key national strategic documents in this area as the CPTSD, the National Gender Equality Strategy 2013-2020 and the National Action Plan 2012-2014. To devote special focus on following strategic areas as sustainable development, peace building, rule of law, access to justice and women’s economic empowerment;
• To present and discuss the key outputs of the Evaluation Report and revised GMS with UNCT, UN GTG and UDAF MTR consultants for discussion and verification of data;
• To conduct capacity development actions for UNCT and UN GTG on identified gaps;
• To prepare and submit the final report.

Implementation timeframe 

Activity

• Desk review of existing documents and drafting the outline of the Evaluation Report and Evaluation methodology – 5 days
• Field visit, interviews with UNCT, UN GTG and partners – 5 days
• Participatory strategy revision and capacity development actions – 3 days, in cooperation with UN GTG
• Develop Evaluation  Report, and revised UNCT GMS till 2017 – 7 days
• Debriefing with UN Women and UN GTG – by SKYPE
• Finalization of Evaluation Report and revised UNCT GMS, considering comments received and of final report – 5 days.

The consultant shall commence the assignment as early as 13 October 2014 and finalize the report no later than 25 November 2014 with the draft report being submitted in hardcopy and electronic file already for discussion with UNCT. 

Deliverables:

Payment will be made as lump sum upon acceptance of the final report. 80% of DSA will be paid in advance of any trip to Bishkek and an airticket or a lump-sum for air travel will be provided at the disgression of UN Women Country Office.

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant:

• Timesheet indicating time worked in table form indicating the nature of work/result;
• Evaluation methodology (concept, questionnaire);
• Evaluation Report of approx. 20 pages with attachments;
• Revised GMS;
• Workshops agenda and handouts for UNCT and UN GTG;
• Final report of the consultancy.

Subject to early submission of properly filled documentation, for field mission 80% advance payment for DSA is made.

Products:

Final reports on evaluation and revised UNCT GMS are submitted to UNCT. Deadline November 25, 2014.

Competencies

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

• Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Technical and professional skills:

• Has a good understanding of various methodologies such as surveys, record reviews, focus groups and case studies;
• Has the required competency to collect reliable, valid and accurate information in an objective way;
• Masters effective interviewing skills and is able to conduct interviews independently;
• Has a good understanding of questionnaire design and is able to develop questionnaires and other review instruments.

Analysis and oral and written communication:

• Has the required competency to articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way;
• Uses critical thinking to formulate findings and recommendations based on the results of both qualitative and quantitative data;
• Is able to develop clear, concise and compelling reports;
• Acts with integrity and honesty in relationships with all stakeholders;
• Ability to produce well written reports demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills;
• Proven ability to undertake self-directed research;
• Communication and interpersonal skills required for collaboration with international and national UN staff, national government representatives and CSOs;
• Ability to work pro-actively and interaction with the organization commissioning the work and with other stakeholders to ensure that a quality product is delivered on-time;
• Excellent writing skills, ability to write in a structured, lucid and concise manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree in Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of international experience on conducting gender studies, quantitative and qualitative research and development of strategic and analytical documents on gender issues;
• At least 7 year of experience in designing evaluation methodologies and tools, and undertaking evaluations;
• Ability to interpret results, provide practical recommendations and develop focus-result documents;
• Familiarity with the UNDAF process considered a strong asset;
• Familiarity with the political, economic and social situation in the Kyrgyz Republic specifically (an asset), or at least Central Asia generally (mandatory);
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholders essential:  governments, civil society/ community based organizations, and international actors such as UN/multilateral/bilaterals;
• Theoretical and practical experience in participatory approaches is a must as well as facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in different cultural contexts;
• Project evaluation experiences within United Nations system will be considered a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency, both oral and written in English;
• Russian and or Kyrgyz language skills are considered an asset.

Submission package:

• Duly filled UN Women/UNDP/UN Personal History Form/P-11 (no P11 = disqualification);
• Letter of Intent;
• Draft methodology and timeline for the given task;
• Two previous relevant completed works such as reports, conflict analysis, thesis on evaluation or development. Works will be treated in complete confidence by UN Women.

Management Arrangements:

Organizational Setting: The consultant will report to the UN Women Representative and work under the day-to-day guidance of the UN Women National Programme Officer. The contractor will work closely with the other UN Agencies gender focal points.

Financial arrangements:

As a guiding principle, the fees payable should be based on the minimum amount necessary to obtain quality services for UN-Women. UN WOMEN has as a benchmark, the range of negotiating rates for international individual contractors. A daily fee rate cannot be charged more often than six times every seven days (six-day working week).

Payment will be disbursed in one instalment upon submission and approval of all deliverables and certification by the UN Women Representative that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

For the information of applicants, please note that the daily subsistence allowance (payable per each night stayed) for places the contractor does not reside based on UN rate.

Traveller’s Responsibilities prior to Duty Travel. Traveller must ensure that he/she has the following:

• National passport (with at least 6 months validity);
• Valid visa (if required) to the mission country and transit visa (if required);
• Valid visa to re-enter the country of the traveller’s duty station (if applicable);
• The approved security clearance through TRIP, from the respective Designated Official for
• Security, regardless of destination;
• A valid Basic Security in the Field certificate;
• A valid Advanced Security in the Field certificate; and
• Travel insurance (when applicable).

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.

Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for assessment.