UNDP Jobs - 50895- Gender Studies Institute (GSI) Consultant

Gender Studies Institute (GSI) Consultant

Location :

GEP - Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 Months

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

Based on experiences and lessons learnt built from the GEP-I and pilot phase, the new phase of project was developed as Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Project (GEP-II) for 2012 to 2015 with three pillars: 1) Enhancement of MOWA’s capacity for policy making and oversight for NAPWA Implementation; 2) Development of Women’s entrepreneurship skills developed for women entrepreneurs and cooperatives in 19 provinces; and 3) Increasing access to justice for women including awareness on women’s rights among men and women. The project will be implemented under the Direct Implementation modality of UNDP. The goal of capacity building will be achieved through a strategy based on the principles of 1) improving the Capacity of National and Sub-national Partners and CSO Implementing Partners to deliver the activities of GEP-II; 2) promoting and contribute to the coordination of gender-related activities and program coherence within the UN system; 3) enhancing the capacity of emerging civil society in support of GEP-II’s goal and objectives; 4) harnessing potential of the UNDP Gender cluster in support of Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Enhancing partnerships and synergies.

The project is now in the second year of its implementation which is a critical juncture for the project to ensure that it not only achieves the commitments, in line with project document, which could not be achieved during first year implementation but also to establish strong foundations for the coming years and next phase project formulation.

The Gender Studies Institute (GSI) at the Kabul University was established during the implementation of the GEP-I and endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education, MOWA and the Parliamentary Commission on Women with commitment. It has been actively operational producing research products and organizing training programmes on “Gender, Conflict and Development”. Based on the capacity of GSI built, the GEP-II will support the continuation of research papers production, publication of Quarterly News Letter, and obtaining the approval for the launch of regular Master’s course on Gender and Development. This Activity will be undertaken in close collaboration with, Kabul University and Ministry of Higher Education and other organizations engaged in enhancing the knowledge and skills of Kabul University as a premier national educational institution.

The post of the Curriculum and Policy Consultant has been created to review the current curriculum and facilitate the knowledge-building part of the project, particularly to design and launch the courses to be provided by the GSI; identify faculties where mainstreaming of gender studies can begin; and build the capacity of Kabul University (KU) faculty to teach dedicated gender studies courses and integrate gender studies modules into existing curricula.

The consultant is responsible for the provision of technical expertise, advice and inputs in the area of curriculum development, design, testing and finalizing of various courses for GSI. The successful candidate will also assist the KU and UNDP in the overall planning and implementation of the courses of GSI.

The consultant will report to the Gender Equality Project Manager and work in close co-operation with the National GSI Associate, the Office of the Chancellor, the oversight committee of the GSI and the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA). S/he will also maintain close linkages with the other technical experts of the project fielded in different ministries/institutions, particularly the M&E Specialist and the Policy Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the below task.

To review and revise the current curriculum to include emerging courses identified by the University that include among others Gender and Islamic Laws; Gender, Social Change and Crisis; Women`s Movements in the world and Afghanistan; Gender, Nation and International Laws; Gender, Media and Culture; Gender, Nature and Concepts; Fundamental of Sociology and Afghan Society Structure; FeminismTheories; Gender and Leadership; Gender Development and Politics;Feminist Research Methodology; Gender, Poverty and Livelihoods –based workshops on employability of the Master degree programme and gender development;
To support the Project Manager to recruit a team of consultants and take leadership in coordinating the consultants to develop modules for the Gender Studies Curricula;
To develop a proposal that include all requirements for the institutionalization of the programme such as lecturers, facilities, books and budget to facilitate approval of the Gender and Development Degree;
To develop a university gender policy, strategy, action plan and guidelines;
To support Kabul University to establish a Gender Unit and in other two Universities.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Expected results

The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP's interventions and activities in achieving the country's development and the MDGs. They include building the sustainability of the GSI as a national institution, mainstreaming gender studies into KU programmes, and effective development of the curricula for the graduate programme in gender studies and short-term gender studies training modules.

Master’s Programme rationale or vision, goals and objectives developed and approved;
Revised Gender Studies Curriculum revised to include emerging courses and approved;
Modules for the Gender Studies Curricula developed;
Professor’s roles and responsibilities and team composition for this programme developed and approved. A proposal and budget to facilitate approval of the Gender and Development Degree developed;
Assessment tools to measure the learning impact is developed;
Gender component is integrated/mainstreamed into other faculties’ Curriculum based on Kabul university gender policy;
Kabul University gender policy, strategy, action plan and guidelines;
Functional Gender Units established at Kabul Universities and in other two Universities;
Certificate in Gender Training Course developed.

Price Proposal and Scheduale of Payment

lump sum payment will be made based upon completion of indicated deliverables. An IC Time Sheet will be maintained by the Contractor and serve as the basis for the payment of fees. The ticket cost and DSA will be provided upon signature of the contract, and the payment will be made upon completion of each deliverable as indicated above.

Deliverables, Estimated Duration to Complete, Lump sum payment

Revised Gender Studies Curriculum to include emerging courses and approved, December 2014, 10%;
Modules for the Gender Studies Curricula developed, March 2015 , 10%;
A proposal and budget to facilitate approval of the Gender and Development Degree developed, December 2014, 30%;
Kabul University gender policy, strategy, action plan and guidelines, April 2015, 30%;
Functional Gender Units established at Kabul Universities and in other two Universities,Ongoing from December 2014 - May 2015, 10%;
Certificate in Gender Training Course developed, April 2015, 10%.

Working Arrangements

Institutional Arrangement

Liaise with Kabul University authority, Social Science faculty and UNDP/GEP II on review and development of the gender curriculum;
Liaise with Kabul University and Ministry of Higher Education to develop institutionalizegender policy , strategy and an action plan for the Gender Studies Institute;
Prepare all the necessary reports ,tool and documents for the gender studies institute;
The work requires frequent communication with UNDP/GEP II, Kabul University authority;
Any other tasks that may be given by UNDP/GEP II and the government counterparts.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The offer will be evaluated by using the Best Value for money approach (combined scoring method). The Technical Proposal will be evaluated on 60%. Whereas the Financial Proposal will be evaluated on 20%. Relevant education and experience will be evaluated on 20% making total score to be 100%. The breakdown for evaluation is found below.

Criteria, Weight

Technical Proposal, 60%

Methodology and approach to fulfilling the outlined deliverables.

Financial Proposal, 20%

Experience and Education, 20%

PhD (preferred), MSc/MA Degree or above in Gender Studies, Political Science or any other relevant social science discipline;
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the development, assessment and evaluation of curricula and teaching and learning resources, preferably on gender and human rights;
Proven experience in the development, assessment and evaluation of curricula and teaching and learning resources;
Excellent written English, knowledge in Dari or Pashtun languages will be considered as an asset.

Competencies

Core 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.

Team Work

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.

Functional competencies:

Knowledge and understanding of academic institutional capacity development requirements;
Ability to network, share resources and build partnerships with universities across the world and facilitate transfer of knowledge and skills as well as work towards the capacity development of Kabul University, specifically the GSI.
Ability to work under pressure and meeting tight multiple deadlines with minimum supervision;
Knowledge and understanding of Afghanistan, it's cultural, political and development landscape will be critical.
Excellent computer/information systems skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

PhD (preferred), MSc/MA Degree or above in Gender Studies, Political Science, Economics or any other relevant social science discipline.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the development, assessment and evaluation of curricula and teaching and learning resources, preferably on gender and human rights;
Experience, knowledge and understanding of gender concerns, preferably in conflict/post conflict situations.
Experience of working in an academic institution to include experience in designing curricula, developing resource collections, running academic courses/programmes, tracking results, and reporting to different constituencies.
Proven experience in writing analytical reports;
Experience related to UNDP's mandate and activities an asset;
Good experience and skills for capacity building, team building and teamwork;
Previous experience of working in UNDP or the UN system highly desirable.

In addition, the following professional experiences are considered as strong advantage/asset:

Familiarity with Afghanistan and its political, social and islamic context;
Successful working experience in Afghanistan or other Islamic countries; and,
Familiarity with, and actual use of, work and system of policy planning and management Familiarity with the gender equality and women’s empowerment concept with particular focus on gender ;
Ability to develop creative solutions;
Ability to work in culturally diverse environments and display diplomacy and tact;

Language:

Excellent written and spoken English;
Knowledge in Dari or Pashtun languages will be considered as an asset.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II).

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
Methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Submission of Applications:

Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm. Please ensure to complete and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm in the relevant field of the on-line application.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af.