UNDP Jobs - 51761- National consultants to coordinate community respo

National consultants to coordinate community response to domestic violence at local level and assist municipalities in mainstreaming gender into local plans (2 posts)

Location :

Tirana, with travel missions in, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

08-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

01-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Maximum 100 workdays over a period of 12 months

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

Albania’s progress in recent years in respecting and promoting gender equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments as well as domestic legal and policy development and implementation. Since 2008 Albania passed the Gender Equality in Society Law, established the national gender machinery, improved the Law on Measures against Violence in Family Relations, opened the first national shelter for survivors of domestic violence, established the mechanism of coordination and referral of domestic violence cases in several municipalities, evaluated the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Domestic Violence (2007-2010), and approved the revised National Strategy on Gender Equality and against Gender-Based and Domestic Violence (2011-2015). In addition, Albania created a stronger data collection system through conducting Domestic Violence, Time Use and Demographic Health Surveys as well as through approval of a series of gender indicators that will mandate gender disaggregation of public statistics for a number of entities. Introduction of the 30% quota of representation in the Electoral Code and community initiatives in engaging women more intensively in electoral and decision-making processes have opened the door for a greater voice for women’s need. In 2010 the CEDAW Committee reviewed Albania’s periodic report on implementation of the UN Convention and provided certain recommendations and in December 2011 Albania signed the European Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, which entered into force in August this year.

To support Albania’s international commitments to the implementation of international human rights standards, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and development of national capacities the Government of Albania and the United Nations signed in 2011 the Programme of Cooperation 2012-2016. Its Output 4.1.5 focuses entirely on gender-based violence: Action taken at national and local level to implement improved legislative and policy framework on combating gender-based violence. Based on this output and also on EC funded, EIDHR Project focusing on combatting trafficking and its root causes, UNDP will assist municipalities to build the community coordinated response (CCR) mechanism of domestic violence and also tackle gender inequality issues in their territory.

To this end, UNDP will need the services of two national consultants to coordinate community response to domestic violence and address gender inequalities at the local level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of UNDP Programme Manager the incumbent will:

Participate in UNDP-LGUs negotiations and prepare necessary documentation with a view to finalise agreements between UNDP and local CCR members.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to local government units in building their CCR mechanisms, in mainstreaming gender and developing or implementing gender equality action plans, including but not limited to: orientation and advice to gender equality employees, input to local Memoranda of Understanding, and response to LGUs and other local CCR member inquiries over proper implementation of their agreements with UNDP.
Organise and when applicable, conduct project activities as specified in the Annual Work Plans such as training sessions, advocacy campaigns, round tables, etc.
Assist the Programme with preparation of terms of reference and other actions necessary for recruitment of international and national consultants on CCR and gender mainstreaming-related interventions.
Liaise regularly with local partners and visit project sites for monitoring and assistance purposes.
Provide input to narrative reports highlighting the process, major outcomes and lessons learned from the interventions undertaken within the reporting period
Work closely with contracted consultants and/or organizations, providing technical guidance and resources to them, as well as monitoring their activities with a view to ensure quality outputs
Prepare promotional materials and suggest creative ideas to increase visibility of the project achievements and UNDP contribution in achieving gender equality and reducing domestic violence
Interact with UN agencies and the government counterparts in the framework of this Programme.
Other tasks as assigned by the Programme Manager and Cluster Manager

As part of this consultancy the IC holder shall be expected to achieve the following outputs:

A system of coordinated community response built and implemented effectively in six municipalites, and where applicable in surrounding communes, evidenced by number of cases managed, online database filled, MOUs signed, protocols adopted, meetings organised and impressions of beneficiaries
Gender analysis reports for local policies of municipalities highlighting issues of concern and potential areas of mainstreaming gender equality or of undertaking women’s empowerment initiatives and
Monthly reports (in English) highlighting the consultant’s work, outputs, achievements, lessons learned, list of stakeholders met, pictures of activities organised, including financial information regarding activities implemented
A final report (in English) highlighting overall progress of the CCR in the municipalities, steps taken to build and consolidate the system, barriers encountered, lessons learned and recommendations for future similar interventions.

Competencies

Analytical skills, initiative, sound judgment, results-oriented and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
Ability to work under pressure in complex situations
Ability to work in an independent manner, set priorities and organize the workflow efficiently
Willingness to travel around the country to coordinate, attend and monitor project activities
Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing and presentation skills
Fluency in Albanian
Very good computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

University degree preferably in development-related disciplines (international development, gender and social studies, law, economics, public administration or any other social science related to development).
Advanced degree in any of the above mentioned areas is preferred

Work Experience:

At least 5 years of professional experience working particularly in collaboration with local government units in implementation of gender equality and violence against women projects.
Knowledge and understanding of the principles of gender mainstreaming, gender-specific interventions and inter-disciplinary response to domestic and gender-based violence.
Strong commitment and contribution in advancement of women’s rights, achievement of gender equality and eradication of violence against women
Good knowledge and understanding of United Nations System and particularly the role and mandate of UNDP is desired

Language skills:

Working knowledge of English and fluency in Albanian

Evaluation of applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should 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.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A: Specific education development-related disciplines as mentioned under “Qualifications” section – max points: 5

Criteria B: Advanced university degree in any of these disciplines – max points: 10

Criteria C: Work experience – max points: 10

Criteria D: Previous experience with gender-based violence and gender mainstreaming or developing gender-specific interventions – max points: 10

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

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

A brief presentation explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position, to be entered in the first part of "Resume and Motivation" (max 1000 characters)
Your word format resume in the following box, under "Resume and Motivation".
Completed Personal History form for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs) Blank Form - Download here
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs).

Please, merge your completed Personal History form, financial proposal and cover letter, if applicable, into a single file and upload when you click ‘Submit Application’

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*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, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 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 UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.