Background

Over the past years, regionally and in Moldova UN Women has provided support to national and local stakeholders in strengthening democratic governance and advancing women’s rights through initiatives aimed at mainstreaming gender in policy planning and budgeting.  

In 2014, UN Women launched the 3-year regional project on Promoting Gender Responsive Policies in South East Europe and Republic of Moldova financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Swiss Agency Development and Cooperation. It is a direct follow up of the UN Women CSEE regional project “Promoting Gender Responsive Policies in South East Europe” (2011 -2013) that covered Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia. The second Phase of the regional project (2013-2016) has as ultimate aim to contribute to the implementation of commitments towards achieving gender equality. To achieve this aim, three distinct outcomes are anticipated:  

• Outcome 1: Sectoral programs and budgets at the central and local levels reflect better gender equality concerns;
• Outcome 2: Strengthened oversight of central and local government programs, policies and budgets towards gender equality commitments;
• Outcome 3: Exchange of knowledge and learning on GRB facilitates replication of good practices and lessons learned.

In order to achieve these outcomes, the project envisages the following outputs:  

• Output 1.1: Increased capability and capacity of Ministries of Finance to institutionalize the integration of GRB;
• Output 1.2: Selected central and local programs (such as rural development, social protection and employment) and budgets are analyzed to respond to gender equality commitments;
• Output 1.3: Strengthened capacities and increased commitment of select number of local governments to make programs and budgets gender responsive;
• Output 2.1: Experts, academia and CSOs have strengthened capacities to analyze programs and budgets from gender perspective.;
• Output 2.2: Members of parliament (MPs) and local councilors (LCs) have increased knowledge and capacities to assess the gender-responsiveness of the national and local programs and budget;
• Output 3.1: Networks of GRB experts and public officials are capacitated to respond to country and regional demand for GRB expertise. 

Introduction of the gender-responsive budgeting is part of the Moldovan gender equality agenda, as set out by the Gender Equality Law and Gender Equality Action Plan. Previous preparatory work has been done in Moldova to raise awareness on GRB within Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family (MLSPF), Ministry of Economy (MoE) as well as some other actors. In particular, the representatives of these institutions had a chance to get acquainted with the Austrian experience of gender-responsive budgeting during a special study visit to Austria. At the same time Moldova undergoes a number of intersecting reforms – transition to performance-based budgeting, and decentralization reform, including financial decentralization component of the reform – both supported by UN in Moldova.   

The Consultant is expected to work closely with the GRB team of the Academy of Economic Studies (ASEM), which is tasked to elaborate the GRB course and a module for undergraduate and graduate levels based on the earlier elaborated GRB module. The GRB team of ASEM was formed at the end of 2014 with the aim to carry out the above mentioned tasks and, thus, the work of the GRB consultant is of utmost importance to build the capacity of the GRB team. The work on GRB is to be largely performed in close synergy with the on-going performance-based budgeting and decentralization reforms in Moldova, and UN programs supporting those reforms – most notably the Joint UNDP/UN Women Integrated Local Development Program.   This program serves as the basis for the application of GRB at the local level through close collaboration with local public authorities (LPAs),  

The purpose of the consultancy is to ensure high quality methodological expertise and guidance, as well as high level advice on GRB introduction in the Republic of Moldova, up to international, particularly European, standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Under direct supervision and guidance of GRB / UN Women Programme Analyst and the Regional Project Manager  the selected international consultant’s objective is to ensure high quality methodological expertise and guidance, as well as high level advice on GRB introduction in the Republic of Moldova, drawing from the best international and regional (particularly European) experiences.  

This objective is expected to be achieved through a combination of instruments, including trainings, coaching, mentorship, development of guides and methodological materials, technical/debriefing sessions, learning-by-doing, review of the developed materials, high level events, etc.  

The work on GRB is to be largely performed in close synergy with and building on the on-going performance-based budgeting and decentralization reforms in Moldova, and UN programs supporting those reforms – most notably the Joint UNDP/UN Women Integrated Local Development Programme (JILDP) and previous support within the UNIFEM 2009-2012 GRB project results.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities, including Deliverables and Estimated Workload:

For achievement of proposed objective, the assignment will require the completion of the following four tasks: 

Undertake preparation for capacity building of experts and practitioners of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Ministry of Economy, local public authorities on the basics of GRB and the tools on mainstreaming GRB into academia and the local public administration, and more specifically:

• Desk review of GRB related documents (existing policy and legal framework in the given country context, etc.) (home based, by end March 2015);
• Develop a detailed action plan and methodology (home based) (home based, by end March 2015);

Provide expert advice and guidance to ASEM  on GRB courses and prospective modules, and more specifically:

• To develop the training module for ASEM GRB Task Force on delivering GRB courses (home based, by mid May 2015);
• To conduct a 2 days training for ASEM GRB Tasks Force on delivering GRB courses; To conduct pre and post-training analysis of trainees (task to be performed in Moldova, by mid May 2015);
• Assist ASEM staff in reviewing and re-designing the current GRB facultative course at the graduate level (including methodology and contents, as well awareness raising documents on GRB course and module) (home based, by mid May 2015);
• Assist ASEM staff in designing the course methodology and contents of the GRB undergraduate course (including methodology and contents, as well awareness raising documents on GRB course and module) (home based, by mid May 2015);
• Provide advice and guidance to the Task Force on developing and piloting short GRB courses for students as well as the selected central authorities and selected local communities (home based, by mid May 2015).

Assist GRB Task Force in developing a package of GRB tools to support the LPAs, and more specifically:

• To develop a GRB training module targeting LPAs based on national and international best practices in the context of local public finance law implementation and ongoing transition into the performance/programs-based budgeting (home based, by mid June 2015);
• To organize 3 workshops for LPAs jointly with the GRB task force of ASEM and the Ministries on GRB (task to be performed in Moldova, by mid June 2015).

Support the GRB Task Force in finalizing the GRB Roadmap, and more specifically:

• To develop a detailed & practical step-by-step methodological note and adjusted Action Plan on introduction of GRB in Moldova in the given country context and national and international best practices (home based, by end July 2015);
• To finalize the Road map (also including the Task Force inputs, comments, exchange of written communications, skype or telephone interviews) (task to be performed in Moldova and home based, by end July 2015).

Submit detailed Final Assignment Report with description of undertaken activities, their short-term and long-term results, recommendations for further improvement of work on GRB Task Force in Moldova (home based, by mid September 2015)

All deliverables have to be endorsed by GRB/UN Women Programme Analyst and GRP Regional Manager. By providing high quality technical expertise, the outputs shall result in the successful implementation and achievement of the programme objectives.

Duration of the assignment:

The total duration of the contract is tentatively planned for 6 calendar months, starting with 16 March 2015. The consultancy shall involve about 25 working days (of which up to 8 days mission in Moldova) coordinated in advance with GRB/UN Women Programme Analyst in Moldova and GRP Regional Manager, upon contracting. 

Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the GRB/UN Women Programme Analyst and the GRP Regional Manager, shall be the only criteria for Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

Management arrangements:

Organizational Setting: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of GRB / UN Women Programme Analyst, GRP Regional Manager and in close collaboration with the UN Women staff in Republic of Moldova. The Consultant will report to the GRB / UN Women Programme Analyst and the GRP Regional Manager. The assignment will be undertaken in Moldova and home based as per specific tasks above. 

The International Consultant will be provided with the necessary information, materials and logistics, as well as office space and equipment for the fulfillment of his/her tasks, including the transportation means for the field visits, if necessary, upon request. 

Travel and other logistic arrangements:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UN Women does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. 

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. 

Performance evaluation:

Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered, GRB knowledge. 

Financial arrangements:

Payments will be disbursed in installments, by completed tasks/submitted deliverables (as per above table), upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by the JILDP / UN Women Programme Analyst and the GRP Regional Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed. 

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Computer literacy.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated competence in promoting GRB at the policy and decision making level;
• Demonstrated competence in practical GRB work on local budgets;
• Demonstrated understanding of the Eastern Europe and Republic of Moldova context and demonstrated competences in GRB introduction up to international, particularly European, standards and best practices;
• Share knowledge and experience;
• Apply the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• University/graduate degree in public administration, law, economics, finance, social sciences or other related field; 
• Formal education in gender issues is a strong advantage. 

Experience: 

• At least 7 years (of which at least 2 years – international experience is desirable) of professional hands-on work experience on gender related issues including GRB (examples of the relevant documents / products to be provided); 
• Of which at least 3 years of experience in delivering capacity building initiatives (list of relevant initiatives, and examples of the relevant training materials to be provided); 
• Previous experience on promoting GRB at the policy and decision making level (members of Parliament and Government, ministries) is an advantage; 
• Previous experience of practical GRB work on local budgets is an advantage (examples of the relevant documents / products to be provided); 
• Previous experience of work in Eastern Europe, Republic of Moldova and good understanding of its context, is an advantage;   
• Previous experience in the UN system is an advantage. 

Language Skills: 

• Fluency in both oral and written English;
• Knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian is an asset. 

Evaluation Procedure:

First, individual consultants will be evaluated for compliance with the following minimum qualification criteria:

• University/graduate degree in public administration, law, economics, finance, social sciences or other related field; 
• At least 7 years of professional hands-on work experience on gender related issues including GRB; 
• At least 2 years of international experience; 
• At least 3 years of experience in delivering capacity building initiatives on gender related issues including GRB. 

Candidates that meet above minimum qualification criteria will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 500 points.  

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula: B= T+Clow/C*X, where: 

• T - is the total technical score awarded to the evaluated proposal (only to those proposals that pass 70% m 350 points obtainable under technical evaluation);
• C - is the price of the evaluated proposal;
• Low - is the lowest of all evaluated proposal prices among responsive proposals; and
• X - is the maximum financial points obtainable (150 points)

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications and further interview combined with IT and language skills tests relevant for the assignment.  

Technical Evaluation: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) (350 points maximum):

• University/graduate degree in public administration, law, economics, finance, social sciences or other related field - 30 points;
• Education in gender issues is a strong advantage - 10 points;
• At least 7 years of professional hands-on work experience on gender related issues including GRB - 70 points;
• At least 2 years – international professional experience is desirable - 30 points;
• At least 3 years of experience in delivering trainings on gender related issues including GRB - 50 points;
• Previous experience on promoting GRB at the policy and decision making level (members of Parliament and Government, ministries and vice-ministries) - 40 points;
• Previous experience of practical GRB work on local budgets - 40 points;
• Previous experience of work in Eastern Europe, Republic of Moldova and good understanding of its context - 20 points;
• Previous experience in the UN system is an advantage - 20 points;
• Fluency in both, written and oral English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian is an asset - 40 points.

Financial evaluation: In the Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 245 points), will be compared. 

Winning Candidate:

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring). 

Application Process and submission package:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualification. (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file, preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted): 

• Letter of Intent, 1-2 pages (including justification of being the most suitable for the work, most relevant previous experiences, etc); 
• Duly filled Personal History Form (PHF11), including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and specific outputs obtained;  
• Financial proposal (in USD) - specifying an all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs as per template provided in the Terms of Reference.

*Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted. 

Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed UN Women Personal History Form P11 as attachment instead of CV/resume, with the mark “International Consultant, GRB / UN Women in Moldova” by 4 March 2015.

Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.

Please note that UN Women Moldova reserves the right to select two or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.

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. 

The United Nations in Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.