Background
Unequal power relations and inequities in access to and control over resources between women and men, violence against women and girls (VAW/G), or the threat of violence, and the perceived lower status of women compared to men increase women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV. Equally, harmful gender norms and practices related to what is considered as masculine also play a key role in men’s and boys’ risk and vulnerability to HIV. These gender norms also cause differentials in health services uptake, the ability to adhere to medical regimens, and various other factors that contribute to HIV related risks and outcomes. Gender inequality has been recognized as a key driver of the HIV epidemic by all multilateral and bilateral organizations focused on the global pandemic. It has been acknowledged that programs and policies developed in response to HIV must address gender inequality in order to be effective.
That’s why it is crucial to establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure that national HIV plans and policies prioritize the needs of women and girls is a critical step in reducing the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection and HIV- related outcomes.
However, while Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have over the years improved their overall reporting on sex disaggregated data, the framework is still lacking to address the intersection of gender and HIV.
In order to monitor progress towards eliminating gender-based inequities in HIV responses, as well as evaluate programs that address specific types of gender equality interventions in the context of HIV, increased reporting of sex disaggregated data alone is not enough. Rather, gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation requires a mix of input, output, process, outcome and impact indicators that reveal the extent to which an activity has addressed the specific needs of women and girls and gender inequality as a determinant of their vulnerability to HIV. A compendium of relevant indicators can contribute to improving the harmonization of data gathered and compiled across different countries and to compare progress towards addressing gender inequality in the HIV response.
There is therefore a pressing need to strengthen the existing mechanisms for further integration of gender equality framework into National AIDS Responses and countries strategies (including by development of gender-sensitive indicators, dissemination of data, and engagement of communities in the M&E). It is critical for UN Women to ensure that all efforts on HIV prevention, care and support fully factor in the gender dynamics. We will work on the collection, analysis and dissemination of sex- and age-disaggregated data, including identifying the differences in gender roles, activities, needs and opportunities to capture the differential impact of the epidemics on both the health and social/economic/political empowerment of women and girls. In all the HIV targets we must ensure accountability to gender equality and women’s rights through appropriate budgets and indicators to monitor our progress.
Indeed, a recent UNAIDS review of the 2014 achievements of the UN Joint Programme on AIDS found that only a few countries systematically reviewed their epidemic and response from a gender perspective. This review also highlighted the need for better data on linkages between gender equality, gender-based violence and HIV.
Therefore, UN Women MCO targets capacity building of the key stakeholders and encourage/engage them in policy discussions on eliminating gender-based inequities in HIV responses in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. For this purpose, UN Women plans to build the capacity of the country coordination mechanisms (CCM), programme staff from National HIV programmes and other related programmes (e.g. reproductive health), National AIDS Councils, as well as other key stakeholders involved in HIV responses through training, which will further helps participants to improve data collection, analysis and reporting from gender equality perspective. It is anticipated that in a longer term these capacity building efforts will contribute in informing, design, monitoring and evaluation of national policies and programmes that form HIV response in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and linking them to the overall process of SDG nationalization in these countries. As well as provide participants with a menu of indicators to better “know their HIV epidemic/know their response” from a gender perspective in order to monitor progress towards eliminating gender-based inequities in HIV responses, and monitor and evaluate programs that address specific types of gender equality interventions in the context of HIV.
In order to achieve this objective, UN Women MCO seeks to contract International Consultant to work in cooperation with the UN Women and Central Asia Association of People Living with HIV.
Duties and Responsibilities
International consultant is expected to develop training module and deliver a training using of the completed Compendium of Gender Equality and HIV/AIDS Indicators produced by UN Women, other partners and MEASURE Evaluation and WHO and UNAIDS tool on gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation, as well as UN framework documents for SDG nationalization. Training event will be organized in Almaty tentatively in October 2016, with participants from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, to be followed by presentation of the results of application of the knowledge received through said training during annual meeting of CCMs in both countries.
The international consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:
Develop detailed workplan to fulfill the assignment specified in the TOR and validate it with the UN Women – 2 working days;
Conduct a desk review of the NSPs and national M&E frameworks (system) related to evaluation of HIV response in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, in order to form a contextual basis for delivering a training, overview of the institutional context of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and existing mechanisms of data collection, analysis and reporting – 2 working days;
Develop the necessary training materials (agenda, handouts and all other core training materials, including evaluation form, etc. to UN Women), in Russian E )– 4 working days;
To deliver a training to CCMs, Programme Staff from National HIV programmes and other related programmes (e.g. reproductive health), National AIDS Councils, as well as other key stakeholders involved in HIV responses to built their capacity on Gender-Sensitive Monitoring & Evaluation for HIV, linking it to a wider context of SDGs nationalization (location: Almaty, 30 participants,) – 3 working days;
To undertake pre- and post-training assessment of participants and provide them with written recommendations on a further application of the skills and knowledge gained, including developing and integration gender-sensitive indicators into M&E systems– 2 working days;
While in Kazakhstan to identify and discuss with the partners from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan the existing gaps/challenges in M&E systems to integrate gender equality actions (i.e. to generate gender-sensitive indicators, disseminate the data, engage communities in the M&E) and provide recommendations and action points to address them as well as to share information on the existing good practices and lessons learned during annual CCM meeting in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan (in Dushanbe and Astana) – 5 working days;
To develop and submit a final report package (final training programme; evaluation of the participants’ capacity; training materials and presentations; list of participants; final recommendations; training evaluations by participants etc.) - 2 working day;
UN Women’s contribution:
Provide the trainer consultant with all available information;
UN Women will separately cover costs of the training (renting of the venue; lunches, copying of handouts, etc.); travel costs for participants; and will facilitate connection of the international consultant to the networks and partners.
Deliverables and timelines:
Deliverables / Timeframe to provide deliverables / Quantity of working days (maximum)
The detailed workplan developed to fulfill the assignment specified in the TOR and validate it with the UN Women / By 8 September 2016 / 2 w.d.
Draft report on the desk review of the NSPs and national M&E frameworks (system) related to evaluation of HIV response in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, in order to form a contextual basis for delivering a training, overview of the institutional context of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and existing mechanisms of data collection, analysis and reporting / By 15 September 2016 / 2 w.d.
All training materials (agenda, handouts and all other core training materials, including evaluation form, etc. to UN Women), in Russian prepared and submitted to UN Women / By 1 October 2016 / 4 w.d.
3-days training facilitated / By 30 October 2016 / 3 w.d.
Set of recommendations on a further application of the skills and knowledge gained, including developing and integration gender-sensitive indicators into M&E systems developed and shared with UN Women and participants / By 4 November 2016 / 2 w.d.
Recommendations and action points presented during annual CCM meeting in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan (in Dushanbe and Astana) / By 20 November 2016 / 5 w.d.
Final report reflecting the findings, feedback from participants and lessons learned, enclosing the materials generated within the given assignment submitted to UN Women MCO / By 25 November 2015/ 2 w.d.
Total: 20 w.d.
Management Arrangements:
The Consultant will work under direct supervision of UN Women Programme Assistant (UBRAF project manager).
The consultancy will require a home-based work with travel to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
The event will be fully covered from the funds of UN Women MCO.
Deliverables shall be prepared and submitted in Russian.
Payment for services is subject to acceptance of deliverables by UN Women Programme Assistant (UBRAF project manager). Payment will be disbursed in one installment upon submission and approval of all deliverables and certification by the UN Women that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
The consultant will work under direct supervision of UN Women Programme Assistant (UBRAF project manager).
Travel requirements:
The consultant is expected to undertake the following travels:
To Almaty, Kazakhstan to deliver training,
To Astana, Kazakhstan to participate annual CCM meeting with presentation in November 2016 and
Dushanbe, Tajikistan for the same purpose and within same tentative timeline
The exact dates of travel will be discussed and identified in coordination with the national stakeholders, however the tentative period for training event is planned for October 2016 and for participation in annual CCM meetings in both countries for November 2016.
The consultant bears sole responsibility for the travel arrangements, i.e., ticket purchase, accommodation, DSA etc.All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.
In general, UN Women shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Demonstrated knowledge of gender-sensitive M&E of HIV and sexual and reproductive health programmes and in-depth knowledge of the issues of women's rights and gender equality in the context in Central Asia and globally;
- Understanding of existing mechanisms of gender sensitive data collection, analysis and reporting;
- Ability to facilitate high-level discussions with participation of public officials and ability to undertake self-directed research and produce well-written analytical papers.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Gender or Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work or other related field, degree or certificate in M&E from recognized training or academic entity is an advantage.
Experience:
- At least 10 years experience in development issues, monitoring and evaluation, gender equality, social work or other closely related fields;
- At least 5 years of practical experience in planning, design and delivery of training events on engendering HIV programs;
- Prior experience facilitating high-level discussions with the variety of stakeholders including government, civil society, UN agencies and international organizations is an advantage;
- Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, UN organizations or other development assistance actors is an advantage.
Language:
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in Russian and working knowledge of English, knowledge of Kazakh or Tajik is an advantage
Assessment and selection process:
The candidates must possess the minimum required qualification criteria to be eligible for further technical assessment. The minimum qualification criteria include Education, Experience and Language requirements.
The following minimum qualification requirements shall apply to the perspective candidates, and will be assessed at the stage of application documents review, and short-listing (which is the first stage of the assessment process):
- Advanced university degree in Gender or Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work or other related field;
- At least 10 years experience in development issues, monitoring and evaluation, gender equality, social work or other closely related fields;
- At least 5 years of practical experience in planning, design and delivery of training events on engendering HIV programs;
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in Russian and working knowledge of English;
The second stage of the selection will be conducted for the short-listed candidates and will be comprised of submission and cumulative assessment of the relevant experience and expertise (as evidenced by record on previous experience and, where necessary, reference check), and of technical proposal.
Technical Evaluation Criteria:
Criteria / Maximum scores
Functional Competencies
- Demonstrated knowledge of gender-sensitive M&E of HIV and SRH programmes and in-depth knowledge of the issues of women's rights and gender equality in the context in Central Asia and globally 30;
- Understanding of existing mechanisms of gender sensitive data collection, analysis and reporting; 30;
- Ability to facilitate high-level discussions with participation of public officials and ability to undertake self-directed research and produce well-written analytical papers 30.
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Gender or Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work or other related field / 30;
- Diploma or certificate in M&E from recognized training or academic entity is an advantage / 20.
Working experience
- At least 10 years experience in development issues, monitoring and evaluation, gender equality, or related fields/ 60;
- At least 5 years of practical experience in planning, design and delivery of training events on engendering HIV programs / 50;
- Prior experience facilitating high-level discussions with the variety of stakeholders including government, civil society, UN agencies and international organizations is an advantage / 20;
- Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, UN organizations or other development assistance actors is an advantage / 20.
Language:
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in Russian; working knowledge of English / 40;
- knowledge of Kazakh or Tajik is an advantage / 20.
Total: 350
At the second stage of assessment up to 350 points will be scored to each candidate.
Only candidates, who will accumulate at least 245 points of the maximum 350 points during the second stage of the selection process, will qualify to the third stage and will be invited to submit the consolidated financial proposal.
Financial Evaluation
The last (third) stage of assessment/selection, will be comprised of cumulative evaluation of the technical proposal and a financial proposal of the technically qualified candidates.
The financial offers of the technically qualified candidates will be requested and will be weighted in terms of selection points as per below formula:
P = Fmin / Fc * 150
where
P - points attributable to the given candidate
Fmin - lowest financial offer of all candidates qualified for the third stage
Fc – financial offer of the given candidate
Financial offer should include all costs related to completion of the task under the current Terms of Reference: honorarium expectations per working day that should be inclusive of any expenses the candidate might incur in relation to above deliverables, including all travel and visa related costs.
The successful candidates are those, who have accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical and financial scoring).
Application process:
The interested candidates should submit the accurately filled in Personal History Form PHF11 (this PH11-form can be obtained at the following internet link: http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/P_11_form_UNwomen%20doc.doc.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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.