Historique

UN Women is the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women created in 2010 as a UN entity, to accelerate progress on gender equality and the realisation of women’s rights. UN Women is a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels. In 2015, UN Women commemorated 20 years of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA, 1995), and successfully advocated with partners, for the stand-alone gender equality goal under the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030[1]. UN Women is involved in strengthening the commitment of UN member states to the Agenda 2030, Beijing Platform for Action, and other normative frameworks such as CEDAW, by technically supporting the collection, use and dissemination of gender-responsive data to ensure comprehensive gender statistics and disaggregated data for effective policy development, programme design, and monitoring of nationally relevant benchmarks.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessitate sets of targets that focus on the transformation of society, rather than merely measuring existing outcomes and different variables. The 47th Report of the Statistical Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council, indicates a consensus between Member States regarding the importance of systematic follow up, review and implementation of Agenda 2030 at the national, regional and global level, as well as regarding the need for global indicators to be complemented by indicators at the regional and national levels to be developed by Member States. To this end, the Commission has provided a minimum set of gender indicators to guide national production and international compilation of gender statistics, based on the recommendations of the Inter Agency Expert Group (IAEG) on SDG Indicators.

In line with the Agenda 2030’s principle of “leaving no one behind”, indicators tracking progress on the SDGs are expected to be disaggregated by social groups (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, single women); age; disability and location.

The framework for gender equality and women’s empowerment is increasingly informed by the concept of substantive equality, which recognizes that women are in an unequal position and must be treated differently than men in order to benefit equally. A specific emphasis has, therefore, been placed on resolving the constraints and challenges facing women. In this context, the importance of gender statistics has also been highlighted at the international level, beginning with the United Nations Declaration for Women (1978-85) and later, with the introduction of Global Human Development Reports (HDRs) in the 1990s. International frameworks such as the BPfA and HDRs in 1995 called for the generation and dissemination of “gender disaggregated data for planning and evaluation”. The CEDAW and BPfA mandate call for reporting on 12 dimensions and indicators periodically. Furthermore, the BPfA and ICPD also require information related to women’s control over their bodies and reproductive decisions.

Gender Statistics in India

India has committed to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in its Constitution, and as a signatory to a number of international legal and normative frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), as well as the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, NITI Aayog, as the nodal agency to monitor, coordinate and ensure implementation of the SDGs, has initiated development of its 15-year Vision Document, in line with the Agenda 2030, defining the scope, implementation strategy and timelines for policies and schemes, as well as identifying responsible ministries for each Sustainable Development Goal.

These commitments necessitate a transformative approach to gender equality as well as comprehensive gender statistics for periodic tracking and reporting of progress. Therefore, the need for a sound data system on gender has become indispensable. Availability of gender statistics and disaggregated data are key to policy development and programme design, as well as their review, and to the setting and monitoring of nationally relevant benchmarks.

Gender statistics and disaggregated data continue to use a limited set of variables to focus on how women fare in general, in different domains.

In recognising that India is one of the countries that has rich and abundant data sources, several of which is amenable to gender disaggregation, the first step would be to mine existing data sets for the identifying all possible gender disaggregated information. However, existing information faces a number of challenges. The report of the Indian government’s High Level Committee on the Status of Women (HLCW), points to the inadequacy of data especially gender disaggregated statistics on an entire host of issues and domains. India currently does not collect data on three critical themes pertaining to target 5.2 of eliminating violence against women; target 5.4 on recognising the value of unpaid care and domestic work by women, and promoting shared responsibility within the household; and target 5.a to undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources and access to ownership and control over land and other assets and services.

Consultation: Achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030- Monitoring of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE)

Background:

In acknowledging the transformative agenda of the SDGs, and its specific focus on concerns of gender equality and women’s empowerment, it has become necessary for member states to identify (i) the national indicators on which it will report on gender, from existing data; (ii) domains wherein inadequate data exists or gender disaggregated analysis has not been undertaken adequately; as well as (iii) areas where no data exists. In this regard, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), with support from UN Women and UNFPA, organised a national workshop on data gaps in gender statistics in November 2015, which recommended (a) undertaking a gender analysis of existing Management Information Systems (MIS) of line Ministries to modify and strengthen for better incorporation of gender-responsive data and (b) to take on new surveys on the agreed themes on which there is a dearth of data, namely, Individual Asset Ownership and Control; Time Use Surveys and Violence Prevalence.

Based on the recommendations of the national workshop, UN Women and UNFPA developed a framework and roadmap for aligning national data with the requirements of the IAEG-SDG indicators that were prepared in March 2016[2]. Currently, in addition to MOSPI, the NITI Aayog and MWCD are working on developing national indicators on gender for the SDGs. Several state governments are also engaged in developing Vision 2030 documents, with targets and indicators. Gender is already an important component of these vision documents for many of the states.

The meeting of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, will be held in July 2017, wherein Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls will be under review. India’s Voluntary national review scheduled during the HLPF 2017 will be an important platform for India to share its experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  In order to disseminate the framework, refine national SDG indicators on gender equality and discuss the next steps with relevant stakeholders, UN Women and MOSPI are organising a National Consultation in April 2017.

Expected Outputs

1. Background note on data gaps in gender statistics and national indicators for strengthened implementation of SDGs, and good practices on engendering MIS across line Ministries/departments for use during the National Consultation.
2. Report on the proceedings of the National Consultation as designated Rapporteur.
3. Compilation of set of indicators proposed during National Consultation
4. Roadmap for action for implementing commitments made during the National Consultation for development of national gender indicators

In this context, UN Women is seeking the services of a consultant to undertake the process of supporting UN Women and MOSPI for the National Consultation on monitoring of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The focus will be on supporting development of literature for the National Consultation, performing the role of designated Rapporteur and developing an action plan for the follow up of the National Consultation on the adoption of national indicators by stakeholders.

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment will be to support the development of national gender indicators for the SDGs and action plan for its adoption based on proceedings of the National Consultation.

[1]https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

[2] The consultant working on this deliverable was Professor Preet Rustagi of the Institute of Human Development. 

Devoirs et responsabilités

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst-Intergovernmental Processes and Programme Specialist – Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme, UN Women. Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 

• Review of existing literature and ‘Framework and Roadmap for collecting statistics on the status of women in India: Scoping Paper’ commissioned by UNFPA and UN Women;
• Review of Tier Classification for Global SDG Indicators presented at the 4th IAEG-SDG Meeting November 2016, and initial Draft National Indicator Framework for Sustainable Development Goals as prepared by MoSPI;
• Review of international normative frameworks and good practices from countries that have adopted gender disaggregated data systems and address data gaps in gender statistics especially on prevalence of violence against women, asset ownership and time use survey for measuring unpaid work;
• Preparation of National Consultation Background Note including relevant policy briefs, notes and case studies as well as design of agenda based on this review, as defined jointly between MOSPI and UN Women;
• Facilitate and coordinate the organisation of National Consultation led by MOSPI and UN Women with state governments and line Ministries, as well as other relevant stakeholders, policy makers, practitioners, government partners, and academia towards finalising national indicators and adoption of indicators by stakeholders. This will also include preparation of participants list, agenda, invites, and other logistical support for the consultation;
• Prepare agenda, outcome documents and consultation report for National Consultation;
• Undertake consultative meetings with MOSPI towards finalising agenda, resource persons and scope of National Consultation;
• Finalise roadmap and framework for action based on inputs received from key stakeholders over 2-day long National Consultation.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report including Work Plan (15%);
• Submission of Background Note including relevant policy briefs, notes and case studies for use during the National Consultation based on review of existing data collection mechanisms, national indicators for the SDGs, best practices on collection, use and dissemination of disaggregated data, as defined by MOSPI and UN Women (20%)
• Submission of agenda, participants list, briefing notes, invites for National Consultation (15%);
• Submission of outcome documents and Report of National Consultation (20%)
• Final roadmap and framework for action on monitoring of gender equality and women’s empowerment based on proceedings of the National Consultation and consultation with relevant stakeholders (30%)

Compétences

Core Values / Guiding Principles:

Integrity:

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organisation and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organisational Awareness:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

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 behaviour towards others.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Functional Competencies:

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Focuses on impact and result for the partners and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Proven track record in undertaking complex and comprehensive assessments;
• Proven ability of coordination with a team of international organizations and senior national stakeholders;
• High level of communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills and working effectively within a multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent report writing skills.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, International Development, Economics, Social Sciences or any other relevant qualification.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working on issues of gender equality, women’s rights, gender statistics and public policy;
• Demonstrable understanding of gender statistics in the context of implementation of intergovernmental processes, especially the Sustainable Development Goals, in India;
• Relevant experience of research and policy analysis is preferred;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in English;
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.

Language:

• Fluency in English and working knowledge of any other Indian language.

Application:

Interested applicants should apply to this announcement through UNDP jobs site: jobs.undp.org

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

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

• Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment, please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment;
• Applications received after the close date will not be accepted;
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Criteria for shortlisting of CVs will be based on the following assessment:

• Required Degree and Qualification (5 points);
• Minimum Experience relevant to the assignment (5 points);
• Working knowledge and experience of working on Gender (5 points);
• Working knowledge and use of computers and its programmes/applications. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spread sheet and database packages (5 points).

The evaluation process for selection of the candidate will be based on the following assessment:

• Interview;
• Assessment of Writing Samples.

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.