Background

Starting from fall 2010, UN Women with a support of European Union has been implementing a cross-regional programme “Women Connect Across Conflicts: Building Accountability for Implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889” that aims to enhance the capacity of Women’s human rights activists and gender equality advocates and their networks to effectively and meaningfully engage, influence, and mobilize for dialogues on security and peace issues at various levels nationally and regionally in the South Asia (Pakistan and Afghanistan), the Southern Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) and the Central Asia / Fergana Valley (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan).

The Programme aims to achieve four specific objectives:

• The first objective aims at facilitating work at national level on development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on 1325, 1820, 1888 and 1889 in at least two countries (Georgia and Pakistan) for further replication on other target countries.
• The second objective targets strengthening referral mechanism to provide redress for sexual and other forms of violence against Women in situations of conflict in at least one country (Georgia).
• The third objective focuses on incorporating gender equality principles into the internal operations of the security sector to promote zero tolerance to using sexual violence as a weapon of war in at least one country (Georgia). 

• The fourth objective aims at mobilizing national partners at local level to engage in evidence-based dialogues and advocacy for reconciliation, tolerance building and compliance with Women’s human rights obligations in Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan). 

Within the programme a number of mapping activities will be undertaken in Afghanistan in close consultations with the programme key partners and under overall guidance and leadership from UN Women. The assignment includes mapping of existing national institutional resources and human capacity, political entry points, existing civil society networks (peace, human rights and gender activists), referral system for victims of conflict, and initial mapping of security sector from a gender perspective. In order to conduct the mapping, UN Women Cross-Regional Programme intends to hire an International consultant and a national expert in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To conduct Mapping of existing national institutional, resources and human capacity, political entry points, peace networks and human rights activists for incorporation of 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 indicators into national policy frameworks in Afghanistan.
• To conduct mapping of existing resources, national policy, legislative and institutional frameworks, political situation and vulnerabilities for introducing/strengthening referral system for victims of conflict.
• To conduct initial mapping of security sector.
•  Based on the findings of the mapping, to recommend further programme interventions in Afghanistan  

• To assist the International Consultant in preparation of a detailed work  plan  and  a methodology for the mapping exercise as well as an outline of the report on the mapping.
• To   undertake  consultations with   national and regional stakeholders, including human  rights  defenders,  women-activists,   key   partners   and decision  makers, as instructed by the International Consultant and report to the International Consultant on findings.
• To  collect respective data, legal and policy documents.

Key Deliverables and Timeframe:

• Methodology and draft report on findings 1 December, 2011
• A final report on findings of the mapping –15 December, 2011
• Brief narrative report on fulfillment of all the tasks assigned by the ToRs –15 December, 2011

A final report should include, but is not limited to, mapping of:

• existing national institutional resources and human capacity, political entry points, peace networks and human rights activists in Afghanistan;
• existing resources, national policy, legislative and institutional frameworks, political situation and vulnerabilities for introducing/strengthening referral system for victims of conflict in Afghanistan;
• initial mapping of security sector from a gender perspective
• recommendatios for programme interventions in the respective areas.

The timeframe for the work of the International Consultant and National experts is tentatively planned through November and December 2011.

Evaluation Procedure:

The candidates will be evaluated in two stages: technical evaluation and financial evaluation.

Technical evaluation criteria:ents, reports, assessments, studies and other  materials relevant to the subject of the mapping and analysis.

• To prepare a brief/summary of key policy and legislative documents for a further analysis by the International Consultant.
• To assist International Consultant to elaborate and discuss with the national partners recommendations for further programme interventions in the respective areas.
• To review a draft report with key national stakeholders to collect their feedback to finalize the report.

• Completed p11 form/CV; 
• Proposal explaining why they consider yourselves the most suitable for the work and Providing a brief methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and conduct the work;

Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of the issues of Women peace and security and gender equality
• Knowledge and experience with programming, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong analytical and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters in development field

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in consultancy, research and analytical work in the field of conflict prevention, response and recovery, with particular experience in complex and multi-component programmes.
• Proven track record in managing and monitoring results-based and rights-based national programming, including in-depth knowledge of results-based management approaches; ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of programming issues within the field of Women, peace and security, early warning, prevention and response, confidence building and conflict resolution issues, sexual violence during conflict.
• Strong understanding of gender mainstreaming concept and ability to apply this tool; Familiarization with CEDAW, BPA, UN Security council Resolutions.
• International development experience and multi-cultural exposure.
• Previous experience in South Asia region is an asset. 

Language:

• Fluency in English and local language

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