UNDP Jobs - 4085- Consultant: Coordinator and Managing Editor of the

Consultant: Coordinator and Managing Editor of the Regional Report on Governance and Women's Leadership

Location :

Home-based (short-term travel may be required), SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Apr-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Expected Dates: 01 May – 14 December 2008

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

Transition and development processes in the Eastern Europe and the CIS (EECIS) region occur without the full participation of women, weakening women’s position in political and socio-economic life. These trends need to be reversed, in order to ensure that the benefits of transition equally reach both sexes. Major challenges identified in the area of political participation and leadership include: (a) lack of data and in depth studies on the ongoing processes of (mostly decreasing) participation of women in political life; (b) lack of understanding of the root-causes of women’s low political participation; and (c) under developed state capacity, including lack of implementation of gender equality legislation and cooperation with the non-state actors to achieve greater gender equality and to ensure participation of women in public life, including in decision making processes, in line with international commitments and national legislation.

Objective:

The envisaged publication on governance and women’s leadership in the EECIS will address those challenges; identify and analyze the reasons for women’s low political participation (such as electoral systems, stereotypes, historical legacy etc.) and propose concrete actions to address them. Evidence-based research will inform programming changes with the potential to increase UNDP results on gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment. It will also aim to mobilize local partners to collect information and support building of a broader Gender Community of Practice (CoP) consisting of policy makers, academics, NGO activists and UNDP Gender Focal Points in country offices involved in the process of data gathering and analyzis. The publication will contribute to creating an enabling environment at the national and sub-regional levels needed to strengthen position of women in the area of political participation and leadership and to identify concrete, result-oriented practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

To contribute to these objectives, the Consultant will be contracted to provide the following services:

Tasks:

Prepare and finalize in consultation with UNDP the Concept Note for a regional publication on “Governance and Women’s Leadership” that reflects key messages of the report, along with Annotated Outline of the chapters (three main sections: regional overview chapter, country specific sections and specific issues);
Develop TORs for individual chapters and chapter authors, in consultation with BRC Gender team;
Identify and propose suitable experts to serve as potential chapter authors who will be selected in cooperation with BRC;
Collaborate with the Advisory Group of the report, provide with necessary background info and feedback as required;
Coordinate the research and work of all experts as selected by UNDP involved in this product, ensure timely delivery and keep BRC gender unit informed about all major processes;
Provide feedback and support to chapter authors where needed/requested and ensure overall progress in the development of the publication;
With support of the BRC Gender Unit and respective UNDP offices in the region – contribute to the preparation and implementation of envisaged expert meetings at country and sub-regional level;
Participate in consultations and working meetings as requested;
Coordinate various drafts of the chapters; provide substantial guidance in revision process; coordinate peer review processes, with consolidated feedback to authors
Prepare final draft regional report (to also include tables and other graphics as applicable) based on the consolidated feedback, including from UNDP

Outputs:

Revised and finalized Concept Note for a regional publication on “Governance and Women’s Leadership
Set of recommendations for potential chapter authors
High quality and timely feedback on each draft chapter
Final draft of the regional report for UNDP approval based on contributions from chapter authors, feedback of the Coordinator as well as solicited through a peer review

Benchmarks:

Revised and finalised Concept Note for regional report and proposal for potential experts (chapter authors) – mid April 2008;
Support provided to UNDP COs in conducting/implementing national expert consultations (identification of authors for country specific sections)-- May/June 2008;
Preparation of/participation in sub-regional consultations – July-September 2008
Collection and incorporation of the feedback on the various chapters – June to September 2008;
Editorial, methodological and scientific work with chapters submitted by authors – June to September 2008;
Peer review – October-December 2008;
Production and submission of the final draft of the regional report – by 14 December 2008

Travel: Consultant is expected to work from his/her country but UNDP may plan to request the consultant to undertake a number of missions to participate in the sub-regions consultations and additionally missions to country offices (on country case studies with local stakeholders). Travel will be paid by UNDP separately as per UNDP rules.

Competencies

Excellent English writing skills;
Excellent knowledge of gender issues in the Europe and CIS region;
Good knowledge of UNDP’s gender portfolio;
IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications;
Working knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in development, law, sociology or a related field, ideally with a specialization on gender studies;
Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience, preferably working on gender issues in an academic and/or international development context (contacts of 3 reference persons are requested)
Proven record of conducting in-depth research related to governance and women’s leadership;
Proven record in designing and conducting in-depth gender related research and proven analytical skills on gender issues;
Positive record of participation in similar projects is an asset (pls. provide a list)

ONLY APPLICATIONS CONTAINING THE P11 FORM AND THE PRICE OFFER CAN BE CONSIDERED:

filled P11 form (the form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_SC_SSA.doc);
applicants are requested to provide their price quotation indicating the lump sum for the work envisaged in the job description (UNDP incorporates the value-for-money consideration while identification of the contractor. UNDP reserves the right to negotiate the final consultancy cost with the best qualified candidate.)

Due to the large number of applicants for UNDP positions, UNDP regrets that it is unable to inform unsuccessful candidates about the outcome or status of the recruitment process.