Background

Purpose

To support the Human Rights Adviser in consistent application of UN human rights principles and standards as well as HRBA and LNOB methodology throughout implementation of the “Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme” (SHAI).

Objective

To support the advancement of social inclusion policies in Serbia and contribute to the improvement of sustainable housing solutions for the most vulnerable populations.

Background Information

The “Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme” (SHAI) is implemented by UNOPS with the advisory support of the UN Human Rights Team in Serbia and funded by the European Union (EU).

The SHAI Programme is designed to enhance implementation of the social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions for the most vulnerable population-Roma, disadvantaged women, in particular women victims of domestic violence, youth in/leaving care, persons with disabilities, and others who live in inadequate housing conditions.

The UN Human Rights Team in Serbia (UN HRT) represents a field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), functioning within the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia (RCO). As a global and national custodian of preservation of human rights standards and practice, the UN Human Rights Team has recorded substantial effects in providing law and policy support to the Republic of Serbia.

The UN HRT in Serbia effectively supported the UNOPS Serbia in the development and implementation of projects for social inclusion of vulnerable groups in the past and played significant role in advancing housing rights in Serbia in accordance with international human rights standards.

The main methodology that the UN HRT in Serbia will use in the Programme implementation is the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), as a mandatory methodology for the United Nations along with the Agenda 2030 guiding principle of leave no-one behind (LNOB).

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Within this assignment, the Consultant will, under the guidance of the Human Rights Adviser:

1. Provide support to ensure the respect and consistent application of gender equality as well as HRBA and LNOB methodology throughout Programme implementation as per HRA/OHCHR guidance;
2. Analyse international and national documents related to women’ housing rights  and sustainable social housing solutions and provide expert opinions regarding gender equality, adequate housing and other issues as guided by HRA Team;
3. Provide support in mainstreaming gender aspects into social housing models’ implementation;
4. Provide support in consultation process with receiving communities ;
5. Conduct analysis on women's housing rights and needs with particular focus on disadvantaged women;
6. Provide support in preparation of gender specific written inputs for development of the guidelines for municipal social housing strategies;
7. Contribute to the design and delivery of thematic sessions for development/revision of local housing strategies, focusing on the gender equality and right to adequate housing, application of HRBA and LNOB methodology through a gender lens, discrimination and residential segregation of disadvantaged women;
8. Provide ongoing advisory support to the Programme Team on gender related issues and participate actively at regular and ad hoc meetings, in line with the planned programme activities and ongoing programme implementation demands;
9. Produce written inputs and reports for each of the activities (periodic and annual), in a format and of a content previously agreed with the UN Human Rights Team.

Deliverables and Timelines

All deliverables will have to be quality reviewed and approved or accepted by the HRA. 

Competencies

Competencies:

• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly, to work independently and in teams; 
• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow up activities;
• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

The Consultant selected to undertake the assignment must fulfil the following minimal requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in law, political science, social sciences, international relations or related field. Master’s degree would be considered an asset;

Work experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of women rights and gender equality;
• Familiarity with the UN human rights system in the area of gender equality, adequate housing and social housing;

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English and Serbian, both spoken and written.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than Sunday, 12th December 2021.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).  
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.
• Cover Letter – explaining why you are the most suitable for the work should be included in the CV.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields.

Financial Proposal:

Lump sum contracts

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel

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

Evaluation

1. Cumulative analysis 

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

* Technical Criteria weight; 70%

* Financial Criteria weight; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.  If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

(i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

(ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.  

UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.