Background

Purpose

To engage expert with hands on gender in the military experience to provide on demand advice to the Project team in advancing the key Project components related to: i) strengthening the capacities for gender responsive and evidence-based policy development and implementation and, ii) improved integration of women in the military through gender sensitization, and gender mainstreaming in the military education and training.

Objective

To provide support in executing specific outputs related to the implementation of the project Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans project – Phase 2.

Background information

The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council. As such, it is an integral part of UNDP’s work in the Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) region and has, since 2002, worked primarily to strengthen the capacities of national and regional stakeholders to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and thus contribute to enhanced stability, security and development in South East and Eastern Europe. SEESAC also has a distinguished record working closely with national Ministries to mainstream gender equality and this aspect will remain central to the programme.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to international peace and security by combatting the threat posed by the widespread accumulation and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in and from SEE. At the same time, it enhances regional stability by working within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council and in partnership with other relevant initiatives. The project is directly contributing to the implementation of the EU Security Strategy, the EU SALW Strategy, the EU Firearms Strategy, the Arms Trade Treaty, the UN Programme of Action, the International Tracing Instrument, UN Firearms Protocol, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and will specifically enhance regional cooperation in combating the threat posed by the spread of SALW and their ammunition. Specifically, the project is contributing to the implementation of the South East Europe Regional Implementation Plan Combatting the Proliferations and Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024. The project results are also directly contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful and just societies, in particular targets 16.1(Significantly reduce all forms of violence and death rate everywhere) and 16.4 (significantly reduce illicit arms flows).

The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the second phase of the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the Western Balkans project funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The project facilitates regional cooperation on gender equality in the military and further strengthens the capacities of the Ministries of Defense (MoDs) and the Armed Forces (AFs) for implementation of gender responsive policies.

Hands on experience in mainstreaming gender in the military is required to assist the Project team with specific focus on: i) implementing small-scale projects[1]; ii) integrating gender perspective into human resources polices and military education in MoDs in BIH, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Serbia; and iii) Integrating gender perspective into military education and training in the Western Balkans that will include work with the Working Group members from MoDs and AFs on the Regional Baseline Study on integrating gender in the military education and training, as well as gap analysis for the country case studies on the existing good practices.

[1] Small-scale projects are developed by MoD in line with the objectives of the reginal project and the priorities of the MoD aiming at the institutionalization of gender equality through support to the Gender Equality Mechanisms in the MoD; increasing gender responsive policymaking capacities of Human Resources Departments in the MoDs; and enhancing response to gender-based discrimination by strengthening the internal complaints mechanism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

The Defence Policy Expert will provide advice and expert support to strengthen institutional capacities for gender responsive and evidence-based policy development and implementation in the Ministries of Defence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Serbia. Under the overall direction of the UNDP SEESAC Project Manager, the Defence Policy Expert will be expected to perform tasks in line with the project Outcomes 1 and 2.

The Defence Policy Expert will:

• prepare and organize 2 regional meetings of Ministries of Defence;
• draft six concept notes; advise and support implementation of small-scale projects in MoDs, based on the finding on second regional study The Position of Women in the Armed Forces in Western Balkans and/or based on the Regional Baseline Study on Integrating Gender in Military Education;  
• support development of policy recommendations in MoDs based on the Regional Handbook on Combating Gender-based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Abuse;
• provide policy advice in organizing and delivering workshops in MoDs for developing  policy recommendations related to attraction, recruitment and retention based on findings of the Regional Youth Perception Survey (YPS) on Values and Attitudes;
• review and support development of knowledge products; contribute to the research undertaken within the project; provide expert advice and deliver Gender Coach Programme (GCP) with nominated high – level MoD and AFs officials;
• review, and provide policy advice to the Regional Baseline Study (RBS) on Integrating Gender in Military Education activities, developed by the Regional Working Group with support of UNDP SEESAC;
• provide policy advice related to standardization of gender training and review  Gender Training Manual for gender instructors in the MoD of Montenegro.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will be required from the Expert:

All deliverables will be quality reviewed and approved/accepted by the UNDP SEESAC Project Manager. Payments will be made upon successful delivery of deliverables as per ToR.  In case of travel, costs incurred will be covered by project.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional competencies:

• Hands on experience of mainstreaming gender in the military;
• Excellent understanding of gender equality and the Security Sector Reform nexus;
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to promote gender equality agenda in the international military context in the Western Balkans;
• Ability to express ideas clearly, to work independently and as a member of the team;
• Good analytic skills and writing skills;
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Education:

• MA in International Relations, Social Sciences or related field;

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of working experience in public administration or international organizations working on gender equality, good governance or security sector reform; experience working in the defence sector will be considered as advantage;
• Experience in provision of technical advice and development of capacity building activities for the national authorities in the region for the advancement of gender equality;
• Experience in project development and implementation in the field of gender equality in security sector reform in South East Europe an asset;
• Knowledge on gender equality in security sector reform in the Western Balkans a requirement;
• Practical knowledge and expertise in preparation of working arrangements and maintaining successful relations with national counterparts in the fields mentioned above;
• Excellent understanding of the political and economic situation in the Western Balkans;
• Experience in partnership building at international, regional and national level a strong asset;
• Knowledge of the existent legal and institutional frameworks on gender equality in South East Europe a strong asset.

Language skills

• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written BCMS;
• Excellent knowledge of English.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). In case of missions, travel expenses will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

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 9th January 2022.

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: https://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.

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.

Shortlisted applicants will be requested to submit copies of Diploma(s) and relevant certificates as proof of the consultant’s qualification and experience.

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.

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 installments 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 i.e. the applicant should provide breakdown of cost per deliverable in the Offeror’s Letter Annex 2, table B) Breakdown of Cost by Deliverables.

Travel

In case of travel, costs incurred will be covered by project. 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

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: 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.