Background

The United Nations Entity for Gender Championing, Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), is committed in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination of all forms against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women, men and other marginalized groups as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women provides support to Member States’ efforts and priorities in meeting their gender equality goals and for building effective partnerships with civil societies and other relevant actors. This is showcased through the Flagship Programs Initiatives (FPIs) of the UN Women established to accomplished transformative results for gender equality and women upliftment.

UN Women also seeks to aid governments facilitate women contributions to sustainable peace and see to it that women rights to properties/land ownership without any bias is achieved through every fabric of society. This is evidenced by the UN Women strong commitment to actualization of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325; adopted in 2000 that stressed the relevance of equal participation and full involvement of women in maintaining and promoting peace and security and further support the ownership of property rights of women.

To achieve the above, UN Women is partnering with the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) for the implementation of series of gender focused activities to include the development of a Gender Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution Mechanism took kit and Standard Operating Procedures for Land Dispute Resolution under the project: “Sustaining Peace and Reconciliation through Land Governance and Dispute Resolution Mechanism”

The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) is the Agency of Government of Liberia with the primary mandates to develop policies on a continuous basis, undertake actions and implement programs in support of land governance, including land administration and management. The passage of the Land Right Acts of 2018 has empowered the LLA to strengthen its abilities and capacity to ensure the implementation of land reform programs which focus on women’s land rights, communities’ rights to land ownership and increased awareness. The project “Sustaining Peace and Reconciliation through strengthening Land Governance and Dispute Resolution Mechanism” which is targeting four (4) counties (Grand Cape Mount, Maryland, Nimba and Sinoe Counties) respectively, is designed to support the achievement of some of the afore listed issues.

The project has two outcomes that propose interventions to tackle major problems identified by government, CSOs and Donor Partners in general. The Project also responds to issues identified through the existing conflict analysis and land related assessments. The first outcome intends to tackle to the limited capacity of the Government to prevent land related conflicts and aims at strengthening the effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness of land administrative structures at the national and county levels. The second outcome seeks to strengthen existing land disputes resolution mechanisms. It will augment the capacity of existing semi-formal and informal land dispute mechanisms to facilitate resolution of land disputes in a more transparent and inclusive manner.

Internationally the project contributes to the implementation of the UNSDCF 2020-2024 for Liberia, notably Outcomes 2.3 and 4. Particularly, Output 2.2: “by 2024, national and subnational capacity to deliver sustainable natural resource management and climate-aware initiatives is strengthened”. The proposed initiative is aligned with National and International legal and policy frameworks, specifically, with the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) which were ratified by Liberia in 1984 and 2004 respectively. The proposed initiative will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically 5, 10 and 16.

At national level the initiative supports the implementation of the 2017 Peace-building Plan, which was integrated into the Pillar 3: Sustaining Peace of the Government’s national development plan – the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). PAPD also calls for improving socio-economic human rights by passing and implementing the Land Rights Act to improve land tenure security; developing a regulatory framework for the actualization of the Liberia Land Authority Act; securing access to land by harmonization of customary and statutory land tenure systems; and strengthening community land administration and governance framework (ensuring the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized community members).

Likewise, it is aligned with the 2018 National Gender Policy which clearly calls for supporting women, land tenure and property rights including advocating for and promoting women’s access and control over land/land-based resources, and other forms of property and assets. In addition, there is alignment with the Liberian National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (2019-2023), which emphasizes the importance of land, inheritance, and property rights for women. Moreover, the project has been designed to support the Government of Liberia to implement the Land Rights Act (LRA) and Local Governance Act (LGA) including the Legal Aid Policy (2019) and the Land Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy.

Land issues in Liberia have from time-to-time been a foundation for conflicts, ranging from families to towns, clans and to some extent even at county level.  This is truthfully backed by the fact of the potential contributions land conflicts made to the fourteen years of civil war in Liberia and the current evidence of eminent conflict it could trigger in the near future, if not well handled. Despite the many efforts by the Government, citizens, local and international partners, it still remains that lots of work needs to be done in this sector. The Land Rights Act has shifted the paradigm and broadened the scope of management and control, now giving indigenous people the right to ownership, provide options of handling grievances regarding their lands, and given women full rights to land ownership and participation in all land and land related matters.

Major interventions are being made to help women at all levels to actualize ownership and management of property, especially land as well as regulations and documents to ensure the protection of women’s rights in land conflict resolution. This includes the equal rights for women in land dispute settlement. The development of a Gender Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution tool kit and Standard Operating Procedures for Land Dispute Resolution is significant to further ensuring that women rights to land will be as equally protected as those of men.

2. Objectives of the Assignment 

The primary objective of the consultancy is to develop a gender sensitive Land Dispute Resolution Mechanism tool kits and Support with the finalization of the Standard Operating procedures  for the LLA for land conflict resolution and conduct TOTs on the same. The Consultant will also support in the development of knowledge products about available dispute mechanisms for communities that clearly state advantages and disadvantages of each mechanism and what they aim to do and how they complement each other

Specific Objective

•  Develop an all-inclusive gender sensitive land dispute resolution mechanism and standard operating procedures for overall protection of the interest and right women that are involved in land disputes
• Conduct Training of Trainers for staff of the Land Dispute Resolution Unit, Gender unit and other staff of the department of Land Policy & Planning as well as County Land Dispute Staff at the LLA County offices;
•  Develop roll-out plan for the LLA on the implementation of the SOPs and dispute mechanism in line with conventional methodologies
•  Develop knowledge products about available dispute mechanisms for communities that clearly state advantages and disadvantages of each mechanism and what they aim to do and how they complement each other

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Scope of Works

Under the Direct supervision and support from the Project focal person of the LLA and UN Women, Gender and Land Management specialist, the National consultant will be required to perform the following tasks in line with the UN Women standard and compliance procedures as relates to gender issues:

Task 1. Develop a consultancy Work Plan and Inception Report.

• Develop a detailed work plan for the consultancy.
• Conduct a desk review of all relevant project documents including existing Land dispute resolution policies and law (Existing LLA SOPs for Land Dispute resolution, Draft National ADR Policy, LLA ADR Policy, LRA) and other documents including Assessment conducted on ADR mechanisms)  
• Review tool kits available on Gender responsive dispute resolution.
• Conduct an analysis of key trainings conducted for LLA and other agencies on Land disputes resolution and assess the Gender responsiveness of these.
• Conduct preliminary consultations with UN project team (UNDP, WFP and UN Women) and the LLA Dispute resolution unit, Peace Building office (PBO) under the Ministry of internal affairs (MIA), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection (MOGCSP), National Traditional Council of Liberia (NTCL) to identify specific capacity needs on Gender responsive land dispute resolution.
• Submit a detailed inception report and consultancy work plan.

Task 2. Develop a Gender Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution Mechanism toolkit and support the completion of the Standard Operating Procedure for Land Dispute Resolution of the LLA and training materials

• In reference to results from the desk review, the NC will Develop the draft Develop a Gender Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution Mechanism tool kit and support completion of Standard Operating Procedures for the LLA and submit this for review to LLA and to UN Women
• In consultation with UN Women and LLA, review all training materials available on Land Dispute resolution further to check if they are gender responsive. Where existing training materials are deemed sufficient these will be adapted. Develop training materials where none exist
• With the LLA, NBC, NCCRM and PBO focal persons, select participants for the TOT
• Submit finalized Gender Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution Mechanism tool kits and Standard Operating Procedures and training materials for review by LLA and UN Women

Task 3: Organise and Conduct a TOT for LLA and other relevant partner staff (PBO, NBC and RRF)

• Prepare Pre and Post-tests questions for the training in consultation with the LLA.

• Train trainers on the usage of the Gender Responsive Land dispute resolution tool kits and SOPs
• Provide the TOT training report with pre and post test results included.
• Support and monitor trainings conducted within the counties by the trained TOTs.
• Draft and submit Consultancy report including report of TOT training and all subsequent trainings.

Task 4: Develop knowledge products on available dispute mechanisms for communities that clearly state advantages and disadvantages of each mechanism and what they aim to do and how they complement each other.

Expected Deliverables

The National Consultant will produce the following deliverables;

Competencies

Language and other skills/competencies:

• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, Internet and email including and not limited to MS-Word and Ms-Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent facilitation and training skills
• Proficiency in oral and written English
• Excellent analytical skills
• Good Interpersonal Skills and communication skills
• Proven ability to work with people from diverse background, culture and tradition
• Ability to work under pressure with little or no supervision 
• Good working knowledge of United Nations/UN Women and other international development organizations, their procedures, rules and regulations for project/programme implementation

Evaluation

• Applications will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis.

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical evaluation will be further evaluated.

Technical qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allotted for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

All the deliverables, including annexes, notes and reports should be submitted in writing in English.

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the first installment, the deliverables and related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by LLA  and UN Women. The period of the review is one week after receipt.

Only the candidates who fit the minimum requirements will be longlisted, and additional documentation may be requested. Candidates with a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically qualified candidates and will be shortlisted for potential interview.

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allotted for the price component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

Annex I: Financial Proposal

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS SUPPORTING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Breakdown of Cost by Components:

The lump sum costs should include all administration costs, per diem and expenses related to the consultancy. All prices/rates quoted must be exclusive of all taxes. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of costs calculation.

Inputs

• LLA will provide the NC with background materials relevant to the assignment where needed
• UN Women will provide documents as requested.

• The NC is expected to work using his/ her own computer.
• The NC will be based at the LLA or UN Women office  

Performance evaluation:

The NC’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. 

Submission of package           

1. Cover letter.
2. CV, including contact information for 3 references;
3. Financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount per each deliverable, including any travel, per diem and administrative fees, based on the template in Annex 1. The lump sum costs must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of costs calculation.

All applications must include (as an attachment) a CV and a financial proposal. Applications without a financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further processing.

Required Skills and Experience

1. Required experience and qualifications

The NC should fulfill the following requirements:

2. Education

Graduate degree or above in relevant discipline (Gender Development, Education, Sociology, Community Development, and other related field of studies). A Law Degree is an added advantage

3. Experience:

• Experience in working within the land sector (International and Local NGOs and Government Institutions) in Liberia, the sub-region is an added advantage.
• Proven experience working on Dispute resolution in practice and/or in policy development and technical support to institutions
• Demonstrated experience in preparing gender related documentations for training purposes especially for rural women.
• Proven ability to conduct Training of Trainer exercise
• Provide record for development of gender related and responsive guidelines and training materials and knowledge products
• A minimum of Five (5) years working experience in any of the above listed field with a master degree
• At least 5-10 years working experiences with Bachelor Degree