Background 

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office has four main thematic areas:

• Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG);
• Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE);
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action; and
• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL)

Under the WPEL program is the ‘Access to Justice (A2J) project that is aimed at supporting access to justice including environmental justice through legislation reform, empowerment, advocacy and capacity building of grassroots women, including leaders and human right defenders.

Deeply entrenched discriminatory and gender-biased attitudes, norms and practices, including by justice practitioners and by community members, prevent women from accessing justice and in many cases, women have also internalized harmful gender norms, which limits their own justice-seeking behaviour.  These limitations on women’s access to justice must be addressed to advance SDG 5 and combat discrimination towards women. Ensuring strong legal frameworks and non-discriminatory practices in the judicial sphere is a first step towards eliminating the social and legal conditions that perpetuate gender inequality[1].

 In realizing this aim, UN Women will focus on achieving the following outputs and interventions (1) increase the awareness of women’s rights among women and communities through community outreach on Women’s Access to Justice in targeted provinces (2) conduct national advocacy campaign on Family Protection Act to create awareness using different tools and (3) increase female participation and representation in advocating women’s access to justice before formal and informal justice systems through legislative change and consultations.

Climate change related migration has already been occurring in combination with other factors and taking the form of urban drift to Honiara and other urban centre. For low lying islands and atolls, the risk of sea level rise and diminishing liveable land is becoming a real threat. Rising sea level has affected many coastal communities in Solomon Islands such as Walande.  Beyond the impact on physical environment and land and natural resources the impacts of climate change are impacting the social and economic aspects of people’s day to day lives. Some groups are more vulnerable than others especially when it comes to access to already depleting resources. Women have been historically excluded from decision making regarding land and natural resources as well as access and opportunities in relation to education, employment, basic services and access to justice.

[1] [1] UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Enhancing Access to Justice for Women in Asia and the Pacific: Bridging the gap between formal and informal systems through women’s empowerment Prodoc.

Objectives of the assignment

In reference to intervention 1 on increase the awareness of women’s rights among women and communities through community outreach on Women’s Access to Justice in targeted provinces and intervention 3 on creating awareness on Family Protection Act via national level advocacy and awareness campaign and Intervention, UN Women with the support of a technical consultant are planning to develop the following:

1. Resource Kit on Access to Justice, Family Protection Act and Women’s Participation in Decision Making in relation to Traditional Governance and Climate Change in English and Tok Pijin.
2. 3 Poster’s, and 3 Pamphlets for public awareness on Access to Justice, the Family Protection Act and Women’s Participation in relation to Traditional Governance and Climate Change in English and Pijin.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Project Team and the National Consultant will produce the following:

1. Design Graphic layout and visual design for 2 Resource Kits on Women’s Rights and the Family Protection Act, 1 in English and 1 in Tok Pijin. The resource kits will be approximately (80 pages)
2. Design graphic layout and visual design for Posters (3), Pamphlets (3) in English and          Tok Pijin in relation to the Family Protection Act, Access to Justice and Women’s decision making in relation to traditional governance and climate change.
3. The Graphic Designer is expected to conduct initial discussions with the project team and then provide a draft for 2 rounds of review and edits before presenting the final version to the project team for the two deliverables.

The Consultant will undertake the tasks as outlined in the deliverable table in Section V.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be up to 35 working days over 4 months period starting from June 2022 and as per suggested schedule of deliverables below.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women at least within one week.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English and Tok Pidgin electronic copy.

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Inputs

• UN Women will provide the graphic designer with materials for graphic design.
• The consultant is expected to work remotely using his/her own computer but may access the UN Women office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

Management Arrangements

The graphic designer will work under the overall guidance of UN Women Fiji Programme Specialist – Gender Equality, Women’s Rights and Governance and direct supervision of the A2J National Programme Coordinator, in close consultation with representatives from line ministries and the Technical Consultant.

The selected Graphic Designer shall sign a contract with UN Women for stipulated assignment, as stated above.

Performance Evaluation

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

Financial Arrangements

Payments will be disbursed to the consultant in instalments, upon submission and approval of deliverables set forth in Section V above “Expected Outputs and Deliverables” and certification by the UN Women Programme Specialist Gender Equality, Women’s Rights and Governance that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Travel

• This is a home-based consultancy. 
• As such, it is anticipated that no travel will be required for this assignment, unless agreed and authorised by the UN Women Fiji MCO. 
• In case authorised, all travel, accommodation costs by the individual related to this assignment only, will be covered by UN Women in line with UN Women Duty Travel Policy.

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

• Ability to think conceptually, strategically and analytically;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills.

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Bachelor's degree in art, graphic design or a related field is an asset;
• Any other Technical Certification in the field of Graphic Designs and is relevant to this assignment will be an advantage.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience and familiarity with design software and technologies (such as InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc.) and including network administration and use of hardware/software, telecommunications facilities;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant in communications including writing, editing, design and layout of publications and IEC materials for UN, NGOs, and other development assistance agencies.
• Excellent understanding and at least 2 years of practical experience of using social media and online communication and media tools.
• A compelling portfolio with projects showcasing skills that are relevant to this consultancy.
• Experience of working with different stakeholders and communities in Solomon Islands would be an asset.
• Have an eye for aesthetically pleasing colour schemes, fonts and shapes that enables them to create professional layouts and design. 7. Ability to work methodically and meet deadlines
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use internet and email.

Language and other skills:

• Excellent skills in verbal & written English is required. 
• Fluency in English and Pijin is required.

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design or a related field is an asset;
• Any other Technical Certification in the field of Graphic Designs and is relevant to this assignment will be an advantage.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience and familiarity with design software and technologies (such as InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc.) and including network administration and use of hardware/software, telecommunications facilities;

The short-listed individual consultant/s will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes.  Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:

where:

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

WINNING CANDIDATE

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit fully completed application on the UNDP Vacancy Site. 

Submission Package:

1. Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
2. Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Consultant including records of past experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=3539
3. Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference.  The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipate working days and any other possible costs).
4. Please read, use and complete ANNEX I and ANNEX II below to provide your financial proposal.

Applications without a complete financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.  UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

UN Women Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United  Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).

Deadline of all submission:  Thursday 26th May 2022.

Annex A

Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective Individual Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.

1.Daily fee

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive".  All costs (professional fees, communications, consumables during field related missions, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.

UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.

2.Travel costs

• It is anticipated that no travel will be required for this assignment, unless agreed and authorised by the UN Women Fiji MCO. 
• In case authorised, all travel, accommodation costs by the individual related to this assignment only, will be covered by UN Women in line with UN Women Duty Travel Policy.

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance

Not Applicable.

4.Currency of the price proposal

The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in SBD.  

In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into SBD using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion at the date of applications’ submission deadline.

Annex B

Price Proposal Submission Form

[ Mandatory document for the Consultant to complete and submit]

To:          United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Ref:         National Consultant – For graphic design, layout and visual design for Enhancing Access to Justice for Women in Asia and the Pacific Project

Dear Sir / Madam,

I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment.  Having examined, understood, and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference.

My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:

Estimated Costs (in SBD)

*** Please be informed that for shorter assignments than a full day, the daily rate will be pro-rated into hourly rate.

I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged.  I also confirm that the price that I quote is gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.

I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for 60 days.

I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.