Background

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.  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 FPA, Women’s Access to Justice and Women’s participation in decision making in relation to traditional governance and climate change 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 system through legislative change and consultations.

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 in order 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].

A qualified Consultant is required to provide guidance to UN Women, Ministry of Women Youth Children & Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Ministry of Justice & Legal Affairs (MJLA) and targeted Women’s Organizations to develop and carry out awareness/trainings at community level, support national advocacy with key messages and conduct consultation to inform a policy brief for drafting instructions on the regulation for Authorized Justices (AJs) in relation to the Family Protection Act (FPA).

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 centres. 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] 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 Project Document.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UN Women, the MWYCFA, MJLA and relevant Women’s organizations with required guidance to carry out the following.

The National Consultant will:

1. Conduct consultations with government, civil society, churches, provinces & Authorised Justices (AJs) and develop a policy brief to inform the drafting instructions for AJs in relation to the FPA.
2. Preparation and submission of drafting instructions for AJs in relation to the FPA to the Attorney General’s Office for the actual drafting.
3. Pilot the resource kit with targeted women’s organizations as a training of trainers (TOT)
4. Support monitoring and evaluation of community information sessions led by women’s organizations. Prioritization will be made for sessions for displaced communities impacted by climate change.
5. Provide technical support to media company with key messages for 3 audio spot messages [in Pijin and English] and 3 audio podcasts [in Pijin and English] on women’s access to Justice (1) Family Protection Act (2) and women’s participation in decision making in relation to Traditional Governance and Climate Change (3).
6. Provide technical support to the media company with content to develop 1 Training video on Family Protection Act Forms, 1 video on forms of Domestic Violence and 1 video to highlight women’s participation in decision making in relation to Traditional Governance and Climate Change.  The video will be both in English and Pijin.
7. 3 short (30-45sec) video for social media platform on the above topics.
8. Conduct consultations with women led CSO’s and umbrella CSO bodies.
9. Produce an overall final report.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Programme Specialist Gender Equality, Women’s Rights & Governance MCO and the direct supervision of the National Programme Coordinator, PBF, and in close collaborations with representatives from line ministries, 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 100 working days over 8 months (may include weekends consecutively, as needed) w.e.f. the period starting from September 2022 (or as soon as possible) and as per suggested schedule of outputs and deliverables below. 

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs and deliverables:

Upon receipt of the final 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 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 in collaboration with the MWYCFA and the MJLA and targeted women’s organizations will provide the Consultant with background materials for review
• Some travel to provinces will be required.
• 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 Consultant will work under the overall guidance of UN Women Fiji Programme Specialist – Gender Equality, Women’s Rights and Governance and direct supervision of the National Programme Coordinator, in close consultation with representatives from line ministries.
• The consultancy envisages extensive work with Government and CSO partners in Solomon Islands.
• The selected Consultant 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 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

• UN Women will not cover transportation cost within Honiara, Solomon Islands (duty station). 
• However, it is noted that this assignment may require some national provincial travel, and if needed will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval. 
• During the Consultant’s assignment related missions, the UN Women Solomon Islands Office will cover travel cost for the Consultant for the agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations.

Competencies

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Required experience and qualifications

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Policy Development, Development Studies or other related field is required. 
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of five (5) years (with Masters’ Degree), or minimum of seven (7) years (with first-level University Degree) of progressively responsible experience in development work, technical and training on the Family Protection Act, women’s rights or of similar nature.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in legal drafting on FPA or of similar nature.
• Minimum 5 years of experience facilitating consultations/training at the community level.
• Extensive knowledge of the FPA, its content and application including access to justice.
• Strong legal skills, including experience preparing drafting instructions for legislation
• Strong communication and writing skills – with evidence of clear and concise writing style.
• Ability to produce well written document demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills.
• Experience of working with different stakeholders and communities in Solomon Islands would be an asset.
• 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 Pijin is required.

Evaluation

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Policy Development, Development Studies or other related field is required. 
• A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years (with Masters’ Degree), or minimum of seven (7) years (with first-level University Degree) of progressively responsible experience in development work, technical and training on the Family Protection Act, women’s rights or of similar nature.

The shortlisted individual consultant will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis process, 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 based on its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial Qualification Evaluation Criteria: In the 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 experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
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:  26th August 2022.

Annex I

Price Proposal Guideline and Template

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

1.Lump Sum Amount

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Individual 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.

Contract price is fixed to activities/deliverables indicated in the ToR, regardless of the changes in the cost components (such as days invested for completion of the deliverables.)

2.Travel costs

• UN Women will not cover transportation cost within Honiara, Solomon Islands (duty station). 
• However, it is noted that this assignment may require some national provincial travel, and if needed will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval. 
• During the Consultant’s assignment related missions, the UN Women Solomon Islands Office will cover travel cost for the Consultant for the agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations.

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance

Will be paid only aligned to approved Travel (out of Honiara) by the National Consultant.

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 II

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 – Enhancing Access to Justice for Women in Asia and the Pacific:
Bridging the gap between formal and informal systems through women’s empowerment (Solomon Islands)

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$)

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.