Background

Starting from fall 2010, UN Women with generous support of European Union has been implementing a cross-regional programme “Women Connect Across Conflicts: Building Accountability for Implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889” that aims to enhance the capacity of Women’s human rights activists and gender equality advocates and their networks to effectively and meaningfully engage, influence, and mobilize for dialogues on security and peace issues at various levels nationally and regionally in the South Asia (Pakistan and Afghanistan), the Southern Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) and the Central Asia / Fergana Valley (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan).

The Programme aims to achieve four specific objectives:

The first objective aims at facilitating work at national level on development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on 1325, 1820, 1888 and 1889 in at least two countries (Georgia and Pakistan) for further replication on other target countries.

The second objective targets strengthening referral mechanism to provide redress for sexual and other forms of violence against Women in situations of conflict in at least one country (Georgia).

The third objective focuses on incorporating gender equality principles into the internal operations of the security sector to promote zero tolerance to using sexual violence as a weapon of war in at least one country (Georgia).

The fourth objective aims at mobilizing national partners at local level to engage in evidence-based dialogues and advocacy for reconciliation, tolerance building and compliance with Women’s human rights obligations in Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan).

Within the programme a number of studies will be undertaken. One of them represents baseline study in Georgia to be undertaken in close consultations with the programme key partners and under overall guidance and leadership from UN Women. Study is intended to identify key gaps and necessary conducive institutional environments for policy, legislative and institutional frameworks and partnerships for the implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 in Georgia, define key gaps in national justice system of Georgia, and mapping of existing legislative and institutional entry points and partnerships to introduce gender-sensitive approach in the security sector of Georgia. In order  to conduct  the  baseline  study  Women  sub-regional office  (SRO)  for the  Commonwealth  of Independent States  (CIS)  intends to hire an International consultant. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The  International Consultant  will work  under  direct supervision of UN Women  Regional Programme  Director for Eastern  Europe and Central Asia (EECA) and  Programme Manager of UN Women Cross-regional Programme “Women Connect Across Conflicts: Building Accountability for Implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889” and will benefit from   technical  and   operational  support  of   UN  Women    Country    Office in Georgia. In  more   specific    terms,  the   International  Consultant   will  be responsible for  the  following tasks: 

• To conduct baseline study on existing policy, legislative and institutional frameworks and partnerships to identify conducive environment and gaps for implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 in Georgia and undertake mapping of existing stakeholders with an eye on their involvement in the effective implementation these UNSC Resolutions; 
• To conduct baseline study of existing government and non government referral mechanism (if any) for the victims/survivors of sexual violence during conflict, in particular of policy, legislative and institutional frameworks relevant in this regard to identify key gaps in national justice system of Georgia and undertake mapping of existing resources, policy, legislative and institutional  frameworks, political situation   and   vulnerabilities   for   strengthening / developing   such referral  system ,capacity and human resource  in  Georgia based on the best practices worldwide; 
• To review national security and defense  sector  policies  from a gender perspective and  map  existing institutional and  human capacities  to   develop recommendations for   engendering  security  sector   reforms  (SSR)   in  Georgia. 
• To recommend further programme interventions and benchmarks against which  the  change   and progress can be measured during and after  programme implementation.

To fulfill expected tasks  the international Consultant is expected: 

• To prepare a detailed work  plan  and  a methodology, outline of report    and  submit  them for  approval   to  UN Women SRO for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and to the UN Women Cross-regional Programme “Women Connect Across Conflicts: Building Accountability for Implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889” Programme Manager for feedback; 
• To consult  2 local experts to  be  hired  by  UN Women  to assist the international consultant for carrying out the tasks spelled out in this TOR and to reach agreement on  their  respective work-plans; 
• To  undertake    field  visits to Georgia  for carrying out  planned   consultations  and meetings with stakeholders  and partners and peace activists with indication of their capacities, role and  responsibilities within  the  programme implementation 
• To   undertake  consultations  with   national and regional stakeholders, including human  rights  defenders,  women-activists,   key   partners   and decision   makers, to  identify and  address  existing gaps  in baseline  data  and  information available and relevant to  the  programme areas,  existing policy  and  institutional  mechanisms, level  of capacity  of duty  bearers, civil society  and  other  rights holders; 
• To  finalize  the   programme  logical  and   expected  results  framework  by  recommending  a  set  of measurable  indicators and  targets  for  each  objective- level result in  line with  the  findings   of  the base line studies  and in close consultation  with UN Women relevant staff and the programme partners; 
• To prepare recommendations for development of the NAP on enforcement of UN SCRs in Georgia and to support national partners to review existing statistical frame to introduce indicators to monitor enforcement of the NAP on UN SCRs 
• To present and discuss findings of the assessments and review with key national takeholders to collect their feedback to finalize the assessments undertaken.

Key Deliverables and Timeframe: 

• A final report on findings of the assessments - June 24, 2011 
• Revised logframe for the  programme with  suggested detailed interventions, targets and indicators - June 24, 2011
• Detailed  mapping of the programme stakeholders (including of human rights and peace activists with indication of their capacities, role and  responsibilities within  the  programme implementation) - June 24, 2011
• Brief narrative report on fulfillment of all the tasks assigned by this ToR - June 24, 2011  

A final report should include, but is not limited to, baseline assessments with respective recommendations of the following: 

• existing policy, legislative and institutional frameworks and partnerships conducive to implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 in Georgia; 
• national justice system in Georgia and existing government and nongovernment referral mechanism (if any) for the victims/survivors of sexual violence during conflict; 
• national security and  defense system in Georgia

The timeframe for the work of International Consultant is tentatively planned through April-June, 2011. The consultant is expected to spend: 

• 20 days in Tbilisi, Georgia;
• 3 days in Almaty, Kirgizstan (towards the end of the assignment for visionary meeting)

Evaluation Procedure:
 
The candidates will be evaluated in two stages: technical evaluation and financial evaluation.

Technical evaluation criteria:
 
Nr. / Criteria / Maximum points

1. Relevant University Degree (20) 
2. At least 5 years of consultancy,  research and analytical work experience in the  field  of conflict prevention, response  and recovery, with  particular experience in complex and multi-component programmes (50) 
3. Proven track record in managing and monitoring results-based and rights-based national programming, including in-depth knowledge of results-based management approaches; ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations (30) 
4. Demonstrated knowledge of programming issues within the field of Women, peace and security, early warning, prevention and response, confidence building and conflict resolution issues, sexual violence during conflict  (50) 
5. Strong understanding of gender mainstreaming concept and ability to apply this tool; familiarization with CEDAW, BPA, UN Security council Resolutions (25)
6. International development experience and multi-cultural exposure (experience in Southern Caucasus/Georgia is an advantage– 10 pts, International development experience – 15 pts) (25) 
7. Strong analytical and presentation skills (25) 
8. Proficiency in English. (Knowledge of Russian is an advantage– 10 pts, English – 15 pts) (25) 
9. Interview (60 – demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; 15 - communication/interpersonal skills; 15 – initiative; 10 – creativity/resourcefulness)  (100)

Maximum total technical scoring: 350

Only candidates who have passed over the mandatory criteria and have accumulated at least 245 points under technical evaluation will qualify to the next round of financial evaluation.

Evaluation of financial proposal:
 
Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 150
 
S – score received on financial evaluation;
Fmin – the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
F – financial offer under consideration.
 
Winning candidate:
 
The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical
scoring + financial scoring).
 
Submission package: 

• CV; 
• Proposal explaining why they consider yourselves the most suitable for the work and Providing a brief methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and conduct the work; 
• Financial proposal – aggregated and with breakdown(total remuneration, travel expenses (per diems, tickets, lodging and terminal expenses) 
• Financial proposal*

*Each applicant will be required to submit an aggregated financial offer (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task).

Management Arrangements:

The contractor will work under the guidance of respective Programme Specialist of UN Women Regional Officer for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) and Programme Manager for cross-regional programme “Women Connect Across Conflicts: Building Accountability for Implementation of UN SCR 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889” and will benefit from technical and operational support of UN Women Georgia office.

Financial arrangements:

Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverable and certification by the Project Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of the issues of Women peace and security and gender equality; 
• Knowledge and experience with programming, monitoring and evaluation; 
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

• Masters degree in the development field

Experience: 

• At least 5 years experience in consultancy, research and analytical work in the field of conflict prevention, response and recovery, with particular experience in complex and multi-component programmes; 
• Proven track record in managing and monitoring results-based and rights-based national programming, including in-depth knowledge of results-based management approaches; ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations 
• Demonstrated knowledge of programming issues within the field of Women, peace and security, early warning, prevention and response, confidence building and conflict resolution issues, sexual violence during conflict;  
• Strong understanding of gender mainstreaming concept and ability to apply this tool; Familiarization with CEDAW, BPA, UN Security council Resolutions; 
• International development experience and multi-cultural exposure; Previous experience in South Caucasus region and in particular in Georgia is an asset.

Language requirements: 

• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of Russian would be an asset

In  July  2010, the  United  Nations General  Assembly   created UN Women, the  United  Nations  Entity for Gender  Equality and  the  Empowerment of Women.  The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater   impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts  of the  UN system (DAW, OSAGI,  INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused  exclusively on gender equality and women's  empowerment.