Background

Project background: Equality between women and men is not just a goal in itself: it is a precondition for the fulfillment of human rights and human development in general, and of the overall EU objectives in regard to growth, employment and social cohesion, in particular.

Gender Programme IPA 2010, run by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights-Department for Gender Equality, Delegation of European Union to Montenegro and UNDP, aims to improve the status of women as reflected in personal integrity, economic advancement and political representation. The specific objective of the project is to strengthen capacities, improve mechanisms, advance policies and improve the conditions for the implementation of the NAP for Gender Equality in following three areas: Fight against Violence in Family, Political Empowerment of Women and Economic Empowerment of Women.

In Montenegro, women have never had equal conditions for realizing their human rights nor opportunities to contribute to national, political, economic, social and cultural development, and consequently to benefit from these opportunities.  Despite the fact that more and more women are highly qualified and labor market participation of women is on the increase, women are still largely outnumbered by men in positions of responsibility in politics and business, particularly at the top level.

According to the database of the Department of Gender Equality within the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, 39.5% of all employees are women, out of whom only 7.2% are performing managerial tasks. Also, as 2007 survey done by the Governmental Office for Gender Equality, only 8% of the women are owners/co-owners of their homes/flats, 6% are car owners and 1% is business or company owners. The high level of education of women is not directly reflected in the positions they hold in the labor market. Women are mainly working in ‘feminized’ sectors and professions and remain in lower job categories with less access to senior positions. This is paradoxical when female students outnumber male in business, administration and law.

In the context of the economic crisis, it is important to promote a gender sensitive analysis of economic empowerment: to what extent are there gender differentials in the way citizens are affected by lack of economic opportunity? Abovementioned data shows that women, although well educated, still face obstacles in the economy and entrepreneurship. For example, only a very limited number of women have the opportunity to take out a bank loan and start their own business due to the fact they have neither the incentives nor the real estate to guarantee the loan. Having in mind that women present 50% of human capital and half of the labor force, it is clear that the economic potential of women as well as their economic opportunities have been limited. 

Therefore, specific financial mechanisms such as the Trust Fund for Women (TFW), which will provide support and guidance for female entrepreneurs under affordable financial arrangements, are needed. This unique financial mechanism will enable women to take out loans under special conditions while at the same time presenting a successful financial model for the banking system, Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions. Successful piloting of such an initiative in the long term will result in an increased number of women in business and a more gender-sensitive and flexible approach from financial institutions. Female entrepreneurs will benefit from both financial and technical assistance in order to develop, enhance and increase their sustainable business ideas. These measures will lead towards the strengthening of their capacities to play an active role in economic development over this period of time. TFW has been envisaged as an affordable, low interest rate for women starting up their own businesses that will ensure an individual approach to clients and on-going consultations in regard to the running of a business. In order to make sure that we are responding to all women’s needs and to ensure popular and favorable conditions proved in the region and internationally, a regulatory framework for the TFW will be developed. Establishment of the TFW should include not only a basic revolving fund but a set of measures that will introduce an interactive and supportive relationship between this financial mechanism and female entrepreneurs.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment: The purpose is to recruit an international consultant to work on development of the two suggestions for regulatory frameworks the Trust Fund for Women (TFW) for purpose of establishment the TFW at the local level in Montenegro.

Job content: Under the direct supervision of Gender Programme Manager, the consultant will be responsible for development of the two suggestions for regulatory frameworks the Trust Fund for Women (TFW) , which will determine the conditions and TFW flow. The proposed frameworks should be based on best EU practices and successful models from the Region applicable in Montenegrin economic environment.

Scope of work: Under the guidance of the Gender Programme Manager, an international consultant will conduct following main activities:

  • Desk research of regulatory framework, existing models of loans and existing programs for strengthening of women entrepreneurship in Montenegro and identification of existing regulatory and institutional gaps; 
  • Desk research of models and best practices in the region and in Europe on trust funds for women entrepreneurs;
  • Development of 2 possible models of regulatory framework for TFW that are suitable for Montenegro;
  • Proposals for further development and sustainability of TFW.

The expected results: Under the supervision of the UNDP Gender Programme Manager, an international consultant is expected  to deliver the following results:

  • Detailed report with main findings and 2 suggestions for regulatory frameworks for the TFW;
  • Presentation of the report to Programme staff and partners.

Timing of the work:  The Consultant will be engaged on short-term base (up to 15 working days) under Individual Contract immediately following the selection process of the best candidate. The Consultant will do preparatory work from home, but in close cooperation with Gender Programme. The tentative starting date is July 29, 2011.

The expert will be provided with the appropriate administrative support and all avialable documents regarding micro-finance in Montenegro in advance of his/her assignment with UNDP CO Montenegro.

Competencies

 

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds
    positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution
    skills.

Required Skills and Experience

  • University degree in  economics, Public administration, or other relevant fields from an internationally recognized institution;
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in the field of economic empowerment of disadvantaged groups, longer experience is an asset;
  • Proven expertise in the area of  Women Entrepreneurship  (preferably in the context of EU integration);
  • Extensive experience working on economic empowerment  issues in South Eastern Europe, and preferably in the western Balkans;
  • Experience with evaluations of complex reforms programs;
  • Excellent written and spoken English; Basic knowledge of local language would be distinctive advantage;
  • Excellent social, communicative skills and ability to operate under pressure.

 

Application Process: Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications to UNDP Office in Podgorica by e-mail to consultancy.me@undp.org  by Monday, 18th of July 2011.

The application should contain:


The short-listed candidates only will be requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work  envisaged in the section "Duties and Responsibilities".

More details of this vacancy related to Procurement Notice can be found on the following link: http://www.undp.org.me/files/jobs/2011/MNE%2011-046%20notice.pdf

 

General conditions of Service for Individual Contractors can be found on the following link: http://www.undp.org.me/files/jobs/forms/IC%20Conditions%20of%20Service.pdf

 

 

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer.