Background

UN Women was established by GA resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with a mandate to assist Member States and the UN system to progress more effectively and efficiently towards the goal of achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Since 2001 UN Women (previously as UNIFEM) in Kyrgyzstan has implemented catalytic initiatives on promoting women’s economic, political and social rights. In 2012 a full Country Office was established.

The consultancy is in support of the UN Women Kyrgyzstan Country Office’s Women, Peace and Security Cluster which coordinates a joint project by UN Women, IOM and UNFPA that is funded by the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO). The project is aligned with the Peacebuilding Priority Plan confirmed by Government of the Kyrgyz Republic which resulted in funding in 2013 under the United Nations Peace and Recovery Facility, PRF, and has now resulted in funding under the PBSO’s Immediate Response Facility, IRF for the Gender in Society Perceptions Study (GSPS) / KAP study that the incumbent will support with high-quality technical advice.

GSPS will engage a broad range of local actors, including governmental, academic, and civil society actors to carry out a nationwide study encompassing both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather information on gender equality. Through the research process, the capacity of state institutions, students, and civil society researchers will be enhanced by means of specialized training on gender-sensitive research methods, Do-No-Harm principles, and research ethics and the subsequent application of these skills in field research. The final outcomes of the GSPS will be widely distributed among a broad range of actors and findings will be integrated into national and regional policy and programming through a series of workshops designed to link the gender-relevant data to practicable interventions.

GSPS will identify critical threats to gender equality and potential conflict triggers in order to establish a credible, reliable evidence base for informed, targeted policymaking and programming for equitable gender outcomes. The project will be led by UN Women which will coordinate closely with partners UNFPA and IOM. The project partners with the National Statistics Committee (NSC) for quantitative study (under UNFPA supervision), and with analysts from state research institutions, professors and students from universities, researchers and experts for qualitative study (under UN Women supervision).

Rationale for the GSPS

Economic instability and disenfranchisement among youth, along with related migration trends, represent some of the greatest threats to gender equality and inclusive peacebuilding in the Kyrgyz Republic today. As substantial portions of the country’s young population, particularly women and men from rural areas, leave their communities to work abroad, family and neighbourhood support structures decay, allowing root causes of conflict to fester, including frustration with limited economic and social opportunities. This further exacerbates the symptoms of gender inequality, such as discrimination, violence, and exploitation of women and girls.

In the absence of effective mechanisms for countering disenchantment and feelings of insecurity, many youth are turning to alternative routes of economic and social activity including criminal enterprises and radical religious groups. Women, in particular, suffer from the lack of community support and assistance mechanisms as well as the risk of exploitation. National fear of the exploitation of women and girls resulted in growing support for the restriction of women’s liberties and freedom of movement, their right to access basic services and full participation in public life.

In addition, actors engaged in promoting gender equality in Kyrgyzstan lack a credible evidence base for policy formulation. There is a need to provide an evidence-based reliable source of information on risk factors for gender inequality and threats to inclusive peacebuilding in order to effectively respond to acute issues of women and girls through gender-sensitive policies and programming. This project addresses the urgent gendered aspects of peacebuilding expressed in Peace Building Fund objectives, the 7-Point Action Plan on Gender-Responsive Peacebuilding, and the National Action Plan on Security Council Resolution 1325. The GSPS would explore and clarify the fundamental problems of faltering trust and human security at the community level that were identified by the conflict analysis in the Kyrgyz Republic 2013 Peacebuilding Priorities Plan.

Primary Project Outcome

Policy making and programming pursued by state institutions, the United Nations Country Team, development partners and civil society ensures gender equality promotion and inclusive peacebuilding. By generating a substantial, reliable evidence base on the forms of gender discrimination and community-level trends that pose risks to women’s empowerment and prevent women’s full and meaningful participation in conflict resolution, the GSPS will create the conditions for significantly more effective and targeted interventions by government, UN agencies and other international organizations participating in ongoing peacebuilding efforts, NGOs, and other civil society representatives. This study will provide concrete quantitative data on a range of gender equality indicators, inter alia, proportion of women who have experienced gender discrimination in specific government and non-governmental institutions, and the number of women who exercise decision-making power at home, as well as qualitative information that will contribute to a better understanding of the data.

Through creating a clear and highly public understanding of where the most compelling threats to progression towards gender equality lie, the findings of the GSPS will simultaneously explain the modalities of these potential conflict triggers, exert pressure on government and civil society to effectively address these problem areas, and allow for informed, evidence-based policymaking. They will also enable the UNCT, including the implementing Recipient United Nations Organisations, to assess the effectiveness of their ongoing peacebuilding projects and make adjustments in future strategic planning and project design in order to directly address the threats and risks identified by the GSPS for lasting peace and gender equality. The results of this study will inform the development of the upcoming United Nations Development Assistance Framework for the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the country programmes for UN Women, UNFPA, IOM, UNDP, and others.

The programme’s goal formed the ground for the GSPS, designed around the following three outputs:

• Threats to gender equality and peace are identified through KAP study for more gender responsive policy and programming;
• National institutional capacity in gender-sensitive data collection and analysis is strengthened;
• Gender-sensitive research capacity is strengthened among universities, state researcher institutions and researchers.

The project result will be a fuller understanding of what underpins to the populations’ and disaggregated sub-groups’ (male/female, age, urban/rural, ethnicity, province of residence, etc.) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about gender relations and the role of women and girls in areas such as political participation, economic participation, a life free from violence (access to justice); and access to social services; and the status of women vis-à-vis men at the family and community level in the perceptions, attitudes and practices of respondents. It will provide policy-makers with intelligence on how to design policy and interventions to bridge any gap between public attitudes towards gender equality and the Constitutional guarantee of gender equality and human rights.

Division of responsibilities

In implementing the GSPS, each of the three partner agencies will contribute to the overall project. UN Women, as the lead agency, will implement the qualitative research component, particularly the identification, training, and supervision of the qualitative research design team; the training and supervision of qualitative research teams across the country as they collect data; and the supervision of the qualitative data analysis. UNFPA will manage and monitor the quantitative research component, implemented by NSC, and the quantitative data collection, input, cleaning, and analysis. UN Women is also responsible for the integration of the qualitative analysis with the analysis of quantitative data received from UNFPA into the final study results to be presented to the public. IOM will provide substantive expertise for the training of research teams on sensitive interviewing techniques, confidentiality, and secure data storage and management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The purpose of the consultancy is to take the lead on designing; prepare for implementation and provide oversight over initial implementation of GSPS comprised of qualitative and quantitative components using Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) tool. The overall objective of the GSPS is to establish household, community and public level data and information on key risk factors for gender inequality and threats for violence affecting women and girls (what is known, believed and practiced).

Specific objectives of the GSPS are to:

• SO1: Understand pressing interpersonal and structural issues leading to gender discrimination, violence and exploitation;
• SO2: Understand community-level trends and shifting societal perception of gender stereotypes and relations;
• SO3: Understand the relationship between gender inequality and potential conflict triggers, including women’s role in peacebuilding.

Proposed GSPS thematic pillars (3 or 4) will also attend to:

• Women in political decision making, governance, leadership and peace-building;
• Women’s economic empowerment and labour force participation;
• Ending violence against women and girls.

There will be nine administrative units where research will be conducted. Analytical reports be drafted for each of the confirmed pillars for each of the administrative units, as well as aggregated for each of the pillars, and an overall report presenting the research across all pillars and administrative unit. For each pillar and administrative unit there will be a sufficient number of gender disaggregated interactions with respondents, including with all ethnicities significantly present in such an administrative unit.

Tasks

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of UN Women Kyrgyz Republic Country Office and in day-to-day interaction with the Project Coordinator, the Research Consultant (international) will design, implement and coordinate the qualitative and quantitative components of the study using KAP tool. The Research Consultant (international) will lead the research team for the qualitative and quantitative components, comprised of approximately five carefully selected members of the Research Working Group (RWG) who will be hired as national consultants based on established criteria and confirmed by the UN Women. The RWG will consist of academics, analysts from state research institutions and researchers with a track record of high-level qualitative and quantitative research. The research team will also include 20 other individuals as members of the Field Research Team (FRT) for qualitative component of the study, comprised of researchers and selected students, and members of the NSC for quantitative component of the study. Study endorsement will be provided by the Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG), comprising of a wide range of government stakeholders, analysts from research institutions, experts and other actors, who will inform and consult on the process of GSPS implementation, including providing feedback on methodology and questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides development.

Specifically, the Consultant will:

Activity 1. Develop the GSPS protocol

The RWG will conduct initial desk-research on preliminary research areas identified by UN Women, UNFPA and IOM and draft the report and research questions. Based on the results of the research on existing documents and information, the Consultant will document the specific objectives of the study. In close interaction with the national RWG members, the Consultant will develop the study protocol, propose final study questions to UN Women for the qualitative component and to UNFPA for quantitative component. The protocol will outline details on the scope of the research, target population and sample size, data collection tools and technical issues on conducting the GSPS. The RWG will support the Consultant in collecting feedback on study protocol from SWG and other relevant partners and government stakeholders.

Activity 2. Draft the GSPS questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides, and study analysis plan

Based on developed study protocol, the Consultant then will draft the study questionnaire for quantitative component and guides for qualitative component (such as for inter alia focus group discussions, interviews, other), with participation and validation of SWG, who will be consulted throughout. The questionnaire and guides will be finalised after all inputs have been received and the three UN partners have confirmed it. Necessary revisions after conducting a pre-test exercise will be also integrated in the final version. In the process of questionnaire and guides development, the Consultant will work closely with UN Women on qualitative component and with UNFPA on quantitative component to align two components of the research and inter-link qualitative and quantitative questions. IOM will contribute and participate in this process. In addition, study analysis plan will be developed by the Consultant to describe clearly and guide the stages of data management, processing, analysis and interpretation.

Activity 3. Train researchers on GSPS and pre-test research

The Consultant will develop a training module on how to implement a GSPS and conduct a training for the RWG researchers. The training will inform the participants on GSPS using KAP methodology, goal of the research, roles and responsibilities, the content and use of questionnaires and interview/group discussion guides, and explain supervision and quality control procedures and other. In addition, the Consultant together with RWG members as co-trainers will conduct a training on how to implement GSPS using KAP tool for FRT members of qualitative component of the research and for National Statistical Committee members of quantitative component of the research, including sessions on interviewing techniques on sensitive topics, gender-sensitive interviewing, confidentiality and Do-No-Harm principles. Prior to starting field study, field researchers will need to pass a written theoretical test and an actual practical field interview exercise.

Activity 4. Supervise the GSPS implementation

The RWG will advise on forming FRT that will be responsible for qualitative data collection and processing in line with protocol developed by the Consultant and approved by UN Women across nine administrative units of Kyrgyzstan (seven regions and the cities of Bishkek and Osh). Quantitative data collection and processing will be carried out by the researchers from NSC. The Consultant will supervise the start-up of data collection and provide feedback based on samples analysed with the aim to certify the quality of the entire research exercise according to internationally practiced standards by establishing monitoring and quality control system, ensuring proper data collection, processing and confidential data storage. The RWG will closely support the Consultant by directly monitoring data collection and processing and guiding FRT on implementing qualitative component of the research and NSC on implementing quantitative component of the research.

Activity 5. Strengthen the capacity of the RWG, FRT and NSC

The Consultant will capacitate RWG members, FRT members and NSC experts on how to implement the GSPS using the KAP methodology. Members of the FRT will have basic understanding of research work, with only few having solid experience. The RWG will improve their knowledge and experiences in qualitative research by working under close guidance and expertise of the Consultant and participating in all the stages of GSPS implementation, especially in the design of KAP methodology, questionnaire, interview/group discussion guides and quality control. NSC experts will improve their knowledge and experience in use of the KAP tool.

Additional Activity outside of the current ToR but planned in the framework of the project

Activity 6. Analyse and interpret data and produce final GSPS report [optional, TBD]

The Consultant will analyse and interpret collected and processed qualitative and quantitative data. During the process of data interpretation, the Consultant will identify errors which occurred in the field or during data processing before analysing the data, make reference to the study objectives, the key study questions and an analysis plan, use cross-tabulation to highlight differences between groups/categories of participants in the study and others. The Consultant will then produce final report based on review of the findings, integrating analysis of quantitative and qualitative components of the study. The final report will be then presented at the conference to a wider audience. RWG members will closely work with the Consultant to support and participate in the analysis and production of the final GSPS report.

Distribution of roles between the Consultant, RWG, FRT, NST, SAG:

• Conduct desk research of existing documents and information based on objectives of the study provided by UN Women, UNFPA and IOM (RWG);
• Familiarise themselves with overall objective of the study and propose specific objectives (C, RWG, SAG);
• Develop the study protocol (C, RWG);
• Define the key study questions (C, RWG);
• Identify the population to be interviewed and the sample (C, RWG);
• Identify potential geographical areas to be involved (C, RWG);
• Design and develop data collection tools (C, RWG);
• Work on ethics and sensitivity of the study (C, RWG);
• Create the work plan (C, RWG);
• Describe the use and dissemination of study results (C, RWG);
• Discuss and consult study protocol with relevant partners and stakeholders, including state actors (C, RWG, SAG);
• Draft the study questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides (C, RWG);
• Discuss and reach consensus about the study questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides with relevant partners and stakeholders, including state actors (C, RWG, SAG);
• Draw up study analysis plan (C);
• Finalise the questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides based on pre-test results (C);
• Train researchers on GSPS and pre-test research (C);
• Develop training module on GSPS (C);
• Train researchers on study design, including process, methods, questionnaires, interview/group discussion guides, collect feedback and finalise the study design (C, RWG);
• Conduct pre-test study, debrief the project team (C, RWG, FRT, NSC);
• Collect data and guarantee quality control (C, RWG, FRT, NSC);
• Collect and process data (FRT, NSC);
• Monitor and quality control (C, RWG);
• Analyse and interpret data and produce final report [optional, TBD] (C, RWG).

All of the above to be confirmed by the UN lead agency which is overall responsible for achievement of results.

Deliverables:

GSPS protocol:

• The Consultant is expected to submit a study protocol with details on how the research will be carried from his/her point of view based on internationally accepted good practice. The protocol will outline the tools and detail work plan for the entire exercise.

Training for researchers based on the training module developed:

• The Consultant will submit a training module for researchers on the GSPS and deliver training for researchers.

GSPS questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides:

• The draft questionnaire for quantitative component of the research and interview/group discussion guides for qualitative component of the research will be submitted for review. This will take place in the planning phase of the study.

GSPS analysis plan:

• The Consultant will develop and submit the draft of the data analysis plan for quantitative and qualitative components of the research. This analysis plan will be submitted together with GSPS questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides.

Monitoring and quality control system:

• The Consultant will develop and share with the RWG members a monitoring and quality control system for quantitative and qualitative components of the study.

Final report:

• A detailed final narrative report on activities carried out will be submitted by the Consultant upon completion of his/her tasks as per the above, each of which will need to be accepted by UN Women.

Timeline and Duration

The duration of the consultancy will be for up to 46 days. The Consultant’s presence will be required in Bishkek, with a brief field visit.

The timeline and duration should be according to the following plan:

• Activity 1. Develop the GSPS protocol [May 2015, 5 days];
• Activity 2. Draft the GSPS questionnaire and interview/group discussion guides in collaboration with the RWG [May-June 2015, 16 days];
• Activity 3. Train researchers on the GSPS and pre-test a research [June 2015, 5 days for preparation and 10 days for conducting three trainings];
• Activity 4. Supervise the GSPS implementation [July-August 2015, 10 days];
• Activity 5. Strengthen the capacity of the RWG, FRT, and NSC [June 2015, throughout].

As an additional activity outside of the current ToR, involvement of the consultant in the actual data analysis and interpretation of the data is preferred. However, given that data will be collected in the Kyrgyz, Russian and Uzbek languages, the involvement of the consultant beyond guiding the RWG during the assignment to Bishkek, and the timing cannot presently be estimated. In line with UN financial rules, the consultant selected for the above assignment will be considered for any follow-up assignment focussing on data analysis and interpretation including report-writing.

Management Arrangements

Organizational Setting: the consultant will report to the Representative of UN Women Kyrgyz Republic Country Office and work under the day-to-day guidance of the UN Women Project Coordinator. The contractor will also work closely with other UN Agencies, including UNFPA, IOM and the NSC.

Financial Arrangements

As a guiding principle, the fees payable should be based on the minimum amount necessary to obtain quality services for UN Women. UN Women has as a benchmark, the range of negotiating rates for international individual contractors. A daily fee rate cannot be charged more often than six times every seven days based on a six-day working week.

Payment of fees will be disbursed in one instalment upon submission and approval of all deliverables and certification by the UN Women Representative that the services have been satisfactorily performed. The daily subsistence allowance payable per each night stayed in places the contractor does not reside in is based on the UN DSA rate. 80% of DSA will be paid at the start of the mission to Bishkek and an air ticket or a lump-sum for air travel will be provided at the discretion of the UN Women Country Office.

Travel Arrangements

• Traveller’s Responsibilities prior to Duty Travel.

Traveller must ensure that he/she has the following:

• national passport (with at least 9 months validity);
• valid visa (if required) to the mission country and transit visa (if required);
• valid visa to re-enter the country of the traveller’s duty station (if applicable);
• the approved security clearance through TRIP, from the respective Designated Official for security, regardless of destination;
• a valid Basic Security in the Field certificate
• a valid Advanced Security in the Field certificate;
• full medical  insurance for the duty station; and
• medical statement of good health.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient implementation and management of a qualitative and quantitative research;
• Skills on key qualitative and quantitative analysis software such as inter alia Nudist Vivo, SPSS and others;
• Ability to establish, build and sustain effective relationships with project partners and stakeholders;
• Knowledge in human relations, coordination, planning and team work;
• A commitment to quality product and deadlines;
• Logic and the ability to operate systematically;
• Excellent report-writing and analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A post graduate degree in the social sciences or another relevant field, such as statistics, gender studies, peace-building, and public policy.

Experience:

• Minimum eight years of work experience on quantitative and qualitative research and analysis in three or more countries;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the design of a study protocol, tools, questionnaire, interview/group discussion guides, and data analysis;
• Experience with the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research using KAP tool is a must
• Verifiable field research experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge in the thematic area of gender equality and/or women’s social, political or economic empowerment is a requirement. Having such experience in Kyrgyzstan and/or Central Asia is an asset;
• Practitioner of participatory methodologies and M&E systems;
• Experience of working with the UN is an asset;
• Creates, edits and presents information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality.

 Language:

• Fluency in English, working knowledge of Russian is an asset.

The Consultant shall promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations and commits to high standards of quality, productivity and timeliness in the delivery of tasks. The Consultant will meet and apply the highest standards of integrity and impartiality.

The Consultant must be fully dedicated to the mandate and the values of UN Women, particularly to promoting Gender Equality as a strategy to reduce conflict, improve livelihoods and ensure fairness and justice; to Women Empowerment underpinning Gender Equality promotion efforts; to inter-ethnic tolerance and concord; and to respect for diversity.

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.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted! Candidates can only be shortlisted if they profess to meet all the mandatory requirements in the Job Description.

All online applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P_11_form_UNwomen.doc).

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.