Background
Uganda has signed and ratified important international and regional gender equality commitments, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1985) and the Maputo Protocol on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2010). The treaties have been translated into national legal frameworks and policies to advance gender equality and empowerment of women in the country. Under the 1995 Ugandan Constitution Article 33 refers to the Rights of Women, with article 33(1) indicating that ‘’women shall be accorded full and equal dignity of the person with men’’. The Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) is mandated to lead the implementation and coordination of all gender policies and programmes in Uganda.
In spite of this conducive legal and policy environment, women still experience challenges because of persistent gender equality gaps in different areas of life. A number of bills impacting on women’s rights have remained pending in the Ugandan Parliament for a long time. These bills have clear implications on women’s ability to exercise their rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women, CEDAW and Universal Periodic Review recommendations.
In light of the above, UN Women Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development is commissioning a study to review the pending legislation. The objectives of the study are to: (i) establish their compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and regional and international human rights instruments and standards; (ii) provide an evidence based analysis of the gender gaps that exist in these laws; (iii) make a case for enactment of the laws and amendments, including a sample of regional and international best practices; (iv) inform the stakeholders on key women’s rights advocacy issues in general; (v) provide expert analysis to legislators, policy makers, women's rights practitioners and development partners, including legal text to reform the pending legislation for the better protection of women's rights in Uganda; and (vi) give clear recommendations of the desired legislative provisions in line with international human rights instruments and standards.
The consultancy is in line with UN Women’s global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. It is also in line with the UN Women Uganda Strategic Note 2016-2020 and with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Uganda. The consultancy should take cognizance of the policy and planning framework in Uganda namely, Vision 2040, National Development Plan II and the Uganda Gender Policy 2007.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Political participation and Leadership Specialist, the consultant will:
Submit an approved work plan and inception report including/based on:
- A strategic framework to undertake the analysis and review of the list of priority bills and laws including suggested language to reform/revise the pending legislation in line with CEDAW and other regional and international human rights instruments that protect women’s human rights;
- This research plan should include the following components: (i) Aim of the study; (ii) Theoretical Framework; (iii) Rationale for the Study; (iv) Research design and methodology; (v) Guiding research questions; (vi) Data collection methods, including list of potential interviewees; (vii) Data analysis; (viii)Time-frame and work plan;
- Proposed research instruments to investigate efforts to develop standards for legislative reforms, constitutional principles and provisions that protect women’s human rights;
- Convene and facilitate a reference group meeting to share the Research Plan and Research Instruments to assure quality of the research design and methodology before research begins.
Conduct literature and document reviews, conduct interviews as per the research design and methodology:
- Conduct human rights-based analysis of pending legislation in line with CEDAW and other international and regional human rights instruments and standards that protect women’s human rights and promote gender equality;
- Develop a detailed outline of the study’s content [including Chapters and the information and analysis provided in each chapter] for review by UN Women, MGLSD and key stakeholders to guide the analysis and write-up of the study;
- Draft report containing detailed findings and recommendations;
- Develop a detailed bibliography and list of documents for the literature and document review.
Hold an Experts’ Group meeting to validate the findings and recommendations:
- Submit final narrative report, incorporating comments and recommendations from the Experts’ Group meetings, and feedback from UN Women, MGLSD, UWOPA and other key stakeholders.
Deliverables:
- Approved work plan and inception report;
- Report on at least 2 reference group meetings for quality assurance and policy compliance;
- A draft report containing detailed findings and recommendations submitted to UN Women, MGLSD and UWOPA;
- Report on the Experts’ Group Meeting (EGM) to validate the findings and recommendations of the study;
- A final manuscript, incorporating comments and recommendations from the EGM, and feedback from UN Women, MGLSD, UWOPA and other key stakeholders;
- Any other requests from UN Women in respect to the objectives of this study.
Competencies
Core Values/Guiding Principles:
Integrity:
- Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
Professionalism:
- Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
- Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.
Core competencies:
Ethics and Values:
- Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.
Organizational Awareness:
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Work in teams:
- Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Communicating and Information Sharing:
- Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:
- Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.
Conflict Management:
- Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
- Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced University degree in law with recognized international experience in Constitutional Law and Gender and Development or social sciences or in any other related field.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of experience in reviewing legislations including constitutional reform processes in respect to CEDAW and other international and regional instruments that protect women’s human rights and achievement of gender equality in Africa;
- Strong understanding of the Uganda Constitution, CEDAW, African Charter protocol on rights of women and other regional and international protocols on women’s rights and gender equality;
- Has published high standard international manuscripts and reports on women’s human rights;
- Experience in working with government, parliaments and UN agencies, CSOs, with specific focus on Gender issues in legislation reform processes in Africa;
- Excellent organizational and analytical abilities and excellent research background;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- High level of proficiency in computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications;
- Ability to work independently with little supervision;
- Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
- Knowledge of local languages will be an advantage.
Language:
- Knowledge of English is required;
- Knowledge of any other local language of the duty station is an asset.
Evaluation of applicants Candidates will be selected on the basis of cumulative analysis of:
- Technical Qualification (100 points) weight [70%];
- Financial/Price Proposal (100 points) weight [30%].
A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.
Technical Qualification evaluation criteria:
The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the offer or/individual is evaluated based on following:
- Qualification and background- 10 Points;
- International experience in evaluating legislation impacting on women’s rights- 30 Points;
- Strong academic research skills on gender, law, policy analysis and women’s rights- 30 Points;
- Previous publications on gender and law- 20 Points;
- Language- 10 Points.
Financial Proposal review criteria:
The financial proposal will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
- The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100;
- The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
Application procedure:
The consultant is required to upload an electronic application in one single PDF on the jobs website not later than 20th March 2017. The application should include the following documents/information.
- Cover letter outlining experiences relevant to this assignment and availability for assignment;
- CV or Personal History Form - P 11” which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references and links to edited documents, publications in the areas of focus as a requirement for the process;
- Financial proposal for the consultancy stating all-inclusive fixed total contract price in Uganda Shillings.
- A brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
- Methodology including time of how the candidate will conduct the editing and reviewing of the reports.