Background

Background

Prior to the escalation of the current conflict in Yemen during March of 2015, Yemen has faced a long history of conflicts, on localized, regional and national scales. Further, it has ranked at the bottom of several global gender indexes, most notably the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Index, which ranked it last in 2014, a position it previously occupied for a decade. Unfortunately, the escalation in hostilities, and the subsequent massive humanitarian crisis have caused the already unenviable status of women and girls in Yemen to go from bad to worse.  

Rationale

Violence, poverty, conflict and gender inequalities are not a new phenomenon in Yemen, thus a study exploring the impact of the conflict on Yemeni females must view March 2015 as a tipping point, rather than a starting point. Therefore, this study will explore these issues in a qualitative approach, avoiding the potential reductionism of looking for causalities, and comparisons in strictly “before-then-after” March 2015 (although this date, and its aftermath, will be viewed as very significant).

Although there have been some studies conducted on gender inequalities in Yemen, and how the ongoing conflict has deleteriously impacted women, they have been narrowly focused in scope, or limited geographically. Some also face methodological issues, and made generalized statements based on limited sample sizes. Given the diversity of gender dynamics in Yemen shaped by many factors, there is a real need for a nation-wide study, which will identify regional trends, enable comparisons, and explore different themes.

Currently, humanitarian interventions in Yemen often lack gender analysis, and women and girls (as well as other vulnerable groups) face substantial protection, and access issues, which if ignored can cause unintended harm. In order to improve the gender-responsiveness of interventions this study will explore a range of impacts of the conflict (including some possible positive impacts). This study will contribute to advocacy for more diverse, and holistic needs to be prioritized by donors and implementing agencies, and improve understanding and awareness of how Yemen’s legacy of conflict and violence has impacted its highly diverse female population. It will also look at Yemeni women’s autonomous resilience which may present entry points for interventions. Aside from raising awareness and understanding, the study will also make recommendations for improvements that could be made to ongoing and future interventions to: 1) directly address the needs of women and girls; 2) mitigate negative repercussions of interventions for women; and 3) when possible to seek to narrow the gender gap in Yemen.  It will also connect humanitarian efforts to political, social and economic categories of analysis to produce comprehensive and intersectional knowledge and interventions. The study is designed to contribute to humanitarian efforts, academic research, donors and policy circles.  The study will seek an integrated approach, rather than examining humanitarian aspects as an isolated category of analysis and assessment, it will strive to connect to other historical, social, economic and political angles to achieve an intersectional analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research Question

How has the ongoing conflict in Yemen, escalating since March 2015, impacted women and girls, their roles in society, vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms?

Thematic Areas: Lines of Inquiry

The methodology (see further below) will be primarily qualitative (key informant interviews and focus group discussions), with digital analysis of data. Study questions will focus around key themes which are listed (non-exhaustively) under each sub-question. In order to maximize quality of results, the scope of this question will be controlled, and limited to three distinct, yet complimentary lines of inquiry:

1. How has conflict in Yemen, and the recent escalation in the humanitarian crisis made women more vulnerable (increased psychosocial vulnerability, decline in well-being, and vulnerability to GBV).

1. Explore characteristics of resilience among women, girls and families and identify coping strategies in facing the economic, cultural, physical and psycho-social impact of the war.

1. What are the gaps, and barriers that women and girls face in accessing humanitarian assistance, and issues in the quality of assistance?

Objective

To generate a knowledge product, for wide dissemination (in English and Arabic) exploring the impact of the conflict in Yemen on women and girls, and how the most recent escalation of violence has gravely exacerbated the situation, inclusive of recommendations to guide humanitarian workers on how to improve the gender-responsiveness of their interventions in Yemen.

The study will be largely qualitative but may combine qualitative and quantitative data, video clips and still photographs to paint a portrait of the cultural, physical and psycho-social impact of the conflict on women and girls. The study will seek to highlight how the conflict has affected various classes and groups of women, girls and their families, as well as targeting vulnerable populations such as IDPs, muhmasheen,[1] disabled, elderly, widows, orphans, those dependent on humanitarian assistance and refugees and migrants.

The resulting study will be translated into Arabic, published and disseminated through various electronic and print channels by the participating organizations. The study will be coordinated with relevant humanitarian partners, and local authorities in the 22 governorates and the Capital City of Sana’a.

Methodology

The IC will do the analyses and drafting of the report following collection and submission of the data collected by the national firm.

the scope will be in the data analysis, outlining, and drafting of the report. Primarily, the study takes a qualitative approach in order to develop more understanding about gender dimensions of humanitarian programming. It is hoped, that due to the long history of conflicts in Yemen, on local, regional and national scales, the study will not be reduced to strictly “before and after” comparisons and analysis. It is anticipated that the study will encompass focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Female beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance will be the primary informants of the study, and the targets of focus group discussions. Key informant interviews will involve gender focal points, legitimate and de facto authorities, civil servants (doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers) and humanitarian workers, especially those based in the field (both male and female).

Aside from qualitative and thematic analysis, themes and salient issues discussed among informants will be identified and quantified in order to present the issues that are most and least common, with regional and national comparisons. Maps and infographics will also be generated in order to present rankings, and comparisons of governorates where women have become the most vulnerable, and also rankings and comparisons will be made among governorates in regard to gender-based humanitarian access issues (which governorates provide the most, and least accessible humanitarian assistance to women and girls). All governorates will be covered in the study, with likely sub-contracting of field researchers, in order to facilitate regional comparisons and analyses within the country.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The individual consultant is expected to communicate with the study focal point (as often as required for clarification, any necessary updates and for consultation on any issues arising).

Expected outputs and Deliverables:

1. Institutional Arrangement: Gender Advisor of UNDP, is the focal point for the study and responsible for day-to-day questions and management of the study.

Time and Method of payment:

· Payment shall be provided upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables outlined in the table above. Payment requests submitted by the Consultant must be certified by the supervisor(s) 

· Payments are to be made within 30 days from receipt of invoice.

· For each payment a certification of payment needs to be signed and approved by the direct supervisor attached to it explaining the accomplishment of the tasks.

[1] Literally meaning “marginalized,” a highly discriminated against group who were traditional servants of African origin occupying the lowest rungs of the tribal social stratification hierarchy in Yemen prior to the 1960s revolutions in North and South Yemen.

Competencies

Competencies:

Functional Skills:

• Demonstrated ability of analytical and drafting work;
• Familiarity with computers and word processing (WORD, EXCEL, Power Point)
• Fluency in English language;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Self-reliant and able to work as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful environment.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Professionalism:

· Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments; observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

 Communication:

· Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Required Skills and Experience

Desired Qualifications and Competencies of Applicants

• Ability to write high quality academic reports in English and Arabic essential
• Familiarity with context of Yemen essential
• Graduate degree or higher in social sciences, gender, development, public administration or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience on conducting high level research and producing reports of a high quality. Academic publications are an asset.
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical capabilities
• Excellent quantitative, and qualitative analytical skills are required. A PhD, or proven high-quality research track-record is essential. Evidence of this, such as publications in academic journals would be a strong asset.                                                                                                            
• Intercultural awareness, and ability to work in diverse teams                                                               
• Analytical abilities, ability to conduct thematic, comparative, qualitative and quantitative analysis is required                                                                                                                                                
• Attention to detail, academic rigor, commitment to excellence and academic integrity is required        
• Excellent writing skills, and the ability to present dense, qualitative data in a user-friendly manner is essential                                                                                                                                               
• Openness to feedback, time management, conscientiousness in work, organizational skills, ability to take initiative, and flexibility is required                                                                                                                                  
• Awareness of gender issues, especially in crisis and humanitarian settings would be an advantage                                                                                                                                           
• Experience, or familiarity with the region, especially Yemen would be an asset                                     
• Ability to very closely follow instructions, and seek clarification if needed                                                                                                                                         
• Transparency, adherence to academic integrity, and awareness of ethical standards involving research on human being.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposal: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications and interest.

1. Technical Proposal: (which will include the following):

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

• UN P11 Form (“CV Form”) – Annex

• A brief Methodology on how the candidate will approach and conduct the work. (The expert is asked in his/her offer submission in the methodologies section to bring the description of the above-mentioned points.

B- Financial proposal:

The applicants requested to submit lump-sum and the Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (please see attached breakdown template).

Evaluation Criteria:

The award will be based on the Combined Scoring method 70% technical evaluation and 30% financial evaluation (highest ranked candidate).

Technical proposal 70%

Financial evaluation: 30 %: 

To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received by UNDP.

In this methodology, the maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. A suggested formula is as follows:

p = y (µ/z)

Where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The candidate obtaining the overall highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal should be selected for the award.