Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate the United Nations system’s efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

In Papua New Guinea, women are half as likely to be employed in formal sector work than men. Most women earn their living from the informal sector where they are unprotected from economic shocks. UN Women has been working with the Government to research the extent of women’s economic contribution to the informal sector as a way of helping the National Government roll out an effective Informal Economy policy that protects workers interests more and recognises their contribution to the national economy.

There are no women in Parliament now and only seven since Independence in 1975 and there is also evidence that there are less women working at provincial and district levels, thereby reducing women’s voice in political and administrative decision making.

UN Women has supported key government and Civil Society actors to implement a Safe City Flagship programme in Port Moresby to promote safe markets and safe public transportation. Lessons from the programme indicate that appropriate and consultative design of public infrastructure facilitates behaviour change in public spaces and contributes to a safer environment for women and girls, which has the potential to promote women’s economic empowerment. The Safe City model will be replicated in selected districts in PNG. This will enable UN Women to provide gender-responsive technical inputs into design and creation of safe and inclusive public spaces to promote the mobility and civic participation of women and girls.

Context & Rationale

Violent crime in Port Moresby and other parts of Papua New Guinea threatens the safety and security of all citizens, and particularly women and girls, who live in fear of physical and sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence. The constant state of insecurity prevents women from leading the normal lives of free citizens – walking in certain parts of the city, travelling at certain times (especially in the early morning and late afternoon when streets are empty. The high rate of violence further reduces women and girls’ participation in all forms of social, economic and political life.

It is estimated that 85% of employment opportunities in PNG exist in the agriculture sector, providing significant opportunities for women and men to participate in the country’s economic growth. Accordingly, markets provide the spaces for women who grow their own food to sell their surplus agricultural produce and other goods to provide income for themselves and their households. Markets are often the only public spaces where women and men can socialize with other members of the community. However, the opportunity that markets provide to communities for socialization and subsistence is undermined by the violence, which is endemic in markets and other public spaces across the country, particularly against women and girls. The absence of public administration and adequate management of these public spaces also diminishes the potential impact that markets could have in the economic development of PNG.

Sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women and girls in public spaces are endemic in PNG, in cities, districts and rural areas, especially in markets; 64% of both male and female respondents in a Safe City scoping study reported witnessing some form of sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG) in the markets and vicinity. Many women and girls do not enjoy their right to freedom of movement; are not able to pursue educational and economic advancement possibilities; and their access to services and recreational facilities are severely constrained. Freedom of movement is a human right. It is also essential to economic growth.

In Papua New Guinea, gender based violence is closely linked to women’s ability to influence design making in their families and communities. Women’s ability to influence decisions is also closely linked to their ability to earn and control income. Any intervention in one of these domains will influence the other, either positively or negatively. Working in markets and urban development in general, has the potential to leverage outcomes in each of these related domains. UN Women has found this to be true through lessons from Safe Cities in Port Moresby. In addition, markets are one part of the urban environment. They are not stand-alone islands. Markets depend on transport links, agricultural produce, access to other services, information systems and good market administration. A Safe District program should look at markets as part of the social ecosystem and not a stand-alone infrastructure.

This initiative is an effort to provide a Political Economy Analysis dimension that is gender responsive, with regard to a scoping study assignment being conducted by UN Women. This aims to translate the gains from its Safe City work in Port Moresby to other towns and districts such as Lae, Buin, and the Sepik region; where there is an increasing demand for gender sensitive urban and district planning and implementation and interest in improving women’s economic empowerment. Development actors who have learnt about the result oriented partnerships that have bought about transformative change in Port Moresby are now beginning to demand for similar support in their own communities.  This is also in line with the SDGs agenda which requires that no one be left behind. This assignment will enable UN Women to appraise available information, conduct further investigation to fill knowledge gaps and inform project design for the next phase of our work on gender sensitive urban development in the new programme locations in both cities and rural districts.

Political Economy Analysis (PEA) has been found to facilitate more effective and politically feasible development policy options, as well as inform more realistic expectations of what can be achieved, and the risks involved. It is expected that this will also contribute to better results by identifying where the main opportunities and barriers for policy reform exist and how UN Women can use its programming and influencing tools to promote positive change. This is particularly relevant in fragile and conflict-affected environments where the challenge of building peaceful states and societies is fundamentally political.

Objectives of the assignment

The key objective of the assignment is to provide:

1. A robust and gender sensitive Political Economy perspective in the context of a project scoping study and project design for a proposed Safe and Prosperous Districts Project, applying lessons learnt from UN Women Safe City and Safe Public Transport Programmes to a rural and peri-urban context and improving the focus on economic development.
2. An analysis of the economic opportunities in for the design (including trade and the formal economy) to understand how to unlock women’s economic potential in the region covered by the Safe and Prosperous Districts design.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities       

The consultant will provide a Political Economy and economic analysis regarding a proposed Safe and Prosperous District programme in the following target areas:

1. East Sepik Province and Nuku District in West Sepik Province;
2. Buin District in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB)
3. Lae City in Morobe Province

The Consultant will engage with stakeholders and conduct consultations among (but not limited to) the following stakeholders:

• Women and girls as key beneficiaries of the programme;
• Industry representatives including CCI and export companies such as Agmark
• Key service providers including Market Management Authorities;
• Market Vendors;
• District Development Authorities (DDAs);
• Key Public transport operators and regulators;
• Provincial Authorities
• NGOs and Churches already supporting women
• Other actors who may have a role to play in influencing the proposed project one way or another.

This assignment will provide an understanding of what drives political and economic behaviour, how this shapes particular policies and programmes, who are the main “winners” and “losers”, and what the implications are for Safe and Prosperous District strategies and programmes. Specifically:

• The interests and incentives facing different groups in society (and particularly political elites), and how these generate particular policy outcomes that may encourage or hinder the programme, particularly in improving equality and opportunities for women;
• The role that formal institutions (e.g. rule of law, elections) and informal social, political and cultural norms play in shaping human interaction and political and economic competition with regard to programme objectives;
• The impact of values and ideas, including political ideologies, religious and cultural beliefs, on political and economic behaviour and public policy.

The Assignment

Submit a proposed methodology for the assignment, based on a strong political economy and economic development perspective, ensuring that the various objectives and approaches of the Safe & Prosperous District programme are placed within their political and historical context in the respective geographical target areas. In that regard, the consultant will include the following aspects in the final consideration:

• Foundational Factors: Deeply embedded national and sub-national structures that shape the character and legitimacy of the state, the political system and economic choices, considering conflict-affected communities, natural resource dynamics, or class structures
• Rules of the Game: Formal and informal institutions (rules and norms) that influence i.e. women and men’s behaviour, their incentives, relationships and their capacity for collective action. This encompasses both the formal constitutional and legal framework, as well as informal norms, social and cultural traditions that guide behaviour in practice.
• The Here and Now: Current or recent behaviour of women and men -- individuals and groups and their response to events (“games within the rules”) that provide opportunities for, or impediments to change, particularly for the role of women. For example: how leadership changes and how domestic and international pressures impact social, political and economic structures and processes, what is happening currently within DDA’s and how to increase women’s voice and influence.
• Dynamics: What features are in flux and may drive an opening or closing of space for change including the advancement of gender equality objectives? What domestic and foreign drivers of change are acting on society already? What levels of complexity and uncertainty are there in any potential changes that are identified?
• An analysis of economic opportunities in the formal sector for women; how these differ between women and men, and how economic opportunities can both unlock women’s economic potential and increase their agency.

The methodology should ensure women and girls who will be beneficiaries of the programme are adequality consulted and their views fully taken on board.

1. Submit a Literature Review report, covering the areas listed above (including other areas as may emerge from discussions), identifying main political economy variables, including contested approaches, that have a bearing on the proposed programme, strategies and its related outcomes
2. Conduct field consultations, implementing approved methodology for information gathering and stakeholder engagement ensuring concurrent validation of findings in each location
3. Articulate all findings in a draft report, clearly describing the political, economic and social factors that serve as enablers or obstacles for reform and as well as opportunities and areas for intervention to improve women’s voice, agency and economic potential in the formal sector
4. Produce final report, including an executive summary and necessary annexes and bibliography incorporating recommended changes.

Duration of the Assignment

The total duration of the contract assignment will be up to 45 days. It is anticipated that part of this assignment will be completed remotely and part in the proposed project locations within Papua New Guinea. The estimated time for field visit for consultations and observations are as follows:

1. Homebased - for design of methodology and workplan (in Gantt chart format) with an estimated duration of 2 days
2. Articulate, analyse and synthesize existing evidence on the problems, challenges and issues in a literature review, 4 days
3. Field mission and information gathering in East Sepik Province and Nuku District in West Sepik Province, 13 days
4. Field mission and information gathering in Buin District in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), 7 days
5. Field mission and information gathering in Lae City in Morobe Province, 7 days
6. Port Moresby, 2 days
7. Homebased -finalization of report at the end of field assignment, 10 days.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Weighing 15 percent of payment
  • Final methodology, tools and plan for the assignment (including a Gantt chart clearly illustrating number of days allDraft comprehensive report and related recommendations of Political Economy Analysis including field engagement with key informants and stakeholdersotted for each task) 
  • Literature Review
• Weighing 50 percent of payment
  • Draft comprehensive report and related recommendations of Political Economy Analysis including field engagement with key informants and stakeholders.
• Weighing 35 percent of payment
  • Final Report

All the documents, materials and reports should be submitted in written in English language:

• 1 electronic copy
• 2 hard copies

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one week of submission.

Inputs

• The consultant is expected to submit a financial proposal inclusive of cost of living (CoL) in the field and in Port Moresby, which shall not exceed the respective UN daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rate as per standard UN rate. Any other costs related with travelling from consultant’s home country to Port Moresby (e.g. visa, air tickets) shall be included in the lump sum of the Financial Proposal.
• Assignment-related local transportation at the duty station (in Port Moresby only) will be provided by UN Women.
• The consultant is expected to work either at the UN Women office or other relevant location, using her/his own computer, but may access the UN Women office for printing of relevant documents. Should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.
• The consultant will be required to provide their own local communications such as SIM cards and mobile phone. 
• The consultant will be provided with a UN security briefing and will be required to follow UN security rules and guidance.
• The Consultant will arrange private insurance and the cost of which will be included in the financial proposal.

Competencies

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Required Skills and Experience

Required experience and qualifications

Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Business Administration or related field.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in operational and managerial experience in Governance, conducting analyses of Political Economy and economic analysis;
• Experience in Policy Analysis and development programming/planning specifically in Papua New Guinea is required, including demonstrated knowledge of existing networks and stakeholders in target areas relevant to this assignment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of broad, multi-sectoral development issues;
• Experience engaging local stakeholders, including CSOs, local and government leaders and authorities;
• Demonstrated experience in supporting similar assignment is an added advantage;

Language and other skills

• Ability to write and speak clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences;
• Ability to plan and work independently against tight deadlines;
• Ability to actively engage in substantive discussions on issues pertaining to governance and public administration;
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, including ability to communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures;
• Good interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit electronic application to UNDP website at the following link not later than 23 September 2018 COB (PNG time). Applicants can apply jointly or as individuals. All applicants will be contracted separately as individuals.

Submission package

• Personal CV or P11 form, indicating all past experiences from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience in the field.
• Financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum in line with section VI above.
• 1 sample of recent work, demonstrating competency in delivering similar assignment in the recent past.

All applications must be presented in ONE PDF ATTACHMENT (including CV, letter and the financial proposal). Applications without financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis.

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilised 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 individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification criteria: 

• Relevant education with an obtainable score of 20 points.
• Experience in delivering similar research assignment especially on Political Economy, Economic Analysis or Governance with an obtainable score of 25 points. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working in the PNG context, including socio economic and political development dynamics, vis-à-vis gender equality and women empowerment. Obtainable score of 40 points. 
• Quality of writing sample with an obtainable 15 points.

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically-qualified candidate.

Financial/price proposal evaluation

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• 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.
• The candidates with the highest combined score (technical and financial) will be considered for the position.

Performance evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on: relevant experience, timeliness, quality of deliverables, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.