Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, 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, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system 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.

Acknowledging the multi-dimensional characteristics of child, early and forced marriages and the need for a multi-sectoral approach to eliminate this phenomenon, the UN agencies in Turkey are committed to work in close collaboration with the Government of Turkey as well as civil society organizations active in the sector to carry out coordinated and complementary interventions, in line with the ‘gender equality and women’s empowerment’ component of the UN Development Cooperation Strategy (UNDCS) for Turkey covering 2016-2020[1].

The UN aims to address the root causes of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices such as CEFM, through increasing collective work on prevention, and by responding to the needs of victims and survivors through provision of multi-disciplinary services. Joint actions will include institutional strengthening, to ensure that relevant authorities have the necessary technical capacity to more effectively prevent and respond to CEFM; evidence generation to guide advocacy and programmatic actions; awareness-raising to inform communities on the harmful consequences of CEFM and constituency-building with local change-agents, such as civil society, religious leaders, men and women, and boys and girls at all levels to promote a culture of respect for women’s and children’s rights.

The UN recognizes CEFM as a critical issue in times of crisis as well as in times of stability. Humanitarian efforts and development programming to eliminate CEFM and promote the empowerment of girls must be complementary. Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) is a violation of child rights and women’s rights, a form of gender-based violence (GBV) and an obstacle to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including achievement of gender equality and empowering all women and girls. To best reflect this complementary approach, Prevention of Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Turkey programme will cover refugee communities as well as host communities and will aim to illustrate how humanitarian and development efforts can be complementary to serve the practical and strategic needs of women and girls.

UN agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, UN Women and IOM) who have extensive experience in protection, awareness raising and advocacy, covering various issues closely related with CEFM, including violence against women and children, child protection and education systems, sexual and reproductive health, human trafficking, and protection in humanitarian crises, has launched a joint programme targeting to achieve two main outcomes:

1. an enabling environment to end child marriage by strengthening protection and assistance mechanisms in place;
2. favourable social norms and attitudes towards ending CEFM are increased at national and community levels.

The programme will be implemented on three interrelated levels: 1) At national level, through engagement of policymakers to close gaps in the policy and legal frameworks; support to evidence-based advocacy and planning; support for national coordination and leadership; and communication strategy; the analysis of data; the completion of studies on CEFM to increase understanding of the factors driving the phenomenon; and the establishment of a database to inform stakeholders’ programming; 2) Province-wide (across targeted provinces) through technical assistance to local policy makers and service providers and 3) Province/community-based (12 targeted provinces) through community-based interventions that will focus on raising awareness on CEFM among key duty bearers and rights holders and promoting changes in negative social norms that sustain and perpetuate CEFM and gender inequality.

UN Women, in cooperation with participating UN Agencies, will contribute to the achievement of the following outputs:

1. Enhanced local and national mechanisms (including CSO networks) for more effective identification, prevention, response and monitoring mechanisms of CEFM;
2. Children and women at risk of CEFM and victims and survivors of CEFM have better access to protection, prevention and response mechanisms as well as specialized services in line with the standards set in national legislation and the Istanbul Convention;
3. Increased public awareness on legal, health, social, psychological and economic consequences of CEFM.

UN Women will concentrate its efforts in 3 provinces (Adana, Gaziantep, Izmir) for strengthening capacities of service providers and local actors including CSOs for effective policy development, implementation and monitoring for elimination of CEFM practices; and will work in close collaboration with UNFPA in achieving the Output 1. UN Women and UNFPA aim to develop and implement activities for capacity support, acting on the opportunity environment enabled by the current process of local action plan preparation to prevent CEFM in high-risk provinces, led by provincial directorate generals of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services. In support and complementarity with the action plan development efforts of the provincial DGs of the Ministry, in three provinces, UNFPA and UN Women will prepare and deliver trainings and other technical assistance activities for service providers, civil society organizations and professional associations/groups, in three phases:

• CEFM Service Provider Training Programme First Phase: definition of CEFM; CEFM as a child and women’s rights violation and a form of gender-based violence, and an obstacle against realization of sustainable development goals; causes, consequences, legal status of the practices; and prevention and response mechanisms
• CEFM Service Provider Training Programme Second Phase: Thematic- sector-specific skills, mechanisms and operational procedures in combating CEFM,
• CEFM Service Provider Training Programme Third Phase: Policy development, action planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and multi-sectoral coordination at local level.

While UNFPA is responsible from development and delivery of the first two components of the Technical Assistance and Training Programme, UN Women will develop the third component of the Programme.

This TOR (terms of reference) describes the details of the tasks related with design, preparation, and planning of the Third Phase of the Service Provider Training Programme in three operation provinces, Adana, Izmir and Gaziantep. UN Women seeks to work with two national consultants with the relevant professional qualifications in fulfillment of those tasks.

[1]The UNDCS includes two results indicators related to child marriage: a) rate of child marriage (number of women aged 20-24 who were married or are in union by the age of 18) and b) reported cases of violence against girls and boys (including child marriage as a form of violence against children)

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Women Turkey office is looking for competent and experienced national consultants who has solid knowledge and professional experience in the areas of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Prevention of Child, Early and Forced Marriages. The consultants are also expected to have experience in development and delivery of trainings and have the expertise for technical capacity development for action plan preparation, implementation, M&E, and multi-sectoral coordination.

I. Scope of Work and Responsibilities

Under this specific assignment, the selected team of consultants will be responsible for designing, preparation of the materials for, and planning of the Third Phase of the Service Provider Trainings, for the actors that have roles in CEFM prevention and response. Specifically, the following tasks shall be undertaken under direct supervision of the UN Women Programmes Manager:

1. Preparation of the training modules for the service providers on local action plan development, implementation, monitoring and multi-sectoral coordination methods in working to prevent CEFM (with methodologies, instructions, training program flow);
2. Development of Action Plan Module and Multi-Sectoral Coordination Module’s training of trainers material
3. Development of a guideline on providers on local action plan development, implementation, monitoring and multi-sectoral coordination methods with its annexes,
4. Conducting a pilot training in selected province(s),
5. Provision of training of trainers to local coordinators,
6. Supervision of the trainings for ensuring smooth delivery of the programme,
7. Reporting on the outcomes and making recommendations on how to repeat, develop and scale up the training programme and/or the particular activities within.

Those activities will be delivered as a part of the Service Provider Technical Capacity Development Trainings Programme and need to be coordinated with the overall activity and time frame of this Programme and with the UN Women & UNFPA project management team.

II. Planned Deliverables and Timeframe

The below planned deliverables and timeframe state the main areas of work. However, the consultants will be required to carry out support and coordination activities in relation to the completion of these tasks, which will be considered an integral part of this TOR and should be therefore included in the candidate’s financial offer.

The consultant should prepare detailed meeting notes after coordination meetings, as well as monthly reports on the TOR deliverables

III. Key Deliverables:   

1. Deliver the Activities for Technical Capacity Increase for the Service Providers

All deliverables shall be agreed with the UN Women Project Coordinator in Turkey. All deliverables shall be presented in electronic version.

The timeframe for the work of the National Consultant is tentatively planned from April 2019 to December 2019 with an estimated total volume of work not to exceed 41 working days for each of the consultants, coordinated in advance with the UN Women Programmes Manager in Turkey.

Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women Programmes Manager in Turkey shall be the only criteria for national consultants’ works being completed and eligible for payment/s.

IV. Management Arrangements:

Organizational Setting: The national consultant will work under the direct guidance and supervision of the UN Women Programmes Manger in Turkey.

Contributions: UN Women in Turkey Programme will put at the national consultant’s disposal any relevant material and report available and relevant to better perform and achieve the proposed objectives.

Travel

The National Consultants will have official in country travels to implementation provinces of the Project. The travel arrangements and associated costs will be covered by UN Women.

Performance Evaluation

National Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Payment schedule

Payment will be disbursed in installments upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by the UN Women Programmes Manager in Turkey that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Functional Competencies

• Policy analysis and Programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings
• Good knowledge of technical area
• Good organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in social sciences, gender studies, political sciences, international development, communication, or related field (advanced degrees are assets).

Experience:

• At least 3 years working in local development, women’s empowerment, women’s rights issues;
• At least 2 years working in design, planning, and delivery of training programmes;
• At least 2 year working with governmental organizations;
• At least 1 year working in local action plan preparation, implementation and/or monitoring.
• Prior experience in conducting desk research and writing analytical reports, especially need assessments and situation analysis, in English is an asset; and
• Prior experience working for the United Nations or another large international organization an asset.

Application procedures:

• Cover letter - Explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;

• P11 and CV including past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted

• Methodological proposal (FOR NATIONAL CONSULTANT ONLY) – 1-3 pages outlining how you plan to carry the tasks and responsibilities of this consultancy.
• Financial Proposal - Specifying a total lump sum amount in TL for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should include a breakdown of the lump sum amount, including various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services)

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates and medical certification (of good health) should they be short-listed in consideration of the consultancy post.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Evaluation of applicants

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points:

Only candidates who have received 49 points or higher in the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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:Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points:

p = 30 (µ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Annex I: Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective National Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.

1.Daily fee

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, communications, consumables etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.

UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.

2.Travel costs

The National Consultant will have official in country travels to implementation provinces of the Project. The travel arrangements and associated costs will be covered by UN Women as per the UN Women rules and regulations.  UN Women will not cover transportation cost within duty station.

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance and Terminal Fee

The Consultant will be covered within the UN Women policy on travel. Therefore the consultant will be entitled to receive daily subsistence allowance and terminal fee in line with the policy.

4.Currency of the price proposal

The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in TL. In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into TL using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion to TL at the date of applications’ submission deadline.

Annex II: Price Proposal Submission Form

To: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Ref: National consultant – Programme Formulation Consultant (To support the development of a UN Women programme document on Prevention of Child, Early and Forced Marriage In Turkey)

Dear Sir / Madam,

I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment.

Having examined, understood and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference.

My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:

I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged. I also confirm that the price that I quote is gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.

I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for 60 days.

I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.

[Signature]

Date:

Name:

Address:

Telephone/Fax:

Email: