Background
Offeror's letter download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/174cnZW6CXFmENvX4pS31KD5b8G_KDTmP/view?usp=sharing
At the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly, Member States, in adopting the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR) of Operational Activities for Development of the UN System called on all UN organizations to: “mainstream gender and to pursue gender equality in their country programmes, planning instruments and sector-wide programmes and to articulate specific country-level goals and targets in this field in accordance with the national development strategies”.
In 2006, the UNDG Task Team on Gender Equality commissioned a background paper on accountability mechanisms in UNDG agencies. This paper reviewed accountability for programming in support of gender equality and found that: “A common understanding of how to apply gender mainstreaming in UN operational activities is needed. This is because if there is no agreement on what constitutes a minimum level of actions to support gender equality, how will it be possible to hold agencies and UN Country Teams accountable for this. Reaching agreement across agencies on what constitutes a minimally acceptable performance to support gender equality, through an agreed set of indicators, would contribute to stronger guidance and accountability”. Subsequently this background paper was endorsed at the UNDG Principals’ meeting in July 2006, where agreement was reached on development of a UNCT-level ‘Accounting for Gender Equality’ Scorecard that sets minimum requirements for UNCTs to assess their performance across the system.
The Gender Scorecard was endorsed by the UN Development Group (UNDG) in 2008 to establish an accountability framework for assessing the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming by UN Country Teams (UNCT). The UN System-wide Action Plan (SWAP) formed another part of the accountability framework, focusing on the implementation of the policy at the entity level.
The Gender Scorecard exercise will be a critical addition to UN system in China’s Common Country Assessment (CCA) development. Findings of the Gender Scorecard will inform and transform the development of the CCA, ensuring that gender analysis is included across all sectors. A vital function of the Gender Scorecard is ensuring that every phase of UN development programming, including planning, programming, partnerships, leadership and organizational culture, meets at least the minimum requirements for gender equality as established by the Gender Scorecard.
In order to support the development of a gender-responsive United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure better accountability of UNCT towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with UN corporative policy in this area, UN system in China will use the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard to assess status and identify gaps and corrective actions. The UN Gender Thematic Group will lead this process to complete the scorecard process in a participatory and timely manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main objective of this consultancy is to facilitate the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and assess the effectiveness of UN system in China in gender mainstreaming, promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as to provide a set of actions for improvements. Purpose of the exercise:
- To assist UN system in China in identifying areas in which it is meeting or not meeting minimum UNDG requirements.
- To stimulate a constructive dialogue within UN system in China about the current status of support for gender equality and women’s empowerment and how it can be improved.
- To identify where technical assistance can support the achievement of at least the minimum requirements.
- To share good practices in supporting national priorities to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Competencies
The UNCT SWAP-Scorecard methodology has been designed for in-country self-assessment as a means of fostering deeper understanding and ownership of results. The external gender consultant will facilitate the exercise and apply participatory methods to ensure the assessment team is formed from the beginning of exercise, leads and owns the process.
To guide and support the assessment team with the process, the consultant will conduct the following activities:
Background Document Review: 2-3 working days (est.)
- UNCT UN-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard 2018 Framework & Technical Guidance
- UNCT Gender Scorecard Reports for other countries in the region
- New UNSDCF guidance
- UNDAF for China (2016-2020)
- UNDAF for China (2016-2020) MTR Report
- UN system in China planning, budgets programming documents
- UN Gender Theme Group’s TOR (2019)
- CEDAW Reports/other national assessments/National Gender Plans, etc.
Complete Assessment: 10-12 working days (est.)
- Support the collection of complementary data and evidence to score indicators
- Conduct gender analysis of verification documents required to help the IAT score areas of performance
- Facilitate working sessions and technical support with key stakeholders such as the Resident Coordinator; Heads of Agencies; UNTGG members, Program Group members; M&E teams, partners, etc. to discuss and score areas of performance.
- Complete the scoring matrix based on IAT discussions and agreements.
- Facilitate a debrief with the HOAs to discuss findings and proposed actions.
Reporting: 3-5 working days (est.)
- Draft Scorecard and narrative report, with inputs from assessment team
- Complete the final Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix
Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Advanced (Masters) degree in social or political sciences, human rights, gender studies or other relevant discipline. PhD degree is an asset.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of practical work experience on gender mainstreaming in development programmes/projects at national and international levels;
- At least 3 years’ experience of work on results-based management, review and/or evaluation;
- Experience in gender data collection and analysis, including interviews, surveys and focus groups;
- Previous experience with the Gender Equality Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix;
- Experience conducting gender trainings for the staff of development agencies.
Language and other skills:
- Excellent written and spoken English, working level of Mandarin is an asset;
Computer skills, internet communication and command of MS Office.
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.
Note:
Offeror's letter download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/174cnZW6CXFmENvX4pS31KD5b8G_KDTmP/view?usp=sharing