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.

UN Women maintains a large presence throughout Europe and Central Asia region, covering 12 countries, with programme presence in Kosovo, Serbia, Tajikistan and North Macedonia; and country offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine. The adoption of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), and the fact that countries have to harmonize national legislation with the EU’s acquis as part of the accession process has created an opportunity to step up UN Women’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECA RO) capacity to bring a regional perspective to human rights-based programming in relation to national, regional and international agreements, and the European Union (EU) normative frameworks for accession countries related to gender equality discrimination, and in particular, on ending violence against women in Western Balkans and Turkey.

“Implementing norms, changing minds” is a UN Women ECA regional programme, which aims to support a reduction in discrimination and violence against women and girls in the Western Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – and Turkey, anchored in the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Istanbul Convention, and also in alignment with European Union accession standards.  The programme is funded by the European Commission under IPA II. The programme supports the development of an enabling legislative and policy environment on eliminating violence against women and all forms of discrimination; promotes favorable social norms and attitudes to prevent gender discrimination and violence against women; and pursues empowering women and girls (including those from disadvantaged groups) who have experienced discrimination or violence to advocate for and use available, accessible, and quality services. The programme channels its interventions through and to women’s organizations, with an emphasis on those working with women from disadvantaged groups.

The elimination of gender-based discrimination, and violence against women as one of its most pervasive forms, requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained effort in all spheres. It requires actions in different areas, including legislation, service provision, awareness-raising, and attitudinal and behavioral change. Gender-related discrimination and violence against women is a complex phenomenon that needs to be understood within the wider social context and within the social and cultural norms that permeate it. Community attitudes and responses regarding violence against women reflect these norms and play an important role in shaping the social climate in which discrimination and violence occur. Comprehending attitudes toward gender equality and violence against women is key to better understanding its root causes and, therefore, developing more effective intervention measures Within this context, the UN Women ECA Regional EVAW programme is seeking the services of an international consultant to support reporting, drafting and editing under the supervision of the Regional Programme Manager

Purpose of Assignment 

The main purpose of this consultancy is to produce, edit and review reports and briefs to strengthen timely and quality reporting of the programme ¨Implementing Norms, Changing Minds¨.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will support the timely consolidation, editing and submission of high-quality donor reports, and to a lesser extent of briefs, researches and concept notes, in adherence to set standards and donor obligations. This will include ensuring the completeness, coherence, correctness and formatting of reports and other documents

In order to achieve the objectives, the tasks of the consultant will include but will not be necessarily limited to the following:

• Support in donor reporting required in the framework of Contribution Agreement with the donor
• Draft responses to regular ad hoc requests from relevant stakeholders
• Support the writing and editing of reports and written contributions for various purposes including inputs for technical aspects of reports in order to ensure that technical and language quality of written work is of a professional standard
• Produce, edit, and review background documents, reports as needed for the Programme
• Closely cooperate and coordinate with regional programme manager for the quality, development, and completion of all reports
• Supporting the programme manager on research and data analysis for reporting

Deliverables

The consultant will be required to support and produce the following deliverables in a period of 12 months. The table below indicates only key deliverables but will not be necessarily limited to them. The schedule and/or nature of the deliverables may be modified by the hiring manager, in agreement with the consultant.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on timely and quality reporting of the programme ¨Implementing Norms, Changing Minds¨.

Competencies

Core values

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.

Development and Innovation - Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

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.

Functional Competencies

•In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues

•Demonstrated ability to produce well written articles and human-interest stories

•Ability to work under pressure and within limited time frames

•Knowledge of the Rights of the Child will be an added advantage

•Communicative, results-driven, ability to work in teams

• Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Knowledge and understanding of UN system
• Excellent IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages
• Strong risk-management skill
• Familiarity with UN Women
• Very effective at multi-tasking
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Focuses on impact and results for client
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with client and external actors
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate qualifications from a recognized university in social sciences, communications or related field (English as the language of instruction an advantage) is required.

A first-level university degree in social sciences, communications, marketing, or related field (English as the language of instruction an advantage) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in writing, reviewing, editing and proofreading reports, manuals, and/or other technical documents in English language, including for and with non-native speakers.
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in an international setting.
• Proven knowledge of result-based monitoring, reporting and evaluation is required, preferably within a UN context.
• Proven knowledge of gender in development and ending violence against women is required.
• Experience working with UN agencies, particularly UN Women, is an asset.
• Previous experience with EC funded projects is an asset.
• Previous experience in the programme region with similar responsibilities.
• Experience in the European and Central Asia region is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required (written and oral)
• Knowledge of other UN working languages is highly desirable

Application procedure

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• Cover letter to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
• Financial Proposal Specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference). Travel (tickets, DSA etc.) should not be included in the lump sum and will be paid for separately by UN Women.
• 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 with the application.
• At least two sample of previous work completed similar to this assignment.

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

  µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

  z = price of the proposal being evaluated

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

  Payment schedule

  The consultant will be paid in four instalments (as per the daily rate in the financial offer from the consultant) based on the review and approval of deliverables submitted by Month 3, Month 6, Month 9 and Month 12 (end of assignment).

   

  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.

  Criteria	Total points	Max. Points
  Technical Evaluation (70%)	70
  Relevant education		10
  Minimum 3 years of professional experience in writing, reviewing, editing and proofreading reports, manuals, and other technical documents in English language, including for and with non-native speakers		10
  Experience working with UN agencies, particularly UN Women with similar responsibilities		10
  Proven knowledge of gender in development and ending violence against women		10
  Proven knowledge of result-based monitoring, reporting and evaluation		10
  Previous experience with EC funded projects with similar responsibilities		5
  Previous experience in the programme region with similar responsibilities		5
  Assessment of work samples relevant to experience requirements/TOR.		10
  Financial Evaluation (30%)	30
  TOTAL	100

  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: