UNDP Jobs - 90542- OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Gen

OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Gender Research Consultant (IRH)

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated 15 March 2020 – 15 June 2020

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

app. 60 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The World Humanitarian Summit was organized in May 2016 to address the scale of human suffering greater than at any time since the Second World War. The Summit generated more than 3,000 commitments to action and launched more than a dozen new partnerships and initiatives to turn the Agenda for Humanity into meaningful change for the world's most vulnerable people.

Leading up to the Summit, consultations with more than 900 companies called for more strategic private sector engagement across disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery. They also called for networks and a mechanism to be created to facilitate coordinated private sector engagement. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a number of partners launched the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) as a response to this demand. CBi is a multi-stakeholder initiative that provides a mechanism for the private sector to engage with the United Nations system, national governments and civil society in a coordinated manner across all stages of disaster management.

CBi is supported by OCHA’s Emergency Response Section in Geneva and UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD). These units collaborate with multiple other global units, as well as regional and country offices of OCHA and UNDP, as well as with many other private sector organizations, UN Agencies, NGOs and governments.

It is widely acknowledged that women and girls are disproportionately affected in natural and manmade disasters. They are often responsible for the majority of care-related tasks (providing food and water, taking care of the sick etc.), while also facing increased risks of gender-based violence, health issues, security and even loss of livelihoods. According to ActionAid, agricultural trade and the informal economy are often most impacted by crises and as women are over-represented in these industries, they suffer the most economic losses. Furthermore, as they work longer hours, women’s ability to participate in community decision-making in humanitarian contexts becomes limited (ActionAid (2016): On the frontline: Catalyzing women’s leadership in humanitarian action). At the same time, women often have strong informal networks that make them invaluable participants in early warning systems and in identifying and delivering services to the most vulnerable in crisis response and recovery. In many places, the culture and religion may also influence the possible approaches for different genders used in humanitarian and development actions, for example, in rescue situations women may need to be rescued by women. While crises often have devastating impacts, they can also provide an opportunity to transform traditional gender norms and ‘build back better.’ Ensuring that the needs of women, men, girls and boys are considered and interventions at preparedness, response and recovery stages are inclusive lays the foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth and ensures that no one is left behind.

Governments, humanitarian and development organizations are increasingly taking action to protect the most vulnerable, including women and children, in humanitarian settings. It is also recognized that women also play a valuable role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from both natural and manmade disasters. Frameworks and guidebooks have been developed to help different stakeholders plan for better programming, but the link to the private sector has not been widely explored.

The overall objective of the consultancy is therefore to conduct research and provide advisory support and strategic input for the CBi Secretariat to incorporate gender aspects into its operations. The Consultant will review existing materials and previous private sector interventions in applying the gender lens to disaster management, and help the CBi Secretariat address capacity building needs of its Member Networks. One element is to consider what can be done to ensure that interventions in emergency preparedness, response and recovery allow for equitable participation of women. Other key considerations are the priorities and practices how private sector contributions to disaster management can alleviate gender disparities.

The consultant is expected to consider women and girls both as an affected population to be served (i.e. what are their needs and how private sector networks can address them) and as agents (i.e. the role they can play and how private sector networks can strengthen it) across disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

The Connecting Business initiative Gender Research Consultant position is home-based. The Consultant will report to the CBi Programme Coordinator in Geneva and UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector in Istanbul. The activities will be carried out in collaboration with CBi Member Networks, Executive Committee Members, OCHA and UNDP colleagues and other partners.

Read more about CBi at www.connectingbusiness.org, follow CBi Twitter @Connecting_biz and learn more through CBi YouTube videos.

Duties and Responsibilities

The OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Gender Research Consultant is responsible for:

Conduct research to understand the specific gender related challenges in disaster management that private sector networks should address (time allocated for this estimated 60% of the consultancy time)

Map out existing research, tools, resources and trainings on gender sensitive programming in disaster management;
Identify and assess previous gender responsive interventions by private sector entities in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Where CBi Member Networks have taken action, evaluate strengths and gaps, and suggest actionable recommendations that could strengthen their work;
Collect and disseminate information (good practices, case studies etc.) on applying the gender lens to private sector interventions to disaster management, including but not limited to supporting women owned businesses before, during and after crises.

Provide advisory support and strategic input for the CBi Secretariat to incorporate gender aspects into its operation (time allocated for this estimated 40% of the consultancy time)

Identify priority areas and methodologies for the CBi Secretariat to strengthen the gender responsiveness of its Member Networks;
Develop a workplan with concrete activities for the CBi Secretariat to address the needs and build the capacity of CBi Member Networks;
Develop a brief guidance note on one of the priority areas to support CBi Member Networks in applying the gender lens in their operations;
Assess the donor landscape and identify potential new opportunities for CBi to seek funding to support its operations;
Identify new potential partners for CBi to work with as it aims to build the capacity of private sector networks in addressing gender dimensions in disaster management.

Expected outputs and deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the CBi Programme Coordinator the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Conduct research to understand the specific gender related challenges in disaster management that the private sector can address (time allocated for this estimated 60% of the consultancy time)

Provide a mapping of existing research, tools, resources and trainings on gender sensitive programming in disaster management. Estimated duration to complete: 20% of the consultancy time.
Produce an analysis of previous gender responsive interventions by private sector entities (including CBi Member Networks were relevant) in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Estimated duration to complete: 20% of the consultancy time.
Collect and share good practices on applying the gender lens to private sector interventions to disaster management, including but not limited to supporting women owned businesses before, during and after crises. Estimated duration to complete: 20% of the consultancy time.

Provide advisory support and strategic input for the CBi Secretariat to incorporate gender aspects into its operation (time allocated for this estimated 40% of the consultancy time)

Conduct a survey and interview CBi Member Networks to understand their needs and how the CBi Secretariat could best address them; Estimated duration to complete: 10% of the consultancy time.
Produce a workplan with concrete capacity building activities for the CBi Secretariat to support its Member Networks in addressing gender aspects in disaster management; Estimated duration to complete: 10% of the consultancy time.
Develop a brief guidance note on one of the priority areas to support CBi Member Networks in applying the gender lens in their operations; Estimated duration to complete: 10% of the consultancy time
Produce a) an analysis and recommendation of potential partners to work with; and b) a donor mapping to support CBi’s fundraising efforts and capture new earmarked funding for the gender sensitive programming. Estimated duration to complete: 10% of the consultancy time.

Many of the activities in this consultancy are ongoing as part of CBi’s annual work plan. To this end, the consultant shall prepare a monthly progress report that will detail all milestones reached, including but not limited to the areas listed above. The CBi Programme Coordinator and UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector shall review and accept these reports and certify them for payment.

Description of deliverables - Target delivery dates - Payment schedule

Mapping of existing research, tools, resources and trainings and analysis of previous gender responsive interventions and first monthly progress report - 1 month after contract signature - 30%.
Good practices and survey/interview reports and second monthly progress report - 2 months after contract signature - 30%
Workplan for the CBi Secretariat, guidance note, analysis and recommendation of partners and donor mapping and final progress report - 3 months after contract signature - 40%

Reporting requirements

The Consultant shall report to the CBi Programme Coordinator in Geneva and the UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector in Istanbul.
The Consultant shall be ready to undertake international travel on behalf of the CBi Secretariat during the assignment period if required and the travel expenses will be covered following UNDP rules and procedures.
The assignment is home-based for the duration of the contract.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Commitment to UNDP and OCHA mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.

Functional Competencies

Strong communication skills, including writing, speaking, non-verbal and visual communications;
Leadership skills to catalyze knowledge capture and sharing within the broader team rather than producing alone;
Strong analytical skills, including ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products with a focus on in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery;
Good project management skills to lead on strategy development and implementation;
Strategic sense for understanding multiple audiences;
Experience in knowledge management and global development issues;
Sensitivity to different perspectives and variety of cultures;
Experience in private sector programs and partnerships in development and humanitarian situations;
Familiarity and experience of UN Agencies;
Ability to function in a diverse, multicultural team environment;
Flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit to deliver outputs under sometimes tight deadlines.

Behavioural Competencies

Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
Ability to seize the moment and capture emerging opportunities;
Strong initiative and confidence to pro-actively reach out to new and existing internal and external partners;
Performance-oriented and focused on results;
Persistence and willingness to follow through;
Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility;
Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job;
Curiosity and desire to work a complex, international environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Economics/Management, Development Studies, Gender or related field. Master’s degree in these areas is an added advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of experience in humanitarian or development work, out of which at least 1 years are related to private sector programs and partnerships and 3 in gender related work;
Experience and knowledge of gender programming in humanitarian contexts;
Experience in conducting research in gender;
Experience in providing strategic guidance to support program implementation;
Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery is an added advantage;
Experience in working with international organizations is an asset.

Language skills:

Excellent skills in English.
Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.

Evaluation of applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in desk review (criteria A-F) will be invited for interviews. Only candidates who get min. 70% of points in technical evaluation (includes desk review and interview, criteria A-I) will be scored in financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation (includes desk review and interview) – max. 70 points:

Criteria A – Desk review – Education. (max. 5 points)
Criteria B – Desk review - Experience in private sector programs and partnerships in humanitarian and/or development work. (Max points 15)
Criteria C – Desk review - Experience and knowledge of gender programming in humanitarian contexts (Max points 15)
Criteria D – Desk review - Experience conducting research in gender. (Max points 10)
Criteria E – Desk review - Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery. (Max points 5)
Criteria F – Desk review – language and communication skills. (Max points 5)
Criteria G – Interview - Experience in providing strategic guidance to support program implementation. (Max points 6)
Criteria H – Interview - Experience in working with international organizations. (Max points 5)
Criteria I – Interview - Flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit to deliver outputs under sometimes tight deadlines. (max points 4).

Please ensure that your experience related to criteria A-I and above-mentioned competencies is very well documented in your P11 and cover letter.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation (max points 30).

Application procedures

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded fromhttp://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc).

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

It is highly recommended that potential candidates review the Swiss Tax and social service requirements and take them into consideration in your financial proposal. Further information can be found at https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non%20fonctionnaires%20et%20stagiaires.html

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Existing literature and further information to get a better understanding of the work can be found from www.connectingbusiness.org .