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 center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coor-dinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality (GE) and gender main-streaming translate into action globally. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) progress in recent years respecting and promoting Gender Equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments and in national legal and policy frameworks. The main achievements in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment reside in BiH’s institutional capacity development for the work on gender equality. Indeed, the legal provisions guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality are largely in place – the Gender Equality Law, the Gender Action Plan, the Election Law amendment instituting quo-tas, the Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention are normative achievements that influence the institutional practice in promoting gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pursuant to the Gender Equality Law of BiH, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AGE) is entrusted with monitoring the enforcement of the law. Furthermore, the Agency, along with the Gender Center of the Federation of BiH (GC FBiH) and the Gender Centre of Republika Srpska (GC RS) (collectively referred to as the “gender institutional mechanisms”) are key institutional mechanisms for gender equality in the BiH Council of Ministers, Government of the Federation of BiH and the Government of Republika Srpska, in charge of directing efforts towards fighting discrimination and achieving gender equality in BiH by developing strategic documents and action plans.

BiH still copes with deep-rooted, patriarchal stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large. Women in BiH face a particularly precarious reality – they are excluded from the political and decision-making processes; they have disproportionately limited access to employment and many of them are subjected to violence. Gaps in policy development and the slow implementation of the adopted legislation constitute important structural obstacles to achieving gender equality. Improvements are needed in both strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing cooperation between the gender mecha-nisms and key ministries as well as with civil society organizations in order to increase gender mainstreaming in all aspects of government work, primarily policy development and budgeting as the means for achieving gender equality.

As the Government of BiH prepares to align with the broader European Union (EU) Acquis in a wide range of sectors, it is prioritizing investment in particular sectors with specific areas of social and economic reform, providing for the adoption of a comprehensive sector-based approach to development. BiH’s accession to the EU is structured on the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the implementation of which is monitored by the European Commission. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities have delivered answers to the Questionnaire, with the European Commission adopting its strategy for “A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans”. 

The EU funded Gender Equality Facility (GEF) in BiH is based on the Action Document for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II) for the year 2018 “EU Gender Equality Facility”, entrusted for direct management and implementation to the UN Women in BiH.

GEF aims to strengthen the effective implementation of domestic and international legal frameworks concerning gender equality and women’s rights; mainstreaming gender into EU integration and planning processes for pre-accession assistance; and strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender equality in line with the EU standards. Furthermore, GEF will support institutions in correctly aligning with the EU Gender Equality acquis. The focus of the project intervention is on the role and functioning of institutional mechanisms for gender equality and their engagement in all aspects of EU integration and planning and implementation of pre-accession assistance. Sup-port includes strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms; the Gender Action Plan (GAPs) Coordination Committees and civil servants tasked with providing gender expertise in sectoral areas (gender focal points in ministries); and also the enhancement of capacities for implementing and monitoring GAPs and other relevant policies at the state and entity level. The intervention will address challenges in the implementation of laws and gender equality policies through support to the institutions mandated for gender equality and between coordi-nation and monitoring of gender equality policies and measures.

The UN Women Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit an International Consultant to provide a pre-EU accession capacity analysis, gap identification, and needs assessment of the gender mecha-nisms and related institutions (the BiH Directorate for European Integration, the Ministry of European Integra-tion and International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, and the Office of the Government of the Federation of BiH for European Integration) with a specific focus on capacities to absorb the EU gender equality acquis and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH. The work of the International Consultant will be supported by a National Consultant with specific local knowledge of gender equality issues in BiH in terms of its EU accession path.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of gender institutional mechanisms.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

1. With the support of a National Consultant, carry out an analysis of the processes that are underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term at the gender institutional mechanisms and related institutions in terms of absorbing the EU gender equality acquis, and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH;
2. With the support of a National Consultant, identify (i) gaps (such as human resources, specific knowledge, coordination capacities, regulatory framework, procedural flow, financial/budgetary as-pects etc.) in effectively absorbing the EU gender equality acquis, and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH, and (ii) opportunities and good practices;
3. Based on the analysis under bullet items 1.) and 2.) gap identification, identify needs of the gender in-stitutional mechanisms and related institutions to enable them to enhance their capacities to absorb and coordinate on the EU gender equality acquis and their effectiveness in implementing and monitor-ing gender equality policies in BiH; and
4. Develop a set of recommendations identifying the way forward for effectively absorbing the EU gender equality acquis in the pre-EU accession stage.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women GEF Project Manager, the overall supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist and with the support of a National Consultant, the International Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Review existing background literature, including reports of reviews, analyses and assessments, as well as respective recommendations, of the gender institutional mechanisms in BiH and related institutions.
• Conduct consultations with the UN Women GEF Project team, National Consultant, the gender institu-tional mechanisms and related institutions to establish a joint understanding of the project context, task and requirements.
• After initial consultations, develop, in English, a methodology and workplan that will include an outline of the timeline of consultations and type of inputs needed from the gender institutional mechanisms and related institution.
  • Submit the methodology and workplan to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• In close collaboration with the National Consultant, conduct an analysis of the processes that are cur-rently underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term at the gender institutional mechanisms in terms of absorbing the EU gender equality acquis and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH. In doing so, special attention should be paid to the (i) EU and country reform agendas as well as relevant strategies and policies in BiH and gender mainstreaming efforts; and (ii) how the re-sponsible institutions contribute to these processes, are linked among each other, and coordinate with other relevant government bodies. . The analysis should be undertaken in direct interaction and coop-eration with the gender institutional mechanism and includes the joint identification of gaps (such as human resources, specific knowledge, coordination capacities, regulatory framework, procedural flow, financial/budgetary aspects etc.) at the gender institutional mechanisms. Prepare a 10-15 page draft summary report, in English.
  • Submit the analysis to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• Based on the insights from the analysis of processes that are underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term, and the gaps and opportunities identified, prepare a draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Anal-ysis Report, in English, with a detailed set of recommendations explaining through which concrete measures gaps can be bridged in the short- and mid-term (including institutional, procedural, capacity development, and financial aspects). Also enrich with relevant examples of good practice and ap-proaches pursued by other countries in the region/successful examples from EU member states.
  • o Submit the draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• After approval of the draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report by the UN Women GEF Project Manager, develop, in English, the Concept Note, agenda, evaluation form for participants and addition-ally required materials for a validation workshop with the gender institutional mechanisms, the UN Women GEF project team, and any other relevant stakeholders.
  • Submit the proposed Concept Note, agenda and materials to the UN Women GEF Project Man-ager for comments and approval.
  • Conduct workshop.
  • Revise and finalize workshop notes.
• Based on the results of the validation workshop, make any required adjustment to the final Pre-EU Ac-cession Capacities Analysis Report and submit it, in English, to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for approval.

Throughout the assignment, the International Consultant is expected to:

• Keep continuous contact and exchange with the National Consultant
• Organize weekly briefings with the UN Women GEF Project Manager and the National Consultant to provide status updates/reports.
• Provide guidance and structure to the National Consultant, and verify inputs and all deliverables prior to their submission to the UN Women GEF Project Manager.

To facilitate the delivery of the above outputs, UN Women will provide the International Consultant with the following:

• Project related documents and contacts;
• Translation of deliverables into B/C/S and interpretation support at validation workshop; and
• Other documents as necessary.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

The consultancy will last 15 days, in the period from 15 March 2021 to 16 August 2021. The assignment will not require presence on UN Women premises.

REPORTING

All deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women GEF Project Manager in English. The final Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report, in English, should be delivered at the latest by 22 June 2021. Approval time required to review the deliverables before authorizing payments is 7 days.

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:
https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Law, Public Administration, Gender Studies, European Studies, Social Sciences, Devel-opment Studies, or related fields; (PhD degree would be considered as an asset)

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience engaged in public administration reform, public management stream-lining and modernization
• At least 5 years of experience in human rights and/or gender equality mainstreaming in implementation by the government through different sectors
• Proven expertise in developing and applying monitoring tools and methodologies and drafting and conduct-ing evaluations and/or monitoring of internationally funded Gender Mainstreaming projects is considered an advantage
• Proven knowledge of the European principles for public administration and good governance (i.e., OECD/SIGMA)
• Proven knowledge of EU legal framework regarding gender equality
• Proven experience within the Western Balkan countries’ context
• Previous work similar to the assignment is considered an asset

Language requirement:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is considered an advantage

Other skills:

• Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), Zoom and MS Teams

Evaluation of Offers

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualifica-tion of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the com-bination of applicant experience, qualifications and a financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the highest score out of technical and financial criteria defined below.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for an inter-view. Top 3 candidates (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be interviewed. The max-imum number of points assigned to the financial proposal will be allocated to the lowest price proposal among those candidates who have reached at least 5 points in the interview. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%) – 70 points

• Master’s degree in Law, Public Administration, Gender Studies, European Studies, Social Sciences, Devel-opment Studies, or related fields – 10 points
• A minimum of 10 years of experience engaged in public administration reform, public management stream-lining and modernization – 10 points
• At least 5 years of experience in human rights and/or gender equality mainstreaming in implementation by the government through different sectors – 10 points
• Proven expertise in developing and applying monitoring tools and methodologies and drafting and conduct-ing evaluations and/or monitoring of internationally funded Gender Mainstreaming projects is considered an advantage – 10 points
• Proven knowledge of the European principles for public administration and good governance (i.e., OECD/SIGMA) – 5 points
• Proven knowledge of EU legal framework regarding gender equality – 10 points
• Proven experience within the Western Balkan countries’ context – 10 points
• • Previous work similar to the assignment is considered an asset – 5 points

Financial Evaluation (30%)

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30

• S - score received on financial evaluation;
• Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
• F - financial offer under the consideration.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

1. Expression of interest
2. Detailed financial proposal in USD (which includes consultancy fees, travel, accommodation, subsist-ence etc. in the form of a lump-sum)
3. Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered (all documents indicated above need to be up-loaded).

For any additional information, please contact unwomen.bih@unwomen.org

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Expression of Interest into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click 'Apply Now' button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click 'Submit Applica-tion;'
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the sys-tem.

Qualified women and men and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.