Background

UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has been created to accelerate up the process of meeting the needs of women and girls across the world. As a part of the UN reform agenda, it brings together resources and mandates, which will subsequently have a lasting impact on the whole community.  

The United Nations of Tajikistan in cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan is implementing the “Financing SDGs in Tajikistan” project.  The project is financed by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by 3 UN Agencies in Tajikistan: UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women.   The overall strategy of the programme is to employ a two-pronged approach: strengthening policy space and addressing technical constraints to securing SDG financing.  The two-pronged interventions will enable the government to achieve its national development priorities. The programme is particularly important and timely in the context of the challenging economic situation and rising fiscal pressures, resulting in widening of the financing gap to support the implementation of national SDG targets until 2030. Since the government's approved expenditure budget for FY'2020 equals $2.7 billion while the estimated financing gap (2020-2030) stands at $118 billion, the programme will help the government to approve and implement a realistic financing plan to achieve its national development priorities and SDG targets.  UN Women in Tajikistan will specifically deliver the following result: integrated tool for tracking and reporting of on-budget gender-disaggregated SDG financing vis-à-vis national SDG targets is operationalized by the government, linked to the National SDG Financing Roadmap, and it guides the legislature.

The joint programme is nationally owned initiative anchored in the National Development Strategy for 2016-2030 and with a clear commitment to leave no one behind.  The programme will promote evidence-based policies and actions backed by disaggregated data by gender and other vulnerability metrics.  In the process of achieving programmatic results, the focus will be to build technical and managerial capacities and strengthening partnerships with key government institutions.  Implementation of an integrated resource mobilization strategy also means that the programme will improve accountability and transparency of the government’s budgeting practices to achieve the national SDG targets.

The programme is implemented in close partnership and coordination with Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), the State Committee for Investment and State Property Management (SCISPM) and the Parliament.

Duties and Responsibilities

Goal and objectives  

The overall objective of the proposed consultancy is to provide support to MoF, MEDT and MoES in identifying areas and how to mainstream gender using GRB as a tool in the framework of the project “Financing SDGs in Tajikistan”.  The international expert is expected to work together in a team with a national expert, who will provide support during the implementation of this consultancy tasks and in the development of gender budget analysis.

The assessment of gender gaps using GRB tools is an important component in establishing a good basis for subsequent activities to improve the gender equality in the country.  The content of gender assessment should address government  policies and their impact on gender equality in in the targeted ministries, and identify entry points for mainstreaming gender to the policies and budgetary processes.

Thus, the content of gender assessment should include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Desk research of the PFM reform in the country and identify entry points for inclusion of GRB;
2. Identifying gender gaps and suggest possible areas of inclusion of GRB:

1. PFM strategy/reform including but not limited to situation analyses with gender lenses:

• in the legal framework,
• in the budget law
• in the budget circular,
• in the budget documents and templates,
• in the 3-year fiscal framework and planning process,
• in the budget performance reporting of MoF and identify gender sensitive key performance indicators;

2. Analysis financing architecture of MEDT, and MoES and identify entry points of GRB;

3. Conducting gender analysis of budget’ processes of the targeted ministries and suggest areas for improvement with gender lenses.

Expected results: 

The expert will lead, together with a national expert, the development and finalization the gender budget analysis of MoF, MEDT, and MoES of RT.  The consultant will organize, facilitate and lead on-site consultations (online), develop and share the data development methodology, and incorporate expert knowledge on gender assessment and possibilities of inclusion of GRB in targeted line ministries in Tajikistan.  Upon completion of this assignment, the gender budget analysis will be developed and presented to key state and international stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under an overall guidance of the UN Women Country Programme Manager and supervision of National Program Coordinator, the Consultant will perform, but will not necessarily be limited to, to the following tasks: 

1. Literature review of relevant normative frameworks of MoF, MEDT, and MoES;
2. Development of data collection methodology for MoF, MEDT, and MoES;
3. Facilitation of consultations and data collection with government stakeholders, namely MoF, MEDT, and MoES;
4. Facilitation of consultations and data collection with international organizations;
5. Development of gender budget assessment;
6. Presenting the gender budget analysis to government stakeholders, UN Women, UNPD and UNICEF;
7. Development and submission of final consultancy report with reflection of the overall description of implemented assignment, including major achievements, main challenges and constraints, and recommendations.

UN Women will support the following: 

1. Support in facilitation of consultations with MoF, MEDT and MoES; 
2. Support in providing reference materials;
3. Support in facilitation of coordination with key government and international stakeholders;
4. Support in reviewing and finalizing the gender budget analysis;
5. Support in organizing the presentation for UNICEF and UNDP.

Deliverables (online) 

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 

• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 

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:  

• Possesses the ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines; 
• Good knowledge of technical area; 

• Good organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail; 
• Experience in report writing. 
• Proven excellent communication and facilitation skills; 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Social Science, Gender, Economics, Public Administration, Development Studies or related field. 

Experience: 

• At least 5years of proven experience in working on gender equality;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the area of gender responsive budgeting;

• Demonstrated ability and track record in working with governments and development partners for Gender Responsive Governance initiation, analysis, roadmaps or studies (example should be attached);
• Familiar with Tajikistan and/or Central Asia context in terms of GRB implementation environment is of added value;
• Previous work and direct working relationships with UN agencies considered an asset. 

Knowledge of languages: 

• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of Russian is a considerable asset. 

Application Process? 

The application must include: 

• Personal History Form (P-11 form) - including past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted; 

• Financial Proposal:  Specify a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount per deliverable.  No extra payments will be made. 

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 

Payment for the services provided will be made by deliverables as per the below table upon achievement of expected results and approval of the deliverable and acceptance of services by the UN Women (PERF) that the services have been satisfactorily performed.  

1. First payment upon submission and approval of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd deliverables.  
2. Second payment upon submission and approval of the 4th, 5th and 6th deliverables. 
3. Final payment in upon submission and approval of the 7th and 8th deliverables