Background

Background

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (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 provides support to Member States’ efforts and priorities in meeting their gender equality goals and for building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The UN Women Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO) is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside the 19 other UN agencies in the region and in 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Under its Strategic Note 2018-2022, UN Women Fiji MCO focuses on delivering on four interlinked programme areas underpinned by support for intergovernmental and normative processes:

• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Ending Violence against Women
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Reduction.

Women’s Economic Empowerment: The Markets for Change (M4C) Project

The M4C project is a key component of UN Women’s Fiji MCO programming for Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme in the Pacific, which aims to ensure that Pacific women advance economically and that this results in improvements in women’s well-being and economic growth nationally and across the region. One of UN Women’s global mandate is to implement innovative programs targeting women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Given that between 60-80% of market vendors are women, with many more women reliant on market produce, the project’s goal is to ensure that marketplaces in rural and urban areas are safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory, promoting the gender, social and economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors.

The M4C project brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations, civil society organisations and UN agencies to promote gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. M4C is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

The project is based on a Theory of Change (ToC), which states that market vendors can be empowered within the market environment through a combination of implementation strategies. The M4C project incorporates: the creation and strengthening of representative marketplace groups, which in turn strengthen women market vendors’ roles and influence; interventions focusing on financial literacy, access to financial services and increased participation in value chains; strengthening the accountability and capacity of market management, municipal and provincial governments to enable them to employ gender-responsive policies, procedures and decision-making processes that are receptive to the needs of market vendors, as well as to the design and construction of gender-responsive infrastructure and on-site services.

M4C has four main outcome areas which are:

• Outcome One: Inclusive, effective, and representative marketplace groups are created and grow, contributing to gender, social and economic advancement, the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence, and expanded economic opportunities for women.
• Outcome Two: Improved socio-economic security of women market vendors
• Outcome Three: Local Government and market management are gender responsive, effective, and accountable to women market vendor needs.
• Outcome Four: Physical infrastructure and operating systems are improved to make markets more sustainable, resilient to disaster and climate change, safer and more accessible.

In Vanuatu, the M4C project works in six markets namely Port Vila, Luganville, Marobe, and three Shefa ring-road markets, namely: Beverly Hills, Melemaat and Emua.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of this assignment is to provide support to the implementation of Markets for Change Project activities in the Vanuatu Country Office.  The National Consultant further supports the M4C Project Manager and works closely with Administrative Assistant to provide project implementation, administrative and logistic support to the Markets for Change Project.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager for the Markets for Change Project in Vanuatu, the National Consultant is expected to contribute to the effective implementation of the M4C Project by providing project, logistical and administrative support to the implementation of the project activities ensuring fulfillment of the project objectives.

More specifically, under direct supervision of the M4C Project Manager and in close collaboration with the M4C Project team, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the M4C Project Team with Project implementation:

• Assist with key M4C activities and the formulation of the project documents and activities (ToRs, concept notes, justification notes, request for quotations (RFQs)) in close cooperation with the Project Manager and the M4C Team and partners.
• Support partner advances monitoring and reporting cycle, supporting timely delivery of reports, payments, and fund disbursements.
• Communicate with partners on a regular basis to ensure timely reporting and identification of issue for troubleshooting.
• Ensure proper filing of the partner documentation in both physical and M4C external (and PM or Admin. Assistant will upload on SharePoint).
• Compile summary monthly reports on implementation of partners initiatives to synthetize results and update on progress.

Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the Project implementation:

• Provide administrative support to the M4C team and specifically to the COMS and M&E consultant and input to the monitoring of project implementation activities.
• Provide support to the Project team on routine delivery and reporting of project activities.
• Support the coordination and collection of information for the audit of programmes / projects and support implementation of audit recommendations.
• Provide logistical support to Project team in implementing workshops and activities, as outlined in the 2021 M4C Vanuatu OWP.
• Provide logistical support to national consultants for constitution review, market bylaws and AKVO survey.
• Provide logistical support and preparation for quarterly PMC and PWC.
• Provide rapporteur services during workshops and activities as and when requested by Project manager.

Support coordination of the M4C Team:

• Attend internal office weekly meetings and compile meetings minutes.
• Attend and support weekly team meetings.
• Provide guidance to team members based on available reliable information.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be up to an estimated 130 working days within a 6-months’ period with a planned to start date of 1 July 2021 and the estimated number of days required to complete this consultancy by 31 December 2021 with an estimated total volume of work not to exceed 130 working days, coordinated in advance with the Project Manager.

Expected Deliverables

The selected National Consultant will be responsible for delivering monthly reports to contain following the following specific outputs, comprising of the main milestones:

Note:      The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient and feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment.  It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment.  

The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the Project Manager for Markets for Change/M4C shall be the only criteria for the National Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payments.

Inputs

The National Consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager for the Markets for Change (M4C) Project and in close coordination with the entire UN Women team, including the EVAWG team.

Management Arrangements

• He/she will be required to work for up to 40 hours a week with the provision of a submitted monthly timesheet to certify work and time carried out per week.
• UN Women will provide a workplace and office equipment.
• The National Consultant will undertake the assignment together with UN Women Markets for Change Team in Vanuatu.

Performance Evaluation

• The National Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Travel

• If required to travel, UN Women will cover for travel related costs separately, following UN Women travel guidelines.

Financial Arrangements

• Payment will be disbursed monthly, upon submission and approval of monthly reports with indication of progress and actual deliverables as well as timesheets with actual days worked certified by the M4C Project Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Competencies

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.

Functional Competencies

• Ability to think conceptually, strategically and analytically;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Qualifications, Experience and Language

Education:

• Completion of secondary education required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration is an asset.

Experience and skills:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management /support.
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience in assisting/supporting programmes and project and/or coordinating activities in the development area, including women’s economic empowerment, gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Proven experience in the field of gender equality, human rights, or other development related area.
• Experience in working with international organizations including any UN entity with the provision of support to a medium-large team is an advantage.
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English language is an essential requirement.
• Working knowledge of Bislama and French languages will be an added advantage. 

Evaluation Procedure

Initially, individual consultants’ applications will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Completion of secondary education required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration is an asset.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management /support.

The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes.Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:

where:

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated based on its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

WINNING CANDIDATE

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

Submission of Application

Interested candidates are requested to submit fully completed application on the UNDP Vacancy Site. 

Submission Package:

1. Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
2. Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Consultant including records of experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; and the UNW P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process
3. Financial proposal – specifying 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 (daily rate and number of anticipate working days and any other possible costs).
4. Please read, use, and complete ANNEX I and ANNEX II below to provide your financial proposal.

Applications without a complete financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.  UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and the Empowerment of Women.  The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. The United Nations is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work are particularly encouraged to apply.

Deadline of all submission: 20th July 2021

*** Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted and may need to have a written test and/or interview.

Annex A

Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective Individual (National) Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.

1.Lump Sum Amount

The price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Individual Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.

UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties, or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.

Contract price is fixed to activities/deliverables indicated in the ToR, regardless of the changes in the cost components (such as days invested for completion of the deliverables).

2.Travel costs

UN Women will not cover personal transportation costs within municipality of Port Vila City and within duty station (Port Vila). Any transportation costs between duty station (Port Vila) and/or to Marobe, Beverly Hills, Emua and Mele Maat Market will be covered by UN Women.

If consultant is required to travel outside of home-based location to another island, on official travels related to this assignment, UN Women will cover for travel related costs separately, with prior approval based on agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel guidelines, rules, and regulations.  

3.Daily Subsistence Allowance

Not Applicable.

4.Currency of the price proposal

The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in VATU.

In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into VATU using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion to VATU at the date of applications’ submission deadline.

Annex B

Price Proposal Submission Form

[Mandatory Document for the Consultant to complete and submit]

To:          United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Ref:         To provide technical, administrative, and logistical support to UNW Vanuatu Markets for Change (M4C) Project implementation

Dear Sir / Madam,

I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment.  Having examined, understood, and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference.

My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:

[Estimated Costs (in VATU)]

*** Please be informed that for shorter assignments than a full day, the daily rate will be pro-rated into hourly rate.

I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged.  I also confirm that the price that I quote is gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.  I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for the duration of the contract timeline i.e. ________________ days / weeks / months / year.

I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.