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.

The UN Women MCO Caribbean covers 22 countries and territories in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, which are part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Strides towards gender equality in the countries covered by the MCO have resulted in gains for women and girls in the Caribbean, relating primarily to high education rates and increases in employment rates. However critical gaps remain. These gaps are further exploited during hazards like COVID-19 and other environmental hazards.

The programme focus for 2018 -2021 built on the strengths and lessons learned by focusing on the programme areas in which the MCO has a comparative advantage and which have demonstrated the most return on investment. The lynch pin of the programmatic focus is to use Caribbean government development priorities and UN Women’s strengths to demonstrate how gender equality and women’s empowerment tools and programmes are critical to achieving their development priorities. 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a driver of Gender Equality and Sustainable Development. UN Women MCO Caribbean plans to integrate ICT fully in the 2021 -2026 Strategic Note.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women MCO - Caribbean Representative, the consultants will complete an analysis that will highlight how different sets of stakeholders (such as governments, civil society, and industry) can leverage the positive benefits of ICT (and mitigate against its harmful impacts) for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women MCO - Caribbean Representative and reporting directly to the Planning and Coordination Specialist (Trinidad and Tobago), the consultants will conduct the following tasks:

  • Develop a gender analytical framework for examining ICT use in select sectors in the Caribbean.
  • Complete desk research, and semi-structured interviews on ICT and gender equality.
  • Draft report inclusive of analysis, recommendations, and analytical framework on ICT and Gender Equality in the Caribbean.
  • Contribute to a consultation on the report
  • Finalise report based on consultation findings.

Reporting Requirements

The consultants will work under the overall supervision of the UN Women MCO-Caribbean Representative, with day-to-day supervision by the Planning and Coordination Specialist (Trinidad and Tobago).

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.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

Functional Competencies:

  • Integrity and Fairness: 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. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Each consultant should meet the following criteria:

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of work experience with ICT research and development.
  • At least 3 years’ experience working in the Caribbean region or with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
  • At least 2 years’ experience in gender issues.
  • Experience working in the United Nations is an asset.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.

Education:

  • Advanced University degree in social sciences e.g. Development, Business, Economics, Administration, etc.
  • Specialisation in ICT preferred.

Location and Duration:

  • The consultancies will be home based.
  • The consultants will be engaged for a maximum of  30 working days during the period 2 August – 10 September, 2021.

Remuneration:

  • The consultancy fee for each consultant will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and the consultant and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.
  • The remuneration for this contract type is an all-inclusive fee, the organization will not be liable for additional cost or benefits.  Hence, it is the responsibility of the consultant to take out adequate medical insurance for the duration of the contract and it is recommendable that the policy includes coverage for COVID-19 related illness.   The medical coverage should be international when the contract requires missions or international assignment.
  • If selected for this vacant post, proof of medical coverage should be presented within the first two months of the contract.

Hardware, Software, and Communication:

  • Each consultant must be equipped with a fully functional laptop, which must run at least Windows 7. The consultant must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based (Skype or equivalent) is required.

Application Process and References

Other

  • The consultants contracted will each be required to sign a statement of confidentiality and freedom from any conflict of interest with potential future contractors with respect to the TORs and work that they will be delivering

Note:

Submissions to UNDP Jobs are limited to a maximum of 10 MB, virus-free or corrupted contents to avoid rejection, and no more than 1 email transmission.  

All applications must be submitted through UNDP jobs.  Please do not send applications to UN Women staff as they will not be accepted.