Background

Background

The UN Women Pacific Multi-Country Office is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside over 20 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 and Disaster Risk Reduction

Ending Violence Against Women / EVAWG:

The Pacific has some of the world’s highest reported rates of violence against women, with studies showing that up to 68% of women are affected.

UN Women’s EVAWG programme is implemented under the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (hereafter referred to as ‘Pacific Partnership’), a new, four and a half year programme which brings together governments, civil society organizations, communities and other partners to change the social norms that allow violence against women and girls to continue; to ensure survivors have access to quality response services; and to support national and regional institutions to meet their commitments to gender equality and prevention of violence against women and girls. The Pacific Partnership is funded primarily by the European Union (EU) with targeted support from the Australian Government and UN Women supporting directly UN Women’s programmatic interventions under the programme.

Purpose and Context

Reporting to the EVAW Deputy Programme Manager, the National Consultant works with and provides support to the members of the EVAW Programme Team in the development and implementation of effective programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the Assignment

The National Consultant further supports the EVAW Programme Manager, Deputy Programme Manager and works closely with Finance Officer and Administrative Associate to coordinate roles towards the Pacific Partnership Programme and is responsible for the organization and provision of secretariat services to the Pacific Partnership Steering Committee and Coordination Committee meetings.

The objective of this assignment is to provide support to the implementation of EVAWG programme activities to the UN Women Multi-Country Office in Fiji.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager/EVAWG and in close collaboration with the entire UN Women MCO team, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Support Programme Unit with Partner Management and Coordination:

  • Provide advanced support to the formulation of the project documents (concept notes, justification notes, capacity assessments, budgets) in close cooperation with technical and operational team and partners;
  • drafting of contractual agreements, related budgets, forms, documentations and requirement for funding partners;
  • Manage the partner database, including grantees narrative and financial reports.
  • Support partner advances monitoring and reporting cycle, supporting timely delivery of reports 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 electronic library of UN Women;
  • Compile summary monthly reports on implementation of partners initiatives to synthetize results and update on progress.

Provide advanced administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes:

  • Provide advanced administrative support and inputs in the monitoring and updating the EVAW programme work plan, budget, and develop proposals on programme implementation arrangements;
  • Provide technical guidance to the country teams and executing agencies on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances;
  • Support the coordination and collection of information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations;
  • Organize Pacific Partnership Programme Steering Committee meetings, Programme Coordination Committee meetings, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed;
  • Provide Secretariat services to meetings of the Pacific Partnership Programme Steering Committee and Programme Coordination Committee meetings.

Provide advanced administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit in close collaboration with the Finance Officer:

  • Support the EVAWG Units in preparing budget revisions and determine unutilized funds;
  • Support the monitoring of budget preparation and the finances of the EVAW programme; prepare periodic reports;
  • Support the review of financial reports;
  • Support the maintenance of internal expenditures control system;

Duration of the assignment

The timeframe for the work of the National Consultant is tentatively planned to start on 1 May 2019 and the estimated number of days required to complete this consultancy by end October 2019 with an estimated total volume of work not to exceed 130 working days, coordinated in advance with the Deputy Programme 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. 

*** Please also refer to the FULL TOR, which can be obtained from the UNW Fiji MCO, for more information and guidance.

  • Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/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 Deputy Programme Specialist 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 Deputy EVAW Programe Manager and in close coordination with the entire UN Women EVAWG team.

Management Arrangements

  • He/she will be required to work for up to 40 hours a week. UN Women will provide a workplace and office equipment.
  • The national consultant will undertake the assignment together with UN Women Programme Team in Suva, Fiji.

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 Deputy PEVAWG Programme Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
  • It is estimated to have 6 installments to be paid to the National Consultant monthly.

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

Education:

  • University degree in public administration, economics, international relations, development studies and/or other social science related areas relevant for the assignment;
  • Other relevant training and certification relevant to the position would constitute an advantage.

Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of proven experience in assisting/supporting programmes and project and/or coordinating activities in the development area, including ending violence against women and girls;
  • At least 3 years of proven experience in the field of gender equality, human rights or other development related area.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN Women is an essential asset)

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in English language is an essential requirement;
  • Working knowledge of other pacific spoken languages will be a strong asset. 

Evaluation Procedure

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

  • University degree in public administration, economics, international relations, development studies and/or other social science related areas relevant for the assignment;
  • Minimum 5 years of proven experience in assisting/supporting programmes and project and/or coordinating activities in the development area, including ending violence against women and girls

The short-listed individual consultant/s 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 500 points.

*** Please also refer to the FULL TOR, which can be obtained from the UNW Fiji MCO, for more information and guidance.

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.?

The technical part is evaluated based on its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial evaluation:

  • In the Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 245 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

Submission package:

  • Letter of Interest / Intent explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Consultant including references.
  • Personal History Form (P-11 Form).

http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=2740 

  • Copies of certified academic certifications.
  • Financial proposal (IN FJD$) with total lump sum quotation based on professional daily fees.  Payment will be made upon certification by the designated official that stated deliverables have been achieved.

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

  • Deadline of all submissions: no later than Tuesday 16 April 2019 (close of business).

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

  • 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.