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.

In February 2018 an earthquake measuring 7.5 affected several Highlands provinces in Papua New Guinea. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in SHP, causing over 150 known deaths and affecting half a million people. The impact of earthquake along with communal tensions affected delivery of life-saving assistance. Since the earthquake, UN Women has been facilitating access to the support and services for women at risk or experiencing SBGV to life-saving care packages to enable them restore dignity and maintain their personal hygiene. In addition, strengthened community-based safety and security mechanisms through setting up of 10 women and children’s learning, empowerment and protection (LEP) centers in 7 most affected LLGs in Hela and Southern Highland Provinces.

In November 2018 UN Women in partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Organization for Migration (IOM), secured funding from UN Peace Building Support Office (PBSO) to work together on a joint Gender and Youth Promotion initiative with focus on increasing women’s influence in peace processes and changing the behaviours leading to tribal conflict. It will test out promising practices that have already been developed in other parts of the country to reduce tribal violence. The project will also pilot and test effective ways of building peace through strengthening the voices of women and youth in existing peace building mechanisms.  Specific to this project is that; it is catalytic as it will enable the three agencies to map out conflicts through an online mapping tool such as the PNG Community Response Map or Safety Pin mobile phone app. It is anticipated that by the completion of the project; partners would have fostered and sustained women and youth in inclusive peacebuilding in the Highlands and an enabling environment for longer term development outcomes.

Reporting to the GYPI Highlands Programme Manager/Interim Programme Manager the Project Interlocutor Consultant will be responsible for supporting the GYPI project in the initiation/strengthening of partnerships, engagements and liaison with project key stakeholders (provincial authorities, civil society organizations, churches and others), at all project sites in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.

UN Women now requires a Project Interlocutor Consultant to support the project implementation in Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the GYPI Highlands Programme Manager/Interim Programme Manager the Project Liaison Consultant will be responsible for providing expert technical assistance through performing the following key tasks and delivery of the expected results:

Initiate dialogue with key stakeholders on the planned activities under the GYPI Highlands Project;

• Conduct key stakeholder project planning meeting in targeted project sites and document the discussions;
• Identify and capacitate community leaders (women and men) as peace mediators;
• Arrange and conduct peace building training as needed for community members
• Conduct assessments on projects risk and provide updates to UNW on a regularly update.

Establish communication and relationships with Project stakeholders and partners:

• Meet on a regular basis with key stakeholders to ensure coordination on the project implementation
• Map out and explore synergies for coordination in SHP and Hela provinces to be considered by GYPI project team. 

Provide support to the Project management and implementation:

• Identify potential office space (in close collaboration with IOM/UNFPA as may be required) and provide recommendation to UNW for considerations;
• Map out potential service providers in SHP and Hela Provinces and share with UNW Operations team based on categories provided by UN Women;
• Provide advice on conflict mapping tool.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be for 6 months. Work must begin from end of June 2019 upon signing of the contract.

Expected Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the Consultant to deliver within the approximate timelines. 

Each deliverable will be in the first instance through a DRAFT delivered in soft copy to UN Women.

The payment for each deliverable will be made upon the approval of UN Women of a FINAL version of the respective deliverable.

 All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format. Any printed materials utilized to be referenced and returned. All materials are property of UN Women.

 Inputs

UN Women will provide copies of all relevant documentation in electronic / hard copy to the consultant. The Consultant is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer but may access the UN Women office for printing/scanning of relevant documents during the assignment.

UN Women will cover the costs for translation of printed materials as required throughout the duration of the assignment.

Transport:

The consultant will be responsible for arranging their own travel to the duty station and this cost should be included in the lump sum fee for the financial proposal (see Annex I).  Official movements at the duty station will be facilitated by UN Women who will either pay directly for domestic airfares and/or provide a driver on a pick and drop basis.

Communications:

The Consultant will be required to provide their own local communications such as SIM cards. Some internet access is available in Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces. These costs should be included in the lump sum fee of the financial proposal. The consultant will provide her/his own laptop and mobile phone including a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot device in order to enable internet access (which is highly limited).

Accommodation:

All accommodation costs and other living expenses will be covered within the consultancy fee. 

Security:

The consultant will be provided with a UN security briefing and will be required to follow UN security rules and guidance.

Insurance:

The Consultant will arrange private insurance and the cost of which will be included in the financial proposal.

Office space and facilities:

The Consultant is expected to provide his /her own office space for this assignment.

Performance evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Competencies

Core Values and Guiding Principles

• 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
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling UN Women values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates a commitment to UN Women’s mission and vision;
• Able to work effectively within a team;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Able to multi-task and juggle competing demands;
• Can assess and prioritize work needs quickly;
• Ability to relate to external partners, including other international organizations and agencies, NGOs, grassroots community groups, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in remote, rural, hardship posts.

Required Skills and Experience

Required qualifications, experience and competencies

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

Education

• Completion of secondary education required.

Experience and skills

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience in political participation, peace building, police
• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/supporting complex and multi-component programme interventions with national partners, preferably related to women, peace and security thematic area at provincial/national level.
• Experience in coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects; specifically, with different UN Agencies, Funds or Programs is an asset.
• Experience in supporting a team.
• Experience in gender mainstream programming would be an advantage

Language and other skills

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Ability to speak Tok Pisin is an asset;
• Working knowledge of another local language is an asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Submission of application

To enable you with your application submission, the requirements for the position can be accessed on the following site:

Interested candidates are requested to submit electronic application to: email address required here:

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. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Consultant including references.
3. Personal History Form (P-11 Form).
4. Copies of certified academic certifications.
5. Financial proposal 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 Wednesday 26th June 2019 (close of business).

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis:

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%] 

A two-stage procedure is utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

1. Technical qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically-qualified candidate.

1. Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

Annex I and II is shared herewith, below, to set the guidance to submission/s of financial proposals.

1. Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
2. The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100 (30%).
3. The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation.
4. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
5. The prospective Individual Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal:
   • The consultant’s daily rate estimated to complete deliverables.  Please note that UN Women solely pays upon submission of deliverables.
   • The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, communications, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.  Airfare, daily subsistence allowance and terminal payments for travel outside of Papua New Guinea will be paid directly by UN Women and are not required to be included in the lump sum amount.
   • 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.
   • Currency of the price proposal.  The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in USD. In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into USD using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion to USD at the date of applications’ submission deadline.