Historique

Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia, with 38.3% of the country’s population living below the poverty line (established at 1.33 US dollars per person per day) and 17% of them considered extremely poor (subsisting on less than 85 cents a day). 75% of the country’s poor live in rural areas and the most vulnerable households to poverty are the households with many children, women-headed households and households with uneducated heads. Tajikistan’s Human Development Index value for 2012 is 0.622, positioning the country at 125 out of 187 countries and territories.73% of Tajikistan’s population lives in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 75% of total employment and 23% of GDP. At the same time, only about 7% of Tajikistan’s land surface is arable. With limited employment opportunities, the country is extremely dependent on remittances generated by over 1 million Tajiks working in Russia and other CIS countries. These remittances accounted for 45% of the country’s GDP in 2011. The high dependency on limited land for agriculture means the country faces a significant food security challenge. The country is heavily dependent on food imports (>60% of wheat, a basic commodity, is imported) and rural and many urban residents have been significantly affected by the increase in global food prices since late 2007. Seasonal food insecurity is high: up to 31% of households face poor or borderline food consumption (WFP, April 2012). The country also faces high chronic malnutrition rates - estimated at 28% (WFP 2012). Limited access to safe water and related poor sanitation compounds the effects of poor nutrition.

From 1997 to 2007, a conservative estimate is that the country experienced over 200 landslides, mud flows, earthquakes and other hazardous events resulting in over 866 deaths and annual losses averaging US$28 million per year. Mountain-dwelling communities find little space away from rock-fall or avalanche zones. Even communities in the broader valleys of the country are subject to flooding coming from the mountains and hills of Tajikistan or neighbouring countries. All communities in the country are also subject to earthquakes. Further, the physical infrastructure (e.g. roads, power lines, water systems) needed to sustain livelihoods in Tajikistan is under constant threat from hazards, particularly flooding, landslides, mudflows, earthquakes and avalanches. The consequence is that the cost of establishing and maintaining this infrastructure is high, as are the repair or replacement costs when the infrastructure is destroyed or damaged.

The country usually experiences recurrent flash floods and landslides in the spring. Women, already shouldering the heaviest workloads within the household (due to a massive labour migration of the male population abroad), have additional burdens in accessing alternative fuel and water, trying to provide adequate sanitation, looking after their children and sick and elderly family members. In addition, they are the first to become unemployed when vital service industries such as bakeries and other plants are closed due to the lack of electricity.

The government reported that in 2012 Tajikistan experienced over 306 natural disasters that took the lives of 26 people, left thousands of houses in need of major repairs or complete reconstruction, killed livestock, and damaged infrastructure that is vital for many isolated villages. On average, about 150 small- and medium-scale disasters occur annually in Tajikistan, affecting at least 10,000 people. In addition to a series of natural disasters, over 2 million people are estimated by WFP to be at risk of food insecurity. Most of Tajikistan’s territory then was classified as being in the grip of an acute food and livelihoods crisis. In July 2013, 52 natural disasters were reported in Tajikistan over the first six months of the year. In April-May 2014 5 districts of Khatlon province and some districts in other provinces were affected by a mudslide. According to the assessment by the Committee on Emergency Situations in just 5 districts, an estimated more than 5,000 people were affected by the disasters, which resulted in deaths of 17 people (15 in Kulyab zone and 2 in Khuroson district). UN agencies – members of REACT – are providing immediate aid to affected populations. However, the following immediate (relief) needs were pointed out: food assistance and livelihoods support; non-food items (cooking utensils, bedding/clothes); support in debris removal; water, sanitation and hygiene; and psychosocial support to affected populations.

The disaster risk reduction measures in Tajikistan are formulated within the National Disaster Risk Management Strategy (NDRMS) for 2010-2015. In December 2013 UNDP commissioned an analysis of the national strategy as well as legislation on disaster risk management in compliance with standards and requirements for integration of disaster risk reduction norms and commitments into the national policy framework. The findings of the analysis demonstrated that objectives and tasks of the national policy in general correspond with the Hyogo Framework Action Plan’s priorities. However, issues such as gender mainstreaming, cultural diversity and participation of volunteers and local populations in the national disaster risk reduction efforts are not addressed. The national legislation in the area of disaster risk management has very weak linkages with the national legislation on environment protection and management and climate change. In 2015 the Government intends to revise its NDRMS to integrate DRR related priorities more prominently into the Post-2015 national development framework.

To support the country’s efforts to prevent and respond to disasters, the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT), intended to serve as the coordinating structure for international disaster response, was established in 2001 facilitated by UN OCHA in Tajikistan. One of the key tasks of REACT is to provide disaster-related assistance in accordance with the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response and other appropriate standards and good practices, to the best of their means.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Purpose

UN Women is a member of REACT and has the technical capacity to support REACT to ensure gender-responsive disaster risk reduction efforts, guided by the UN Women SP for 2014-2017 and the Humanitarian Strategy. In sum, UN Women intends to contribute to decreasing rural women’s vulnerability and support their better preparedness for disasters and other potential crises though improving access to quality services. In this regard, UN Women Tajikistan plans to support REACT and national partners in Tajikistan to identify and integrate gender-related priorities and needs into the national disaster risk reduction and management policies and humanitarian response measures. The following challenges and gaps are expected to be addressed by UN Women’s interventions:

  • A weak understanding of the gender vulnerabilities and a lack of statistics and sex-disaggregated data – which prevent a clear understanding and analysis of the differentiated nature of the risks for and vulnerabilities of men and women, boys and girls;
  • A lack of gender-specific data and statistics on the impacts of disasters and sex-disaggregated data of loss and damage;
  • A lack of understanding of the relationships between gender equality and DRR;
  • Insufficient institutional and individual capacities and tools to mainstream gender into DRR policies and measures; etc.

To support REACT’s ongoing action to respond to the floods in Tajikistan, UN Women will undertake a Preparatory Assistance (PA) project aimed at addressing the current gaps and challenges with regard to integrating gender equality considerations into humanitarian preparedness and response efforts. Two main components of the PA are:

  •  A gender analysis/ assessment of the humanitarian situation and response to enable a better understanding of gender roles and responsibilities, power relations between women and men, and the positioning of women and girls (men and boys), their coping methods and specific needs in the context of the current disasters in Tajikistan. The assessment will be conducted in July-September 2014. Its evidence based findings are expected to help improve  gender-responsive disaster risk reduction efforts including preparedness, mitigation and prevention. UN Women plans to use the findings of the assessment to strongly advocate with national and local stakeholders for integration of gender issues into the national disaster risk reduction policy framework as well as into its potential programming in this area;
  • A training curricula for psychologists aimed at strengthening local partners’ capacities to provide efficient mental health and psychological assistance to women affected by disasters and their deployment into the national/local rapid response teams (July-December 2014).

 The results of the PA will be used as the basis for the development of UN Women’s further programming on enhancing the gender equality responsiveness of disaster risk reduction efforts in Tajikistan including preparedness, mitigation and prevention. The new programme will also be built on UN Women-related recommendations developed by participants of the Gender Stakeholders’ discussions at the regional consultations for Central Asia and South Caucasus organized by UNISDR in partnership with UN Women, UNFPA and other agencies in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 1-2 April 2014. The recommendationsaddress gender specific gaps, priorities and needs with regard to the incorporation of disaster risk reduction commitments into the Post-2015 international agenda.

 To support UN Women in Tajikistan to develop its potential programming directions in the area of gender responsive disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance in line with UN Women’s corporate mandate and advantages, the hiring of an experienced international consultant is planned.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will report to the UN Women Humanitarian and Gender Adviser and Programme Specialist at the MCO in Kazakhstan in consultation with the UN Women National Programme Officer in Tajikistan.

Specific tasks:

In close collaboration with UN Women colleagues in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, develop a detailed work plan, and methodology for the drafting of the Strategy and Programme Document and related consultation processes with the identification of milestones and timelines for specific activities:

  • Conduct a desk review of national disaster preparedness and response policy documents and REACT documents, assessments and studies as well as preliminary findings of the gender assessment commissioned by UN Women in Tajikistan to define existing gaps and needs on integrating gender into national disaster risk reduction efforts in Tajikistan;
  • Based on findings of the desk review, undertake a mapping of existing DRR programmes and initiatives with a focus on identifying related gender perspectives (status, gaps and priorities); 

Develop a field mission plan and undertake a field mission to Tajikistan to meet with REACT and UN Women partners, including undertaking of key Informant Interviews to:

  • Participate in the REACT meeting devoted to discussions of findings of the gender analysis/ assessment commissioned by UN Women in order to contribute to discussions on existing best practices/lessons on integrating gender into DRR efforts;
  • Together with UN Women’s partners, including relevant REACT members, National Women’s Machinery, Coalition of women’s NGOs, etc., undertake a SWOT analysis of the current DRR programming/actions by REACT in order to develop a clear vision for integrating gender equality into DRR efforts and support the integration of gender perspectives into the overall strategic planning, design and programming efforts of various REACT clusters and, including UN Women’s potential work and priorities in the area of DRR and humanitarian response in Tajikistan;
  • Facilitate consultations/dialogue with the aforementioned stakeholders and any others identified in the mapping exercise to build consensus and support for the future gender equality programming including within UN Women own programme
  • Meet with the organization to be selected to organize a training for psychologists (commissioned by UN Women) in order to undertake a brief peer-review of the training programme and materials developed by the selected organization and provide feedback on the review to UN Women.
  • Following the field mission’s results draft a report on the mission detailing issues discussed and recommendations made during meetings and consultations with the aforementioned stakeholders, and finalise the mission report based on feedback from UN Women colleagues;
  • Based on a participatory approach, draft an Action Plan for further integrating gender into DRR efforts through REACT operations including UN Women’s potential programming in this area, which includes the findings of the desk review, the findings of the mapping exercise, findings of key informant interviews and a conclusion which identifies challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt; submit the draft Action Plan discuss it in detail with UN Women colleagues in the region and at HQ and, based on the feedback from the discussions, finalize the strategy;
  • Based on the final Action Plan develop a programme/project document  for UN Women related programming interventions in the area of DRR and humanitarian response. The format of the project document will be provided by UN Women. Provide the draft project document for comments to UN Women colleagues in the region and at HQ and, based on the comments received, finalize the project document.

Deliverables

Summary on desk review and mapping of existing programmes and initiatives with a focus on addressing gender perspectives of DRR submitted to UN Women:

  • Timeframe and Payment Conditions: 8 september;
  • Number of Working Days: 6 days.

Field mission plan submitted to and approved by UN Women and Draft key informants questionnaire for field mission to Tajikistan:

  • Timeframe and Payment Conditions: 11 August;
  • Number of Working Days: 2 days.

Field mission to Tajikistan and final mission report

  • Timeframe and Payment Conditions: 30 October;
  • Number of Working Days: 12 days.

Final Action Plan for further engendering DRR through REACT operations:

  • Timeframe and Payment Conditions: 30 October;
  • Number of Working Days: 10 days

Final UN Women project document as per the specifications detailed in UN Women’s Programme and Operations Manual submitted to and approved by UN Women:

  • Timeframe and Payment Conditions: 25 November;
  • Number of Working Days: 10 days.

Total Number of Working Days: 40 Days

Compétences

Core competencies:

  • Accountability;
  • Planning & Organization;
  • Judgment & Decision making;
  • Building Trust.

Functional competencies:

  • Ability to produce analytical reports;
  • Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
  • Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve operational problems;
  • Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work ;
  • Ability to support a team and team building skills;
  • Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
  • Strong IT skills;
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Ability to handle web-based management systems;
  • Attention to detail;
  • Excellent knowledge of office software packages.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in humanitarian, disaster management or development-related disciplines, gender issues, public policy or other social science fields.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian programming and coordination preferably in disaster and post-disaster settings;
  • At least 5 years’ experience with programming and capacity development on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
  • Familiarity and experience with UN and the humanitarian system coordination;
  • Experience in programme design and results-based management.

Language requirements:

  • Written and oral proficiency in English is required;
  • Knowledge of Russian is an advantage.

Evaluation Process:

 The candidates must possess the minimum qualification criteria mentioned above to be eligible for further technical evaluation.

 The second stage of the evaluation will be comprised of cumulative evaluation of the technical proposal (70%) and a financial proposal (30%) of the technically qualified candidates.

Education and certification:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in humanitarian, disaster management or development-related disciplines, gender issues, public policy or other social science fields – 40 points.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian programming and coordination preferably in disaster and post-disaster settings – 70 points;
  • At least 5 years experience with programming and capacity development on gender equality and women’s empowerment – 70 points.

Functional competencies:

  • Familiarity and experience with UN and the humanitarian system coordination – 50 points;
  • Experience in programme design and results-based management – 50 points;
  • Ability to produce analytical reports – 40points.

Language Requirements:

  • Written and oral proficiency in English is required; Knowledge of Russian is an advantage. – 30 points.

Total: 350 points

Only candidates who reached at least 245 points will be qualified for financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation:

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

B = T + Clow / C x 150,

where
T – is the total technical score awarded to the evaluated proposal (only to those proposals that pass 70% of technical evaluation);
C – is the price of the evaluated proposal; and
Clow – is the lowest of all evaluated proposal prices among responsive proposals.
150 is the maximum financial points obtainable

Winning candidate:

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

Submission package:

* Each applicant is required to submit an aggregated financial offer (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task).

Financial arrangements:

Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of all deliverables and certification by the UN Women Humanitarian Adviser that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

80% of travel expenses will be advanced prior to the mission.

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.

All online applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from

http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/P_11_form_UNwomen%20doc.doc

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.