Historique

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. UNV contributes to peace and development by supporting Member states to leverage volunteerism as a means of implementation and people’s engagement to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Outcome 1 of the UNV Strategic Framework 2018-2021 consists of support to the efforts of Member States to deliver on the 2030 Agenda through volunteerism as an effective means of implementation and people engagement. This will be achieved through the provision of advisory services to Member states in creation of enabling environment for volunteerism through the development of policies, legislation and programmes that measure, promote and evaluate volunteerism and volunteer action.

UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany with an office in New York and has five regional offices in Amman, Bangkok, Dakar, Nairobi and Panama. The Volunteer Advisory Services Section (VASS) enhances UNV’s capacity to mainstream volunteerism into peace and development initiatives through research, the generation of knowledge and evidence and the provision of technical advisory services to UN member states on research, measurement and volunteer infrastructure. To add to its knowledge capacity for advisory services, VASS would like to engage a Gender consultant to conduct evidence-based research and analysis to develop a step by step guide or framework for gender analysis of enabling environment on volunteering completed with four case studies.

Rationale

More than one billion people volunteer globally, representing about 109 million full time equivalent (FTE) workers. Of these about 30 per cent volunteer through organizations (formal volunteering) while more than 70 per cent are involved in informal volunteering which happens directly between individuals.  UN GA resolution 67/138 on integrating volunteering in the next decade, recognizes the important role played by women volunteers, inter alia, in meeting women’s needs, and encourages women’s leadership and participation in all forms of volunteering.

In terms of level of participation, data shows that women take on the majority of volunteer work at a global level (57 per cent).  Their share is increased when looking at only informal volunteering, 59 per cent of which is done by women. Yet, just like the labour market, the volunteering sector can be highly segregated by gender. Among those who are active volunteers, women are more likely to volunteer for organizations in the areas of social and health services, particularly unpaid care work beyond the household, while male volunteer participants are often found in political, economic and scientific fields. Emerging research shows that women may be less likely to represent their organizations through volunteer work.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are not add-on issues in the development dialogue, but a mainstream dimension of the development discourse locally, nationally and globally.  Insufficient progress on structural issues at the root of gender inequality, such as legal discrimination, unfair social norms and attitudes, decision-making on sexual and reproductive issues and low levels of political participation, can undermine the ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 and Agenda 2030 more broadly.

At the same time, well-structured and well-supported volunteer work has the potential to transform people’s opportunities to participate, to be involved in decision-making and to challenge social norms about the value of women and men’s work. For example, in regions where women’s labour market engagement is very low, volunteering can help promote women’s participation outside the home. Recognition for women’s volunteer work, through skills accreditation, may address gendered skills gaps and employability in some contexts. Increasing the value and recognition of volunteer roles traditionally played by women, such as community natural resource management, may increase men’s participation and address workload inequalities. Finally, easier access to tools and resources that support women’s priorities for action, both online and online, can help strengthen networks and enable women to take on leadership roles on the issues that affect them.

Understanding inequalities requires analysis of the social mechanisms by which they are reproduced or reshaped at different levels. While there is significant research on the role of labour markets and unpaid domestic responsibilities in reproducing economic and social inequalities, unpaid volunteer work outside the household clearly also has potential to shape and transmit differences in opportunities and outcomes for different groups.

Volunteerism exists in every society.  But the way in which it is manifested is influenced by a range of needs, opportunities, infrastructure, norms and incentives.  From new technologies, to economic and social policies, governments are shaping the space for volunteerism. UN General Assembly resolution 70/129 urges Governments and all related stakeholders to integrate volunteerism into national development strategies, plans and policies to leverage the full potential of volunteerism. At least 72 countries had introduced or amended or were in the process of drafting policies, legislation or other measures specific or relevant to volunteering between May 2008 and May 2018.

At the same time, volunteer-focused infrastructure tends to be predominantly concerned with formal volunteer work, which only constitutes 30 per cent of global efforts. Investments need to be made into building enabling environments for volunteering to flourish and to address barriers to have deepened engagement and a meaningful integration into the localization of SDG priorities and work. As such, any gender analysis needs to go beyond to look at the critical relationships between volunteering and gender to assess most fruitful entry points for action.  For example, disaster planning and response, social care policy and civil society space are three major areas that are relevant to the huge contributions that volunteers make to peace and development.

 

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the overall guidance by the Programme Specialist, Volunteer Infrastructure, the Gender consultant will:

1. Develop a gender analysis using available research and evidence to explore and elucidate the key relationships between volunteering and gender equality at national and sub-national level.  The evidence paper should use high-quality evidence and research from all geographical regions with particular attention to low and middle-income countries. The analysis could cover gender equality and women’s empowerment issues relating to:

  • Policies and legislation on volunteering
  • Policies in relevant sectors (e.g. social care, education, skills and training)
  • Public schemes and programmes at national or municipal level
  • Incentives and support to volunteers
  • Information and resources available to volunteers
  • Recognition and value of volunteer work

Noting that 70 per cent of volunteer work globally is carried out informally, this analysis should cover all types of volunteer work, including civic engagement, campaigning, social action and direct support within communities, not only formal volunteering programmes.

2. Develop a step-by-step guide / framework on how to implement gender sensitive volunteering policy and legislation, including guidance on:

  • How to conduct a gender needs analysis on volunteering for UN Member States, linked to national gender policy priorities
  • Guidance for governments on how to address top 5 most common gender and volunteering priorities through policies, programmes, resources, information and other initiatives including those addressing perceptions around the value of volunteer work

3. Produce four analytical case studies on good practices in volunteer programming to complement the step-by-step guide and framework. These should cover a diversity of contexts and interventions e.g. A social care policy which recognizes the contribution of women’s volunteer work in the care sector and works to transition to more formalized care provision, enabling women to participate in more equal terms in the labour force.

 

Outputs/Deliverables / Duration (40 days) / Deadline

Inception report and methodology development / 2 days / 6 November 2019

Background research / 10 days / 16 November 2019

Presentation of background research and incorporating feedback / 2 days / 18 November 2019

Development of guidance and tools / 12 days / 30 November 2019

Development of analytical case studies / 8 days / 8 December 2019

Facilitation of workshop/meeting / 3 days / 11 December 2019

Finalization of all materials / 3 days / 14 December 2019

Compétences

  • Extensive knowledge of gender standards / frameworks and experience in best practices in promoting women’s empowerment
  • Demonstrated experience in the use of methods and techniques to conduct gender analysis to structure and define policy problems
  • Strong analytical, research and report writing skills
  • Demonstrated experience in evaluating policy outcomes and impact
  • Demonstrate interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and to present ideas clearly and effectively;
  • Ability to work independently and remotely, meeting tight deadlines as required
  • Demonstrates ability to work with multiple stakeholders, including government institutions and UN entities
  • Proves integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards and diversity.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education: Advanced degree (Masters level) in gender/women’s studies, development studies, international relations, social sciences, law, economics or a related area.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of practical and relevant experience in research and analysis on gender issues.
  • Proven knowledge and experience in research on gender frameworks and policy formulation.
  • Proven background and experience at international level of research or academic experience in the field of women’s rights and gender equality;
  • Experience in conducting functional reviews and developing issues papers;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to conduct and present research on sensitive topics in cross-cultural settings
  • Previous professional experience with development agencies and/or the United Nations is an asset.
  • Strong conceptual and analytical skills

Language requirement: Excellent command of English, particularly written; other UN languages an asset.

Criteria for Selection of the Best offer:

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

  • Practical experience in conducting the gender analysis and gender mainstreaming for strategic policy and planning with ministries or government departments (30 points)
  • Experience in gender frameworks and policy formulation (15 points)
  • Publication of research on gender analysis (15 points)
  • Knowledge of volunteerism, citizen action and SDGs (10 points)

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

 

Application procedure

Applicants have to provide a technical and financial proposal. 

The technical proposal shall consist of:

  • Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
  • Latest personal CV, including past experience in similar projects and at least three references
  • A proposal: shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation
  • Work sample: Link to publication or research

The financial proposal shall consist of 

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION 

Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

  • Merge your Cover Letter, CV, Proposal, Work Sample and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability (including the financial proposal) into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
  • Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
  • Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

 

Queries should be sent to : procurement@unv.org,  att Marc Wharton clearly marking: 0093785 - Gender Analysis Consultant.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.