Historique

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 Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Fiji covers 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Fiji MCO current focus countries for programming are Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

The UN Women Fiji Multi-country office has four main thematic areas:

• Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG);
• Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) which includes the Markets for Change project (M4C);
• Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action; and
• Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership.

The incidence of violence against women and girls in the Pacific Islands is amongst the highest rates in the world. For example, 64% of women in Samoa who have ever been in an intimate relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a husband or intimate partner over the course of their lifetime. Violence against women and girls is a central barrier to gender equality and a cause of widespread violation of human rights across the Pacific.

To respond to the rates of violence in the Pacific, UN Women has developed a comprehensive EVAWG programme which takes a transformative approach to prevent violence against women and girls at multiple levels (regional, national and community), and to improve survivors’ access to quality response services.

In Samoa, UN Women liaises closely with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development who are leading efforts to address gender inequality and violence against women and girls. UN Women Fiji MCO has been providing ongoing support to MWCSD towards the development and implementation of the Interagency Essential Services Guidelines, Samoa’s first national guidelines for the multi-sector response of service agencies for survivors of violence. Within this joint partnership, multiple projects have been delivered together and most recently, delivery of Prevention Packs for women and girls during COVID-19.

In 2021 the Ministry of Women and other stakeholders in Samoa seek to embark on a strategic mission to develop a framework that will inform Samoa’s policy approach to the prevention of violence against all women and girls. The policy will provide insights into the components required to build a whole of government, inclusive, evidence-based approach to prevent violence against all women and girls.

In principle, the prevention policy, referred to as a National Action Plan to Prevent VAWG, seeks to set out short, medium- and long-term measures to prevent violence against women and girls by challenging its underlying root causes. It’s purpose is to influence social norms, promote community leadership and set a much stronger culture of equal and respectful relationships between men and women.

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this assignment is to contribute substantive work to the development of a primary prevention policy or a National Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls (NAP) in Samoa.  The NAP concept is a cutting-edge national policy currently being implemented in Australia and under development in Fiji, which makes Samoa one of the first countries in the world to apply this policy approach. The assignment will deliver specific knowledge products and provide substantive technical guidance to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and UN Women. MWCSD is the lead government entity for this policy with technical support from UN Women.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Objectives of the assignment

The main objective of this consultancy is to develop the National Prevention Framework and the Implementation Plan for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Samoa in partnership with Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women EVAWG Regional and Samoa Technical Specialist based in Suva, Fiji and day-to-day coordination in Apia, Samoa by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and UN Women’s Samoa EVAWG Programme Officer, the National Consultant will perform the following tasks:

Conduct a scan and desk review to develop knowledge and information products on the policy landscape for prevention of violence against women and girls in Samoa.

• Facilitate a scoping exercise to articulate existing prevention interventions and EVAWG commitments, policies and guidelines in Samoa.
• Collect data and information from relevant domestic stakeholders and conduct a review of existing national action plans (e.g. Australia, Fiji) and global guidance to inform development of national action plan and prevention framework and action plan for EVAWG.
• Provide clear linkages with other relevant existing policies and strategies to strengthen reporting and referral mechanisms and to ensure having a coordinated system in the execution of key priorities.

In partnership with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and UN Women, implement community and stakeholder consultations to inform the content of the National Prevention Framework and Action Plan for EVAWG.

• Develop a consultation implementation plan together with the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development and UN Women.
• Provide facilitation support for the stakeholder and community consultations to gather information and obtain input relevant for the development of the national prevention framework and action plan for EVAWG.
• Work with UN Women and Ministry of Women to develop key messages, materials and consultation aids to facilitate dialogue.
• Develop monitoring & evaluation tools/questionnaires to obtain feedback on the consultation process.
• Design the data collection and analysis process. Conduct the data analysis.
• Develop a comprehensive report on the consultation findings and recommendations.

With Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and UN Women inputs, and the consultation findings, draft the national Prevention Framework and action plan for EVAWG for Samoa.

• Compile the first draft of the Prevention Framework and the national action plan for EVAWG.
• Engage in a manner that provides skills transfer and support to Ministry of Women personnel.
• Facilitate stakeholders and community consultations on the draft National Prevention Framework and  Action plan for EVAWG
• Coordinate final feedback and input for incorporation into the final National Prevention framework and Action plan for EVAWG in Samoa to be submitted to the Ministry of Women, Community & Social development and UNWomen.

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be up to a combined 90 non-consecutive working days over a period of 7 months as per the schedule of deliverables below.  All deliverables must be completed by 10 December 2021.

There is a possibility of short-term missions within Samoa.  No international travel is expected.

Expected Deliverables

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 7 months, not exceeding 90 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Monthly reports on major tasks performed and the results.
• Prevention of VAWG scoping brief (10-15 pages).
• Inputs into the Consultations outcome report and the National Action Plan to Prevent VAWG.
• Final report on carried out activities, achievements and challenges.
• Other analytical work papers, reports, minutes, presentations relevant to the assignment.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English and in an electronic copy.

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the installment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one week of submission.

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Inputs

• UN Women will provide the National Consultant with relevant background materials for the desk reviews.

• UN Women will also cover the costs of daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for approved travel within Samoa that is outside of Apia as per standard UN rate. No international travel is envisaged.

• The National Consultant is expected to have an agreed upon schedule with UN Women and Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development with time divided between both offices in Apia or remotely at home using her/his own computer and phone. The National Consultant can access the UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents.

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

Management Arrangements

• The National Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UN Women’s EVAWG Regional and Samoa Technical Specialist (Spotlight) based in Suva, Fiji.
• Day-to-day coordination will be undertaken, with prior agreement, by UN Women’s Samoa EVAWG National Officer and a designated focal point at the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development.

Travel

• The National Consultant is expected to be based in Apia.
• The National Consultant will be expected to travel outside of Apia for discrete activities, such as community consultations.
• All travel will be approved by the designated line manager. In the case of travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon prior to travel and will be reimbursed by UN Women in line with UN Women’s travel policies.

Performance evaluation

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

Financial Arrangement

• Payment shall be disbursed by deliverable based on submission of the deliverable; a payment request/invoice; a timesheet with actual days worked signed off by the position’s line manager at UN Women.
• Payment will be made within 30 (thirty) days after receipt and acceptance of the aforementioned documents but only after UN Women have certified that the services have been satisfactorily performed by the National Consultant.

Compétences

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.

Qualifications et expériences requises

The National Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Gender, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Public Health or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years (Master’s Degree) or 7 years (first-level University Degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in in design, planning, implementation, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
• Minimum 3 years of proven work experience in gender equality, women’s issues, and human rights.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in ending violence against women and girls.
• Experience advancing/contributing to national policies, legislation, or guidelines on ending violence against women and girls in the Pacific region.
• Experience working with diverse group of people with sensitivity and inclusivity, including people with disabilities, LGBTQI+/SOGIESC and rural women in Samoa.
• Experience with project management, report writing, and documentation working in a fast-paced, complex environment is required.
• Previous professional experience working with international organizations, including UN agencies or similar agencies, is required.

Language and Other Skills

• Good command of English and Samoan both written and oral;
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Evaluation

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

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Gender, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Public Health.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years (Master’s Degree) or 7 years (first-level University Degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in in design, planning, implementation, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.

The short-listed individual candidates 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 100 points.

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

,

where:

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.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated based on its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

WINNING CANDIDATE

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