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.

One of the key areas of UN Women work in Ukraine is Women, Peace and Security (WPS). In partnership with the Government of Ukraine and Women’s NGOs UN Women provides support in implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. UN Women supported the state institutions with development of a new National Action Plan for Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2021-2025 (NAP 1325), which was adopted in October 2020[1], and will provide technical support with implementation of certain prioritized activities, identified, and agreed with the government institutions.

To further support the consolidated efforts of the Parliament, Government, women’s groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) to meet the state commitments on gender equality and women’s rights, including CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and SDGs, through governance reforms and peace and security processes, UN Women launched the project “Building democratic, peaceful and gender equal society in Ukraine – Phase II”, funded by Norway. The project goal is for women to meaningfully participate in and equally benefit from peace and security processes at all levels in Ukraine. This will be achieved via supporting meaningful participation of women and their organizations in conflict prevention, resolution, and recovery and by supporting government at all levels in implementing and monitoring WPS commitments in sustainable and inclusive ways.

Despite the Ukrainian Government’s commitments to the WPS agenda, the raised awareness and the improved capacities among (some) policy and decision makers, security sector actors and CSOs, implementation of the WPS agenda in Ukraine requires the inclusion and meaningful participation of women at all levels in the decision-making and peace processes. In order to coordinate the implementation of the WPS agenda, of critical importance are investments in women’s capacities, their key human security concerns and needs (especially at the local level and in the east) and the facilitation of inclusive dialogues and platforms for women’s groups and national and local authorities (including the Trilateral Contact Group).

To support the process of women’s meaningful participation in the WPS agenda advancement in Ukraine as well as localization of the National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolutions on Women Peace and Security in six oblasts of Ukraine[2]  UN Women has partnered with UWF, women-led national civil society organization and a Responsible party (RP) of UN Women. The UN Women Responsible Party will work on increasing the capacity of women and their organizations at all levels (national, regional, and local) to be able to participate meaningfully in decision-making and peace processes. This involves strengthening knowledge and skills implementation and monitoring of WPS commitments, including understanding of early warning signals/indicators of security threats, and negotiations and mediation.

To provide expert support and technical guidance on the review of existing methodologies and tools on WPS used by  partners and civil society organizations in order to establish a streamlined approach for assessing capacity needs, implementing trainings and evaluating progress, as well as development of new tools/revision of existing resources to ensure consistent and high-quality trainings and resources for women and their organizations UN Women is looking for a Women, Peace and Security expert with extended knowledge and practical experience who will work as an International Consultant on Women, Peace and Security with the focus on the following areas of responsibility: to review the existing resources on capacity development in WPS area, develop/adjust tools for training on WPS; and conduct ToT on implementation of WPS commitments, including early warning systems.

[1] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/1544-2020-%D1%80#Text

[2] Donetska, Luhanska, Zaporizka, Kyrovohradska, Sumska and Chernihivska oblasts (regions)

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Project Manager/Coordination Analyst and direct supervision by the Programme Analyst, the International Consultant will provide expert support to UN Women and its Responsible Party - Ukrainian Women’s Fund  as well as other partnering NGOs engaged in WPS localization (if needed)  to review the existing resources on capacity development in WPS area, develop/adjust tools for training on WPS; and conduct ToT on implementation of WPS commitments, including early warning systems. The assignment will include but not be limited to the following tasks developed in coordination with UN Women and its Responsible Party:

1. Develop a results-based work plan for the provision of the required consultancy services, including tasks, indicators for measuring progress, as well as timeline.

2. Carry out desk review of the existing resources, methodologies and tools on capacity development in implementation and monitoring of WPS commitments (including resources and tools on early warning systems), negotiation and mediation along with national and local strategic documents relating to Women, Peace and Security Agenda and specific training provisions in them[1]  and other relevant documents;

3. Based on the conducted review of existing resources to develop/adjust and strengthen existing/new resources with user-friendly guidance note and training tools for conducting training on WPS adjusted to the specific learning needs and understanding of WPS agenda by grassroot level women

4.Lead and facilitate a minimum 2-day ToT on implementation of WPS commitments, including identification of early warning indicators of security threats with piloting of the developed guidance and training tools (see point 3.)

5. Provide a final report on activities conducted, achievements, lessons learnt and recommendations.

Assignment Deliverables:

*All reports should be submitted in English language and include the full set of supporting documents, such as developed documents, elaborated propositions, organized events’ agendas and methodologies, handouts, lists of participants, etc.

The Consultant is expected to work from home and conduct at least 1 mission to Ukraine including (if needed) in-country travels to the target regions of the Project.

Inputs

• UN Women and the Responsible Party will provide the Consultant with background materials, project related materials and technical assistance by UN Women during the implementation of the assignment related to the assignment.
• UN Women will arrange travel within the country and these expenses will be covered separately to the consultant based in UN travel policy and applicable daily subsistence allowance rates. Consultant should arrange travel to and from the country.
• UN Women and the Responsible Party will organize calls/videoconferences if necessary and meetings when consultant will travel to Ukraine.
• The consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer.

Performance evaluation:

• Contractor’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. The evaluation will be carried out and cleared by the hiring manager which will also be the basis for payment on a delivery to the consultant.

Financial arrangements:  

• Payment will be disbursed in five instalments upon receipt of the deliverables (as per above matrix) and their certification by UN Women Project Manager/Coordination Analyst that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

[1] National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 2021-2025, Sectoral Action Plans on UNSCR 1325, Strategy on Prevention and Combating Sexual Violence related to the Conflict in Ukraine) as well as Specific Guidelines on NAP Localization, Costing and Budgeting (forthcoming), Regional and Local Action Plans on 1325 from the target regions and communities

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Qualifications Education:

• Advanced (Masters) degree in social sciences, law, public policy/administration, economics, development studies, gender studies or similar.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of related professional experience in the field of international development; human rights, gender equality, gender mainstreaming, women’s and human rights.
• Proven expertise in Women, Peace and Security Agenda through implementation of WPS, related projects, or development of guidelines/tools, expert papers, and/or publications.
• Experience with provision of expert support to advance Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
• Experience in developing and delivering trainings and ToTs, providing technical assistance to authorities and/or Civil Society Organizations in Advancing Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
• Previous cooperation/working experience within the United Nations or international organizations.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Languages and other skills: 

• Fluent in English; knowledge of Russian/Ukrainian will be considered as asset.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of their qualifications and financial proposal. A two-stage procedure is utilized in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. The award of the contract should be made to the individuals whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable.
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria - 70% of total evaluation. Total max 70 points:

• The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 70. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on desk review and following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation will be further considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allocated for the financial/price component is 30.
• 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 49 points in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
• Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30.
• (S - score received on financial evaluation; F min - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round; F - financial offer under the consideration).

Application and submission package:

The candidate’s application should include:

1. P11 with indication of relevant experience in line with the ToR requirements.  Completed and signed UN Women Personal History (P-11) form can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558  
2. Financial proposal (sample is provided below): The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount with a breakdown of a daily professional rate per number of anticipated working days, travel costs[1] (travel to and from Ukraine) and other related costs (e.g. tele-communication).

Interested candidates are requested to apply no later than 11:59 pm 10 November 2021 by submitting applications to the following e-mail address: hr.ukraine@unwomen.org with a subject “International Consultant to review the existing resources on capacity development in WPS area”.

Applications without financial proposal may be treated as incomplete and may not be considered for further assessment.

[1] UN Women will arrange travel within the country and these expenses will be covered separately to the consultant based in UN travel policy and applicable daily subsistence allowance rates.

Sample of Financial Proposal

The format shown on the following tables is suggested for use as a guide in preparing the Financial Proposal

1. Cost Breakdown per Deliverables*

*Basis for payment tranches

UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided?on the basis of?qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.? 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.? 

UN Women?has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.? All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)?