Antecedentes

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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997 (as UNFEM). UN Women Palestine Office focuses its activities on one overarching goal, namely, to support the implementation at the national level of existing international commitments to advance gender equality in line with the national priorities. In support of this goal, and thoroughly taking into consideration the specificities of the Palestinian context, UN Women concentrates its efforts and interventions toward the realization of following strategic goals:  Mainstreaming gender in governance, peace, and security; Supporting women's economic security and rights; and Promoting women’s rights and protection against violence.

UN Women, as part of its’ global goals and commitments towards empowering women and enhancing gender equality and women’s access to justice is exerting efforts towards supporting the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence who face intersectional and compounded forms of Gender-Based violence (GBV), including physical, legal, psychosocial, economic, and sexual violence, which increase their marginalization and vulnerability. Deeply rooted discriminatory social norms and stereotypes reinforce the marginalization of the excluded groups within their families and the society at large. These norms and stereotypes are also reflected and translated into discriminatory laws and policies that reinforce exclusion and discrimination against them, in addition to the complete lack of responsive services to meet their needs, and the existence of non-responsive services that have not been adapted to the needs of the most marginalized, excluded and furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

Leaving no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It represents the unequivocal commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole.

Under its work within SHAML Project -  Enhancing the Protection and Reintegration of Furthest Left Behind Groups of Women and Girls, UN Women will capitalize on the ongoing efforts exerted by the different actors, notably the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and CSOs providing protection and re- integration services to the furthest left behind groups of women and girls victims and survivors of violence, to further strengthen stakeholders’ capacities to accelerate the realization  and fulfillment of the rights of the furthest left behind groups of women and girls victims and survivors of violence. 

The furthest left behind groups of women and girls for this project are the seven groups of women and girls who are denied access to sheltering services as per the Cabinet’s decision of 2011 on Protection Centers for Women Victims of Violence: women who have committed crimes (misdemeanours and felonies) and are executing court sentences, women with physical and mental disabilities, substance abuse cases, women accused of prostitution, women or girls who have infectious diseases, women who form a threat to other women, and girls who are below the age of 18, in addition to elderly women particularly those with mental or physical disabilities.

To support the project in documenting and evaluating the effectiveness of its piloting phase, and enhancing a culture and practice of reliable planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (PMER), UN Women within Shaml project is planning to recruit a national expert to monitor and document the project’s implementation, its results, achievements, impact, opportunities, gaps, challenges and any other related aspects.  This will support the project to strengthen its approach, and sharpen its focus, and will enable it to mitigate any potential challenges. It will also contribute to project improvement, organizational learning and accountability to multiple stakeholders—in particular to beneficiaries.

Objective of the assignment:

UN Women within SHAML project is seeking to recruit a national expert to monitor and document the project’s implementation, its achievements, results, gaps, opportunities, challenges and others.

More specifically, the assignment has the following specific objectives:

1. To develop a monitoring framework in line with the Project document (ProDoc). This should include but is not limited to validating the definition of each indicator, identifying the baseline data, identifying the data source, developing data collection tools per each indicator, and identifying frequency of data collection.
2. To collect inclusive data through implementing the monitoring framework. This includes monitoring the implementation of the project’s interventions, its results, indicators, achievements, challenges, opportunities, gaps and others; and solicit feedback from stakeholders, particularly beneficiaries of interventions.
3. To submit a monitoring report per each monitoring activity implemented. The purpose of this report is to provide actionable recommendations to sharpen the focus of the project and support the management to assess progress towards implementation of the project.

The monitoring will cover both the West bank and Gaza, and the interventions that are implemented either through partners CSOs or UN Women.  It should use research and monitoring tools that are best fit and responsive for interventions targeting furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence. Further to that, the monitoring should collect disaggregated data, encourage the participation of stakeholders in the M&E, establish a beneficiary feedback mechanism, and uphold safety and ethical considerations. Moreover, it should apply an intersectional feminist approach in assessing and analyzing the effectiveness and relevancy of the project’s interventions.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the overall supervision of UN Women Special Representative in the State of Palestine, the direct supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist, and UN Women Monitoring and Reporting Associate, and working in close cooperation and coordination with UN Women technical team, the selected consultant will undertake the following tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

1. Develop an inception report (in line with Annex 1), that includes a detailed description of the work plan, methodology, and a monitoring framework for UN Women review and approval,   following the below tasks:

• Meet with UN Women’s technical team and stakeholders, to discuss the assignment’s objectives, methods and tools that will be used, and the main deliverables.
• Develop a methodology and a detailed work plan and share with UN Women for feedback. The workplan and the methodology shall be based on the monitoring framework to be developed by the consultant.

    The methodology should notably consider the following tools:

• Literature review of relevant references, including at the regional and global levels on monitoring of interventions targeting the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ survivors and victims of violence.
• Collection of primary data, through the use of different monitoring methods, including:

• Development of quantitative and qualitative questionnaires; interview questions, pre and post assessments, direct observation and others.
• Collective and bilateral meetings, consultations, focus groups and interviews with individuals from the project’s target groups in both the West Bank and Gaza, their families and community members.
• Collective and bilateral meetings, consultations, and interviews with technical people from concerned stakeholders and institutions, including CSOs, governmental institutions, experts in the field in both West Bank and Gaza, UN Women, other UN agencies as needed.
• Ensure a participatory approach, throughout all phases of the monitoring with UN Women and other stakeholders as requested by UN Women.

2. Collect and analyze data based on the data collection tools identified in the monitoring framework.

3. Provide detailed report for each of the monitoring activities. These reports will guide the development of actionable recommendations to sharpen the project’s focus, approach, tools, and effectiveness.  

The report should include a detailed outline, including executive summary, literature review, methodology, tools used, progress update on indicators, description and analysis of findings, and recommendations. It should also include as annex the tools used to collect data, minutes of meetings, interviews, raw data, and any other related docs.

As part of developing the monitoring report, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Ensure adherence with research ethics rules and policy, taking into full account issues pertaining to maintain confidentiality of data, and informed consent. Maintain full coordination and cooperation with related stakeholders.
• Safeguarding the rights and protection of victims, applying the do no harm principle throughout the research phases.
• Based on inputs provided by UN Women, amend reports, and submit amended versions for review and validation.
• Facilitate a consultation workshop with concerned stakeholders, including CSOs partners and UN Women, the donor, and others relevant.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: An approved inception report that includes the work plan, the methodological framework, the monitoring framework, and the timeline for the deliverables, in English. (Expected delivery date: 5 weeks after the signing of the contract).
• Deliverable 2: An approved progress monitoring report in English covering the period of February and March 2021. UN Women expects to receive draft February report by mid-March (Expected delivery date: 4 months after the signing of the contract).
• Deliverable 3: An approved final cumulative report covering the whole period, along with annexes, (please refer to Annex 2, the report outline) in English. The report should include the description of the assignment, the main achievements, lessons learned, challenges and recommendations for future related programming. (Expected delivery date: 6 months after signing of the contract).

Competencias

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

Functional Competencies

• Ability to lead Policy review process through consultation with stakeholders;
• Very strong background on gender;
• Ability to manage time and meet tight deadlines;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, organizational and communication skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• A Master’s degree in sociology, human rights, social studies, development, gender, statistics, or any other related field. A PhD degree is an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of VAW and gender-based violence.
• Minimum three to five years’ experience in the field of women and girls furthest left behind groups.
• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation. Experience in conducting monitoring or research on the furthest left behind groups is an asset.
• Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Professional knowledge of English, and fluency in Arabic

Evaluation Criteria :

This SSA modality is governed by UN Women General Terms and Conditions. UN Women will only be able to respond to applicants who meet the minimum requirements.

Candidates should clearly indicate how they meet the above-mentioned criteria in their applications.

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials:

• UN Women P11 including experience in similar assignments; the P11 form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted.

Note: Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Please upload as one attachment of the documents as mentioned above online through this website.

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates, medical certification (of good health) expression of Interest (EoI).

Evaluation of applicants

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications mentioned above, and financial proposal. A contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points:  

• A Master’s degree in sociology, human rights, social studies, development, gender, statistics, or any other related field. A PhD degree is an asset. (Max. 10 points)
•  Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of VAW and gender-based violence.  (Max.10 points)
• Minimum three to five years’ experience in the field of women and girls furthest left behind groups.  (Max. 10 points)
• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation. Experience in conducting monitoring or research on the furthest left behind groups is an asset. (Max. 25 points)
• Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset. (Max. 5 points)
• A sample of previously prepared monitoring and / or evaluation report. (Max. 10 points)

Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. A suggested formula is as follows:

p = 30 (µ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Only long-listed candidates will be contacted.

Financial proposal. Shortlisted candidate will be requested to submit a financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down a daily professional fee, proposed number of working days and any related expenses, i.e. travel and communications expenses.

Annex 1: Outline of the Inception Report

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms

List of Tables (*)

List of Figures (*)

1. Rationale, Purpose and Specific Objectives of the Assignement

Should include: rationale, purpose, specific objectives and the scope of the evaluation.

2. Project Object and Scope

Should include: a brief description of the development intervention (e.g. the time period; budget; geographical area; programming; intervention logic, stakeholder mapping; organizational set-up; implementation arrangements) including the theory of change of the programme

3. Approach and Methodology

Should include: (i) a description and an explanation of the monitoring approaches and methodology and its application; including details of, and justification for, the methodological choices; (ii) description of the methods of data collection (desk and field-based) -- including data collection plan; preparation of interview and guides for focus groups; surveys; etc. (iii) description of samples, sampling choices/methods and limitations regarding the representativeness of samples for interpreting evaluation results. (iv); data analysis plan (i.e. how the information collected will be organized, classified, tabulated, inter-related, compared and displayed relative to the indicators, etc.); (v) limitations.

4. Monitoring Framework

Monitoring framework outlining results (outcomes and outputs), indicators, indicators definition, baseline, targets, means of verification, data sources, data collection methods and tools, frequency of data collection, responsibility.

5. Stakeholders Engagement

Should include:  (i) a rapid stakeholders analysis defining main stakeholders that shall be involved in the monitoring (ii) role of each stakeholder identified (iii) how each stakeholder will be engaged.

6. Deliverables, Milestones, Schedule, Level of Effort

Should include: a detailed plan for the data collection phase; including detailed plans for field visits,

7. Team Composition

Should include:(i) list of team members (ii) organigram of team (iii) level of efforts by each team member

8. Annexes

Should include:

• Logic Model and PMF
• ToR (and amendments if applicable)
• List of Documents Consulted for the Inception Report
• List of Individuals Consulted for the Inception Report (Disaggregated by Affiliation and Sex)

• Proposed Data Collection Tools / Protocols
• Proposed Field Work Schedule

(*) Tables, figures, graphs and diagrams should be numbered and have a title.

Annex 2:  Outline of Final Report

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms

List of Tables (*)

List of Figures (*)

Executive Summary

1. Rationale, Purpose and Specific Objectives of the Assignment

Should include: rationale, purpose, specific objectives and the scope of the evaluation.

2. Project Object and Scope

Should include: a brief description of the development intervention (e.g. the time period; budget; geographical area; programming; intervention logic, stakeholder mapping; organizational set-up; implementation arrangements) including the theory of change of the programme

3. Implementation of the Monitoring Framework

Should include what monitoring activities were conducted and what stakeholders were consulted and how.  Data should be disaggregated according to sex, geographical location, etc.

4. Monitoring Findings

Should include the findings of the monitoring per indictor.  The findings should be derived according to the analysis method identified in the Inception Report and should be triangulated using the different data collection methods. 

5. Lessons Learned

6. Recommendations

Annexes

Annex 1 – Data Collection Methods and Tools

Annex 2 - Logic Model and PMF