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 UNIFEM). 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.

In line with the Palestinian Government’s commitment to  achieve gender equality and to fight Violence Against Women (VAW), and in full partnership with the Justice and Security Sectors, including the Public Prosecution (PP), the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), the High Judicial Council (HJC) and the Supreme Judge Department (SJD), UN Women, within its joint programme with UNDP and UNICEF- “Promoting the Rule of Law in Palestine- SAWASYA II” is supporting the Justice and Security institutes to mainstream gender into  their procedures and policies, and develop and provide  gender responsive services to women victims and survivors of violence, through providing institutional capacity building and policy level interventions  amongst others.

The Family Protection Unit (FPU) was established by the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) in 2008 as the Specialized Unit in charge of cases related to family violence, including the protection of victims, and the interface with the Public Prosecution and other stakeholders within the Justice and Security sectors.   Since then, the Unit has been expanded to the 11 governorates in the West Bank, its scope has been widened to include juvenile cases as well, and its character has been altered from a Unit to a Department.  More specifically, the Family and Juvenile Protection Department, (FJPD) as the first responder, manages complex interventions including responding to incidents of violence, supporting victims in filing complaints, ensuring their protection and access to the justice process, collecting evidence and support appropriate investigations to ensure perpetrators are brought before justice. It also leads prevention awareness-raising activities on regular basis throughout the Palestinian communities.  Moreover, the Police work on cases of violence against women has been strengthened with the establishment of the One-Stop-Centre, the first of its kind in the country, in 2017, to provide multi sectoral services to women and children victims and survivors of violence, including juveniles.

 Against this backdrop, and acknowledging the importance of responsive facilities to enhance women’s and children’s access to justice and protection, by maintaining privacy and confidentiality of cases, and dignity of survivors,  UN Women is seeking to recruit a national consultant to conduct a  facility assessment to  the PCP premises in the West Bank districts with focus on the FPJD,  with the aim of improving the gender responsiveness of the Police facilities, especially for women and children victims and survivors of violence.

Objective of the assignment:

While the assignment’s main objective focuses on supporting stakeholders to enhance gender responsive environment and protection services to women and children victims and survivors of violence, the assignment’s specific objective is:

• To conduct a Facility Assessment to 9 PCP premises\directorates in West Bank districts with focus on the FPJDs, with the aim of developing a comprehensive picture of physical conditions and the functional performance of buildings; analyzing the results of data collection and observations; and reporting and presenting findings.  The findings and analysis will inform and guide decision-making for responsiveness of services to survivors of violence, including accessibility and inclusiveness provisions, by identifying gaps and priorities.  The assessment should be based on international human rights standards, particularly gender justice standards, and leave no one behind principle.

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

1. Develop an inception report that includes the work plan, the methodological framework, including the tools that will be used to collect data, and the timeline for the deliverables, to be approved by UN Women, following the below tasks:

• Meet with UN Women’s technical team and partner institution to discuss the assignment’s objectives and expected results.
• Propose a detailed workplan and a detailed methodology for the assessment and submit them to UN Women for review and approval. The methodology should include amongst others; the development of a criteria to check the level of adherence of the design, infrastructure, services and other related aspects of the targeted facilities with required standards to meet inclusivity, responsiveness and safety and security measures; meeting with service providers, particularly those providing services within the targeted facilities.

2. Data collection and analysis:

• Conduct site visits and review related documents of the identified facilities/ buildings.
• Conduct interviews, and meetings with stakeholders, notably service providers to collect data and solicit their views concerning the needs and gaps.  
• Use other data collection tools and methodologies as relevant, making use of regional and global tools and standards.
• Analyze data and highlight findings.

3. Development of the Facility Assessment Report:

Develop a detailed Facility Assessment, to cover 9 Police directorates in the West Bank districts with focus on the Family and Juvenile Protection Departments. The assessment report should identify the opportunities and gaps embedded within the targeted facilities pertaining to the protection services to women and children’s victims of violence, taking into full account standards and practices related to leave no one behind principle, accessibility, inclusiveness, responsiveness, and safety and security. The report should include actionable recommendations, to address gaps and challenges facing women and children access to justice within the Police FJPD premises.

4. Submit a final narrative report, covering the description of the assignment, the methodology that was used, the main findings, including challenges and opportunities, and actionable recommendations. The list of interviewees and main points of related meetings and interviews should be annexed to the report.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: An approved inception report that includes the work plan, the methodological framework, and the timeline for the deliverables in English. (Expected delivery date:  One month after the signing of the contract)
• Deliverable 2: A final approved facility assessment in Arabic, along, with a set of recommendations and related annexes. (Expected delivery date: Four months after the signing of the contract.)
• Deliverable 3: A final approved narrative report for the whole assignment. (Expected delivery date:  Five months after the signing of the contract) 

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: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead Policy review process through consultation with stakeholders;
• Very strong background on gender;
• Experience in assessing impact of policies, strategies and measures from a gender perspective;
• 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.

Education:

•  A Master’s degree in Development, or gender studies or social work or any other related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience in the field of violence against women.
• At least two previous similar assignments preferably in areas related to gender responsive facilities to survivors of violence, or gender responsive policing services.
• Previous experience with justice and/ or security sector 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 Development, or gender studies or social work. (max. 10 points)
• At least 5 years professional experience in the field of violence against women. (max. 15 points)
• At least two previous similar assignments preferably in areas related to gender responsive facilities to survivors of violence, or gender responsive policing services. (max. 20 points)
• Previous experience with justice and/or security sector is an asset. (max. 10 points)
• Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset. (max. 5 points)
• A sample of a developed report, or assessment, or study, or policy related to gender responsive facilities or gender responsive policing. (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.