Antecedentes

UN Women was established by GA resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with a mandate to assist Member States and the UN system to progress more effectively and efficiently towards the goal of achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Since 2001 UN Women (previously as UNIFEM) in Kyrgyzstan has implemented catalytic initiatives on promoting women’s economic, political and social rights. In 2012, a full UN Women Country Office (CO) was established.

Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) is not only a fundamental human rights principle but also a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development. It is recognized that achieving GEWE is essential in all sectors of society, including the financial sector, good governance for peacebuilding and women leadership. In Kyrgyzstan, as in many nations, the finance sector plays a pivotal role in economic growth, security and stability, and the distribution of resources.

UN Women in Kyrgyzstan works with a range of stakeholders to advance women’s economic rights and their contribution to sustainable economic development and peace building efforts of the country. This engagement aims to improve gender equality in public investment and infrastructure planning for women’s safety and mobility in Kyrgyzstan.

Recognizing this critical nexus between gender equality, peacebuilding and the financial sector, UN Women is looking for a national consultant to provide comprehensive support to UN Women in advancing GEWE in Kyrgyzstan through a series of strategic and inter-related activities: 1) promote gender, peace building and climate security initiatives for funding from existing Development Funds; 2) work on strengthening GEWE initiatives within Kyrgyzstan's financial sector and to foster collaboration with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and the national legislative body, Jogorku Kenesh.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Head of Programmes in Kyrgyzstan and technical supervision of the SDG Data and Partnership Coordinator at UN Women CO, the National Consultant will provide comprehensive support to UN Women team for fulfilling the following set of interrelated tasks:  

Activity 1: Conduct a comprehensive mapping and analysis of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that are actively involved in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives within Kyrgyzstan. 

a. Identify and compile a list of relevant IFIs operating within Kyrgyzstan  with an overview of the financial resources allocated by IFIs to support gender-focused projects in the country, highlighting key focus areas and beneficiaries

b. Conduct analysis of each IFI's specific gender-related initiatives, projects, and funding mechanisms, including their results 

c. Identify any gaps or areas where increased collaboration or support from IFIs could further enhance gender equality efforts in Kyrgyzstan.

d. Produce a report summarizing the findings, trends, and recommendations for UN Women CO on partnerships with IFIs.

Activity 2: Technical support to Jogorku Kenesh on Parliamentary Hearings on progress of IFI’s work in the area of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

a. Provide support to Jogorku Kenesh to develop a comprehensive agenda for the Parliamentary Hearings, outlining key topics, objectives, and sessions related to IFIs' work in gender equality and women's empowerment.

b. Provide guidance on structuring sessions to ensure a productive and inclusive dialogue.

c. Assist Jogorku Kenesh in formulating follow-up actions and strategies based on the findings and recommendations from the Parliamentary Hearings.

Activity 3: Technical Support to National Bank to promote gender equality and women's empowerment within the financial sector.

a. Identify key decision-makers within the National Bank and stakeholders who can support and collaborate on collection of sex-disaggregated data from commercial banks.

b. Facilitate dialogue with NB with the purpose to initiate sex and other disaggregated data collection from commercial banks and other financial sector actors as part of their regular processes 

Activity 4: Technical Support to building partnership possibilities with existing Development Funds to co-finance local initiatives on peace and social cohesion restoration 

a. Identify existing Development Funds (local, national, international) that have a mandate to finance local development initiatives. 

b. Conduct a series of meetings (based on the number of identified funds)  with Development Funds and define the areas of collaboration for co-financing local development initiatives co-created by communities and LSGs target villages in Batken province.

c. Facilitate 2 dialogues (1 in Batken district, 1 in Leilek district) between Development Funds and communities and LSGs target villages in Batken province to discuss the possibilities of co-financing local initiatives on gender equality, peace building, climate security, and other development issues.

d. Facilitate the process of building partnership between funds and local partners, including support in submission of project proposals to relevant funds. 

Deliverables

Number of fee days

Target Date

Activity 4: Technical Support to building partnership possibilities with existing Development Funds to co-finance local initiatives on peace and social cohesion restoration

  1. List of Development Funds (national, international) with mandates to finance local development initiatives.
  1. Defined the areas of collaboration with funds for co-financing local development initiatives co-created by communities and LSGs target villages in Batken province.

7 w/days

30 December   2023

Activity 4: Technical Support to building partnership possibilities with existing Development Funds to co-finance local initiatives on peace and social cohesion restoration

  1. 2 dialogues (1 in Batken district, 1 in Leilek district) conducted between Development Funds and communities and LSGs target villages in Batken province to discuss the possibilities of co-financing local initiatives.

Number of project proposals submitted to relevant funds.

7 w/days

20 January   2024

Activity 1: Conduct a comprehensive mapping and analysis of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that are actively involved in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives within Kyrgyzstan

  1. An inception report detailing workplan, including the methodology.
  2. Mapping containing the list of identified International Financial Institutions (IFIs) operating within Kyrgyzstan summarizing  their specific gender-related initiatives, projects, funding mechanisms, approaches, strategies, and targets on GEWE within Kyrgyzstan.

Report including both qualitative and quantitative data on IFIs initiatives and recommendations for potential partnership opportunities to enhance gender equality efforts in Kyrgyzstan.

7 w/days

15 February 2024

Activity 2: Technical support to Jogorku Kenesh on Parliamentary Hearings on progress of IFI’s work in the area of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

  1. Agenda, LoP, hands-out materials for the Parliamentary Hearings on IFIs' work in gender equality and women's empowerment, including session topics, objectives, and key speakers.
  2. A document outlining follow-up actions and strategies based on the findings and recommendations from the Parliamentary Hearings, including proposed legislative and policy actions.

  7 w/days

 

 15 March 2024

 

Activity 3: Technical Support to National Bank to promote gender equality and women's empowerment within the financial sector.

  1. The list key decision-makers within the National Bank and stakeholders who can support and collaborate on collection of data from commercial banks
  2. Agenda/ handout materials / Report on the dialogue with National Bank with the purpose to initiate sex and other disaggregated data collection from commercial banks and other financial sector actors as part of their regular processes 

  7 w/days

 

15 April 2024

 

Reporting requirements:

The National Consultant is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer but may access the UN Women office to print relevant documents or whenever required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

Consultancy report should be provided in both in printed and electronic versions in Russian and English with detailed description of the fulfilled tasks, according to the present Term of Reference, and the contribution of the expert. Analytical documents, reports and other materials developed by expert should be attached to the report as annexes, which will serve as a justification for payment.

Timeframe, payments

The duration of the consultancy is from 15 December 2023 for up to 35 fee days:

The payments will be made in KGS at the UN Operational Rate for Exchange (UNORE) effective at the month of payment and in one instalment per reported number of fee days based on submitted and approved deliverables, as follows:

Competencias

Core Values:

Integrity:

  • Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

  • Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Respect for Diversity:

  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.
  • Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Corporate competencies:

  • Knowledge of gender equality and women rights issues
  • Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of gender equality, climate change and sustainable development
  • Proven experience in Formulating of Project Proposals for Climate Change and Gender
  • Excellent inter-personal communication and team-working skills
  • Effective planning and time-management skills
  • Good analytical and writing skills
  • Commitment to quality and timely results  

Ethics and Values:

  • Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

  • Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

  • Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi -ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

  • Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

  • Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

  • Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

  • Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

  • Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Required Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree in public administration, economy, social studies, development studies, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the area of governance and public administration, experience on gender responsive policy making and budgeting is an asset.
  • Experience and knowledge on central level strategic planning, policy making and budgetary processes in Kyrgyzstan. 
  • Familiarity with country context on gender equality is considered an asset.
  • Previous experience working with international organizations is considered an asset.
  • Knowledge and experience on GRB are considered an asset.

Language:

  • Fluency in Russian and English (written and spoken), working knowledge of Kyrgyz.

Other Skills

  • Knowledge and skills of relevant computer applications of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), knowledge of Internet communications and command is required.

Application procedure:

Applications should include:

  1. Offeror's letter to UN Women confirming interest and availability for the assignment.
  2. Financial proposal, indicating a total lump sum to include all costs relating to the delivery of activities as per above description.
  3. P-11 form including experience in similar assignments. This form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.

Financial proposal format:

#

Item

Unit cost in KGS

Number of units

Total cost in KGS

1

Daily fee rate

 

35

 

2

Other related costs (to be specified)

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period. The financial proposal should be provided in KGS. If the proposal is provided in any other currency, it would be converted as per UN exchange rate on the date of post closure.

Evaluation of applicants

The evaluation starts with shortlisting of potential candidates and received applications against the mandatory requirements. Only full applications will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be then evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications and experience, and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  1. Technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR; and
  2. Having received the highest cumulative (technical & financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the present ToR in order to determine whether they are compliant/ non-compliant.

Eligibility Criteria

1

Master’s Degree in public administration, social studies, development studies, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR.

A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

2

A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the area of governance and public administration, experience on gender responsive policy making and budgeting is an asset.

2nd stage: Technical Evaluation/ Desk review.

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

 

Technical

70%

70

 

Education:

15%

Maximum 15 points, including:

 

Master’s Degree in public administration, social studies, economy, development studies, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR.

A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

15%

15

 

Experience, including:

40%

Maximum 40 points, including:

 

A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the area of governance and public administration, experience on gender responsive policy making and budgeting is an asset.

20%

15

 

Experience and knowledge on central level strategic planning, policy making and budgetary processes in Kyrgyzstan. 

15%

15

 

Strong oral communication and writing skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing policy and programme documents

5%

5

 

 

Skills and knowledge, including:

10%

Maximum 10 points, including:

 

Knowledge and skills of relevant computer applications of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), knowledge of Internet communications

10

10

 

Language Requirements

5%

Maximum 5 points, including:

 

Fluency in Russian: 3 points – fluently, 0 points – not fluently

3%

3

 

Working knowledge of English, 2 points – working knowledge, 0 points – not fluently

2%

2

 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points out of 70 points at the Technical Evaluation/ Interview will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Financial

30%

30

 

3rd stage: Financial evaluation will be conducted according to the method described below:

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)

Where:

p - points for the financial proposal being evaluated;

µ - price of the lowest priced proposal;

z - price of the proposal being evaluated

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.)

Applications without the completed P-11 form are incomplete and will NOT be considered for further assessment!