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 leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality are translated into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts while building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women in partnership with Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) through financial support from the DFID is launching this call for applicants to conduct an End – Term Evaluation of the Second Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD II) and a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of its Extended PNSD II with gender requirements integrated to align to the NDP III. The design and implementation of the PNSD is led by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Higher Local Governments in the National Statistical System (NSS).The evaluation covers the period July 2013/14-2017/18, and from July 2018/19 to August 2019 starting 1st October 2019 to 15th December 2019.

Context

In September 2015 the United Nations Summit adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in New York which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. The SDGs cover a very broad range of critical gender issues, including anti-discrimination, violence, unpaid care and domestic work, voice and participation, assets, income, labour, social protection etc.  To monitor gender responsiveness of SDG indicators, UN Women launched 3-year Global Flagship Initiative program on gender statistics, entitled as ‘Making Every Women and Girls Count (MEGWC). The overall objective of this program is to make enabling environments for the quality production of gender statistics, denting the gender data gaps and ensure accessibility and use of gender statistics. Uganda was selected as one of the 12 Pathfinder countries of MEWGC.

The Government of Uganda developed the National Standard Indicators (NSI) under the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Vision 2040 which are strategic frameworks addressing domestic needs in regard to the country’s development. UBOS is mandated by the UBOS Act,1998, to develop and maintain the National Statistical System (NSS) to ensure collection, analysis and publication of integrated, relevant, reliable and timely statistical information; and is charged with the responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and supervising the NSS (The NSS includes all agencies in Uganda, whether Government or not; under any enactment or otherwise; responsible for gathering statistical data through either surveys or administrative action).

Accordingly, the Plan for National Statistics Development (PNSD) has been designed in line with the NDP to provide a framework and mechanism for further reform of the NSS and acceleration of statistical development in Uganda. UBOS in collaboration with selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) spearheads development and implementation of the PNSD to develop an integrated, organised, coordinated and coherent NSS which ensures harmonized data production processes and quality statistics and draws together all data producing sectors and users (These include other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), notably the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Bank of Uganda (BoU), the private sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).   The PNSD envisions “A World Class Statistical System” and has also been designed to strengthen statistical capacity of the NSS to effectively address the national, regional and international data needs, but also emphasise data quality to inform national development priorities (The design of the PNSD I, Uganda’ development framework was guided by Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) which transitioned into the current National Development Plan (NDP).  The PNSD was also aligned to MDGs that have been broadened to form the current SDGs).  The PNSD underlines the need for production of gender disaggregated statistics to inform policies and programmes for evidence-based decision making, programme implementation and monitoring because there is a general lack of disaggregated data.

The PNSD adopted a participatory and consultative sectoral mainstreaming design approach where sector, MDA and Local Government SPSs constitute its building blocks.  The PNSD design and implementation process was phased.  The first Phase covered nine (9) MDAs (Ministry of Health (MoH); Ministry of Agriculture; Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF); Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD); Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry (MTTI); Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES); Uganda Police Force (UPF); Bank of Uganda (BoU), and UBOS).

The second Phase included additional seven (7) MDAs namely; Ministries of Water and Environment (MWE); Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD); Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD); Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED); Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST); Uganda Revenue Authority (URA); and Development Network for Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA).  Six (6) more MDAs were added in Phase III that included Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), Department of Immigration and Citizenship Control (DCIC), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) as well as 13 Districts- Arua, Abim, Mubende, Masindi, Bundibugyo, Kanungu, Mbale, Rakai, Moroto, Katakwi, Oyam, Gulu, Yumbe..  To date, three (3) Sectors, 28 MDAs and 121 Local Governments (HLGs) have developed and are implementing Strategic Plans for Statistics (SPSs) under the PNSD framework. 

Governance

The NSS Steering Committee overseas the implementation of PNSD while the Inter Agency Committee (IAC) provides a platform for regular stakeholder discussions, planning, and progress reporting on PNSD implementation.  There are also Sector/District Statistics Committees (S/DSCs) established in the PNSD implementing MDAs and HLGs to facilitate; identification of priority user needs; support the design and implementation of the SPSs in line with the PNSD, and ensure use of appropriate statistical methods, metadata, definitions and statistical standards.

Intended Deliverables and Implementation of PNSD

PNSD II under the theme data quality and use identified five strategic goals that were derived from the challenges of the national statistical system and these formed the vision of the expected impact.  The five strategic goals were: 

Goal 1: Improve statistical coordination and management.

Goal 2: Increase demand for and usability of statistics.

Goal 3: Improve data production and management.

Goal 4: Enhance data quality assurance.

Goal 5: Strengthen human resource management and development in statistical production and dissemination.

Six Strategic interventions were also prioritised in the Extended PNSD II:

1. Strengthening partnerships between MDAs and UBOS to generate quality statistics;
2. Strengthening administrative data systems for statistics;
3. Enhancing institutional capacity to deliver quality statistics and research;
4. Increasing demand and usability of statistics by:
   1. Undertaking relevant surveys and censuses and,
   2. Increasing dissemination of statistics and research findings;
5. Developing and enhancing data quality assurance systems;
6. Strengthening statistical coordination and management;

Progress

The first five-year PNSD was designed in 2006 and implemented over the period PNSD I (2006/7 – 2011/12).  It was anchored in the international and national development frameworks such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) upgraded to SDGs, the Ugandan Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and subsequently integrated in the country’s National Development Plan (NDP I).  In November 2009, DFID and the EU commissioned a review of its support to UBOS under the SEBDM-II and EU Technical Adviser (TA) and District Statistics Projects.  The review noted that while ‘Progress on statistical outputs at UBOS had been relatively good‘ a number of areas had not made progress, including: training, HR and dissemination strategies for the NSS under the PNSD, nor had progress been made on the creation of a common cadre of statisticians and statistical support staff across all parts of government.  The review concluded that progress on strengthening statistics units in MDAs (particularly in improving the quality of their data) had been slow.

In July 2010, UBOS commissioned an independent consultant to undertake a Mid-Term Assessment of PNSD I to taking account of the progress and lessons at the mid-point in implementation.  Findings indicated progress in the number of statistical staff posted in MDAs, improved statistical infrastructure, improvements in some elements of data quality through verifying data collection methods and increased advocacy at the national level on the importance of statistics in planning and decision making.  Less progress was evident in establishing a systematic way of training and deployment of statistical staff, the absence of a clear and more supportive policy for the NSS, inadequate funding of statistical work amongst MDAs and a weak Statistical Audit Function.  

The second PNSD was designed in the FY 2012/13 and implemented over the period 2013/14-2017/18 under the theme ‘Enhancing Data Quality and Usability’ taking account the experiences generated from the design and implementation of PNSD I.  The implementation of the PNSD II (2013-14/2017-18) increased the appreciation of the use of statistics for planning, measuring performance and reporting by various users.  Specifically, there was an improvement in the environment for producing statistics in 32 MDAs that designed and implemented strategic plan for statistics.  Further the compliance of all MDAs in development National Standard Indicators (NSI) aligned to the NDP II and Programme Based Budgeting (PBB) requirements, demonstrated the importance of taking forward the implementation of the PNSD. 

In 2014, DFID commissioned OPM to undertake a review of the PNSD I.  The overall objective of the review was to assess the PNSD’s past performance, with a particular focus on the development of the National Statistical System (NSS) and how far the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have integrated statistical work in their plans and budgets.  The review focused on: design; results; value for money and fiduciary risk; and adaptability and sustainability (2015. DFID Uganda-Oxford Policy Management. Review of the Government of Uganda’s PNSD I). In 2016, a Mid Term Review (MTR) of the PNSD II was undertaken and findings were disseminated to key stakeholders in the NSS.  The key finding of the MTR was that the PNSD II implementation period was not aligned to the NDP II period and related regional and international statistical and development frameworks.  However, given the repetitive nature of statistical programs, over 95 percent of the PNSD outcomes inform largely the NDP II. 

In 2018, UN Women supported UBOS to design the Extended PNSD II with associated UBOS, MDA and LG SPSs providing for the alignment of the PNSD timelines to the NDP II, un completed activities and the integration of gender and the NPGEIs and other frameworks such as the SDGs.  The Extended PNSD II was designed and is being implemented up to 2019/20.

Justification

The Extended PNSD II integrated some gender requirements including components of the NPGEIs, is aligned to the NDP II timeline and covers the entire NSS by bringing together all key data producers, users and suppliers due to recognition that; national flagship policies, plans, programs and international frameworks such as Vision 2040, NDP II, SDGs, and Africa Agenda 2063 must be based on comprehensive and quality statistics that meet user needs. Currently, the Government of Uganda has defined the strategic direction of the NDP III and initiated discussions for its design. Following the completion of the second PNSD, and mid-point implementation of the Extended PNSD II, it is timely to conduct an End-Term Evaluation to assess the performance of the PNSD II and the associated Extended PNSD II, UBOS Strategic Plan, MDA and HLG Strategic Plans Statistics and with respect to the objectives to establish: the achievements, what was not achieved, and the reasons why/challenges and draw recommendations to inform the design of the PNSD III for alignment to the NDP III. 

UN Women with funding from DFID is seeking to contract a Lead National Consultant who will work closely with UBOS, the to undertake an End Term Evaluation of the PNSD II and Mid Term Review of the Extended PNSD II to inform design and align the PNSD III to the NPD III. The consultant will be leading the development of the evaluation methodology, provide technical guidance in undertaking the Evaluation and writing the Evaluation report.

Evaluation Objectives

Key Objective of Evaluation

The overall objective of the review is to assess past performance of the PNSD II and its extension with a particular focus on the development of NSS and how far the MDAs and LGs have integrated statistical work in the plans and budgets. 

Specific objectives are;

1. Assess the results (intended and unintended) of the PNSD II against its objectives to determine what was achieved, what was not and the reasons why.
2. Review performance of the PNSD II, UBOS Strategic Plan, Local Government and Sector Strategic Plans for Statistics along the criteria of relevance, efficiency, complementarity and coordination, effectiveness and sustainability
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the PNSD Implementation Structures such as the Steering committee, Inter Agency Committee, Sector Statistics Committee and MDA/LG Statistics Committees.
4. Review the Legislation governing the NSS to evaluate its comprehensiveness in addressing the dynamic requirements of the NSS and emerging data revolution.
5. Evaluate the capacity (personnel, statistical Infrastructure, Information Technology requirements) implement the PNSD at Local Government and MDA levels.
6. Generate lessons and approaches, identify good national and international practices and suggest recommendations for improvement of statistics production and development; and National Statistical Systems in general based on the Uganda experience.
7. Review the PNSD thematic areas and provide recommendations and guidance on priority areas for the third Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD III FY 2020/21-2024/25), its design and alignment to the NDP III.

Scope

The End-Term evaluation of the PNSD II will cover all the work of UBOS and the entire NSS focussing on the MDAs and HLGs implementing the PNSD.  This will include the implementation period of the PNSD II and mid-point of the Extended PNSD II as well as the associated UBOS Strategic Plan, MDA and HLG Strategic Plans Statistics.  The Evaluation will also cover Users (key government oversight agencies – MoFPED, OPM, NPA and MoLG; MDAs and LGs; Development Partners (DFID, World Bank, UN Agencies); Key data providers including the Private Sector, research and training institutions and Civil Society.

The evaluation will focus on strategic implementation of statistical production, capacity and development initiatives and integration of gender requirements in statistics during the period 2013/14-2019/20.

The content of the Evaluation will focus on analysis of the internal and external environment for statistics, the Theory of Change (ToC) and Value for Money (VfM), relevance, effectiveness and efficiency, adaptability and sustainability of the PNSD and NSS, taking account of the NDP II, SDGs and related framework.

It will also evaluate the strategies for enhancing harmonization, coordination, and compliance to statistical standards across the NSS with respect to utilisation of quality and credible statistics at LG, sector and NSS in general.

Design

Based on this, the review will assess:

1. The wider institutional context within which the PNSD was designed, including the policy context of the NSS and UBOS, the public and donor financing of statistics, integration of gender requirements and the demand environment.
2. The validity of the Theory of Change (TOC) of the PNSD (implicit or explicit). How clearly has the TOC been laid out? Are the assumptions of success explicit and do they still hold true? Is it still relevant and appropriate and is the results framework clear? 
3. The design of the PNSD is terms of the model utilised to work with MDAs and other partners.  Was the demand-driven approach properly researched and conceptualized recognizing the incentives within Government? Was there a sufficient understanding or appraisals carried out of structures, processes and capacities of recipient MDAs and agencies?  How coherent was the overall design?  Did the design respond to the challenges of the NSS in Uganda?

Results

The following dimensions of results will be assessed in the evaluation:

1. What has the contribution of the PNSD been to the overall strengthening of the National Statistical System in Uganda?
2. How effective has the PNSD been in terms of delivering sustainable changes in attitudes, capacities, budgets and practices in the target agencies?
3. What have been the specific results in the areas of five (5) Strategic Goals:
   • Improve statistical coordination and management.
   • Increase demand for and usability of statistics.
   • Improve data production and management.
   • Enhance data quality assurance.
   • Strengthen human resource management and development in statistical production and dissemination.
4. How effective has the overall coordination and institutional development of the PNSD been in terms of strengthening the NSS?

Value for Money (VfM) and Fiduciary Issues

1. Assess whether VFM measures have been designed and incorporated in the PNSD, and how these have been implemented and monitored.
2. What efficiency gains has UBOS derived as a result of strengthening statistics in MDAs?
3. Determine the extent to which UBOS can control or mitigate against Public Financial Management (PFM) weaknesses across the Ugandan public services.
4. Review the process and effect of deploying staff to MDAs under the PNSD in terms of reporting and results.
5. What possible options are there for more centralised management of human resources and the possible impact of this on the ability of the PNSD to still strengthen capacity and demand in MDAs?

Adaptability, Impact and Sustainability

1. How adaptable has UBOS and the PNSD partners been in this process, and how much has changed based on evidence from monitoring and the mid-term reviews?  Has it learnt from others, through studies tours and the like, and what effect has this had?
2. How clear, relevant are the PNSD’s monitoring frameworks? How well has the PNSD II and extension been monitored and reviewed?
3. How sustainable are the results achieved in the target institutions? Is there a clear plan for expansion of target institutions and/or consolidation within existing institutions? What are the implications of these choices?
4. To what extent has UBOS and implementing MDAs and HLGs attracted resources for supporting statistical development during the life of the PNSD II and its extension? What is the level of government commitment to supporting (including providing resources) to PNSD?
5. To what extent has the PNSD addressed data use amongst the private sector actors?

Approach and Methods

The review will be theory-based, drawing on the generic National Strategies for Development of Statistics (NSDS/PNSD) models, the experiences from other countries in terms of design and application, and the specific approach taken in Uganda.  The theory-based analysis is a mechanism-based and will look for connections between cause–and– effect addressing not only whether the PNSD is working against its own terms but, what it is about the PNSD that is or is not working and why.  The specific analysis will be guided by the key review questions listed in this ToRs and others that will be developed by the consultant.

The methods will be determined by the consultants but are expected to involve desk-based review of NSDS approaches and evidence from comparator countries; review of Uganda literature and evidence generated by the monitoring and evaluation systems of the Plan/programme.  Adoption of both quantitative and qualitative designs with mechanisms of gender responsive evaluation during the review; application of appropriate data collection and analysis tools for segmented categories of stakeholders while addressing gender issues from appropriate sources of data to assess deliverables and outcomes. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

Reporting, Quality Assurance and Governance

Under the supervision of the UN Women Deputy Country Representative the consulting team will work in close collaboration with the Executive Director, Uganda Bureau of Statistics. The Lead National Consultant will provide leadership and technical support to the End-line Evaluation of the PNSD II and Mid Term Review of the Extended PNSD II process.  UBOS will also constitute an Evaluation Technical Team chaired by the deputy Director, Statistical Development to provide technical and administrative support the consulting team. The team will ensure quality assurance of the products of the evaluation process and where necessary, these will be subjected to review and validation by selected PNSD coordination and implementation structures and/or committees such as the Sector Statistics Committees – SSCs and Inter Agency Committee-IAC.

An Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) will be set up to provide technical to the process.  The ERG will comprise representation from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Makerere University School of Planning and Statistics (MUK-SPS), Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), National Planning Authority (NPA), CSO, UBOS and UN Women.  The ERG will be chaired by the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Office of the Prime Minister and Co-chaired by the Deputy Executive Director, Statistical Production and Development (DED/SPD) of UBOS.  The Group will meet three at least times during the evaluation process.

The final Evaluation report of the PNSD II should be compiled and disseminated at a major NSS stakeholders’ forum.  Handover of the final report in soft and hard copy will be made to the Executive Director-UBOS and Country Representative - UN Women Uganda. 

7. Outputs and Timeline 

The lead consultant is expected to deliver the assignment in 45 man-days with main deliverables to be achieved as defined in the table below.  Detailed timescales and resources will be agreed in advance with the consultant at the start of the project.

The start date of the contract will be 1st October 2019 and end date 15th December 2019.

Deliverables/Tasks

1. An inception report (including Review matrix) on the content, methodology, and tools for evaluation of the PNSD II framework - laws, policies, regulations, and action plans as well as pointers to level of inclusiveness, and gender-equality.
2. Draft PNSD II Evaluation Report (either one report clearly demonstrating evidence around the specific objectives of the review, or more than one report to be determined with the consultants).
3. Final Evaluation Report with an Executive Summary
4. Dissemination of the Evaluation report to key stakeholders – Government, UN agencies and donors, CSOs, and partners for validation of the findings and recommendations.
5. A Communications Piece with recommendations to Government inform design of the PNSD III and reform the National Statistical System.

Resources and Skills and Experience Required

The Evaluation consulting team will comprise four national consultants including one Lead Consultant required to work with three counterparts.  The lead consultant will be required to apply using the P11 and submit a Technical and Financial proposal with profiles of the three consultants.

Competencias

The consulting team will be required to have the following competences

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

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN, particularly relating to gender equality and the empowerment of women;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favouritism.

Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse and multicultural supervisors and staff members;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Focuses on impact and result for the partners and responds positively to feedback

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education

Lead consultant

• The consultant must have a minimum of a Possession of a PhD in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences preferably in Gender, human rights, Development Studies, Demography and related field
• Post graduate qualifications in Public Policy, Public Sector management, M&E from recognised University.  

• Possession of a Masters’ degree in Social Sciences preferably in Gender, human rights, Development Studies, Demography or related areas is an added advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in evaluations and statistical capacity, a record of managing strategic reviews particularly experience in evaluation of government programmes;
• Experience in developing mechanisms for monitoring compliance and ensuring accountability to set standards;
• Working experience in/on the Ugandan or any other developing country National Statistical System, specifically in sub-Saharan/East Africa would be an asset;
• Experience in conducting consultations with diverse stakeholders especially relevant Government ministries and Development Partners to elicit actionable information would be an asset and extensive knowledge of the Ugandan social, economic and political context;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to manage resources effectively including delivering to tight timescales;
• Experience working with the UN system would be an asset.

Other Consultants (3)

Education

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Quantitative Economics, Economics, Demography, Public Administration/Management studies.
• Knowledge and experience in Strategic Planning and Management and monitoring and Evaluation.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in evaluations and statistical capacity, a record of managing strategic reviews particularly experience in evaluation of government programmes;
• Experience in developing mechanisms and frameworks for monitoring compliance and ensuring accountability to set standards;
• Knowledge and experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of Uganda’s Statistical System, National development Plan (NDP) and SDG framework, and government Policy frameworks would be an asset;
• Knowledge and experience in development of indicators for government programmes including the decentralized framework, national and international levels;
• Experience in conducting consultations with diverse stakeholders especially relevant Government ministries and Development Partners to elicit actionable information would be an asset and extensive knowledge of the Ugandan social, economic and political context;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to manage resources effectively including delivering to tight timescales;

• Experience working with the UN system would be an asset.

Language:

• Fluent level of written and spoken English is a requirement for all consultants.

9. Application Procedure

Interested qualified individual consultants must apply online by latest by September 25th, 2019. Candidates should submit one PDF File attachment containing:

1. a letter of interest,
2. a personal CV and
3. UN Women P11 dully filled form with at least three (3) professional references (UN Women Personal History Form (P11), can be downloaded at: http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
4. technical and financial proposal.

Note: The above documents need to be submitted and uploaded to the online application system as one document.

10.  Evaluation of Applicants

• Candidates will be selected based on cumulative analysis of:
• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight [70%]
• Financial/Price Proposal (100 points) weight [30%]

A two-stage procedure will be utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

1. Technical Qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the offer or/individual is evaluated based on following:

Technical Evaluation Criteria/ Obtainable Score

• Qualification and background – 20
• Previous experience in the review of statistical programmes, a record of managing strategic reviews and evaluation of government programmes – 30
• Understanding of this assignment – 30
• Experience and familiarity with the UN system, UN Women’s and UNICEF’s work - 10
• Language proficiency - 10

2. Financial Proposal review criteria:

The financial proposal will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100.
• 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 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

Deadline for application

All applications to be submitted no later than 25th September 2019

Note: UN Women is an equal opportunity Employer. Qualified women and men are encouraged to apply. UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid. The process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)