Background

The Strengthening Capacity and Effectiveness of the People’s Assemblies System in Laos (STEPS) Project is a five-year initiative (2022-2026) implemented by UNDP, together with the National and Provincial People’s Assemblies, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The overall goal of STEPS is to strengthen capacity of the legislature in Laos to effectively represent, engage and respond to citizen’s needs, particularly women and vulnerable groups. The project will support the national and provincial assemblies (members, committees and staff) in enhancing their mandates and ability to revise and approve legislation, monitor implementation of the country socio-economic development plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), better analyse societal concerns and communicate with citizens, and enhance overall accountability and transparency.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this assignment is to produce high quality qualitative research to comprehensively document and understand the gendered dimensions of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Assemblies in Lao PDR.  This will provide an evidence base for programming that responds to identified needs and contributes to increasing gender equality and social inclusion.  The situation analysis will include:
 

  • Differentiated experiences and perceptions of women and men MPs;
  • Integration of gender-responsive processes and activities, including gender-responsive budgeting;

Assemblies’ contributions towards gender equality & SDG5

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

The research team will comprise an international Lead Researcher supported by two national Associate Researchers to conduct the Gender Situation Analysis.  The Lead Researcher will be responsible for:

  • Providing overall leadership on all project deliverables based on inputs and insights from the national consultant;
  • Ensuring completion of all the deliverables outlined below;
  • Presenting the findings and recommendations of the draft and final documents for each deliverable based on the timeline given below.

S/he will be responsible for the following scope of work:

Task 1: Desk research and Inception Plan.

  • Desk review of existing Laos-specific material relevant to the research focus, specifically the institutional and social barriers to greater gender equality;
  • Detailed research outline and following feedback finalise an agreed outline;
  • Agreed methodology and work plan for the research to meet deliverables on the expected schedule;
  • Agreed risk mitigation and management plan.

Task 2: Data collection.

  • Agreed plan of interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with MPs and senior staff;
  • Key information needs matrix;
  • Conduct interviews and FGDs with the support of the research assistants;
  • Database of interview/FGD notes and provide update briefings as necessary to UNDP on progress;
  • Identify any gaps in data sources and undertake supplementary data gathering to ensure full coverage of research needs.

Task 3: Drafting and finalisation.

  • Based on the agreed outline, and with the support of the research assistant, first draft of research paper incorporating results of desktop review and data gathered through interviews and FGDs; programmatic recommendations;
  • Facilitate stakeholder review, and following that second draft research paper;
  • Following peer review, final research paper;
  • Support briefing for UNDP and partners on the final research paper.

Competencies

  • Good facilitation and coordination skills
  • Strong research, analytical and written skills
  • Result oriented, patient, and hands-on with good teamwork skills
  • Knowledge of Lao PDR’s development situation and key related issues
  • Knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures (desirable but not necessary)
  • Excellent computer skills (word, excel, power-point, internet, and other related matters)
  • Strong data collection and analytical skills
  • Capacity development techniques
  • Mature personality with experience working in mixed cultural teams
  • Strong interpersonal skill and experience in relation building

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s degree in political science, human rights, law, social sciences, development studies or a related area.
  • Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in provision of technical advisory services and/or research on gender equality and social inclusion issues, with preferably at least one assignment in a low income country / country in transition. 
  • Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in parliamentary service or parliamentary strengthening.
  • Excellent research, analytical and drafting skills and experience of providing policy advice at the international, regional or national levels.  Familiarity with participatory research methods

LANGUAGE :  

  • A high level of fluency in English language is required

 

Requirements for submission of proposals 

All interested and qualified International or National Individual Consultants should apply online using the following links: 

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.undp.org/laopdr/jobs

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below 

  1. TOR (Annex I)
  1. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II 

 

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

  1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work 

                  schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable; 

        2. P11 Form Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 

        3. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template  Offerors Letter to UNDP

 

Instructions for online submissions: 

  • Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically; 

 

 

  • Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails: surith.sengsavang@undp.org