Background

Background

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.

The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country (MCO) Strategic Note (SN) 2018-2022 was approved by the Executive Director of UN Women in December 2017. The Fiji MCO SN is a programmatic document that translates the UN Women Strategic Plan 2018-2021 to the Pacific regional and country levels and adapts it to the regional and country contexts and priorities, including the UN Pacific Strategy (UNPS).

The SN outlines the overall strategy and plan of action for the UN Women Fiji MCO for the years 2018-2022 and includes a Development Results Framework (DRF) and an Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Framework (OEEF) with expected results and targets, indicators and baselines. Under UN Women’s policies and procedures in relation to programme management, a mid-term review (MTR) is mandatory for programmes of at least three years duration. In this regard the UN Women Fiji MCO will hold its MTR in 2020.

The MTR is not meant to be an evaluation or an in-depth analysis, rather it is “light” in that it focuses more on a strategic reflection of UN Women’s work and progress. It will be contextualized in light of UN Women’s work as part of the UN Country Team’s work in the Fiji MCO, which in turn aligns with the visions and plans of Pacific countries. Included in this context are global processes and decisions like Beijing +25 and the progress of SDG 5 for the Pacific.

Prior to the MTR meeting in June, some preparatory work will need to be completed. This includes a desk review and the analysis and synthesis of results from a survey of key partners and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The specific objectives of the Fiji MCO SN MTR are to assess:

• the progress of the Fiji MCO SN to date and examine the activities, factors and modalities that facilitate or hinder the achievement of results;
• the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and sustainability of the implementation interventions;
• the appropriateness of the beneficiaries that the interventions are targeting;
• the perception of the beneficiaries and partners on the country level interventions;
• the quality of partnerships with both implementing and technical partners;
• the extent to which the Fiji MCO SN contributes to regional initiatives;
• and to project, with its current momentum, how effectively the Fiji MCO SN is on course to reach its intention by 2022.

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities        

The process for the MTR will include:

• consultations with key stakeholders in Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga – conducted by UN Women Country Program Coordinators;
• written survey of key stakeholders, created and distributed by UN Women, with a consultant to analyse findings;
• preparation of 5 discussion papers on Positioning, Programmatic Performance Partnerships, Normative, Coordination – prepared by UN Women program managers;
• a 2-day workshop of all UN Women staff in June – to be led by a consultant;
• preparation of the MTR report – prepared by a consultant.

Duration of the Assignment

The assignment will require 15 working days over a period of 4 months.

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of the UN Women Fiji MCO the Consultant will undertake the following tasks as outlined in Section V.

Expected Deliverables

The following are the key deliverables of the assignment:

1. Desk review of key documents, including:

• Guidance Note: Mid Term Reviews of Strategic Notes;
• UN Women Fiji MCO Strategic Note (2018-2022);
• UN Women Fiji MCO Annual Reports (2018, 2019);
• UN Women Fiji MCO Annual Work Plans (2018, 2019, 2020);
• Prodocs of exisiting and pipeline projects and programmes;
• UN Women Global Strategic Plan (2018-2021);
• UN Pacific Strategy (2018-2022);
• UN Women Fiji MCO project evaluations conducted so far;
• UN Development System reform - Repositioning of the UN system document;
• 5 discussion papers on Positioning, Programmatic Performance Partnerships, Normative, Coordination – prepared by UN Women program managers.

2. Analyze and synthesize the results of the UN Women Fiji MCO SN Survey for Partners and Stakeholders.

3. Analyze and synethesize, and report on the results of stakeholder consultations held in UNW key focus countries and with key partners.

4. Capture the main findings and issues identified for all discussion papers and country consultations in a powerpoint presentation and brief the UN Women team at the MTR Workshop.

5. Lead sessions at the MTR workshop, facilitate and participate fully in discussions.

6. Prepare and finalise SN MTR report including summarising findings from the MTR workshop discussions.

• All the documents, including the interview tools and reports should be submitted in written in English language.
• The Consultant will submit drafts of all reports and documents to UN Women for review and comment. UN Women will review all documents and reports within one week of submission.
• The Consultant will then submit final documents that incorporate and respond to UN Women feedback.
• Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the installment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one week of submission.

Inputs

UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials for the desk review.

The Consultant is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer but may access the UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

Management Arrangements

• The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of UN Women Fiji MCO Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with the Programme Specialist Monitoring and Evaluation who will be coordinating and supporting the process.
• The selected Consultant shall sign a contract with UN Women for stipulated assignment, as stated above.

Performance evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Travel

This assignment is mostly home-based, with at least 1 mission, covered by UN Women, to lead the 2-day MTR workshop.  Other travel must be covered by Consultant. 

Financial Arrangement

Payment will be disbursed upon submission and approval of deliverables and certification by the supervising managers that the services have been satisfactorily performed as per Section V above.

[1] Timing and format of the workshop will be determined based on developments with COVID-19.  This may mean that a virtual workshop is held, or that the timing of the workshop may need to be delayed.

[2] As noted above, timing and format of the workshop will be determined based on developments with COVID-19.  In the event that the workshop is delayed, the timing of deliverables 3 and 4 would be adjusted.

[3] Travel to physically attend the workshop will depend on developments with COVID-19.

Competencies

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.

Functional Competencies

• Ability to think conceptually, strategically and analytically;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Qualifications and Experience

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree or advanced university degree in social science, gender/women’s studies, programme management, or other related fields

Experience and Skills

• At least 10 years of professional work experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation activities;
• Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the Pacific;
• Experience in programming, monitoring and evaluation with UN agencies, similar international organizations, NGOs, multi/bilateral and/or government institutions;
• Proven knowledge of programme monitoring and evaluation theory, including theories of change, methodology, technology and tools;
• Proven experience in guiding and documenting programme reviews and evaluations, would be an advantage;
• Strong communication and writing skills - with clear and concise writing style, demonstrating analytical skills; – please provide examples of similar work undertaken;
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Language Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

1. At least 10 years of professional work experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation activities;
2. Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the Pacific;
3. Experience in programming, monitoring and evaluation with UN agencies, similar international organizations, NGOs, multi/bilateral and/or government institutions.

The short-listed individual consultant will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis process, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes.  Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:

where:

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Financial Qualification Evaluation Criteria: In the Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

Winning Candidate

The winning candidate will be the applicant who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.  The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact.  It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.