Background

1. 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; the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development; human rights; as well as humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the challenging contexts we have faced in our lifetime, a human crisis with severe health and socio-economic consequences. As the virus is unprecedented in our lifetime, it requires an unprecedented response. As in previous crises, women and girls are being disproportionately negatively affected. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General issued an urgent call to action. in his Policy Brief: The impact of COVID-19 on Women and raised the alarm that the pandemic is having far-reaching socio-economic implications on women and girls and is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities and discrimination against women.

As one of the hardest hit countries in the region, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia has aggravated the already weak health, social and economic systems and disproportionately impacting women and girls, particularly in vulnerable situations, such as minority, migrant and rural women, younger and older women, women with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and female single-headed households, limiting their freedoms and curtailing access to services and economy. The pandemic risks exacerbating and deepening pre-existing inequalities in Armenia’s labour market, including women unemployment and their labour rights, unevenly distributed care work, as well as gender pay gaps. Recent reports, including the Socio-economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Armenian Communities as well as the Rapid Gender Assessment on the Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s and Men’s Lives and Livelihoods in Europe and Central Asia highlight the ways in which women are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic as a result of structural inequalities. 

For women entrepreneurs in Armenia, deeply-rooted structural gender inequalities in Armenia, have resulted in unequal access to infrastructure, productive resources and procurement opportunities. Discriminatory property and inheritance norms are also inhibiting women’s access to credit and financial products and services. Whilst norms are shifting due to the market economy, the rate of change is still slower than that of laws as families are still favouring male siblings. The finance gap among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) reflects this phenomenon; despite their smaller average size, women-owned businesses account for a disproportionate share of the finance gap. Women entrepreneurs are also disproportionately represented at the micro, small and medium level, and women-owned businesses tend to be concentrated in sectors with lower profit margins than men. Against the backdrop of these pre-pandemic inequalities, the recent Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for Armenia has highlighted that as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Armenia experienced immediate strong shocks, with women-led SMEs hit hardest. The SEIA revealed that almost half of the registered SMEs in Armenia were working in sectors hit harder by the crisis. Interestingly enough, the majority of women-led SMEs were operating in the very sectors impacted by the lockdown restrictions. Whilst Government support measures are targeting hard-hit SMEs, particularly in the tourism and service sectors, many individual entrepreneurs, micro- and unregistered SMEs, often led by women, have been left out.

Also, women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Armenia will place them at a disadvantage in accessing and participating in sectors critical for economic response and recovery. With an increased number of workers and businesses now conducting their work and business virtually, the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of digital economies, suggesting that STEM skills are going to be one of the most-in-demand both in education and labor market. Currently, women comprise 39.8% of graduates from STEM-related tertiary level programs according to UN Economic Commission for Europe.  A 2017 study on women in STEM careers by the World Bank found that societal beliefs about gender norms, particularly in rural areas, have limited women’s education and career choices.

Women’s economic empowerment has the potential of reducing GBV by increasing women’s bargaining powers within the households and giving them livelihoods and the security to leave abusive family environments. However, an underlying risk remains. Whilst shifting power dynamics in the household due to a women's economic empowerment may strengthen her position in the household, this may in some situations lead to a male partner trying to reassert control, thus increasing the risk of violence. To mitigate this risk, women and adolescent girls at risk and survivors of violence can benefit from safe access to evidence-based information and protection support adapted to the COVID-19 context.

Given the disproportionate adverse impacts that the crisis has on women and girls’ economic opportunities and empowerment, and a risk of increased and intensified violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, UN Women are implementing a joint UN project in Armenia with UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF. Funded by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN COVID-19 MPTF), the “Accelerating women’s empowerment for economic resilience and renewal: the post COVID-19 reboot in Armenia” project is being implemented to advance the priorities set out under the United Nations in Armenia’s COVID-19 Socio-economic Response and Recovery Plan Socio Economic Response Plan for Armenia (SERRP).

UN Women is currently a non-resident agency in Armenia. Programme and partnership support under this project are led by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) in Istanbul.

Reflective of the above, the UN Women is seeking to recruit a specialist to deliver tasks as outlined below. The Consultant will work closely with relevant colleagues at ECARO, and with project colleagues from UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF Offices in Armenia.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide gender expertise in implementing the project “Accelerating women’s empowerment for economic resilience and renewal: the post COVID-19 reboot in Armenia”. The project aims to increase women and young girl’s capacities, resources and skills to recover from the socio-economic and gender-based violence (GBV) impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFIC TASKS 

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Peace, Security and Humanitarian Specialist (ECARO) and in close coordination with Project Coordinator for gender-responsive socio-economic COVID-19 response and recovery in Armenia (ECARO), the Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

Provide technical guidance and support on gender mainstreaming in MPTF-Armenia programming

• Provide substantive technical expertise and guidance to UN Women and UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF offices in implementing project activities to accelerate gender-responsive socio-economic recovery in Armenia.
• Support joint design and implementation processes of UN Women, UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF to enhance the achievement of results on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, COVID-19 recovery and resilience-building, and GBV
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to UN Women and UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF offices on the links between women's economic empowerment, gender norms and stereotypes and gender-based violence (at work and home, and in digital spaces), including within the contexts of COVID-19 and resilience-building for future crises and emergencies.

Develop relevant knowledge products and facilitate knowledge building and sharing for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment

• Conduct a research study on barriers faced by women and young girl’s in developing digital, STEM and business/entrepreneurship skills, underlying reasons for not having the attitudes and propensity to look towards STEM fields as options for future job pathways, and emerging opportunities from COVID-19 for their greater inclusion and integration into markets and the digital economy in Armenia.
• Prepare and provide tailor-made policy and programme briefs with recommendations to bridge the gender gap in business, digital and STEM as fields of education.
• Present policy and programme briefs and recommendations in dialogues sessions.
• Review and integrate gender perspectives in modules of existing training programmes of UNDP, UNIDO and UNICEF in Armenia on digital and STEM skills and entrepreneurship development.
• Identify and develop new and innovative modules to supplement trainings on: (i) being gender aware; (ii) creating greater economic security and empowerment for women and young girls; and (iii) reducing the threat of psychological and gender-based violence from COVID-19’s movement restrictions, the loss of income, and self-isolation.
• Co-organize a series of e-seminars (up to 3) on topics related to women’s socio-economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities in the context of COVID-19 recovery in Armenia.
• Participate in expert panel discussions on women´s economic empowerment and socio-economic COVID-19 recovery as per Armenia and regional requests.
• Cooperate closely with experts for socio-economic responses in Armenia and UN Women ECARO.
• Research, develop and present analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence, and knowledge products on women’s economic empowerment, as agreed with Project Coordinator and Supervisor
• Other related deliverables as agreed with Project Coordinator and Supervisor.

Competencies

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND 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:

• Excellent knowledge and experience related to: gender equality; women’s economic empowerment (women and young girls in STEM, digital economy, and entrepreneurship development); gender-based violence and protection against violence; and humanitarian action and coordination
• Strong knowledge of the region and Armenia
• Excellent networking skills
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative research
• Ability to advocate and provide programme and policy advice
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to write research studies, advocacy/policy papers, training modules, speeches, briefings, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, social sciences, economics, or any other area relevant to the requirements of the Terms of Reference.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years progressively responsible experience in gender, women´s rights, women´s economic empowerment, socio-economic response, recovery or related area of work
• Professional experience in policy analysis and drafting research papers, analytical reports, advocacy papers, and gender modules
• Experience in working with diverse public and private actors on gender and socio-economic empowerment and response
• Experience working with the UN is an asset
• Experience working in the Europe and Central Asia region, will be considered an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required

5. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The Consultant will set out a bi-weekly plan of proposed activities in line with the below deliverables.

6.DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND DUTY STATION

The time required for the consultancy is 80 working days (spread over 8-months).

Due to the continuing and unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic situation, the assignment will be home-based, with no expected travel

7.SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

The Consultant will submit monthly reports on all agreed work carried out and completed to the Project Coordinator and Supervisor; this report should include the deliverables completed and number of days worked (timesheet).

Each piece of work will be reviewed by the Project Coordinator and signed off by the Supervisor to ensure that it is of an acceptable standard.

Once agreed, monthly payment will be certified by the Hiring Manager for processing.

8. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• Cover letter to include a brief overview in English (unedited text) about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
• P11 with past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted.
• Financial Proposal (Specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference). The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum on a daily basis.
• Previous Work - The candidate should provide examples/portfolio samplings of past work completed in the last seven years.

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS:

Consultants will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

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