Gender Expert, International Consultant

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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System wide efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world.  UN Women requires agile gender responsive data and statistics to deliver on Gender Equality & Empowerment of Women (GEWE) commitments through her tripartite mandate of the Normative, operational and coordination.  This can be facilitated by leveraging her convening role to influence the integration of gender equality in programing and capacity development for UN Agencies, government, and non-state actors to address the needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities. 

UN Women is collaborating with the Asia Development Bank (ADB) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to conduct a Country Gender Assessment (CGA) to generate and provide up-to-date estimates of basic gender equality demographics. The CGA will generate knowledge and products that can be used and shared to shape thinking, design and review of laws, policies, and programmes. In collaboration with ADB, UN Women PNG Country office will offer its global Gender Profile methodology for adaptation in the context of PNG. The 2023 CGA is expected to build upon the 2012 profile produced by ADB with support from World Bank, UN, DFAT and GOPNG. It is envisaged that this tool will assist the government of PNG in ensuring up-to-date and timely information is available as a first step in addressing the gap in gender data and analysis and providing an information basis for policy making.

The CGA will involve collecting and presenting sex and age disaggregated data as primary and overall classification; data reflecting gender issues; data based on gender concepts and principles that adequately reflect the diversity of women, men, girls, and boys by capturing gender-related aspects of their lives; and using data collection methods that consider stereotypes and social and cultural factors that may induce gender biases.

The assessment will provide a basis for reflection on diverse groups of women, men, girls, and boys, recognizing that gender intersects with other social identifiers such as race, tribe, age, education, family composition and parenthood, country of birth and disability. The CGA data will provide for a deeper understanding of women’s situations, needs, constraints, and priorities, thereby supporting the analysis of intersecting inequalities. Though the CGA may not be sufficient to address all issues and needs. It will, therefore, be complemented by other existing data sources.  Owing to the increasing demand for regular gender data to support programme development, policy formulation and reporting on GEWE, including refugee and related interventions, there is a need to integrate gender in administrative data interventions to build gender-responsive evidence for programming and decision-making.

Development partners, CSOs and government agencies will be mobilized to support and participate in data collection, analysis, report preparation and use of the findings. The results of the CGA will be extended to government agencies to strengthen and integrate gender in administrative data systems for better evidence-based programming and decision-making for GEWE.  Therefore, UN Women PNGCO seeks to recruit an international consultant to conduct a Country Gender Assessment in PNG in collaboration with ADB.

The consultant will also support to finalize CEDAW report and ensure submission by June 2024 deadline and support to further the Beijing+30 consultations and reporting, also due in June.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Country Representative in PNG, and direct supervision of the UN Women Deputy CR, and directly engaging with the ADB team, the Consultant will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

1. Develop a Consultancy Workplan

• Conduct a desk review of key national development plans, sector policies on gender and social inclusion, regional and global normative reports on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• Conduct preliminary consultations with Government, UN agencies, UN Women senior management, ADB, and few development partners and CSOs to develop an analytical framework for the 2024 CGA, treaty reporting and propose a workplan.

2. Conduct Data Collection

• Gather, examine, and analyze existing disaggregated data related to gender equality
• Collaborate with national and international development partners including ADB and the Government (DNPM, DFCDR, NSO) in gathering and analyzing relevant statistics
• Conduct consultations (meetings/interviews/focus groups discussion) with relevant stakeholders
• Provide relevant data required towards developing a gender snapshot for PNG [that will follow this example.

3. Perform Institutional and situation capacity assessment

• Examine the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors that hinder the efforts of gender equality as well as examine the effects of COVID-19.
• Assess the institutional capacity of government ministries and other stakeholders to collect, analyze and utilize gender statistics to inform policies and programs that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in PNG.
• Identify good practices in the collection, analysis and use of gender statistics within institutions.
• Assess the alignment of national policies, legal frameworks, including human rights frameworks, and strategies to the global gender equality targets that PNG is party to
• Assess the status of ratification of international treaties related to gender equality and their incorporation to the domestic law and to what extent gender has been mainstreamed in national policies and plans.

4. Draft the Country Gender Assessment and treaty reports.

• In consultation with CGA reference group identify major themes emerging from the analysis to be made visible in the CGA to communicate urgent needs and concerns regarding gender equality in PNG.
• In consultation with ADB, government, civil society, including faith-based communities, provide recommendations to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in economic, social, and decision-making processes, including a few clear tangible suggestions for the integration of gender in areas of intervention (e.g., sectors of concentration, thematic area), including from a programmatic perspective.

5. In consultation with CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration Reference group, collect necessary information on the implementation status of the CEDAW and Beijing Platform.

• 5.1 Draft and finalise the CEDAW Reporting
• 5.2 Draft and finalise the Beijing Platform Reporting
• 5.3 Draft and finalise Country Gender Assessment

Duration of the assignment

The duration of this assignment will be 60 days from 6 May to 31 October 2024, upon signing the contract.

Expected Deliverables

Deliverable	Timeline	Payment
1. Develop a consultancy work plan	15 May 2024	15%
2. Develop a draft analytical framework and data collection plan presented to CGA, CEDAW and Beijing Declaration Reference groups	30 May 2024	15%
3. Draft CEDAW Report and Beijing Declaration report presented to treaty Ref Group for feedback	15 June 2024	15%
4. Provide Final Beijing Declaration report submitted	31 June 2024	15%
5. Final CEDAW report submitted	7 July 2024	10%
6. Draft CGA report presented to CGA Reference group for feedback	10 September 2024	10%
7. Provide the Final CGA report	31 October 2024	20%

Inputs

Transport:

Travel is anticipated however, cost will be covered by UN Women as and when needed. These costs cannot be included in the financial proposal

Communications:

The Consultant will be required to provide their own local communications such as SIM cards. Some internet access is available while in Port Moresby however the consultant is expected to arrange his/her own internet access in the field. These costs should be included in the lump sum fee of the financial proposal. 

Security:

The consultant will be provided with a UN security briefing and will be required to follow UN security rules and guidance.

Insurance:

The Consultant will arrange private insurance and the cost of which will be included in the financial proposal.

Office space and facilities:

The consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer and other means of communications 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.

Performance evaluation:

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

Competencies

Required functional competencies:

• Substantiative knowledge of and experience in research and qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting, knowledge of gender equality frameworks including CEDAW and Beijing Platform.
• Strong commitment to and good understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational skills and strong self-direction. 
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure with colleagues at all levels.

Core Competencies:

• Professionalism - sound knowledge of global gender equality issues, including gender equality in access to justice and constitutional reform; feminist legal theory and gender mainstreaming in research and advocacy.
• Experience in inter-agency or inter organization collaboration an advantage.
• Adherence to UN WOMEN standard and rules;
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Minimum of Master's degree or equivalent in Statistics, Population and Development in combination with Gender Studies or related field Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in programme work and policy research, focusing on qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis at a national or international level; Technical expertise in designing and leading gender or similar assessments, with excellent analytical skills. Knowledge on the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV), SDG and  and related government Policy frameworks would be an asset. Demonstratable understanding of the country’s statistical system, and knowledge of major population based or thematic researchers working across government at both national and subnational, within civil society, and the academia Experience in producing gender analytical reports (samples to be provided) Experience with UN and interagency work highly desirable. In-country or regional experience in gender equality and women empowerment Detailed knowledge of the role of the UN Women programming is desirable but not a requirement. Language: Fluency in English. Submission of application Interested candidates are requested to submit electronic application to the UNDP website not later than 28 April 2024 COB (PNG time). Submission package Applicants should submit: UN Women P11 and/or CV Up to three samples of past research reports/briefs written Proposed methodology (maximum 3 pages in length) Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience in the field of recruitment Financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down lump sum professional fee. All applications must include (as an attachment) the CV and the financial proposal. Applications without financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. Please note that only selected candidate will be contacted. Diversity and Inclusion At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.   If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.   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.

Annexes

Annex I: Price Proposal Guideline and Template

The prospective Individual Consultant should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.

Daily fee

The daily price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, communications, consumables during field related missions, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.

UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties, or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.

Daily Subsistence Allowance

If there is official duty travel involved,  DSA costs will be covered by UN Women and should not be included in the financial proposal.

Currency of the price proposal

The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in USD. In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into USD using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion to USD at the date of applications’ submission deadline.

The procurement process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).                                                      

Annex II: Price Proposal Submission Form

[ Mandatory document for the Consultant to complete and submit ]

To:          United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Ref:                      

[ name of consultancy position ]

 

Dear Sir / Madam,
 

I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment.

 

Having examined, understood and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference. My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:

Costs1	USD
Professional fee
Communication Cost
Insurance Cover/ Certification
Total price

 

I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged. I also confirm that the price that I quote is USD              gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.

 

I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for the duration of the contract timeline i.e.

_________days / weeks / months / year. I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.

[ Signature ]

Date:

Name:

Address:

Telephone / Fax:

Email:

1 Cost proposal can be presented in detailed monthly breakup where applicable.