National Consultant: Technical support for the finalization and validation of a National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security

Background

Promoting women’s meaningful engagement within the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is one of the key strategic priorities for UN Women in Bangladesh. For this reason, as UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) which was unanimously adopted in October 2000, stressed the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, UN Women Bangladesh has collaborated with Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017 and provided support and technical guidance to them for drafting the very first National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. In late 2017, 21 district level and 7 divisional workshops were organized where 21 women led organizations from grass root level participated and provided recommendations on WPS agenda which are incorporated in the draft National Action Plan. A core committee consisting of representatives from relevant ministries and departments has been formed to review the DRAFT action plan and to provide collective inputs for finalizing it.

Against this background, UN Women seeks to hire a consultant to technically support the Director, Women Peace and Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also UN Women to facilitate the review process and finalize the NAP. In order to do so, the consultant will assist Ministry of Foreign Affairs during validation meetings/consultations with NAP Core Committee and other relevant stakeholders, will provide necessary documentation and will eventually contribute to the Expert Committee for finalization of the NAP. The consultant will also ensure the coordination of any sort of consultation required between government and CSOs to incorporate necessary feedback as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of the work and main responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Director, Women, Peace and Security of MoFA and the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, Women, Peace and Security of UN Women, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1.Support coordination and consultation on the NAP:

• Liaise with civil society representatives as needed;
• Provide progress updates to MoFA and UN Women on regular basis;
• Maintain minutes of any consultation and meeting with the Core Committee and Expert Committee;
• Support MOFA in organizing the Draft NAP WPS Validation meeting (tentatively in late June/early July) with key Government; ministries, CSOs, community groups, development partners and other relevant peace and security actors.

2. Provide technical expertise and guidance on the contents of the NAP:

• Provide substantial inputs on the contents of the draft NAP, with reference to available background information and desk reviews that have been done so far;
• Facilitate discussions of the Core Committee and Expert Committee teams to revise the draft NAP as needed;
• Support the finalization of both the narratives and matrix/logical framework of the NAP, including monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the NAP and a budget for implementation; ?
• Develop and deliver a presentation on the draft NAP at the WPS Validation meeting.

Expected Deliverables and associated working days:

1. Completion of NAP WPS Validation meeting and submission of meeting agenda and draft NAP used in the meeting - 10 days( maximum);

2. Final NAP approved by MOFA, and notes from consultation meetings with MOFA, Core Committee and Expert Committee after NAP WPS Validation meeting to finalize the NAP.

Work location

The consultant will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and working from home. The consultant might be requested to travel on mission for which travel costs and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be provided. Travel Authorization will be granted to the consultant prior to the travel date.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A minimum Ph.D in conflict or development related disciplines, politics, gender studies, economics, public policy, law, international relations or other relevant fields?.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience which should include:

          -Contributing significantly in research, analytical reviews and formulation of national level policies;

         - Working closely with different government institutions, preferably ministries, in areas of women, peace and security;

         - Planning and facilitating local and national level dialogues with public and private entities on reforming policies on gender equality  

          and women empowerment.

Language

• Excellent command of English and Bangla is essential. Other UN languages will be considered as an asset.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• CV and P11;
• Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience relevant to the assignment;
• A sample write up;
• Financial proposal: Per day rate.

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.

. “Personal History Form - P 11” can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employme