Re-advertisment-National Consultant on End of Violence Against Women

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.

UN Women maintains a large presence throughout Europe and Central Asia region, covering 14 countries, with programme presence in Kosovo (under UN Security Council Resolution 1244), Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine; country offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova; and remaining countries are covered through a multi-country office in Almaty that covers Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The adoption of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), and the fact that countries have to harmonize national legislation with the EU’s acquis as part of the accession process, has created an opportunity to step up UN Women efforts to bring a regional perspective to human rights-based programming in relation to regional and international agreements, and the European Union (EU) normative frameworks for accession countries related to gender equality discrimination, and more particularly, on ending violence against women in Albania and other countries in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

In this context the Regional Programme “Implementing norms, changing minds” is being implemented by UN Women with the financial support of the European Union. (regional programme) The programme, which aims to support a reduction in discrimination and violence against women and girls in Turkey and six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), is anchored in the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Istanbul Convention, and also in alignment with European Union accession standards.  The programme supports the development of an enabling legislative and policy environment on eliminating violence against women and all forms of discrimination; promotes favorable social norms and attitudes to prevent gender discrimination and violence against women; and pursues empowering women and girls (including those from disadvantaged groups) who have experienced discrimination or violence to advocate for and use available, accessible, and quality services. The programme will channel its interventions through and for women’s organizations, with an emphasis on those working with women from disadvantaged groups.

In collaboration with women organizations, UN Women is implementing several initiatives, including the establishment of a network of CSOs to monitor the implementation of international obligations related to end of violence against women and preparation of shadow reports to human rights mechanisms (Monitoring Network on Gender-based violence); increasing capacities of local NGOs to monitor the implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Equality (NSGE), 2016-2020; raising awareness on gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence against women;  increasing capacities of providers of services to women victims of violence and empowering women from disadvantaged communities to access services.

Within this context, the UN Women office in Albania is seeking a national consultant who will support the implementation of activities related to the regional program on End of Violence against Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will provide the required support to the Project Analyst in implementing the following tasks related to the regional programme:

• Coordination and provision of technical support to CSOs partners for the implementation of activities related to the Monitoring Network on Gender-Based Violence, the monitoring process of the NSGE 2016-2020 and other activities of the regional programme in accordance with its workplan;
• Overseeing the implementation of the programme’s activities, including conducting research and assist in collecting and analyzing data related to violence against women in Albania;
• Implementation of the Communication and Visibility Action Plan of the regional programme, including monitoring the national and international press on articles related to violence against women, support the drafting process of articles for the regional office newsletter;
• Communication with partners especially civil society organizations engaged for the implementation of the programme and others working in the area of violence against women in Albania;
• Organization of awareness raising activities and events on gender equality and violence against women;
• Drafting concept notes, meeting minutes or any other related documents relevant to the regional programme on EVAW.

Expected deliverables:

• Monthly work-plan with tasks, roles and responsibilities and timeline.
• Monthly  reports on the technical assistance provided within the time period.
• Technical inputs and other on-demand reports on specific initiatives when requested.

Quality of deliverables:

• Technical inputs and other on-demand reports on specific initiatives when requested will be evaluated by peer review for quality.
• Quality of relationships with partners is central to success and will be assessed.

Duration of the Work

The consultant will be contracted for a total of 25 working days for a period of 12 months.

The current consultancy envisions travel in different regions of Albania. The consultant will be reimbursed for travel expenses separately based on UN approved tariffs and per diems.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

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

Functional Competencies:

• Proven research and analytical skills,
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with various public and non-public stakeholders, particularly in the areas of gender equality and violence against women;
• Excellent writing skills in English and Albanian;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong initiative-taker;
• Focuses on impact and results of activities;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications/Education

Advanced university degree in international development, social studies, gender studies, law, human rights or related discipline;

Work Experience

• Advanced university in international development, social studies, gender studies, law, human rights or related discipline;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the areas of human rights and gender equality,
• At least two years of experience on issues related to gender-based violence and services for victims of gender-based violence, including engagement with civil society organizations working in the areas of gender equality or end of violence against women;
• Proven knowledge of national and international standards on gender-based violence;
• Previous experience or familiarity with the UN system or other international organizations;

Note: During the duration of the contract, the consultant should not be engaged as a staff member or expert with any of the organizations to be selected as Responsible Parties for the implementation of the regional programmed on EVAW.

Language requirement

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Albanian, including gender and policy terminology;

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Financial Proposal specifying the daily fee in Albanian Lek for the tasks (25 working days).

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). The consultant will be reimbursed for travel expenses separately based on UN approved tariffs and per diems.

Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks established in the workplan; (ii) provision of deliverables specified in the ToRs; (iii) submission of and approval of final draft; and (iv) submission of the respective invoice.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their application within the deadline.

• A Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability including a brief description explaining why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
• P11 including past experience in similar assignment. Can be downloaded at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Financial Proposal specifying the daily fee in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this assignment.

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The evaluation of technical criteria will include interviews with the candidates, to confirm their experience in the areas of human rights, gender equality, gender-based violence and services for victims of gender-based violence, as well as their knowledge of international and national legislation in relation to gender equality and end of violence against women. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Applications will be assessed according to the following Technical Criteria:                      

• Advanced university in international development, social studies, gender studies, law, human rights or related discipline (max 10 points);
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the areas of human rights and gender equality (20 points)
• At least two years of experience on issues related to gender-based violence and services for victims of gender-based violence and engagement with civil society organizations working in the areas of gender equality or end of violence against women; (15 points)
• Proven knowledge of national and international standards on gender-based violence (max 15 points);
• Previous experience or familiarity with the UN system or other international organizations (max 10 points):

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

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. The calculation formula applied is as follow:

p = 30 (µ/z); where: p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Important Notes:

• The consultancy post is open to local (Albanian) individuals or foreign individuals with valid temporary or permanent residence.
• Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
• The individual might be travelling in the country, hence he/she should submit from a recognized physician a Statement of Good Health certifying that the individual is in good health and is fit to travel. In addition, he/she should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of travel – details will follow before the commencement of the work.