National Consultant to develop Strategic Plan for work with media on prevention of VAWG

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination and violence 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.In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) UN Women has intensified its efforts in ending violence against women and girls. With the financial support of Sweden and the EU, UN Women work has been anchored since 2016 in the normative framework the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (also known as the Istanbul Convention). Defined under the IMPACT 3 section in the UN Women Strategic Note 2021-2025, this work shall contribute to enhancing legislative and institutional framework on domestic violence (DV) in BiH, prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) on individual and community level and availability and quality service provision across BiH in line with the Istanbul Convention.Since 2016, UN Women worked on prevention of VAWG and DV by engaging men, women and young people in selected communities in fostering favorable social attitudes and behaviors towards ending VAW. By the end of 2020, 6 370 high school students have increased their knowledge and capacities to prevent VAW and DV, and three Schools of Excellence conducting comprehensive prevention activities have been established. 60 representatives from three religious communities in BiH have raised their capacities to prevent DV and three local communities have established local groups and conducted tailor-made participatory prevention initiatives.UN Women strongly focused within this work on enhancing the role of media in prevention of VAWG. Since 2016 until end of 2020 significant results were achieved, some of which are outlined below:• Three researches on media reporting on gender-based violence (GBV) against women in BiH (2016, 2018 and 2020) have been developed with detailed insight on gaps, challenges and recommendations for responsible reporting on this topic;

• Handbook and Training of Trainers have been developed and used in enhancing capacities of media professionals for responsible reporting on GBV;
• Improved knowledge and skills of at least 290 journalists, editors, journalism students and bloggers on the topic of reporting on gender-based violence;
• As a result of collaboration with 6 universities in BiH, 88 journalism students have improved knowledge about gender-based violence and reporting techniques on this topic;
• A Roster of 30 journalists and bloggers determined to report professionally and continuously on GBV and further strengthen their capacities on the topic created;
• The cooperation of media newsrooms and multi-sectoral teams in 11 local communities across BiH strengthened.
• For this purpose, UN Women is seeking to engage a National Consultant to produce a Strategic Plan for work with media on prevention of VAWG for period 2022-2025, by developing a detailed approach to the assignment, conducting desk review and consultations with internal and external stakeholders in a participatory manner.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVEUN Women in BiH puts strong emphasis on collaboration and strengthening the role of media in preventing VAWG. The media plays a strong role in shaping public discourse and as such can be a strong ally in positioning the VAWG in the center of the discourse. By respecting the principles of responsible reporting, the media contributes to changing stereotypes around VAWG. UN Women in BiH has supported various elements of this work since 2016, including development of knowledge products, strengthening capacities of media professionals, and enhancing the cooperation of local newsrooms and institutions and organizations working on VAWG, and has come to the point in which a strategic plan for the continuation of this work shall be developed. The Strategic plan shall be developed for the period 2022-2025 and proposed ways forward shall build upon the achieved results.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to produce a Strategic plan for work with media on prevention of violence against women and girls 2022-2025, the National Consultant shall develop a detailed approach to the assignment, conduct desk review and internal and external consultations in a participatory manner.

OUTPUTS

Under the supervision of the UN Women EVAW Prevention Coordinator and the overall supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist, the consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Develop a methodology and workplan for the task, including plan and approach to development of a Strategic Plan including desk review, consultations and finalization of a comprehensive Strategic Plan;
• Develop an assessment of the media community role in prevention of VAWG in BiH, defining main challenges and opportunities for improvement and UN Women work in this area since 2016;
• Develop questionnaires for internal consultations (EVAW team, Programme Specialist and Communications Associate) and for external consultations with media professionals (editors, journalists, bloggers from local, entity and national media), professionals working on prevention of VAW, and UN Women partners (gender mechanisms and CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders as identified;
• Based on the approved questionnaires, conduct internal and external consultations;
• Based on the methodology, assessment and consultations, develop a Strategic Plan for work with media for period 2022-2025 which includes:

1. Introduction to cover overview of:

• purpose of the Strategic Plan;
• the key analysis results on role of media community in prevention of VAWG in BiH and UN Women BiH work on enhancement of work in this area since 2016; and
•  Proposed ways forward.

2. Overview of the methodology for the UN Women Strategic Plan for work with media on prevention of VAWG 2022-2025;3. Assessment of the media community role in prevention of VAWG in BiH, to include at least the following:

• Main reflections from consultations with stakeholders;
• Identified gaps and recommendations for improvement.

4. Assessment of strategic opportunities to strengthen the role of media in prevention of VAWG in BiH, leaning on the results achieved and to include at least the following:

• Identified areas of work, including potential activities;
• identified strategic enablers;
• possible strategic partnerships and alliances;

5. Theory of Change (ToC) and Results Framework including following elements: up to 3 results with milestones, indicators, means of verification, assumptions, risks, mitigation strategy.

ACTIVITIES AND TIMEFRAME

The consultant will be expected to complete the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

Deliverable	Indicative Days	Due date
Methodology and workplan for the task, to include the plan and approach for developing a Strategic Plan (including desk review and consultations with stakeholders) submitted to UN Women for comments and final approval	2	2 June
Assessment of the media community role in prevention of VAWG in BiH and UN Women work with media since 2016 submitted to UN Women for comments and final approval	4	9 June
Questionnaires and timeline for conducting consultations submitted to UN Women for comments and final approval	2	14 June
Short report (up to 5 pages in English) on results of conducted internal and external consultations	7	28 June
Draft of Strategic Plan (in English, up to 30 pages), including Theory of Change and Results Framework for work with media for period 2022-2025 submitted and presented to UN Women team for comments.	8	19 July
Final Strategic Plan (in English, up to 30 pages), including Theory of Change and Results Framework for work with media for period 2022-2025, prepared and submitted to UN Women for final approval.	3	26 July
Total	26

 

The consultancy will last 26 days, in the period from May 2020 to July 2021.

Reporting

All deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women EVAW Prevention Coordinator. Final Strategic Plan for strengthening the role of media in prevention of VAWG should be delivered no later than last week of July 2021 in English. Approval time required to review the deliverables before authorizing payments is 7 days.

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

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.pdfFunctional Competencies:Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• University degree (BA) in communications, media, journalism, human rights, gender studies, development studies, social research or other related field. Master’s degree in the above listed areas will be considered an asset.

Skills and Experience:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated work with media community in human rights or gender issues;
• At least 3 years of experience in managing projects or activities related to enhancement of media capacities and media analysis; preferably in the area of  gender issues and ending VAWG in BiH; work with local media outlets will be considered as advantage;
• Minimum 1 year experience in managing and coordinating assignments with a diverse group of partners and facilitation of workshops aimed at capturing different perspectives;
• Knowledge of results-based management approaches and the theory of change concepts;
• Previous experience within the UN System is an advantage;
• Fluency in English and B/H/S, excellent spoken and written skills.

EVALUATION OF OFFERS

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of applicant qualifications and financial proposal, and interview. The 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.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal will be allocated to the lowest price proposal among those candidates.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for an interview. Top 3 candidates (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be interviewed. The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal will be allocated to the lowest price proposal among those candidates who have reached at least 5 points in the interview. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%)- 70 points

• University degree (BA) in communications, media, journalism, human rights, gender studies, development studies, social research, or other related fields (15 points)
• Master’s degree in the above listed areas will be considered an asset (5 points)
• At least 5 years of demonstrated work with the media community on human rights or gender issues (20 points)
• At least 3 years of experience in managing projects or activities related to enhancement of media capacities and media analysis; preferably in gender issues and ending VAWG in BiH (15 points)
• Working with local media outlets will be considered as advantage (5 points)
• Minimum 1 year experience in managing and coordinating assignments with a diverse group of partners and facilitation of workshops aimed at capturing different perspectives (10 points)
• Knowledge of results-based management approaches and the theory of change concepts (10 points)
• Previous experience within the UN System is an advantage (5 points)

Financial Evaluation (30%)- 30 pointsEvaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30S - score received on financial evaluation;Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;F - financial offer under the consideration.

Please note that travel costs should be covered by the consultant.

Qualified women and men and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

1. Expression of interest and confirmation of immediate availability
2. Detailed financial proposal inclusive of all costs (which includes consultancy fees, travel, accommodation
3. Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Please note that travel and accommodation costs should be covered by the consultant.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered (all documents indicated above need to be uploaded).

For any additional information, please contact unwomen.bih@unwomen.org

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Expression of Interest into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click 'Apply Now' button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click 'Submit Application;'
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.