International Consultant Gender Auditing (BiH, Serbia)

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; 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 (ECA) region, covering 12 countries, with program presence in Kosovo*, Serbia, Tajikistan and North Macedonia; and country offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine.

UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (the “ECARO”) has positioned GRB (Gender Responsive Budgeting) as one of the priority areas in which the ECARO has unique technical expertise grounded in the combined technical skills that has been cultivated with respect to budgetary processes including GRB and the overarching expertise and credibility the Office has with respect to GEWE. Furthermore, this work is in line with global Strategic Plan 2018–2021 under Outcome 2: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems.

Over the past years, through the technical and financial support UN Women different initiatives have been carried out in Western Balkans’ countries with the goal of strengthening democratic governance and advance women’s rights aiming at mainstreaming gender in policy planning and budgeting. As result, gender responsive budgeting has increasingly been recognized as important tool for advancing de facto gender equality, supporting the SDGs, the 2030 Agenda and other global goals as well as for contributing to the achievements of the commitments of the Western Balkans under the Gender Action Plan in the EU External Relations 2016-2020.

In order to deepen the work previously done, launch new initiatives and ensure sustainability of the interventions on GRB, UN Women initiated a regional program with participation of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Serbia and North Macedonia “Transformative Financing for Gender Equality towards more Transparent, Inclusive and Accountable Governance in the Western Balkans” (2020-2024). The main program approach will be transformative financing as an enabler factor for policy and financing actions to accelerate implementation of existing national and international commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the in Western Balkans. The program includes activities focused on enhancing the institutionalization of GRB at central level and local level.

The program is structured around two outcomes:

• By 2024, national and local governments apply gender responsive budgeting to integrate gender equality principles in public financing processes
• By 2024 public oversight bodies CSOs, women including the disadvantaged, demand transparency and accountability of public policies and budgets to gender equality processes

Within the scope of the project, UN Women will for the first time in the region extend the technical support on GRB not only to the National Assemblies/Parliaments, but to other oversight bodies such as The Ombudsperson, the Commissioner for Protection Against Discrimination and Supreme Auditing Institutions (SAI). Awareness raising workshops on GE and GRB will be delivered to all these institutions with the goal of making them more gender sensitive and have them use gender lens while executing their duties and responsibilities.

Informed and guided by the policies and standards of INTOSAI, UN Women’s support to SAIs will increase capacities of officials to apply a gender lens to audits and holding governments accountable on GE.

 

*For UN Women, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

For the European Union, this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. Scope of Work:

 

UN Women ECA RO seeks to recruit one International Consultant for undertaking gender auditing related tasks and responsibilities within the scope of the above-mentioned GRB Regional Project entitled “Transformative Financing for Gender Equality towards more Transparent, Inclusive and Accountable Governance in the Western Balkans”. The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI), in Albania, BIH, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia, in mainstreaming gender in their audit work. More specifically, the aim is to contribute to SAIs becoming more gender responsive in conducting gender audits and audits on gender equality policies and programmes implemented by state institutions in the project implementation countries and territories. To this end, a team of national consultants, together with the national GRB coordinators in BiH, Serbia will be working directly with SAIs, and will support the work of the International Consultant. The International Consultant will be working in coordination with another international consultant and is expected to take into account different types of audits such as performance, compliance, financial audits and strategize in line with the requirements of the project implementing countries Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia.

 

3. Tasks and Responsibilities:

 

Under the supervision of the Regional GRB Programme Manager and GRB country project coordinators, the International Consultant will be responsible for the below listed tasks. The content of the work for all the tasks will take into consideration feedbacks of the country teams, international literature, International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs); INTOSAI’s gender policy and strategy documents, take into consideration different types of public sector external audits such as performance, compliance, financial audits; reflect on mainstreaming the principle of Leaving No One Behind; make connections with auditing implementation of selected SDGs where relevant and informed by the national laws, regulations and practices in project implementation countries.

It is expected that the below tasks will be conducted (a) in coordination with the other international expert and (b) with the support of the national experts.

 

• Developing a Practice Guide to Auditing Gender Equality to be used by SAIs in project implementation countries and territories (Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia): The objective is to develop a Practice Guide that outlines how to conduct audits on GE policies and programs and on how to consider gender issues within broader audit topics. It is expected that the Practice Guide observe the feedbacks of the country teams, other international expert which will be hired for the same period, international literature, International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs); INTOSAI Development Initiative gender policy and strategy documents, take into consideration different types of public sector external audits such as performance, compliance, financial audits and especially the Handbooks produced by IDI on all three types of audits[1]; reflect on mainstreaming the principle of Leaving No One Behind; make connections with auditing implementation of selected SDGs where relevant and informed by the national laws, regulations and practices in project implementation countries. The Practice Guide will be accompanied by audit working-paper templates, checklists.

 

• Development of an Information Note (max. 10 pages):?? The International Consultant will identify global best practices in gender mainstreaming in external audits and prepare an Information Note detailing processes and tools that are used. It is expected that the Information Note will contain a section on a Study Visit Outline (max. 3 pages) for SAIs of the project implementation countries in order to learn from SAIs with achievements on gender equality. The outline should specify the suggested expected results, objective, program, actors and location. It is expected that the International Consultant will contact the authorities in the country of destination for planning.

 

• Delivering 2 trainings for public officials in SAIs in BiH and Serbia: The International Consultant, with the support of the national experts and in coordination with the other international expert is expected to deliver 2 online trainings in BiH and Serbia.
  • 2 two-day-trainings on the Practice Guide to Auditing Gender Equality in each country is expected to be delivered in cooperation with the national experts. These trainings will be held virtually.

 

• Preparation of one virtual (0.5 day) and one in-person (1,5 days) regional workshops: In consultation with the UN Women national teams, the International Consultant will develop the outline, concept note, agenda of two regional workshops for exchange of experience on gender mainstreaming in SAIs. The target group of workshops will be officials from project implementation countries and representatives from international expert organisations and/or best practice countries. At least 1 workshop will be held virtually.

 

[1] https://idi.no/our-resources/global-public-goods/professional-sais-gpg

 

 

4. Expected deliverables:

 

	Deliverables	Estimated Timeframe (Up to 39 working days)
1.	Practice Guide to Auditing Gender Equality	15 days By September 1, 2021
2.	Information Note on Global Best Practices with a Study Visit Outline	10 days By June 30, 2021
3.	Training programme, PPTs and Brief Report for delivering 2 two-day-trainings trainings on Practice Guide to Auditing Gender Equality for public officials in SAIs in BiH and Serbia	8 days By October 31, 2021
4.	Draft agenda, invitation and similar organizational documents for preparation of one virtual (0.5 day) and one in-person (1,5 days) regional workshop and brief report on the results of these activities	6 days By September 31, 2022

 

5. Reporting:

 

Under direct supervision of UN Women Regional GRB Programme Manager and GRB country project coordinators, the International consultant will develop and deliver the above listed deliverables in accordance with the indicative timeframe.

All deliverables of an acceptable standard and quality should be submitted to the UN Women in English.

 

Competencies

6. Competencies

 

Core Values/guiding principles:

• Integrity - Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
• Professionalism - Demonstrate professional competence and Consultant knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity - Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Additionally, the individual should have an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

 

Core Competencies:

• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.
• Inclusive Collaboration, Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks, and makes allowances accordingly.
• Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

 

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:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Good knowledge of one or more of the following: SAIs and SAI’s work, PFM, gender mainstreaming and/or gender responsive budgeting; different type of audit experience
• Excellent level of conceptual and analytical capacity;
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively in English;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Meets deadlines for delivery of products or services;
• Able to work virtually, using communication technologies;
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software package.
• Ability to adapt all materials and deliver online training instead of in-person training.

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

7. Required Skills and Experience

 

Qualifications Education:

• Master’s degree in gender, public policy, PFM, finance and accounting, social studies, or closely related fields relevant to the requirements of the TOR.

 

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in design and delivering gender and/or external audit and/or PFM related participatory and interactive training programs for practitioners.
• Proven experience in working with SAIs and/or international expert organizations in the field of PFM and/or auditing and/or GRB.
• Proven experience in developing methodologies and/or frameworks and/or handbooks on public sector external auditing.
• Experience in working in the Western Balkan countries covered by the project will be considered as an advantage.
• Familiarity with GRB is considered an advantage

 

Languages and other skills:

• Proficient in written and oral English;
• Strong writing and communication skills.

 

 

8. Evaluation of Applicants

 

 

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process. Applicants will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications/skills and their financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultants whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive to and compliant with the requirements of the ToR; and
• Having received the highest score out of below combined technical and financial criteria.

 

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

 

	Evaluation Criteria	Total Points	Max points
TECHNICAL EVALUATION (70%)
Language Requirements	Fluency in written and spoken English?	REQUIRED	REQUIRED
Education	Masters degree (MA, MSc, MBA) in gender, public policy, PFM, finance and accounting, social studies, or closely related fields relevant to the requirements of the TOR. Master’s degree will be considered an asset	20	20 0: without Masters degree 0-20 relevant Masters degree
Professional Experience	At least 5 years of experience in design and delivering gender and/or external audit, and/or PFM related participatory and interactive training programs for practitioners	20	20 0: without relevant experience 10: 5 years of experience 10-20: more than 10 years of experience
Specialized Knowledge and Experience	Proven experience in working with SAIs and/or international expert organizations in the field of PFM and/or, auditing and/or, GRB.	10	10 0: without experience 0-10: proven relevant experience
	Proven experience in developing methodologies and/or frameworks and/or handbooks on public sector external auditing.?	10	10 0: without experience/expertise 0-10: proven relevant experience
	Experience in working in the Western Balkan countries covered by the project will be considered as an advantage.	5	5 0: without experience/expertise 0-5: proven relevant experience
	Familiarity with GRB is considered an advantage.	5	5 0: without experience/expertise 0-5: proven relevant experience
Total Technical		70
Financial Evaluation		30
TOTAL		100

 

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30

S - 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.

 

 

9. Duration and remuneration:

 

The international consultant will be engaged for a up to 39 working days during the period from

28 June 2021 to 31 September 2022. Deliverables from the consultant will be reviewed and approved by UN Women before they are considered final. UN Women will process the payment of consultancy fee in two instalments:

• I instalment - 60% upon submission and approval of deliverables 1,2
• II instalment - 40% upon submission and approval of deliverables 3,4

Consultancy will be home-based and travelling is foreseen.

 

10. Application:

 

Interested individual consultants are requested to apply electronically through the following link: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_jobs.cfm no later than 21 June 2021 and to submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

 

• Financial Proposal Specifying a total lump sum and daily rate amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference). The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount. Travel (tickets, DSA etc.) should not be included in the lump sum and will be paid for separately by UN Women.
• Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment.
• 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.
• Candidates should have the ability to quickly produce degree certificates and medical certification (of good health) should they be short-listed in consideration of the consultancy post
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.