International Consultant to develop the Country Gender Profile (CGP) of Ukraine

Background

United Nation Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (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. As part of the UN-wide investment in supporting UN Member States to translate global human rights norms and standards into national policies, actions and results, UN Women’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) commits to increased national-level knowledge and strengthened national systems to monitor international, regional and national commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).

UN Women Ukraine works to support the consolidated efforts of the Government, Parliament, women’s groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) to meet Ukraine’s commitments on gender equality and women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (including UNSCR 1325), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) of the 4th World Conference for Women (1995) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among other international and regional frameworks.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in its Concluding Observations on the Eighth Periodic Report of Ukraine on the CEDAW progress implementation (2017)[1] called the state to: 

•  develop the system of gender indicators and improve the collection of data disaggregated by sex and other relevant factors, which are necessary for an adequate assessment of the efficiency and impacts of policies and programs targeted at gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• collect statistical data on domestic, sexual and other forms of violence against women, disaggregated by age and the relationship between the victims and the perpetrators;
• introduce systematic monitoring of the situation of vulnerable groups of women, including rural women, women with disabilities, elderly women, women living with HIV, women who have suffered from gender-based and domestic violence, internally displaced persons (IDPs), LBT women, Roma women and others.

Ukraine, as well as other member countries, reports periodically (every five years) for monitoring progress in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA). Sex-disaggregated data are required to conduct the monitoring of progress by critical areas of women’s rights and empowerment, including poverty, education and training, health, violence against women, economic opportunities, power and decision-making, media, environment, human rights, conflict resolution, and position of a girl child. The monitoring of the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and particularly its GEWE commitments is envisaged a two-way approach, including the provision of indicators related to the localized targets of the Goal 5 “Gender Equality” and gender-sensitive indicators, related to those targets of other SDGs, which are directly or indirectly related to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

Ukraine’s institutional environment underlines the need for improving the system of gender statistics and sex-disaggregated data in its programmes and plans, includingthe State Social Program on Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men by 2021[2],  the National Human Rights Strategy[3] , the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to the Eighth Periodic Report of Ukraine on the Implementation of the CEDAW until 2021[4],  the second National Action Plan for Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security” for a period by 2025[5],  the State Social Program for the Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence for the Period up to 2025[6].

The Government is making continuous efforts to improve the national system of gender statistics generating, including collecting, processing and disseminating sex-disaggregated data. Since 2019, an Inter-Agency Working Group on Harmonization of National Indicators of Gender Equality with International Standards has been working under the State Statistics Service of Ukraine (SSSU) in order to develop a localized list of gender equality indicators in line with requirements of internationally adopted methodologies and global databases. As a result of this work, the List of Indicators for Monitoring of Gender Equality was adopted by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine [7]. According to the to the Resolution, 226 gender-sensitive indicators have to be regularly collected and disseminated, including both official statistics and administrative data; the SSSU is responsible for coordination of this processes.

To strengthen these efforts, UN Women has been providing technical support to the SSSU in order to operationalize the List of Indicators for Monitoring of Gender Equality through ensuring high-quality data, produced in line with methodologically sound metadata and international standards. A new statistical publication will be produced by the SSSU to ensure a broad dissemination of data, collected in the framework of 226 gender-sensitive indicators, to address the needs of diverse categories of data users, including public authorities, academia, civil society and gender advocates[8].

While there has been some improvement of quantitative sex-disaggregated gender statistics, a comprehensive in-depth analysis on the status of men and women based on both, quantitative and qualitative data is missing. Hence, UN Women Country offices are required by the UN Women Strategic Plan 2018-2021 to develop Country Gender Profiles (CGPs), that would serve different purposes, including strengthening national understanding and data on the advancement of national, regional and international commitments to GEWE;  support national (SDG, CEDAW, UPR, etc.) monitoring process; inform national planning and budget allocations; and contribute to the current United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF, formerly UNDAF), new cycle of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and updating the Common Country Analysis (CCA).

[1] The Concluding Observations on the Eighth Periodic Report of Ukraine were provided by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women to Ukraine on 3 March 2017: https://eca.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2017/12/concluding-observations-on-the-eighth-periodic-report-of-ukraine

[2] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/273-2018-%D0%BF#Text

[3] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/501/2015#Text

[4] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/634-2018-%D1%80#Text

[5] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1544-2020-%D1%80#Text

[6] https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/145-2021-%D0%BF#Text

[7] Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1517-p 02.12.2021 “Issues of Data Collecting for the Monitoring of Gender Equality”. https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pitannya-zboru-danih-dlya-monitoringu-gendernoyi-rivnosti-s21220

[8] In addition, statistical publication “Women and men in Ukraine” has been produced biannually by the SSSU, being available from 2010 to 2018.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Representative in Ukraine and the UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECA RO), the International Consultant will lead the development of the methodology, annotated outline and full CGP as per above description and in accordance with UN Women CGP guidance in close collaboration with the Local Contractor and will provide significant inputs to ensure alignment with international GEWE frameworks and high quality of the product. His/her tasks  will include (but is not limited to):

• Develop detailed methodology, annotated outline and the timeline of the CGEP elaboration.
• Discuss and agree on the suggested methodology and outline for CGEP with the Reference Group, consisting of key governmental, and non-governmental experts.
• Review and compile all relevant studies and resource materials  on GEWE related issues, including national B+25 national review, Voluntary National SDG Report, CEDAW national report and CEDAW Committee observations, and gender related assessments and brief and undertake their  analysis and as well as a desk review of other relevant sources of information, including those provided by UN Women and partners, such as programme and policy documents; studies and research publications and peer reviewed research products developed by research institutes and academia on gender equality issues in Ukraine, etc.
• Review national GEWE policies, plans and initiatives against international GEWE norm, standards and commitments.
• Review and analyze statistical data on GEWE with a specific focus on sectoral and thematic priorities and issues and the data collected against the 226 gender-sensitive national indicators.
• Identify key achievements, challenges and gaps as well as recommendations to address them, based on findings of the policies review and inputs provided by partners.

• Oversee the work and provide ongoing support to the local contractor, effectively collaborate towards a high-quality product.

• Reviewing the drafts of the CGP from the local contractor and ensure high quality and alignment of the final version of CGEP with international frameworks and GEWE standards. Draft CGEP and submit to UN Women for review.
• Present the analysis, discuss and validate key findings of CGEP through consolations with key stakeholders.
• Finalize draft CGEP and its sectoral parts, based on findings of peer review and national consultations and submit the final version of CGEP to UN Women and Reference Group for consideration and approval.
• Document key lessons learnt for CGEP elaboration process and consultations and submit the summary of lessons learnt to UN Women.

1. Suggested format and content of CGP:

CGP should be a document of 50 pages maximum plus annexes, detailing all above-mentioned information with all official statistics disaggregated by sex. This document should contain an analysis of the current situation, gaps, challenges, opportunities, and recommended actions, and contain an executive summary 3 pages maximum, which will present the statistics disaggregated by sex on the gender situation in Ukraine. The content should be formulated (and refined as part consultations with the key stakeholders) along these lines: 

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• CONTEXT AND PURPOSE

1. Country Context (note: with strong focus on commitments to GEWE under various international conventions, treaties and national strategies and plans)
2. Purpose of the Country Gender Profile (note: based on UN Women guidance)
3. Methodology (note: agreed upon with UN Women and key stakeholders)
4. Structure of the Country Gender Profile

• THE STATE OF GENDER EQUALITY IN UKRAINE (note: based on existing quantitative and qualitative evidence available in Ukraine with the special focus on the SDG gender indicators)

1. Women, environment and agriculture
2. Women in power and decision-making
3. The girl child
4. Women and the economy 
5. Women, poverty and social exclusion
6. Violence against women
7. Education and training of women
8. Women and health
9. Women and the media
10. Women and armed conflict

• POLICY, INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

1. Policy Environment
2. Institutional Framework
3. Legal Framework, Key Stakeholders and Strategic Partnerships

• CLOSING THE GENDER GAP

1. Implementation of BfPA gaps, opportunities and examples of good practice (note: reflecting 12 critical areas of BPfA, and reflecting the most recent governmental, PDO and CSO reports related to the implementation of international commitments to GEWE, identify gaps, opportunities, specific initiatives to accelerate GEWE such as Biarritz, EPIC, Action Coalitions of the Gender Equality Forum, and highlighting good practice examples, including from the private sector)

• RECOMMENDATIONS (note: per diverse stakeholders, with special focus on actions to be led/ supported by UN system and its strategic partners)
• CONCLUSIONS
• STATISTICAL ANNEXES

1. Expected deliverables:

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Country Representative, in consultation with the Programme Coordinator and Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, and the Data and Statistics Adviser in the UN Women ECA Regional Office, the Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:  

Deliverables	Timeframe
Detailed methodology and annotated outline of the CGEP developed in close collaboration with the Local Contractor	By September 7th   (10 working days)
First Draft of the CGEP developed and submitted for peer review and stakeholders’ consultations	By November 15th (20 working days)
Final version of the CGEP with detailed analysis of GEWE profile of the country, key messages, conclusions and recommendations submitted to UN Women.	February 28, 2021 (15 working days)

Inputs:

• The Consultant is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer.
• UN Women will provide the consultant with the resource materials, provide assistance in organization of online meetings, including in the field if necessary.

Performance evaluation:

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. The evaluation will be carried out and cleared by the hiring manager which will also be the basis for payment on a delivery basis to the consultant.

Financial arrangements:

Payment will be disbursed by three instalments upon receipt of the deliverables and their certification by the UN Women Programme Specialist that the work submitted is of the required standards and as per the requirements set out in the TOR.

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:  https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications Education:

Advanced (Masters) degree in Law, Political Science, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in women’s rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment or any related field, including analytical and research experience.

• At least 5 years of experience of advocacy related work with gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the Europe and Central Asia.

• At least 5 years of experience in development, monitoring and/or evaluation of GEWE related policies and legal frameworks; previous experience in developing Country Gender profiles will be an asset.

• At least 5 years of previous professional experience with development agencies and/or the United Nations.

• Knowledge of Ukraine context would be an asset.

Languages and other skills:

• Proficient in written and oral English.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use computers, including advance Excel skills and and/or knowledge of related analytical software (SPSS, Stata etc.) and standard applications for concise communication and development of complex written documentation.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong writing and editing skill.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of their qualifications and financial proposal. A two-stage procedure is utilized in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. The award of the contract should be made to the individuals whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria - total max 70 points:

• The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 70. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on desk review and following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criterion A – Relevant education – max. 10

Criterion B – Language skills – max. 10

Criterion C – Relevant Experience with total for all stated criteria – max. 50

• At least 10 years of experience in women’s rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment or any related field, including analytical and research experience (25 points)
• At least 5 years of experience of advocacy related work with gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the Europe and Central Asia (10 points)
• At least 5 years of experience in development, monitoring and/or evaluation of GEWE related policies and legal frameworks; previous experience in developing Country Gender profiles will be an asset (5 points)
• At least 5 years of previous professional experience with development agencies and/or the United Nations would be considered an asset (5 points)
• Knowledge of Ukraine context would be an asset (5 points)

               Total Obtainable Score for technical criteria – max. 70

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation will be further considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allocated for the financial/price component is 30.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

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).

Application and submission package:

The candidate’s application should include:

• A brief Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience in the field of recruitment. Completed and signed UN Women Personal History (P-11) form, that can be downloaded from:  https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558. 
• Proposal. The financial proposal shall specify?a total lump sum?amount with a breakdown of a daily professional rate per number of anticipated working days to include daily subsistence allowance, international travel related costs, and other costs (telephone, etc.).
  • Interested candidates are requested to apply no later than  9.00 am EEST on 15 July 2021 by submitting 2 attachments: 1) technical (P-11 and a Letter of Interest) as well as 2) financial proposals to the following e-mail address: hr.ukraine@unwomen.org with a subject “International Consultant to develop Country Gender Profile of Ukraine”.
  • Applications without financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

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.

Sample of Financial Proposal

The format shown on the following tables is suggested for use as a guide in preparing the Financial Proposal.

Cost Breakdown per Deliverables*(Lump Sum, All Inclusive)

Deliverables - # of days and Percentage of Total Price (Weight for payment) -   Price, USD

1   

2   

3   

 Total max. # of working days (100%)     USD ……

*Basis for payment tranches