Local Consultant to Review Normative Framework from Gender-Equality Perspective

Background

The EU Progress Report 2020 notes how legislative framework on gender-based discrimination has limited impact due to weak implementation of existing measures and insufficient prioritisation of gender equality in the overall state and public accountability mechanisms. 

The Section for Gender Equality, under the auspices of the Directorate General for Human Rights within the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights, is mandated to coordinate and monitor government policies regarding gender equality. It furthermore ensures and monitors the development and implementation of the National Strategy for Gender Equality with an accompanying Action plan. 

The capacities of the Section for Gender Equality remain limited and require to be further enhanced in order to ensure the timely and successful coordination, communication, implementation and monitoring of the government policies in the area of gender equality, including, but not limited, to the new National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2025.

The principal strategic goal of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2025 is the achievement of the higher levels of gender equality in Montenegro by 2025. The operative goals include the improvement of the implementation of the existing normative framework, regarding gender equality policy and protection against gender-based discrimination; improvement of education, culture, and media policies in order to reduce the level of stereotypes and prejudices towards women and persons of different gender identities; and, increased participation of women and persons of different gender identities in areas that provide access to natural and social resources and the benefits of their use.

Therefore, the main objective of this consultancy is to support the Section for Gender equality by strengthening its capacities to review and amend the current normative and policy frameworks, and further improve its implementation.  One of the specific aspects of this consultancy is the review and amendment of the normative framework on communication in institutions and media with regards to gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles.

The project “Communicating Gender Equality” is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights. The general objective of this action is to contribute to achieving gender equality by enhancing the capacities to promote and integrate gender equality in governing, culture, media and human rights institutions to encourage and indorse culture of tolerance and gender equality in public discourse. Strengthening of the Government capacities in terms of communicating gender equality both within the institutions and in the public discourse is one of the goals of the action.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment: 

The objective of the assignment is to strengthen the capacities of the Government of Montenegro, specifically the Section for Gender Equality, to rewiew and amend normative and policy framework with regards to gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles.

Job content: 

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and guidance of the Head of the Section for Gender Equality, the local consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Review and analyse the existing national normative and strategic framework from gender-equality perspective in the priority areas defined by the Section for Gender Equality, such as communications, employment, workplace relations, and others (18 days);
• Provision of support to the Section for Gender Equality in the assessment of the challenges and opportunities in integrating gender-equality principles in the normative and public administration context (10 days);
• Prepare a report highlighting the potential solutions for developing a more gender-sensitive and gender-responsive normative framework and public administration in Montenegro (7 days);
• Prepare the Final Report for the assignment, elaborating on recommendations for strengthening of Section’s capacities on review and amendment of normative and policy framework, validated by the Head of the Section for Gender Equality and approved by the UNDP Project Manager (5 days).

The expected results: Under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and guidance of the Head of the Section for Gender Equality, the local consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Performed analysis and developed report on the existing national normative and strategic framework from gender-equality perspective in the priority areas defined by the Section for Gender Equality, such as communications, employment, workplace relations, and others. The Report should consist of a detailed overview of the existing laws and policies in this field, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, as per Section’s instructions;
• Finalized assessment and prepared report reflecting the challenges and opportunities in integrating gender-equality principles in normative and public administration context. The Local Consultant will closely cooperate with the Head of the Section for Gender Equality and relevant stakeholders;
• Developed report highlighting the necessary preconditions and potential solutions for developing a more gender-sensitive and gender-responsive normative framework and public administration in Montenegro;
• Delivered final report on all activities undertaken under this assignment provided, highlighting main results achieved and proposed recommendations.

Timing and reporting: The local consultant is expected to work in Podgorica, Montenegro during the assignment’s duration: 1st November  2021 – 30th April 2022. The estimated number of working days is 40.There is no foreseeable travel outside of Podgorica, Montenegro during the assignment. The local consultant will be responsible to prepare the final report to the UNDP Project Manager, and it should contain sufficient detail and information that would allow for the appraisal of the effectiveness to date of the assignment’s activities.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Shares knowledge and experience; 
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; 
• Excellent social, communication skills and ability to operate under pressure;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; 
• Ability to use and adapt knowledge in various context communicating clearly strategic goals;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University Degree in Law;

Experience: 

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in normative and policy framework review and analysis;
• Previous experience working in Public Administration and/or on Public Administration Reform;
• Experience in field of decent work, protection of labour rights and gender equality, will be an advantage;

Language:

• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Montenegrin language is mandatory for this post

Other:

• Excellent communication and writing skills;

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

• Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by October 21, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV or P11 that can be downloaded at https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".