NATIONAL CONSULTANT: Mid-term Assessment of the Second Kenya National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (2020-2024) (KNAP II) - RE-ADVERTISMENT

Background

Applicants who have applied to the prior vacancy announcement do not need to re-apply, as we will be reviewing all applications collectively.

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.

In Kenya, the UN Women Country Programme contributes to the development objectives of Kenya’s blueprint- the Vision 2030, the SDGs particularly, SDG 5 and is aligned to the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) 2018-2022 as well as UN Women Global Strategic Plan. The Kenya Country Programme aims to achieve the following results: (i) Increased women’s leadership and participation in governance; (ii) Strengthened women’s economic empowerment; (iii) Increased protection of women against gender-based violence & access to justice for women; and (iv) Strengthened women’s leadership in peacebuilding and humanitarian response.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction- (WPS/HA/DRR) programme in Kenya Country Office is conceived and anchored within the framework of the current country Strategic Note (2019-2022) and in line with UN Development Assistance Frameworks (2018-2022) and Kenya Vision 2030.

The Government of Kenya is currently implementing its Second-Generation National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), through localization of the agenda at the county and community level. This is directly contributing to the attainment of \ of SDGs 5 and 16. The KNAP II embodies the “Leave No One Behind” principle, by ensuring the inclusion of women, youth and other marginalized groups in peace, security, and humanitarian initiatives.

Context:

In 2016, Kenya developed its first National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UN SCR 1325), demonstrating a profound interest in the implementation of women peace and security agenda at Country Level. Much was achieved during the First Phase. However, as recommended by the comprehensive review conducted in 2018; engagement of the county governments was required to fully implement the Kenya National Action Plan on UN SCR 1325 (2016-2018) to build an inclusive society where women’s rights were protected.

Kenya is implementing its second National Action Plan (2020-2024) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) adopted in May 2020. The KNAP II is the overarching national framework that provides guidance on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions on women, peace, and security. It integrates lessons learned from the first KNAP (2016-2018) on UNSCR 1325 and is building on the gains and achievements.

The Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP II) wholesomely strives to highlight the imperative role women play in advancing peace and security in addition to highlighting the vulnerability and mitigation strategies through its robust pillars (Participation, Protection, Prevention and Relief and Recovery) implementation structure and coordination mechanism.

UN Women Kenya is committed to supporting the Government and non-state actors to effectively implement the KNAP, for which promotion and visibility of the Plan is fundamental. Considering the above, UN Women Kenya seeks to hire a national consultant to support the Government of Kenya to carry out a mid-term review of the KNAP II.

Rationale for Gender-Responsive Conflict and Disaster Analysis

Since the second KNAP was adopted in May 2020, Kenya has been implementing different components of the KNAP II. The endorsed KNAP II calls for a midterm review by June 2022 to assess level of progress in implementation, any results and achievements, lessons and challenges and emerging issues that need to be incorporated Through the technical and financial support from UN Women the State Department for Gender and the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management will lead the midterm review process and will offer recommendations for the way forward for its full implementation.

The midterm review will provide an invaluable opportunity for the Government of Kenya and non-state actors to take stock of the progress made across government agencies and civil society organizations that have been implementing KNAP II since May 2020. It is an opportunity to capture the gains made at the county and national levels by highlighting implementation gaps and challenges, as well as emerging trends and priorities for action especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the second KNAP implementation at all levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

The main objective is to review and document the progress made on the implementation of the KNAP II and also revise and update KNAP II based on emerging issues and recommendations. 

Specific Objectives:

1. Assess the relevance of the current interventions, strategy, and approach in the implementation of the KNAP II
2. Assess the quality of the stakeholder’s interventions and coordination mechanism that has been established at various levels, at the national, county and community level.
3. Assess the implementation of the County Local Action Plans in place.
4. Identify and validate lessons learned, best practices and strategies for replication for the design and implementation in the second phase of KNAP II.
5. Identify challenges encountered during the implementation of the KNAP II and propose mitigation strategy for consideration.
6. Where necessary, propose revision to the KNAP II to align with national priorities and reality of the post COVID 19 pandemic and emerging peace and security issues.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Peace and Security t Specialist and the KNAP Secretariat at the State Department for Gender, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks;

Task 1: Desk review and inception meeting

• Conduct a desk review of existing relevant documents and reports from State and Non-State actors related to peace and security, including KNAP II.
• Conduct preliminary consultations with relevant members of the implementation structures (NSC on UNSCR 1325 and the WPS taskforce at the national and county level).
• Develop and submit an inception report inclusive of methodology and consultancy work plan

Task 2: Data Collection and Analysis

• Develop a standardized data collection tool
• Oversee data collection at the national and selected counties
• Analyze data collected and draw conclusions and recommendations from data on the Participation & Promotion, Prevention, Protection and Relief and Recovery under the WPS agenda.
• Provide qualitative information by developing 4 case studies/best practices (specifically on the pillars of the KNAP: Participation & Promotion, Prevention, Protection and Relief and Recovery

Task 3: Validation of Preliminary findings

• Draft preliminary report with findings and recommendations and share with key stakeholders
• Hold a one-day working validation meeting key stakeholders including members of the National Steering Committee on UNSCR 1325 and WPS taskforce at the national and county level.

Task 4: Update KNAP II based on emerging issues

• Revise/update KNAP II based on findings and agreed recommendations base on the assessment on new emerging issues on peace and security.

Task 5: Finalization of key deliverables

• Final Assessment Report
• Revised/Updated KNAP II

Upon receipt of the deliverables and prior to the payment of the first installment, the deliverables and related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women. The period of review is one week after receipt.

Inputs

1. The State Department of Gender, National Steering Committee on Peace building and Conflict Management and UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials relevant to the assignment.
2. The Consultant is expected to work using his/ her own computer.
3. UN Women and the State Department for Gender shall facilitate consultations/meetings between the consultant and relevant stakeholders.

Final products and deliverables   Planned deliverables Days Schedule of Payment Deliverable 1 Final Inception report with consultancy work plan. The inception report should capture relevant information such as proposed methods, data collection procedure, schedule of task matrix, background information 5 Days 15% Desk Review including the final list of interview questions) and approved list of key informants as well as a desk review of all relevant literature and sources. 5 Days Deliverable 2 Development of standardized data collection tools Brief on data collection and interviews held Report on preliminary findings and recommendations. Revise/update KNAP II based on findings and agreed recommendations base on the assessment on new emerging issues on peace and security  20 Days 30% Deliverable 3 Validation Workshop- Agenda development and PowerPoint Presentation of findings and recommendations and proposed areas of revisions of KNAP II  2 Days Deliverable 4 Incorporating feedback and recommendation from validations workshop. Final Assessment Report Revised/Updated KNAP II 5 Days   55% Deliverable 5 Final Report and Revised KNAP 3 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

Functional Competencies

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills
• Strong knowledge of Results-Based Management
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong knowledge of Women, Peace, and Security
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify and analyse trends, opportunities, and threats to fundraising and develop strategies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in gender/women's studies, Peace Studies, international development, conflict studies, Law, Access to justice, social sciences, human rights, or a related field is required.
• A first-level relevant university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years progressively responsible experience in conflict prevention and peacebuilding programming, training, and/or analysis with significant experience mainstreaming gender into analysis processes.
• Technical experience working on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
• Strong understanding of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, normative frameworks, and WPS programming.
• Demonstrated experience in doing research and analysis on areas of gender, development, peace, and security and demonstrate publications.  
• Demonstrated working relationships with state actors at the national, county level, peace actors, women’s human rights and gender equality organizations, development partners that can be activated for the purposes of the data collection and analysis.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 
• Ability to work independently and deliver on tight timelines.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili is an asset.

Duration and remuneration: 

The duration of the contract is 40 working days the period from 15th July until 30th October 2022 UN Women will process the payment of consultancy fee upon satisfactory completion of all tasks in the assignment, submission, and approval of the final report by UN Women

Application:

Please attach a completed P11 to your application. Kindly note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment .

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

 

Planned deliverables

Days

Schedule of Payment

Deliverable 1

Final Inception report with consultancy work plan. The inception report should capture relevant information such as proposed methods, data collection procedure, schedule of task matrix, background information

5 Days

15%

Desk Review including the final list of interview questions) and approved list of key informants as well as a desk review of all relevant literature and sources.

5 Days

Deliverable 2

Development of standardized data collection tools

Brief on data collection and interviews held

Report on preliminary findings and recommendations.

Revise/update KNAP II based on findings and agreed recommendations base on the assessment on new emerging issues on peace and security

 20 Days

30%

Deliverable 3

Validation Workshop- Agenda development and PowerPoint Presentation of findings and recommendations and proposed areas of revisions of KNAP II

 2 Days

Deliverable 4

Incorporating feedback and recommendation from validations workshop.

• Final Assessment Report
• Revised/Updated KNAP II

5 Days

 

55%

Deliverable 5

Final Report and Revised KNAP

3 Days