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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality (GE) and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Since 2010, the European Union and UN Women have developed a close partnership. Working in concert, the European Union and UN Women have made great strides to promote gender equality through shared dialogue, advocacy, and cooperation programs. 

The European Union Gender Equality Facility (GEF) in BiH is based on the Action Document for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II) for the year 2018 “EU Gender Equality Facility”. The project is funded and jointly implemented by the European Union and UN Women, through the Project Team in close cooperation with the Agency for Gender Equality BiH (AGE BiH), the Gender Center of the Federation of BiH (GC FBiH).

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) progress in recent years respecting and promoting Gender Equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments and in national legal and policy frameworks. The main achievements in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment reside in BiH’s institutional capacity development for the work on gender equality. Indeed, the legal provisions guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality are largely in place – the Gender Equality Law, the Gender Action Plan, the Election Law amendment instituting quotas, the Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention are normative achievements that influence the institutional practice in promoting gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

As the Government of BiH prepares to align with the broader European Union acquis in a wide range of sectors, it is prioritizing investment in particular sectors with specific areas of social and economic reform, providing for the adoption of a comprehensive sector-based approach to development. BiH’s accession to the European union is structured on the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the implementation of which is monitored by the European Commission. Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016. The Commission adopted its Opinion (Avis) on the EU membership application of the country in May 2019, identifying 14 key priorities for the country to fulfill in view of opening EU accession negotiations out of which one priority is targeting gender equality. 

GEF aims to strengthen the effective implementation of domestic and international legal frameworks concerning gender equality and women’s rights; mainstreaming gender into European Union integration and planning processes for pre-accession assistance; and strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender equality in line with the European union standards. Furthermore, GEF will support institutions in correctly aligning with the European Union Gender Equality acquis. The focus of the project intervention   is on the role and functioning of institutional mechanisms for gender equality and their engagement in all aspects of European Union integration and planning and implementation of pre-accession assistance. Support includes strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms; the Gender Action Plan (GAPs) Coordination Committees and civil servants tasked with providing gender expertise in sectoral areas (gender focal points in ministries); and also, the enhancement of capacities for implementing and monitoring GAPs and other relevant policies at the state and entity level. The intervention will address challenges in the implementation of laws and gender equality policies through support to the institutions mandated for gender equality and between coordination and monitoring of gender equality policies and measures.

Pursuant to the Gender Equality Law of BiH, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AGE) is entrusted with monitoring the enforcement of the law. Furthermore, the Agency, along with the Gender Center of the Federation of BiH (GC FBiH) and the Gender Centre of Republika Srpska (GC RS) (collectively referred to as the “gender institutional mechanisms”) are key institutional mechanisms for gender equality in the BiH Council of Ministers, Government of the Federation of BiH and the Government of Republika Srpska, in charge of directing efforts towards fighting discrimination and achieving gender equality in BiH by developing strategic documents and action plans. 

The Directorate for European Integration is a permanent, autonomous, and professional body of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which coordinates the processes and activities of the institutions in the integration of BiH into the European Union. Competences of the Directorate are related to the commitments stemming from the integration process, alignment of legislation with the acquis, financial assistance of the EU for BiH, translation of legislation and other documents, and communication and training for various target groups to provide institutional, professional, and technical support to BiH integration into the EU. 

Additionally, in terms of EU integration process in BiH, at the entity level, there is the Republika Srpska Ministry for European Integration and International Cooperation and the Office of the Federation of BiH Government for European Integration. At the Brcko District level, there is the Department for European Integration and International Cooperation.

The UN Women Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit a National Consultant who will provide training in the IPA III programming process to selected sector civil society organisations (CSOs). The National Consultant is expected to closely collaborate with sector CSOs (agricultural, rule of law, competitiveness and innovation, employment, climate and environment, and security sectors), the gender institutional mechanisms, the Directorate for European Integration BiH, other relevant stakeholders involved in EU integration processes and report to the UN Women GEF Project Manager.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of targeted institutions in BiH to include the gender perspective. 

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE 

The specific objective of the assignment is:

1. Provision of direct guidance, coaching and advice on IPA III processes;
2. In close collaboration with a national gender expert, development of a guide to include the gender perspective in the IPA III programming process, specifically tailored for targeted sector CSOs (agricultural, rule of law, competitiveness and innovation, employment, climate and environment, and security sectors);  
3. Training of stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women GEF Project Manager, the overall supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist and guidance of the EUD Programme Manager and in close coordination with a national gender expert, the gender institutional mechanisms and other relevant partners, the National Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Needs assessment (to be conducted in collaboration with the national gender expert):

• Conduct consultations with selected sector CSOs through a questionnaire (UN Women will provide a list) to define key learning objectives and needs;
• Conduct consultations with the BiH Agency for Gender Equality, the FBiH Gender Centre to define approach to including the gender perspective;
• Conduct consultations with the Directorate for European Integration BiH, the FBiH Government Office for European Integration and to define the approach to developing the guide and conducting the training; 

Inputs received from stakeholders are to be integrated in the guide and training session.

• In collaboration with the national gender expert, develop a guide on including the gender perspective in the IPA III processes, specifically tailored for CSOs

• The National Consultant is specifically expected to provide inputs on the role of CSOs in the IPA III programming process, whilst the national gender expert’s contribution will provide guidance on how to include the gender perspective in this process;
• A comparative analysis of how CSOs in other IPA countries have included the gender perspective is to be provided;  
• Make any adjustments necessary following comments made by the stakeholders;
• The National Consultant and the national gender expert are expected to amalgamate their individual contributions into one guide;

• After the UN Women GEF Project Manager approves the guide, develop in a curriculum and materials for training of CSOs personnel. First training to be held for CSOs in the sectors of agricultural, rule of law, competitiveness and innovation over a period of two days (in Sarajevo or surrounding area). Second training to be held for CSOs in the sectors of employment, climate and environment, and security over a period of two days (in Sarajevo or surrounding area). The two trainings will be held consecutively together with the national gender expert. The training is to be practical and engaging. 

• Submit the proposed curriculum and materials to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for comments and approval.
• Conduct 2 two-days in person training in Sarajevo or surrounding area
• Develop notes with key takeaways.

• Based on comments made at trainings, make any adjustments to the final guide and submit it to the UN Women GEF Project Manager for approval.

Throughout the assignment, the National Consultant is expected to:

• Maintain communication and good working relations with the national gender expert, CSOs, designated staff of the gender institutional mechanism and other institutions relevant for the assignment.
• Organize briefings with the UN Women GEF Project Manager to provide status updates/reports.

To facilitate the delivery of the above outputs, UN Women will provide the National Consultant with the following:

• Project related documents and contacts;
• Other documents as necessary.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

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

The consultancy will last 20 days in the period from 19 September 2022 to 28 February 2023. The assignment will not require presence on UN Women premises. The assignment will require in-country travel to Sarajevo or surrounding area.

REPORTING

All deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women GEF Project Manager in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. Final consultancy report should be delivered by 24 February 2023. Approval time required to review the deliverables before authorizing payments is 7 days. All deliverables must satisfy the EU/UN Women visibility requirements.

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• 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:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in Law, European Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Sociology, Gen-der/Women’s Studies, Development Studies, Economics or related field 
• Bachelor’s Degree in a similar field in combination with additional five years of relevant work experience will be taken into consideration in lieu of the master’s degree (a total of 15 years of work experience is required if the candidate holds a Bachelor’s Degree).

Work Experience:

• At least ten years of general professional experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in working on IPA programming processes. Please refer to previous projects/tasks;
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the national legal and policy frameworks the EU acquis and pre-accession process;
• Demonstrated experience in holding trainings in IPA programming processes, preferably to CSOs. Please refer to trainings held;
• Experience in supporting mainstreaming of women’s rights and/or gender equality in policy/project development and implementation by government through different sectors will be considered a distinct advantage;
• Prior experience in conducting tasks similar to the ones outlined in this ToR with UN/EU agencies in the Western Balkans or similar international organizations.

Language requirement:

• Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Other skills:

• Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), Zoom and MS Teams

EVALUATION OF OFFER

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualifica-tion 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 combi-nation of applicant experience, qualifications and a financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the indi-vidual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: 

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, 
• and having received the highest score out of technical and financial criteria defined below.

Based on the desk technical evaluation, only candidates receiving a minimum of 50 points at technical evaluation will be considered for a financial evaluation.

Criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%) – 70 points

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in Law, European Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Sociology, Gen-der/Women’s Studies, Development Studies, Economics or related field

• or

• Bachelor’s Degree in a similar field in combination with additional five years of relevant work experience will be taken into consideration in lieu of the master’s degree (a total of 15 years of work experience is required if the candidate holds a Bachelor’s Degree).

• At least ten years of general professional experience. – 15 points

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in working on IPA programming processes. Please refer to previous projects/tasks; - 15 points 

• Proven knowledge and understanding of the national legal and policy frameworks regarding gender equality, especially in regard to the EU acquis and pre-accession process. Please refer to relevant projects worked on, documents/publication produced; - 10 points

• Demonstrated experience in holding trainings in IPA programming processes, preferably to CSOs. Please refer to trainings held; - 15 points 

• Experience in supporting mainstreaming of women’s rights and/or gender equality in policy/project development and implementation by government through different sectors will be considered a distinct advantage; - 5 points

• Prior experience in conducting tasks similar to the ones outlined in this ToR with UN/EU agencies in the Western Balkans or similar international organizations. – 10 points

Financial Evaluation- based on submitted offer (30%)

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.

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 in BAM (which includes consultancy fees, travel, accommodation, subsistence etc. in the form of a lump-sum)
3. Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

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

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.)?