To support the comprehensive assessment of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard (1 Position)

Location : Home based, NEPAL

Application Deadline : 12-Sep-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category : Management

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

02-Oct-2023

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is integral to realizing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the SDGs and their promise to “leave no one behind (LNOB)” there is a strong need to tackle the gender inequalities and discrimination that women and girls continue to face around the world. Further, it is also equally important to address the intersectionality including marginalization and discrimination faced by women, persons with disability, sexual minorities, and other marginalized groups.

The Gender Scorecard was endorsed by the UNDG in 2008 in response to the UN Chief Executive Board for Coordination 2006 Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (CEB/2006/2) to establish an accountability framework for assessing the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming by UN Country Teams. The Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) calls for the United Nations (UN) development system to expand and strengthen the use of the Gender Scorecard as a planning and reporting tool for assessing the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming in the context of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); now UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)- 2023-2027. Building on this call, an updated version of the framework, the UN Country Team System-Wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP) Gender Equality Scorecard, was launched in 2018, resulting from almost two years of work by the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) Task Team on Gender Equality under the Results Group on Voice, Values and Norms, to align the Action Plan with the SDGs and to it with its entity level equivalent, the UNCT-SWAP, drawing on good global practices with motivating, managing and measuring institutional change processes. Furthermore, the 2019 UNSDG UNSDCF Guidance calls for UN entities to “put gender equality at the heart of programming, driving the active and meaningful participation of both women and men, and consistently empowering women and girls, in line with the minimum requirements agreed upon by the (UNSDG in the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard” (para 20).

The new UNSDCF 2023-2027 presents opportunities for collaboration, as reflected in this UNSDCF, witnesses a strong alignment of development priorities with those set out in the Government’s 15th Plan and emergent 16th Plan. Furthermore, this UNSDCF is signed by the Government of Nepal and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) at a moment of heightened significance in our mutual attention to advancing inclusive and sustainable development. To these ends, this UNSDCF will support the country and its people recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, secure further progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, and implement programmes aimed at accelerating nationwide social and economic transformation.

In order to support the development of the gender- and inclusion responsive Cooperation Framework and ensure better accountability of UNCT towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with the 2018 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) [1] , the UN Country Team will use the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard (UNCT-SWAP) to assess status, and identify gaps and corrective actions.

The LNOB- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Working Group (LNOB- GESI WG) earlier termed as Gender-Theme Group in UNCT Nepal is mainly guided by the UNSDG Gender Theme Groups: Standards and Procedures 2021 among other guidelines for UNCTs. It comprises gender and social inclusion including disability focal points of each UN agency that is signatory to the Cooperation Framework. UNCT LNOB -GESI WG promotes LNOB approaches on commitments of UNCT to inclusion, equality and non-discrimination in its both internal and external efforts. The LNOB- GESI WG also aims to provide operational support to the Government of Nepal in its efforts to implement its national priorities laid in the national periodic plans as well as 2030 Agenda. The LNOB GESI WG is co-chaired by UN Women and UNDP and facilitates the UN’s support to implementing UNSDCF in line with national GESI priorities, including policy and technical support, and support to the implementation of normative standards and frameworks on gender equality and social inclusion. The LNOB-GESI WG works closely with UNCT members and collaborates with various stakeholders including with National Women’s Machinery, relevant institutions with a focus/contribution on LNOB and GESI including National Commissions, Human Rights organizations/defenders, local governments, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).. Further, it also identifies the areas for advocacy and work continuously with these stakeholders. In addition, HoAs – in a coordinated manner – engage directly with sectoral ministries and their gender equality and social inclusion architecture, as well as other relevant stakeholders in country, to advance their entity’s GESI and LNOB commitments, in line with the UNSDCF 2023 – 2027.

UN Women and UNDP as a co-chair will plays a proactive role in spearheading UNCT-SWAP assessments including the GE Scorecard and its annual reporting process.

The UNCT-SWAP Scorecard measures gender mainstreaming in UN common programming processes across seven dimensions that contain 15 indicators in line with the global UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Technical Guidance and Framework [2]. These are: 1) Planning:

•  Performance Indicator 1.1: Common Country Analysis integrates gender equality
•  Performance Indicator 1.2: Gender equality mainstreamed in UNSDCF outcomes
•  Performance Indicator 1.3: UNSDCF indicators measures changes on gender equality

2) Programming and monitoring & evaluation;

•  Performance Indicator 2.1: Joint Programmes contribute to reducing gender inequalities
•  Performance Indicator 2.2: Communication and advocacy address areas of gender equality
•  Performance Indicator 2.3: UNSDCF monitoring and evaluation measures progress against planned gender equality results

3) Partnerships;

•  Performance Indicator 3.1: UNCT collaborates and engages with Government on gender equality and the empowerment of women
•  Performance Indicator 3.2: UNCT collaborates and engages with women’s/gender equality CSOs

4) Leadership and organizational culture;

•  Performance Indicator 4.1: UNCT leadership is committed to championing gender equality
•  Performance Indicator 4.2: Organizational culture fully supports promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women
•  Performance Indicator 4.3: Gender parity in staffing is achieved

5) Gender architecture and capacities;

•  Performance Indicator 5.1: Gender coordination mechanism is empowered to influence the UNCT for gender equality and the empowerment of women

Performance Indicator 5.2: UNCT has adequate capacities developed for gender mainstreaming

6) Financial resources;

•  Performance Indicator 6.1: Adequate resources for gender mainstreaming are allocated and tracked.

7) Results

•  Performance Indicator 7.1: UN programmes make a significant contribution to gender equality in the country

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of this consultancy is to facilitate the overall process of the comprehensive assessment of the UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard focusing on the effectiveness of the UN Country Team in gender mainstreaming, promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as to provide a set of recommendations and actions for improvements. The main purpose of the exercise of this comprehensive assessment is

•  To assist UNCTs in identifying areas in which they are meeting or not meeting UNSDG minimum requirements on gender mainstreaming practices and performance.
•  To stimulate a constructive dialogue within the UNCT about the current status of support for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and how it can be improved. To identify where technical assistance can support the achievement of minimum requirements.
•  To share good practice in supporting national priorities to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

[1] A/Res/71/243, available at: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/461/58/PDF/N1646158.pdf?OpenElement

[2] The updated technical guidance and framework includes revision to the assessment criteria for some of the performance indicators.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard methodology has been designed for in-country self-assessment as a means of fostering deeper understanding and ownership of results. The external gender specialist will facilitate the exercise and apply participatory methods to ensure the assessment team is formed from the beginning of exercise, leads and own the process.

An Inter-Agency Assessment Team (IAT) consisting of representatives from the UN agencies, will be formed to enable the inter-agency collaboration, promoting internal dialogues and ownership of the results. The IAT has a collective responsibility to provide evidence and analysis to justify ratings. Under the direct supervision of UN Women Country Representative, the consultant will closely work with the coordination focal point of UN Women in consultation with LNOB-GESI WG co-chair and the IAT, will conduct the following activities within the stipulated timeframes: Desk Review (5 working days):

•  The global UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Technical Guidance and Framework;
•  UNCT Nepal’s Annual GE Scorecard Assessment Reports;
•  Relevant regional guidelines, frameworks and knowledge products including the UNCT Resource Book for Gender Mainstreaming in the UNSDCF and Related Programming
•  UNSDG United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Guidance
•  UNCT planning, budgeting, and programming documents
•  UNCT LNOB GESI WG’s ToR, work plans and relevant progress reports
•  Monitoring reports of the international accountability frameworks related to gender including CEDAW.

Data collection in close consultation with IAT: (10 working days)

•  Support the collection of complementary data and evidence for assessment of the performance indicators
•  Conduct gender analysis of verification documents required to validate the assessment scores
•  Facilitate working sessions with and provide technical support to key stakeholders such as the Resident Coordinator; Heads of Agencies; key programme staff; M&E teams, partners, etc. to discuss and score areas of performance.
•  Complete the rating matrix based on IAT discussions and agreements.
•  Facilitate a debrief with the UNCT to discuss findings, recommendations, and proposed actions.

Reporting (5 working days)

•  Draft UNCT-SWAP narrative report in line with the assessment scores and findings, with inputs from IAT.
•  Prepare Action Plan based on findings and recommendations of the assessment.
•  Complete the final draft of the UNCT-SWAP narrative report and Action Plan based on feedback, including from the UNCT HOAs.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Consultant performance will be evaluated against the criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

DUTY STATION AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

This is a home-based assignment with travel to Kathmandu, Nepal for data collection purpose. UN Women will bear the full cost of travel and accommodations for official missions as per the UN Women standard guidelines.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payment for this consultancy will be based on the achievement of each deliverable and certification by the immediate supervisor that each has been satisfactorily completed. Payment will be made based on the number of working days required for the completion of each stated deliverable within the indicated timeframes.

Competencies

Core Values:

•  Respect for Diversity: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity;
•  Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of the United Nations in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
•  Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work, including strong technical expertise in gender issues.

Core Competencies:

•  Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues;
•  Accountability;
•  Creative problem solving;
•  Effective communication;
•  Inclusive collaboration;
•  Stakeholder engagement;
•  Leading by example.

Functional Competencies:

•  Strong commitment to and good understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues;
•  Strong interpersonal skills;
•  Strong organizational skills and strong self-direction;
•  Strong research and communication skills;
•  Ability to prioritize and work under pressure with colleagues at all levels,
•  Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and understanding of the UN as a system; desired knowledge of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard.
•  Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
•  Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
•  Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication;
•  Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay com- posed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others;
•  Conflict management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution;
•  Continuous Learning and Knowledge sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced (Masters) degree in social and political sciences, human rights, gender equality etc. PhD degree is an asset.

Experience:

•  At least 10 years of practical experience of work on gender mainstreaming in development programmes/projects at national and international levels;
•  Experience in gender data collection and analysis, including interviews, survey and focus groups;
•  Previous experience of supporting inter-agency coordination within the UN system will be an added advantage;
•  Previous experience with the Gender Equality Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix will be an added advantage;
•  Understanding of the social inclusion/diversity context in Nepal/south Asian region

Language and other skills:

•  Proficient in written and oral English, working level of Nepali language is an asset;

EVALUATION CRITERIA: 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. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated. If required, an interview will be conducted before making the final decision on selection of the consultant.

Technical qualification evaluation criteria: The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

•  Required degree and qualification (15 points);
•  Relevant years of experience of work on gender mainstreaming in development prograMmes /projects at national and international levels (30 points)
•  Experience in GESI data collection and analysis, including interviews, survey and focus groups (15 points);
•  Previous experience of supporting inter-agency coordination within the UN system (10 points);
•  Writing sample (30 points).

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically qualified candidate.

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation: The financial proposal of candidates who meet the technical assessment threshold will be evaluated. The financial assessment will count as 30% of the total points. In this methodology, the maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

A formula is as follows: p = y (µ/z)

Where: p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

HOW TO APPLY?

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

•  Expression of interest
•  Completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) of all the team members which can be downloaded: http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment
•  At least two samples of original writing produced where the applicant is the author/co-author
•  A separate page of the financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify the per-day consultancy fee based on which the total contract value will be calculated. UN Women HR might request the candidate to share evidence of the per-day consultancy fee of the previous assignment(s).

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment, please combine all your documents into one single PDF document. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form and the written sample will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Request for Disability-related Reasonable Accommodations: It is important for UN Women to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to be recruited and to perform essential job functions. Should you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and recruitment process, please direct your request and inquiries to nepal.hr@unw.org. A member of the HR team responsible for reasonable accommodation will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.