International Consultant – Gender and Election Advisor

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.

Women’s leadership and political participation is one of UN Women’s primary areas of work as mandated in its inception, recognizing the integral role of women in strong and stable democratic processes. Through its Leadership and Governance section, UN Women works to implement Output 4 of the Entity’s Strategic Plan 2018-21 “More women of all ages fully participate, lead and engage in political institutions and processes”.

To promote the leadership and participation of women in all levels of decision-making processes, UN Women works with a range of stakeholders including women leaders and aspiring candidates, national parliaments and parliamentarians, political parties, media, civil society organizations, and electoral management bodies, in coordination with UN partner Entities, through a wide range of interventions which include: i) support gender responsive legal reforms, and institutional processes to advance women’s participation and representation (including initiatives to address violence against women in politics); ii) build capacities of women leaders and aspiring candidates; iii) promote change of gender norms through advocacy and outreach initiatives targeting communities, political leaders and the media; iv) and support women leaders in gender responsive political institutions.

In 2021, Haiti is preparing to organize a constitutional referendum as well as presidential, legislative, and municipal elections. Ensuring a peaceful citizens participation is fundamental for political stability and the establishment of a just and inclusive democracy. The electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) organized in December 2020-January 2021, called for strengthening support on conflicts peaceful resolution related to elections and the prevention of electoral violence and particularly violence against women during elections (VAWE). UN Women joined its effort to UNDP who is coordinating the UN programming support on electoral assistance: “Projet d’appui au processus electoral en Haiti” (PAPEH) in partnership with UNOPS and UNESCO. This new and integrated support aims to prevent and reduce Electoral violence against women (EVAW) and to mobilize women’s organizations, human rights actors, gender equality activists, and communities to break the silence on this very real issue and promote innovative prevention and response measures to mitigate VAWE. This project being part of our Women Political Leadership programme will complement the office current activities on the following thematic: Women Political Participation (WPP) and Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE)

UN-Women Haiti Office is seeking to recruit an international consultant to provide technical and advisory support on WPP and VAWE Programme.

Under the overall guidance and authority of UN Women Country Representative, and in close cooperation with the Program Specialist, the international consultant will provide the technical support and coordination required to support the coordination of its EVAW and WPP programme.

The consultant will be responsible of the following results and tasks:

RESULT 1:  STRATEGIC ADVISORY ON ELECTIONS AND VIOLENCE AGAINT WOMEN DURING ELECTIONS (VAWE) .

1. Lead UN-Women’s technical support on gender mainstreaming into UN electoral assistance and support the development of partnerships to promote Women’s leadership and political participation. 
2. Analyze the women’s political participation and the EVAW situation as well as the trends in Haiti and identify areas for relevant UN Women/UN engagement within the framework of the Elections portfolio, including production of briefing papers, risk analysis, presentations, and reports.
3. Provide technical support the implementation of for electoral projects ie – the PBF project implementation and the joint programme on electoral assistance (PAPEH), in close coordination with other actors involved.  particularly with UNDP
4. Propose terms of reference for consultants and partners to be mobilized by the projects
5. Provide technical guidance  and feedback to consultants and to implementing  partners
6. Represents UN Women in the gender and elections coordination group on demand.

RESULT 2: TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF VIOLENCE AGAINT WOMEN DURING ELECTIONS (VAWE)

Provide technical and advisory support to ensure that:

1. Community-based, crowdsourcing based, women-led electoral violence prevention and early warning mechanisms are developed, operational and cooperate with the Police 
2. The Police strengthens its  specific capacities to prevent and combat electoral and political violence against women candidates, voters and elected officials.
3. A VAWE referral system related to Women Political participation (WPP) and elections is designed and brings together women’s groups, electoral bodies and the national police.
4. At least two women leaders’ platforms are strengthened to enhance their contribution to women participation in politics y prevention of electoral and political violence against women

RESULT 3: CAPACITY REINFORCEMENT OF WOMEN POLITICAL LEADERS & NGO ON THE GROUND

1. Provide substantive advice and support to the Academy of Women in Politics.
2. Build the capacity of local NGOs/CSOs to deliver gender-responsive messaging and advocacy on WPP and inclusive elections.
3. Provide technical support to the Platform of Women for Peaceful elections in the strengthening of their mandate and network.

RESULT 4: OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROJECT MONITORING & EVALUATION

1. Facilitate and participate in regular meetings with the Project Board, submit progress reports to the Board, and advise the Board members on policy issues relating to project implementation.
2. Ensure regular and effective monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the project’s performance, using indicators established by the related Elections projects’ Result Framework.
3. Coordinate the call / request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees and capacity assessment of partners.
4. Advise the UN Women CO on the development of resource mobilization strategies.
5. Represent UN Women in all elections related activities; participate in all regular meetings of the international and donor community on elections.

RESULT 5. ADVOCACY, KNOWELDGE BUILDING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

1. Provide technical assistance to develop an advocacy strategy to transform gender norms and support advocacy with, media outlets and journalists on gender-responsive media coverage
2. Support the development and implementation of a capacity building strategy for women’s and young women’s organizations and other actors for the successful implementation of the mechanism and strategy for preventing and responding to electoral violence and policies towards women
3. Provide technical support and strategic facilitation in support of national actors for the development of an effective communication and advocacy strategy to  (VAWE .
4. Support the strengthening of gender and election consultation frameworks to better consider issues related to electoral and political violence against women
5. Propose, coordinate, and support the organization of advocacy activities, campaigns, training, workshops, and knowledge products.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

1. Timely and quality of  outputs
2. Timely and quality reports
3. Achievement of project results.
4. Monitoring and evaluation activities carried out in compliance with RBM standards.
5. Compliance with UN Women norms and standards in conduct, planning and implementation procedures and processes
6. Quality of partnership management

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:

Based on the advancement of electoral projects, the consultant will submit the reports and outputs below:

Under Result 1:

1. Detailed work plan and the timeline for the mandate
2. Monthly  Report on technical support the implementation of for electoral projects  the PBF project and the joint programme on electoral assistance (PAPEH)
3. Terms of reference for consultants and partners developed
4. Guidance notes for consultants  and implementing  partners
5. Technical review and feedback on work done consultants and implementing partners.
6. Monthly report on UNW’s technical support  on  the development of partnerships to promote Women’s leadership and political participation. 

 Under Result 2:

1. Monthly Report on technical support provided for  the design and implementation of  Awareness-raising activities on electoral security with the contribution of elected officials (Parliamentarians and Mayors) designed and implemented.
2. Work plan developed to support the integration of best practices in electoral security management to encourage women’s participation.
3. Monthly  Reports on Capacity building activities undertaken on data  collection and monitor electoral violence against women  by police.
4. Proposed standard operating procedures for the protection of candidates and voters. developed and
5. Monthly Report on Partnership developed between electoral security services and the community platform.
6. Community-based, crowdsourcing based,  women-led electoral violence prevention and early warning mechanisms are strengthened and cooperate with the Police. 
7. Monthly Reports on technical advisory provided  for the design and operationalization of a community-based early warning and monitoring mechanism to prevent and combat electoral violence against women using technology and social media.
8. Monthly Report on the technical support for the development of training modules and women’s organizations to the Community early warning and monitoring mechanism to prevent and combat  VAWE.
9. Monthly Report on technical assistance provided for the piloting and implementation of the community early warning mechanism preventing and combating electoral violence against women.
10. Monthly Reports on technical assistance provided for the establishment and implementation of a formal cooperation/partnership agreement between women’s networks and the police in order to operationalize the community early warning and monitoring mechanism supported by the United Nations.
11. Monthly  Reports on the technical support provided for the development and implementation of the strategy to raise awareness among different groups within communities on the prevention of electoral and political violence against women, and women’s political leadership and using community dialogue and new technologies.

Under Result 3:

1. Report on substantive inputs to the Academy of Women in Politics
2. Report on substantive inputs to capacity building of local NGOs/CSOs to deliver gender-responsive messaging and advocacy on WPP and inclusive elections
3. Report on technical support provided to 2 women’s platform including the Platform of Women for Peaceful elections to strengthen their networks and their contribution to the reduction of VAWE and to women’s political participation
4. Report on technical and advisory support provided to the development of a VAWE referral system related to WPP and elections bringing together women’s groups, electoral bodies and the national police

Under Result 4:

1. Report on regular meetings attended with the Project Board
2. Report on contribution given to the calls for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees and capacity assessment of partners
3. Report on contribution to UNW resource mobilization strategies development
4. Report on all meetings attended with international and donor community on elections
5. Monthly report on the project performance, using indicators established by the two related Elections projects’ Result Framework

Under Result 5:

1. One advocacy strategy to transform gender norms and support advocacy with, media outlets and journalists on gender-responsive media coverage
2. One capacity building strategy developed for women’s and young women’s organizations and other actors for the successful implementation of the mechanism and strategy for preventing and responding to electoral violence and policies towards women
3. Report on substantive inputs to the strengthening of gender and election consultation frameworks to better consider issues related to electoral and political violence against women
4. Report on substantive inputs to lessons learned documentation
5. Report on Knowledge products developed
6. Comprehensive final report of her/his mandate with key recommendations and a clear plan on the VAWE and WPP programme.

All reports from result 1 to 5 should have in annex the outputs developed by the consultant.

Core Values and Guiding Principles

1. Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
2. Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
3. People Management:  Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
4. Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
5. Delivery:   Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
6. Demonstrates integrity by modeling UN Women values and ethical standards
7. Demonstrates a commitment to UN Women’s mission and vision
8. Able to work effectively within a team
9. Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability
10. Able to multi-task and juggle competing demands
11. Can assess and prioritize work needs quickly
12. Able to relate to external partners, including other international organizations and agencies, NGOs including women’s organizations, grassroots community groups, etc.
13. Demonstrates integrity by modeling UN Women values and ethical standards
14. Able to relate to external partners, including other international organizations and agencies, NGOs, grassroots community groups, etc.

Functional Competencies

1. Sound practical knowledge on electoral assistance, women’s political participation programming including on gender responsive electoral processes (i.e. legal framework, sex disaggregated data collection, prevention and mitigation of violence against women in elections, electoral litigations mechanisms)
2. Previous experience in field-based electoral assistance in a variety of cultural and political context and especially in developing countries
3. Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with people from varied cultures and professional backgrounds, demonstrating excellent interpersonal communication skills
4. Results based management skills
5. Ability to produce well-written reports and/or programme documents demonstrating analytical ability
6. Excellent communication skills
7. Experience in working with UN Women or UN, international development partners, governments,  international NGOs on women’s political participation and electoral assistance.
8. Knowledge Management:  Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge
9. Relationship Management:  Ability to engage with other parties and forge productive working relationships
10. Gender:  Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective
11. Resource Mobilization: Ability to identify and organize Programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resource.

Education

1. Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, Law or relevant field and/or equivalent practical experience.

Experience

1. At least 5 years of experience providing technical assistance in the areas of women participation in elections, women political participation, gender mainstreaming in electoral assistance.
2.  Working experience in developing countries and preferably in fragile and conflict  states .
3. Sound knowledge of international standards on women’s rights, women’s political participations, gender and elections, human rights and related instruments
4. Experience working with multi-stakeholder organizations is essential:  governments, electoral management bodies, electoral security actors and the UN/ multilateral/bilateral institutions.
5. Experience working with women’s organizations.
6. Experience in programmed design and results-based management
7. Experience using technology, social networks, and crowdsourcing

Language:

1. Fluency in oral and written French required
2. Working knowledge of English required.

This SSA modality is governed by UN Women General Terms and Conditions. UN Women will only be able to respond to applicants who meet the minimum requirements.

Candidates should clearly indicate how they meet the above-mentioned criteria in their applications.

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials:

• UN Women P11 including experience in similar assignments; the P11 form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted;
• Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience and qualification against required qualification, experience and competencies.
• 2 pages proposal outlining understanding of the assignment and proposed workplan with a timeline.

Note: Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Please upload as one attachment of the documents as mentioned above online through this website

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates, medical certification (of good health) expression of Interest (EoI).

Evaluation of applicants

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications mentioned above, and financial proposal. A contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points:

Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points.

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 suggested formula is as follows:

p = 30 (µ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Only long-listed candidates will be contacted.

Financial proposal. Shortlisted candidate will be requested to submit a financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down a daily professional fee, proposed number of working days and any related expenses, i.e. travel and communications expenses.

Evaluation Criteria

Financial offer

The financial offer must indicate the overall cost ( lump sum) of the consultation.

 Consultants are requested to break down the lump sum costs to highlight

1. monthly consultancy fees and
2. other costs such as international transport necessary to carry out this mandate. No perdiem will be paid.

The financial offer should not include the following:

• Local transport from office to home will be facilitated by the office.
• Local missions costs:   For missions within the country, transport and hotel arrangements will be made by the office and their expenses covered separately 
• Logistics for activity costs: the costs will be covered directly by the country office

1. – Analysis of financial offers

Only the selected proposals, having received a score greater than or equal to 70 points after analysis of the technical offers will be taken into account for the opening and analysis of the financial offers. Financial offers must not bear signs indicative of the consultant.

2.- Corrections of errors

When there is an inconsistency between the unit price and the total price obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity, the unit price quoted will prevail, unless the evaluation committee considers that it is a gross comma error in the unit price in which case the total price as presented will prevail and the unit price will be corrected.

Method of payment

Payment will be made by a lump sum. Also, it should be noted that there will be no adjustment of costs or addition of days related to market fluctuations or an underestimation of the work and which would have occurred after the conclusion of the contract.

9. Application files

The application must contain:

1. A technical offer including: understanding of the mandate, a detailed methodological proposal for carrying out the various tasks, a detailed chronogram of activities.

The technical proposal will include a detailed activity schedule based on but not limited to the  following methodology:

1. Preparatory phase (literature review; internal documents consultation, analysis of government of policy frameworks; survey instrument development; etc.);
2. Approaches for the realization of the  five key results areas
3. Field work (Meeting and interviews of key actors of the sector, observation, field survey);
4. Presentation of implementation schedules
5. Presentation of monthly reports
6. Submission of final report.

1. Curriculum Vitae presenting
   1. similar work already carried out;
   2. professional references;
   3. copies of the consultant’s certificates and degrees, academic courses and studiesA detailed financial offer indicating the total lump sum ( see above  paragraph on  Financial Offer ) .

Submission

All submissions must be made in the system. However, technical and financial offers must be submitted on the same date by email to: [email protected]

The two offers (technical and financial) must be sent in two separate files.

However, the financial offer will have to be coded and only the candidates whose offers pass the technical stage will be contacted so that they send the code to open their financial offers. In the event of non-compliance with these instructions, UN Women can, in no way, be held responsible if the proposal is opened prematurely.

Deadline for submission of proposal

Proposals must be sent no later than 11.59 p.m. local time on July 25, 2021

Any proposals received after the date and time indicated will not be considered.

No proposal may be modified after the date and time fixed for the submission of proposals.

N.B. Female candidates are strongly encouraged. With equal skills, priority will be given to them.