National consultant to assess the costs of implementation of the proposed law on the psychological activity in the Republic of Moldova
Location : Home Based, MOLDOVA
Application Deadline : 25-Oct-23 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required : Duration of Initial Contract : November 2023-June 2024 (up to 15 working days)
Expected Duration of Assignment : November 2023-June 2024 (up to 15 working days)
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
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.
The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies, and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women, 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance, 3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.
Through its programmes and projects, UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners (governmental and non-governmental), including the private sector, in the implementation of existing international and national commitments to women’s rights and gender equality; it facilitates networking and exchange of good practices and advocates for women’s rights and gender equality in all areas of life.
Violence against women as a form of gender-based violence represents a global endemic problem threatening the right to life and dignity of millions of women around the world. Gender-based violence entails several social and health consequences for survivors, ranging from negative health outcomes to the fatal phenomenon of femicide or suicide. In our contemporary world, women who are subject to violence continue to be prevented from a full participation in both public and private life, which seriously affects their human dignity and equality. Gender-based violence not only jeopardies women’s physical and mental health, but also leads to serious violations of all their human rights, be they economic, social, cultural, civil or political.
With regard to the local context, the latest statistics and survey data available show that violence against women is alarmingly widespread in Moldova. According to the first national study on the prevalence of the phenomenon ( “Violence against Women in the Family”) carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics and commissioned by UN Moldova in 2011, 6 out of 10 women from urban areas and 7 out of 10 women form rural areas have experienced at least one form of violence (psychological, economic, physical and/or sexual) at the hands of their current or former partner during their lifetime, and 1 out of 10 has been exposed to all forms of violence.
There is evidence that due to widespread gender roles and stereotypes, violence against women in Moldova is not only widespread but, in some cases, also accepted and justified in the name of socio-cultural norms. As a consequence, women facing violence are not fully protected and many of them would report violence only in most serious cases. Therefore, as confirmed by the above-mentioned national study, a significant number of women remain unassisted and continue to be subject to violence.
Comprehensive social services are essential for survivors of gender-based violence. It is well-known that specialized psychological counseling can significantly improve the health outlook for women and girls’ survivors of violence, thus further contributing to women’s recovery from violence, their empowerment and prevention the reoccurrence of violence in the future ( Essential services package for women and girls subject to violence). As set out in the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, recently ratified by the Republic of Moldova, women and girls should have access to an array of general and specialized services, including psychological support. However, according to the Report on costing of domestic violence and violence against women in Moldova, over 30% of the services that are listed as essential in the international standards do not exist in Moldova or are not efficient. Aware of the existing challenges, UN Women Moldova is committed to contributing to the improvement of psychological services available to those in need, including women and girls survivors of gender-based violence, by providing support to the national relevant authorities in finalizing the law on the performance of the psychological activity.
Given the situation in the Republic of Moldova, when there is no specific legislative framework regulating and harmonizing the psychological activity, the parliamentary standing Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family has started in past years the elaboration of a draft law on the performance of the psychological activity. During 2020, the parliamentary standing committee for social protection, health and family has worked to develop a comprehensive and aligned to the international standards legal framework which will, on one hand, consolidate the efforts made by the psychologists and, on the other hand, will ensure that the specialized psychological services available to those in need, including women and girls survivors of gender-based violence, are efficient and systemic. In this context, UN Women supported the process based on request from the Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family, through national consultants who provided expertise in evaluating and finalizing the draft law on the psychological activity in the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, UN Women supported organization of public discussions regarding the content/adjustment/validation of the developed documents.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work
The national consultant is required to support the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family and the other national consultants involved in finalizing the package of the draft law in estimating the benefits and costs of approval and implementation of the law.
The required tasks to be fulfilled:
- Establish the workplan and methodology on determining the financial implications of implementing of the new proposed law;
- Conduct the estimation of the costs of implementing of the new proposed law both to public and private sectors;
- Ensure consultations and interviews as needed with relevant stakeholders;
- Participate in person or online in all relevant meetings and consultations, initiated by Parliamentary Standing Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family and its members;
- Draft an assessment report of the findings on the costing and validate it with national stakeholders. A report should be drafted that will elaborate on the methodology used, the consultations carried out, the estimate for the country as well as some reflections on the methodological and data challenges of arriving at such estimates;
- Submit the final version of the report with inputs, feedback from stakeholders from the validation meetings incorporated.
- Submit final report for the assignment.
Competencies
Values and competencies: Core Values:
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity
- Gender sensitiveness and empathy towards women’s rights issues
- Respect for UN principles
Core Competencies:
- Communication
- Planning and Organizing
- Organizational Awareness
- Team working ability
- Accountability
- Leadership
Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf
Required Skills and Experience
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Completed university degree, preferably in economics, or other relevant areas for this assignment.
- A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the area of economic research;
- Minimum 5 years of proven experience in developing and delivery various types of analytical papers, briefs, etc.
- At least 1 previous experience in conducting similar costing studies;
- Proven proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical applications.
- Experience with development organizations, including donors and stakeholders would be an asset;
- Fluency in Romanian. Working knowledge in English would be considered an asset.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested applicants should apply to this announcement through UNDP jobs site.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:
- All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc);
- Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment, please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment;
- Letter of Intent to include a brief overview of the consultant’s previous experiences makes the candidate the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. It should reflect the above-mentioned required skills and experience.
- Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the task specified in Terms of References. The Financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate). Please see ANNEX I and ANNEX II. Please visit the following link: https://sc.undp.md/jobdetails/2845/ where you may also find the TOR.
- Applications received after the close date will not be accepted;
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
- NB: Open for Moldova Nationals Only.