SSA – International Consultant – Humanitarian Action

Location : Suva, FIJI

Application Deadline : 08-Sep-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

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

18-Sep-2023

Duration of Initial Contract : Up to 132 days within a 6-month period.

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

Context / 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 Fiji Multi Country Office (MCO) covers 14 Pacific countries, with field offices/presence in 6 countries, and five ‘focus countries’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Samoa). Each field presence is led by a national Country Programme Coordinator. UN Women, in partnership with Pacific Islands Governments, regional organizations, CSOs, donors and UN agencies, focuses on delivering within four interlinked programme areas:

•  Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL)
•  Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
•  Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)
•  Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Risk Reduction

In 2022, over 300 million people needed humanitarian assistance and protection in places struck by conflict, climate change, disasters. For women and girls, crisis and related displacements results in loss of property, assets and livelihoods, reduction in access to health care, education, and other services. At the same time, it raises the risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation. Yet, gender responsive humanitarian action remains affected by limited coordination, understanding of risks and funding at the country and regional level. However, the critical importance of building resilience and safeguarding the long-term prospects of crisis affected women and girls are emphasized by development actors requiring a collective and coordinated approach. Through its IASC membership and ongoing programmes in humanitarian crisis, UN Women takes an approach to tackle the root causes of inequality while pushing for changes in the global humanitarian system.

The Pacific is considered one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world and faces unique challenges. It is highly exposed to hydro-meteorological hazards as well as geophysical and human-made hazards. The small size, remoteness, socio-economic status, and fragile biodiversity of the Pacific Islands makes them extremely vulnerable to these hazards. As a result, Pacific Island States, including Vanuatu, Fiji, and Kiribati – the WRD programme countries, occupy the top categories in the 2019 World Risk Index.

A principal regional constraint to gender-responsive humanitarian preparedness, response and disaster risk reduction remains the capacity to plan and implement gender-inclusive strategies, and to deliver pre-and post-disaster services to those hit hardest by emergencies. All steps to reduce gender inequalities across the region are likely also to reduce gender disparities in the impact of disaster. The UN Women MCO covers 14 of the PICTs in the region. Widespread discriminatory attitudes towards women and girls in all their diversity create deep-rooted obstacles to sustainable development in the Pacific. [1] Some Pacific societies are matrilineal, with women in some cases holding positions of authority within the family/community. However, this does not usually translate into equal socio-economic indicators, with the exception of secondary school enrolment, where girls typically outstrip boys, with an average net enrolment ratio of 69.7 percent for girls and 62.3 percent for boys. [2] The majority of societies are deeply patriarchal, with entrenched norms that lead to gender inequality in almost all spheres. Women and girls of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, women, and girls with disabilities and in rural/maritime areas experience intersectional discrimination.

Through the recent Humanitarian Strategy (2022-2025) of UN Women, the agency focuses on:

•  Strengthening accountability towards gender commitments in coordination and implementation of UN-led humanitarian and refugee responses.
•  Strengthening Comprehensive Protection and Livelihood support to Crisis Affected Women and Girls.
•  Amplifying women’s voices and leadership during the crisis

The UN Women MCO is in an advantageous position in the region regarding its coordination role as lead of the Pacific Humanitarian and Protection Cluster (PHPC) which provides ample opportunity for consolidating its envisaged role of triple mandate (normative, operation and coordination) as per the Strategic Note (2023-2017).

Objectives of the Assignment

UN Women Fiji MCO is looking for an individual to support the Humanitarian portfolio of UN Women in implementing its major mandated activities in the region during a limited time period:

•  Document and compile the Protection work, resources and best practices developed and used by the MCO for a comprehensive hand over note.
•  Provide support to the process of designing a Nexus Concept note and its eventual roll out.
•  Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to national protection mechanisms on gender and socially inclusive disaster preparedness, responses and recovery plans, and where possible assist in the establishment and maintenance of national protection mechanisms.
•  Support and lead the planning of the Humanitarian portfolio for the UNW MCO and plan its implementation. (e.g. identify priority actions, partnerships, budgetary provisions for the remaining period of 2023 and beyond)

The Consultant will work under the Humanitarian and Resilience Unit and reports to Programme Specialist Gender and Resilience.

[1] United Nations. (2021). Pacific Common Multi-Country Assessment.

[2] UN Women. (2021). Gender Equality Brief for 14 Pacific Countries and Territories and UNICEF (2017) Situation Analysis of Children in the Pacific Island Countries

Duties and Responsibilities

Details of the assignment are as follows: Document and compile the key Protection work, resources and best practices developed and used for the MCO over the past years. This may include but not limited to the following:

•  List of regular partners & their contacts
•  Agreed Term of Reference.
•  Meeting minutes
•  Pictures from activities being implemented till to date.
•  Capacity development documents used and reports.
•  A complete hand over notes with reference to the remaining activities for the year under the Humanitarian portfolio.

Provide support to the consultant for the development of the Nexus concept note and its eventual roll out, and this may entail the following:

•  Consultation with key stakeholders (virtual and/or in person) and document the feedback on needs, gaps on capacity building for final inclusion into the document.
•  Identify potential partners for this new programme.
•  Design a roll out plan for implementation along with a realistic budget and M & E framework aligning with the Strategic Note of the MCO.
•  Support the project approval process within the UN Women.

Build capacity of stakeholders for strengthening Protection structures (e.g., Kiribati) especially in collaboration with the government agencies:

•  Organise capacity building initiatives for national, sub-national level stakeholders on gender responsive response.
•  Design and organise orientation for humanitarian actors at the onset of disaster season.
•  Share and finalise the cluster ToRs for national Protection clusters or similar structures as preferred by the government.

Manage the Humanitarian Portfolio which may include the following:

•  Organise the regular cluster meetings.
•  Represent cluster in the inter-cluster meetings.
•  Facilitate the representation of UNW at the PHT.
•  Monitor budget utilisation.
•  Contribute to the periodic reports on progress.

Expected Deliverables

The duration of this assignment will be to up 132 working days over 6 months.

The Consultant is expected to deliver , specifically, the following major tasks or outputs: No.

Deliverables

Approximate No. of days

Document and compile the Protection work, resources and best practices developed and used by the MCO for a comprehensive hand over note.

Up to 30 days

September- October 2023

Provide support to the process of designing a Nexus Concept note and its eventual roll out.

Up to 30 days

Oct- December 2023

Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to national protection mechanisms on gender and socially inclusive disaster preparedness, responses and recovery plans, and where possible assist in the establishment and maintenance of national protection mechanisms.

Up to 40 days

Nov – December 2023

Support and lead the planning of the Humanitarian portfolio for the UNW MCO and plan its implementation.

Up to 32 days

Jan – Mar 2024

TOTAL

Up to 132 days

September 2023 – March 2024

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 6 months, not exceeding 132 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

•  Monthly reports on major tasks performed and results matched against a detailed workplan.
•  Monthly time sheet.
•  Supporting documents of the month’s activities including any minutes, workplans, briefs, analytical work papers etc.

All the deliverables should be agreed with the UN Women’s Humanitarian & Resilience Programme Team provided in English hard and electronic copy.

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports, and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women at least within 10 business days of submission.

All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format. Any printed materials utilized to be referenced and returned.

Management Arrangements

The Consultant will work under the overall coordination of the Programme Specialist – Gender and Resilience.

The selected candidate will be provided with a laptop, working space and access to other equipment for the fulfilment of his/her tasks (such as printer, copier).

Performance Evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements

Payments will be disbursed to the consultant in instalments, upon submission and approval of deliverables, monthly timesheets aligned with actual days worked and certification by the UN Women Programme Specialist for the Humanitarian & Resilience Programme that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Travel

UN Women will not cover transportation cost within Suva. Travel costs outside Suva are not envisaged and if needed will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval. During the consultancy assignment’s related missions, UN Women will cover travel cost for the Consultant for the agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable rules and regulations.

The Consultant will be responsible for all administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment to be based in Suva.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, by UN Women and the Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

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

Required Skills and Experience

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements: Education:

•  Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, international law or other social science fields is required.
•  A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
•  A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience and Skills:

•  At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience related in designing and managing humanitarian programmes, with a particular focus on gender and protection in emergencies.
•  Minimum of three years’ relevant national/regional/international experience both in the field and headquarters in disaster response, recovery, or development work.
•  Technical experience in inter-agency coordination, preferably protection cluster coordination, and/or Protection Standby Capacity Project (ProCap/Gender Standby Capacity Project (GenCap) in a natural disaster setting.
•  Experience in coaching programme staff, in facilitating workshops and capacity building trainings.
•  Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations internationally and in the field.
•  Experience in the Pacific is a strong asset.
•  Experience working with the UN is an asset.

Language and other skills:

•  Fluency in English is required.
•  Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Additional Information: UN Women Statement on Diversity Inclusion

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).

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

•  Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, international law, or other social science fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.
•  At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience related in designing and managing humanitarian programmes, with a particular focus on gender and protection in emergencies.

Technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done through desk review of applications on the basis of responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) as per table below. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Evaluation Table: No.

Criteria

Maximum points

•  Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, international law or other social science fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

First-level university degree – 7 pts.

Masters’ s qualification- of 12 pts.

12

•  At least 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience related in designing and managing humanitarian programmes, with a particular focus on gender and protection in emergencies.

Up to 5 years with Master degree and up to 7 years with first-level university degree – 10 pts,

Each year over 5 (or 7) years – 2 pts each up to a max 20 pts.

20

•  Minimum of three years’ relevant national/regional/ international experience both in the field and headquarters in disaster response, recovery, or development work.

12

•  Technical experience in inter-agency coordination, preferably protection cluster coordination, and/or ProCap / GenCap in a natural disaster setting.

12

•  Experience in coaching programme staff, in facilitating workshops and capacity building trainings.

12

•  Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field.

12

•  Experience in the Pacific is a strong asset.

10

•  Fluency in English is required.

10

Maximum Total Technical Scoring

100

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit fully completed application on the UNDP Vacancy Site.

Submission Package:

•  Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
•  Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV) of consultant including records of past experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

Failure of candidates to submit a duly completed P11 form, as well as false representations on this form, shall constitute sufficient grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of the application. Information provided in the P11 form will be treated with confidentiality. Applications without a complete set of the required documentations will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.