Research Consultant – thought paper on policy and programmatic responses to the relationship between violent extremism and misogyny

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 and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Globally there is increasing evidence of the relationship between misogyny and violent extremism. To contribute to the analysis of this relationship, over the last 2 years UN Women and Monash University have been studying the relationship between attitudes and practices indicating misogyny (defined as both fear and hatred of women and/or the feminine) and support for violent extremism. Gender analysis of survey data collected in four countries (Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Libya) provides evidence of a mutually reinforcing dynamic of misogyny and violent extremism.

These findings are powerful in understanding the complex roots of violent extremism and pose very challenging policy and programming questions. While the long-term response is better and more sustained investment in more inclusive governance structures and gender equality programming, understanding what can be done short term to respond to this finding is more challenging.

UN Women’s Regional Office for Arab States, in partnership with its Regional Office in Asia Pacific, is seeking a consultant to produce a thought paper that explores the short- and longer-term policy and programmatic implications and responses to the correlation between violent extremism and misogyny.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Objectives and Purpose of the Consultancy:

The objective of the consultancy assignment is to help UN Women and partners think through the short- and longer-term policy and programmatic implications and responses to the correlation between violent extremism and misogyny.

Reporting to UN Women’s Regional Advisor on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action in the Arab States, the consultant will be responsible to produce a report of up to 20 pages, that sets out potential short and long term policy responses, including security/ICT, focused responses, and critically explores the challenges and strengthens around these.  

Responsibilities, Scope of Work, Functions, and Tasks:

The consultant is responsible for producing a thought paper (up to 20 pages) exploring the short- and longer-term policy and programmatic implications and responses to the correlation between violent extremism and misogyny. The paper should set out clear short- and long-term policy options for a range of sectors and stakeholders that respond to this correlation. Stakeholders should include – government and global policymakers, security actors, justice actors, service delivery agencies (government and non-governmental) and civil society actors.

The consultant will be supported by a small advisory group consisting of UN Women, UN CTED and the UN Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

Milestones, and UN Women Contribution:

Milestones of data categorization and report writing:

• Methodology notes;
• Draft paper summarizing findings (up to 20 pages);
• Submit a draft report to UN Women for peer review;
• Ensure the final report is comprehensive and inclusive of all comments obtained from UN Women.

UN Women Contribution:

To facilitate the work of the research consultant, UN Women will be providing the following (not exclusive):

• Available research documents;
• Formulation and facilitation of advisory group/peer review group
• Close coordination and support with research consultant;
• Follow up and revision of drafts.

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

• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Strong understanding of and commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment and its policy implications;
• Strong understanding of the policy framework and programmatic responses to PVE/CVE/CT;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, and ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments;
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple projects whilst maintaining high-quality and timeliness.
• Self-management;
• Continuous Learning and awareness of political sensitivity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in social science; Ph.D. is considered an asset.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience working on (research and programmatic) issues of PVE/CVE/CT;
• Experience writing the fields of gender and women’s empowerment/ economic/ human rights-related work;
• Excellent writing and research skills, in English;
• Demonstrated analytical and report writing skills;
• Previous experience within the UN system is considered and advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Proficient in written and oral English is a must.
• Computer skills, statistics, internet communication and command of MS Office.

Evaluation Criteria:

Consultants will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

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

Technical Evaluation (70%, 70 points) split such as:

• Education: 10 points
• At least 7 years of relevant experience working on (research and programmatic) issues of PVE/CVE/CT; 20 points
• Experience writing the fields of gender and women’s empowerment/ economic/ human rights related work; 20 points
• Demonstrated analytical and report writing skills: 20 points

Financial Evaluation (30%, 30 points): The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:

• Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical);
• The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula: (Lowest Bid Offered*)/ (Bid of the Consultant) x 30;
• 'Lowest Bid Offered' refers to the lowest price offered by Offerors scoring at least 49 points in the technical evaluation.

Application:

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• A UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• Financial proposal - Proposed inclusive daily and lump-sum rate.

The above-mentioned documents should be submitted together, incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification.