National Consultant to support an international consultant in EU gender equality acquis and policies to carry out pre-EU accession capacity analysis, within a COVID environment

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 coor-dinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality (GE) and gender main-streaming translate into action globally. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) progress in recent years respecting and promoting Gender Equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments and in national legal and policy frameworks. The main achievements in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment reside in BiH’s institutional capacity development for the work on gender equality. Indeed, the legal provisions guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality are largely in place – the Gender Equality Law, the Gender Action Plan, the Election Law amendment instituting quo-tas, the Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention are normative achievements that influence the institutional practice in promoting gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pursuant to the Gender Equality Law of BiH, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AGE) is entrusted with monitoring the enforcement of the law. Furthermore, the Agency, along with the Gender Center of the Federation of BiH (GC FBiH) and the Gender Centre of Republika Srpska (GC RS) (collectively referred to as the “gender institutional mechanisms”) are key institutional mechanisms for gender equality in the BiH Council of Ministers, Government of the Federation of BiH and the Government of Republika Srpska, in charge of directing efforts towards fighting discrimination and achieving gender equality in BiH by developing strategic documents and action plans.

BiH still copes with deep-rooted, patriarchal stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large. Women in BiH face a particularly precarious reality – they are excluded from the political and decision-making processes; they have disproportionately limited access to employment and many of them are subjected to violence. Gaps in policy development and the slow implementation of the adopted legislation constitute important structural obstacles to achieving gender equality. Improvements are needed in both strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing cooperation between the gender mecha-nisms and key ministries as well as with civil society organizations in order to increase gender mainstreaming in all aspects of government work, primarily policy development and budgeting as the means for achieving gender equality.

As the Government of BiH prepares to align with the broader European Union (EU) Acquis in a wide range of sectors, it is prioritizing investment in particular sectors with specific areas of social and economic reform, providing for the adoption of a comprehensive sector-based approach to development. BiH’s accession to the EU is structured on the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the implementation of which is monitored by the European Commission. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities have delivered answers to the Questionnaire, with the European Commission adopting its strategy for “A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans”. 

The EU funded Gender Equality Facility (GEF) in BiH is based on the Action Document for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II) for the year 2018 “EU Gender Equality Facility”, entrusted for direct management and implementation to the UN Women in BiH.

GEF aims to strengthen the effective implementation of domestic and international legal frameworks concerning gender equality and women’s rights; mainstreaming gender into EU integration and planning processes for pre-accession assistance; and strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender equality in line with the EU standards. Furthermore, GEF will support institutions in correctly aligning with the EU Gender Equality acquis. The focus of the project intervention is on the role and functioning of institutional mechanisms for gender equality and their engagement in all aspects of EU integration and planning and implementation of pre-accession assistance. Sup-port includes strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms; the Gender Action Plan (GAPs) Coordination Committees and civil servants tasked with providing gender expertise in sectoral areas (gender focal points in ministries); and also the enhancement of capacities for implementing and monitoring GAPs and other relevant policies at the state and entity level. The intervention will address challenges in the implementation of laws and gender equality policies through support to the institutions mandated for gender equality and between coordi-nation and monitoring of gender equality policies and measures.

The UN Women Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit a National Consultant who will support an International Consultant in providing a pre-EU accession capacity analysis, gap identification, and needs assessment of the gender mechanisms and related institutions (the BiH Directorate for European Integra-tion, the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, and the Office of the Government of the Federation of BiH for European Integration)  with a specific focus on capacities to absorb the EU gender equality acquis and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH. The National Consultant will support the International Consultant with specific local knowledge of gender equality issues in BiH in terms of its EU accession path.  The National Consultant will report to the International Consultant and the UN Women GEF Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of gender institutional mechanisms.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

1. Under the supervision and guidance of the International Consultant, provide inputs for an analysis of processes that are underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term at the gender institutional mech-anisms and related institutions in terms of absorbing the EU gender equality acquis, and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH;
2. Under the supervision and guidance of the International Consultant, provide inputs for (i) the identifi-cation of gaps (such as human resources, specific knowledge, coordination capacities, regulatory framework, procedural flow, financial/budgetary aspects etc.) in effectively absorbing the EU gender equality acquis and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH, and (ii) opportunities and good practices;
3. Based on the analysis under bullet items 1.) and 2.) gap identification, contribute to the identification of the needs of the gender institutional mechanisms and related institutions to enable them to enhance their capacities to absorb and coordinate on the EU gender equality acquis, and their effectiveness in implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH; and
4. Contribute to the development of a set of recommendations identifying the way forward. 

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the International Consultant, overall supervision of the UN Wom-en GEF Project Manager, and close coordination with gender institutional mechanisms and relevant related stakeholders, the National Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Familiarization with background literature, existing reports, reviews and assessments of the gender in-stitutional mechanisms in BiH.
• Conduct consultations with the UN Women GEF Project team, International Consultant, the gender insti-tutional mechanisms and related institutions to establish a joint understanding of the project context, task and requirements.
• After initial consultations, provide inputs, in English, for the development of a methodology and work-plan that will include an outline of the timeline of consultations and type of inputs needed from the gender institutional mechanisms and related institutions.
  • Submit inputs to the International Consultant for verification.
• Provide inputs for an analysis of the processes that are currently underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term at the gender institutional mechanisms in terms of absorbing the EU gender equality  and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH. In doing so, special attention should be paid to the (i) EU and country reform agenda, as well as relevant strategies and policies in BiH and gen-der mainstreaming efforts, (ii) how the responsible institutions contribute to these processes, are linked with each other and coordinate with other relevant government bodies. The analysis should be undertaken in direct interaction and cooperation with the gender institutional mechanism and includes the joint identification of gaps (such as human resources, specific knowledge, coordination capacities, regulatory framework, procedural flow, financial/budgetary aspects etc.) at the gender institutional mechanisms. Provide inputs for a 10-15 page draft summary report, in English.
  • Submit inputs to the International Consultant for verification/incorporation.
• Based on the insights from the analysis of processes that are underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term and the gaps and opportunities identification, provide inputs, in English, for the development of a draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report with a detailed set of recommendations explain-ing through which measures gaps can be bridged in the short- and mid-term (including institutional, procedural, capacity development, and financial aspects). Also enrich with relevant examples of good practice and approaches pursued by other countries in the region/successful examples from EU mem-ber states.
  • Submit inputs to the International Consultant for verification/incorporation.
• After approval of the draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report by the UN Women GEF Project Manager, provide inputs, in English, for the development of the Concept Note, agenda, evaluation form for participants and additionally required materials for a validation workshop with the gender institu-tional mechanisms, the UN Women GEF project team and any other relevant stakeholders.
  • Submit inputs to the International Consultant for incorporation.
  • Support the workshop.
  • Take notes of comments made by workshop participants, support preparing draft workshop notes and submit to the International Consultant.
• Based on the results of the validation workshop, support any required adjustments to the draft Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report and submit inputs to the International Consultant for verifica-tion/incorporation.

Throughout the assignment, the National Consultant is expected to:

• Keep continuous contact and exchange with the International Consultant
• Maintain communication and good working relations with designated staff of the gender institutional mechanism and other institutions relevant for the analysis
• Attend weekly briefings with the International Consultant and the UN Women GEF Project Manager to provide status updates/reports.

To facilitate the delivery of the above outputs, UN Women will provide the National Consultant with the follow-ing:

• Project related documents and contacts;
• Other documents as necessary.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

Deliverables	Indicative Days	Timeline and due dates
1. Inputs for notes of minutes of meeting (including participants’ lists) held with International Consultant, the gender institutional mechanisms and related institutions to establish a joint understanding of the project context, task and requirements. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	6	by 25 March 2021
2.  Provide inputs for a methodology and workplan. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	1	By 01 April 2021
3. Provide inputs, in English, for a report on the analysis of processes currently underway and/or planned in the short to mid-term at the gender institutional mechanisms in terms of absorbing the EU gender equality acquis and implementing and monitoring gender equality policies in BiH. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	5	By 15 April 2021
4. Provide inputs, in English, for the Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	8	By 30 April 2021
5. Provide inputs, in English, for the Concept Note, agenda, evaluation form for participants and additionally required materials for a validation workshop. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	3	By 10 May 2021
6. Support the validation workshop and take notes of participants’ comments. Submit to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	3	By 15 June 2021
7. Support adjustments to the final Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report and submit inputs, in English, to International Consultant for approval and UN Women.	2	By 18 June 2021
Total	28

 

The consultancy will last 28 days, in the period from 15 March 2021 to 16 August 2021. The assignment will not require presence on UN Women premises. The assignment will require in-country travel. The Consultant shall be responsible for organizing their in-country travel. In that respect three (3) trips to Banja Luka and three (3) trips to Sarajevo should be expected.

 

REPORTING

All deliverables should be submitted to the International Consultant and UN Women GEF Project Manager in English. Final inputs for the Pre-EU Accession Capacities Analysis Report, in English, should be delivered at the latest by 18 June 2021. Approval time required to review the deliverables before authorizing payments is 7 days.

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:Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Law, Public Administration, Gender/Women’s Studies, European Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Master’s Degree in similar fields is considered an asset.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in engaging in public administration reform, public management streamlining and modernization, and institutional development and capacity building in the public sector
• At least 3 years of experience in supporting mainstreaming of women’s rights and/or gender equality in policy development and implementation by government through different sectors
• Demonstrated work experience in supporting/strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms at various levels
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the national legal and policy frameworks regarding gender equali-ty, especially in regard to the EU acquis
• Evidence of solid knowledge of stakeholders in the country, in particular national institutions working in the field of gender mainstreaming and development
• Excellent English language skills, particularly in the preparation of written documents, and fluency in Bosni-an/Croatian/Serbian
• Prior experience in conducting tasks similar to the ones outlined in this ToR with UN agencies or similar in-ternational organizations would be desirable

Language requirement:

• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken)
• Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian

Other skills:

• Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communication and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), Zoom and MS Teams

Evaluation of Offers

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualifica-tion of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the com-bination of applicant experience, qualifications and a financial proposal. The 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 technical and financial criteria defined below.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for an inter-view. Top 3 candidates (with highest number of points in the technical evaluation) will be interviewed. The max-imum number of points assigned to the financial proposal will be allocated to the lowest price proposal among those candidates who have reached at least 5 points in the interview. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%) – 70 points

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Law, Public Administration, Gender/Women’s Studies, European Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related fields – 10 points
• Master’s Degree in similar fields is considered an asset – 2.5 points
• At least 5 years of experience in engaging in public administration reform, public management streamlining and modernization, and institutional development and capacity building in the public sector – 10 points
• At least 3 years of experience in supporting mainstreaming of women’s rights and/or gender equality in policy development and implementation by government through different sectors – 10 points
• Demonstrated work experience in supporting/strengthening the gender institutional mechanisms at various levels – 10  points
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the national legal and policy frameworks regarding gender equali-ty, especially in regard to the EU acquis – 10 points
• Evidence of solid knowledge of stakeholders in the country, in particular national institutions working in the field of gender mainstreaming and development – 10 points
• Excellent English language skills, particularly in the preparation of written documents, and fluency in Bosni-an/Croatian/Serbian – 5 points
• Prior experience in conducting tasks similar to the ones outlined in this ToR with UN agencies or similar in-ternational organizations would be desirable – 2.5 points

Financial Evaluation (30%)Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30

• S - score received on financial evaluation;
• Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
• F - financial offer under the consideration.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

1. Expression of interest and confirmation of immediate availability
2. Detailed financial proposal in BAM (which includes consultancy fees, travel, accommodation, subsist-ence etc. in the form of a lump-sum)
3. Completed UN Women Personal History (P11) form, that can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered (all documents indicated above need to be up-loaded).

For any additional information, please contact unwomen.bih@unwomen.org

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
• Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Expression of Interest into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click 'Apply Now' button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click 'Submit Applica-tion;'
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the sys-tem.

Qualified women and men and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.