National Consultants to strengthen the protection and assistance mechanism for women who experience violence, Republic of Moldova.

Vacancy Number: Pr18/01765

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 25 Sep 2018, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
30 Sep 2018, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:Individual Contract
Starting date: 15 Oct 2018
Reference to the project: UN Women
Expected Duration of Assignment:Total up to 90 working days for the group of consultants, within 8 months
Submission Instructions:

Technical proposal and financial proposal should be submitted on-line no later than September 25, 2018, 23:59 EST. Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail viorica.culeac@unwomen.org. Please notice that this address is for information requests only, please do not send or copy your application package to this address. UN Women staff will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Supporting Documents:
Terms of Reference
Procurement Notice
Annex 1
Annex 2
Personal History Form (P11) UN Women
UN Women Conditions of Service Consultants

Contacts:

Ms. Viorica Culeac.




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 for 2018-2022, aligned with the Republic of Moldova–United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018–2022, the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women for 2018-2021, the National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2017-2021 (NSGE), the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence for the Period 2018-2023, and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on three main areas: 1/strengthening women’s participation in politics and decision making, 2/economic empowerment of women and 3/ending violence against women and girls. To achieve progress under these areas, UN Women works with variety of national and international partners and as part of different national and regional initiatives.

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations. In Moldova, as in the region and around the world, it affects individuals regardless of the context, culture, or their socio-economic status, with serious repercussion for women, their families, and society in general. According to the National study “Violence against Women in the Family”, carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics, and commissioned by UN Moldova in 2011, 63% of women experienced some type of violence (psychological, physical or sexual) from husband/partner during her lifetime, and one in ten women mentioned that she experienced economic violence at least once in her lifetime. Rural women, elderly women, and those separated or divorced reported the highest prevalence of multiple forms of violence. Subjects of gender-based violence need a large spectrum of specialized and effective services: primary and qualified legal assistance, shelter, financial and social assistance, psychological counselling etc. A 2016 UN Women study “Report on costing of domestic violence and violence against women in Moldova” supported by World Health Organization (WHO) and Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) estimates that over 30% of the services considered essential per international standards do not exist in Moldova or are not efficient.  When they do exist, the majority (60 %) of services are provided by the civil society organizations.

These service providers are mostly members of the National Coalition Life without Violence (National Coalition), which is a joint platform of 22 civil society organizations and public institutions, service providers working in the field of preventing and combating domestic violence and violence against women and girls. The members of the Coalition provide support and develop services for women and children, subjects of domestic violence at the community level, including counselling, primary and specialized legal assistance, immediate and long-term psychological assistance, shelter, social and economic support, programs for rehabilitation for victims, as well as programs for perpetrators. The main source of financing for the services offered by civil society organizations come from external sources - grants by development partners. The Law 45 from 2007 on preventing and combating domestic violence was modified in July 2016 and provides the responsibility of state actors (central and local public authorities) to prioritize funding of services for victims of domestic violence during forming and approval of local and national budgets. The obligations of the state to establish or support such services are also contained in the international conventions ratified and signed by the Republic of Moldova.

In the last two years, several researches and studies were conducted in which issues related to the national accreditation procedure of service providers on gender-based violence were discussed, including the above-mentioned Report of estimated costs of domestic violence in Republic of Moldova and Development of services for women who experience violence by International Center “La Strada” with support of UN Women Moldova. The findings have pointed out that one of the major gaps to be addressed concerns the lack of link between the accreditation procedure and state budget support to the social services providers working on gender-based violence and the procurement of social services.  Based on these findings, experts from the National Coalition Life Without Violence have developed an initial Concept for amending the existing mechanism of accreditation of service providers working with survivors of domestic violence and perpetrators. In March 2018 the Concept, including main challenges and proposed solutions, were presented to and discussed at the first meeting of the Inter-Departmental Working Group (IWG) established by Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection. The IWG was created as a task-force in order to analyse the existing legal provisions and to consider the possibility of changing the current accreditation model for social service providers and to establish an efficient procurement mechanism based on best international practices. The main conclusions suggest that it is crucial to secure sustainability of services provided to women who experience violence by increasing the legal and financial responsibility of the state actors and in line with the national and international commitments of the Republic of Moldova.

While the above-mentioned Concept contains some general conclusions and recommendations regarding the current model of the accreditation of social services, there is a need for elaboration of specific recommendations, including legal amendments and costing projections for procurement of social services in EVAW area based on international good practices and on a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework analysis. This will build on the Concept developed by the Coalition and on the initial steps undertaken by the MHLSP towards the accreditation of social services.

Therefore, the purpose of the consultancy is to identify and address the remaining challenges and gaps regarding the accreditation and procurement of social services providers (ASSP) in the field of violence against women by developing a set of specific legal amendments and financial/costing estimates that will enable the functioning of an efficient and sustainable mechanism for ASSP. The assignment is supported by UN Women under the framework of its Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection (MHLSP) and in partnership with the National Coalition Life Without Violence. In particular, it will contribute to the realization of Objective 2. Strengthen the protection and assistance mechanism for victims of violence against women and domestic violence of the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence for the period 2018-2023.

Scope of work

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Programme Coordinator and in close cooperation with National Coalition “Life Without Violence” and with the Department of Policies for Ensuring Equality between Women and Men, Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection, the group of consultants will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Mapping and analysing the legal and regulatory framework to be amended in particular but not limited to: Law 547-XV of 25.12.2003 on Social Assistance; Law 123 of 18.06.2010 on Social Services; Law 129 of 08.06.2012 on the accreditation of social services providers; Law on Public Procurement 131 of 03.07.2015; Law no. 45-XVI of 01.03.2007 on the prevention and combating of domestic violence; the Government Decision 95 of 07.02.2014 for the approval of the Regulation on the procedure of accreditation of social services providers; Government Decision no. 129 from 22.02.2010 on the approval of the Framework Regulation on the organization and functioning of centres for the rehabilitation of the victims of domestic violence, Government Decision no. 1200 from 12.2010 on the approval of Minimum Quality Standards for social services provided to victims of domestic violence etc.;
  • Carrying a comparative analysis of the international tendencies and best practices of accreditation and procurement mechanisms of social services in the area of ending violence against women (EVAW), in selected European and CIS countries;
  • Developing a specific set of draft amendments in accordance with the new Law on normative acts nr.100;
  • Assessing the proposed amendments in terms of budgeting and economic implications and elaboration of an explanatory note with further improvement;
  • Presenting the draft amendments to the members of the Inter-Departmental Working Group and other stakeholders (as necessary and to be further defined in consultation with MHLSP);
  • Reviewing the comments received and finalizing the draft amendments accordingly;
  • Organizing consultations, working meetings and public hearings with involvement of key stakeholders, and provide minutes per each major event.

Requirements for experience

Specific requirements for the team leader:

Education:

  • University Degree in law, public policy/or social science, or other related area;
  • Master’s degree or other equivalent (international) consultancy experience in above mentioned area would be an asset;

Work Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in analysis and implementation of justice or social care/services (family) policies;
  • At least 5 years of experience in managing and coordinating operation of complex (multi-faceted multi-actor and multi-layer) activities and mechanisms and structures for interaction, between stakeholders, international development partners and civil society organisations; designing and administering relevant groups, dialogues and platforms;

Skills:

  • Fluent in Romanian and English. Working knowledge of Russian will be considered as an asset;
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use IT tools;
  • Strong strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking, proven written skills,
  • Ability for the detailed and substance-oriented analysis,
  • Ability to communicate efficiently (verbally and in writing),
  • Ability to interact, coordinate and be flexible;
  • Good drafting skills and ability to provide clear recommendations and findings;

Personal qualities:

  • Responsibility, thoroughness;
  • Carefully to details;
  • Flexibility and human based values.

 

Specific requirements for two consultants with legal background:

Education:

  • University Degree in law, public policy/or social science, or other related area;
  • Master’s degree in above mentioned area would be an asset;

Work Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in analysis of legal framework with a comprehensive and in-depth expertise in developing the draft regulations, policy documents;
  • At least 5 years of working experience in the field of human rights, social services, gender-based violence, gender policy formulation/implementation or related;
  • Experience of working with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, both civil society and government officials;

Skills:

  • Fluent in Romanian and English. Working knowledge of Russian will be considered as an asset;
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use IT tools;
  • Strong strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking, proven written skills,
  • Ability for the detailed and substance-oriented analysis,
  • Ability to communicate efficiently (verbally and in writing),
  • Ability to develop report and provide clear recommendations and findings;
  • Good drafting skills;

Personal qualities:

  • Responsibility, thoroughness;
  • Carefully to details;
  • Flexibility and human based values.

 

Specific requirements for consultant with economic (budgeting) background:

Education:

  • University Degree in law, economical and/or social science, finances, or other related area;
  • Master’s degree in above mentioned area would be an asset;

Work Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in analysis of legal framework and analysis of proposed amendments to legislation in terms of budgeting and economic implications;
  • Relevant expertise of immediate work and/or consultancy in social services, particularly related to gender-based violence would be an asset;
  • Experience of working with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, both civil society and government officials;
  • Previous work experience with the Ministry of Finance would be an asset;

Skills:

  • Fluent in Romanian and English. Working knowledge of Russian will be considered as an asset;
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use IT tools.
  • Strong strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking, proven written skills,
  • Ability for the detailed and substance-oriented analysis,
  • Ability to communicate efficiently (verbally and in writing),
  • Ability to develop report and provide clear recommendations and findings;
  • Good drafting skills;

Personal qualities:

  • Responsibility, thoroughness;
  • Carefully to details;
  • Flexibility and human based values.

Documents to be included

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by 25 September 2018 with the following documents:

  • Letter of Intent to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;
  • Duly filled Personal History Form P11, including records on past experience in similar projects/ assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
  • 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.
  • Technical proposal – which shall include: ✓ Description of the candidate’s relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words), ✓ Proposed approach and methodology (max 1500 words), including: Timeline and milestones, Risk and mitigation measures, ✓ Annex: Short Sample or links to related work previously conducted by the consultant

 Applications without financial proposal may be treated as incomplete and may not be considered for further assessment.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days). Please see TOR Annex I: Price Proposal Guideline and Template and Annex II: Price Proposal Submission Form.